Storm survivors told to get active. Re: New Orleans. AGREE?

Question

U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., said there are limits. Even though she described herself as "a tax-and-spend liberal," Waters said the federal government can't do everything. Besides, she said, there are some problems that need to be solved by local and state governments.

"I would not look to the Congress of the United States to solve those problems," she said. "Where is the heat that has been placed on your state government?” “What about putting some heat under them?"


http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/08/storm_survivors_told_to_get_ac.html

I agree with Rep. Waters. What are your opinions?

Answer 1

I agree with Democrat Waters (and you) also.



that being said - I do feel sorry for the people that got screwed by their insurance companies.

most of the poor will never get to go home to New Orleans.

that city will be rebuilt for people that have cash to invest.

Answer 2

I wonder if they drafted her to say that because it would be more politically acceptable. It is absolutely ridiculous. Here is a new rule, if you live in a disaster area before the hurricane, you do not get a new house because of a hurricane. Living in trailers? These are brand new trailers provided free of charge. I would be willing to bet they are a lot nicer than the places where most of these people lived beforehand (Now that is not politically correct, but NO was a very poor city). I realize there are many, many people who have been hurt by this. However, I think it is outrageous what has been spent at this point and that people are still complaining. It is the victim/entitlement mentality perpetuated when the government tries to portray itself as the savior of all who may be downtrodden.



Of course, any figures you see about spending dont forget Haliburton took their 50% right off the top.

Answer 3

Note the link you have doesn't work. But I agree. I mean people were given money afterwards but wasted it.



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14574567/



4 Billion dollars given and most gone as of February 2006 when this article was made.



People received money, one guy instead of using it for bills and all that, decided to use it to get a sex change operation. Nice. I am glad taxpayers money went for relief funds and ended up being spent frivolously.



New Orleans screwed themselves in the beginning anyways. Bush told the governor and mayor about the hurricane but both said no, we can handle it, stay out of it. Well look at what happened. There were buses under water that were suppose to evacuate people out of the city, but were not used, because for some strange, odd reason they thought they could live normal everyday lives during a hurricane, a powerful one at that.



So people need to stop blaming the President and everyone else because they were stupid enough to stay in their houses during a hurricane! Links showing that everyone was warned before Katrina hit.



http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/03/02/fema.tapes/index.html



http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/08/28/hurricane.katrina/index.html



This is just being milked for more money and typical point the finger at everyone else except for the ones to truly be blamed for it.



Definition of hurricane:



1. A severe tropical cyclone originating in the equatorial regions of the Atlantic Ocean or Caribbean Sea or eastern regions of the Pacific Ocean, traveling north, northwest, or northeast from its point of origin, and usually involving heavy rains.

2. A wind with a speed greater than 74 miles (119 kilometers) per hour, according to the Beaufort scale.

3. Something resembling a hurricane in force or speed.



Now people know what not to live in and to runaway from for future references. You are welcome.

Answer 4

You know for damn sure that the people of New Orleans are taking advantage of the government hand outs when a self described "tax and spend liberal" says enough is enough.



I do agree with her that more responsibility needs to come from the state and local governments. But the people down there shouldn't rely on them either, they need to take some innitiative and try to be more responsible for their own well being.

Answer 5

Totally agree...



Gov Blanco and Mayor Nagin are primarily responsible for this entire fiasco. If it wasn't for their poor leadership the situation in New Orleans might be quite different. Their example for the citizens of New Orleans is to sit around and wait for the federal government to do something. Instead they should be leading the charge to take back the city and rebuild what can and should be rebuilt and make the tough decision to condemn those areas that should not.

Instead, they do what they do best... flap their gums and point fingers.

Answer 6

I sure do! We have already given Louisiana 7 1/2 billion dollars and due to their bureaucracy everyone will not get their homes rebuilt/repaired as the checks will run out before 60,000 of these families get help. Louisiana will then ask for more funding. I do not approve more of my tax dollars going into their errors. Apparently, Louisiana needed a watch dog to be sure the funds were properly dispersed. Too many hands in the money and far to much going into the application process for the approval of these funds to families that needed them.

Answer 7

I think maxine is being generous in her self description, she is more like a tax and spend socialist, but, she has this one right. LA has had tons of money given to them, they have a long history of political corruption and much of the Federal monies received in the last three decades has been pilfered. At some point the voters are going to have to clean house because we cannot continue to support their career crooks down there.

Answer 8

I think we should completely disband the military and NASA and give all of those billions of dollars to the Katrina victims, but only those "victims" in the New Orleans area.

I figure we could give each victim $2 million dollars a year so they can enjoy the good life. I for one would be happy to have my taxes raised so that the federal government can give a full $90,000 a year salary to every person in poverty. Why should people be deprived of the American dream just because they don't work?

Answer 9

I have been an American Red Cross volunteer for 15 years.

I was in New Orleans post Katrina, 649 families relocated to our city here in SC. I worked with FEMA getting benefits for these people, went to DC as a case reviewer for long term, unmet needs of these clients. I must say that there are plenty of programs out there to help them in their recovery. They need to take the necessary steps to aid themselves in recovering from the storm. Granted, there is a lot of paperwork that needs to be filled out, charitable organizations have a new program, that we all input data and compare what services have already been provided to the client so as there is no duplication of services. The clients must provide proof that they actually LIVED there as so much fraud has been uncovered. Utility companies and property tax records are necessary for proof. At this time, many people have received large FEMA checks, insurance checks, charitable funds, rental assistance for 18 months, additional rents paid by charitable organizations, furniture, food stamps but it is necessary to file and make a plan for your own recovery. The governor also has the Road Home which will give up to $50,000 to rebuild their home and a FEMA trailer to live on the land where your previous house was so that you can rebuild. Many people just failed to help themselves recover, it is up to them. New Orleans was not built in 2 years, it cannot be rebuilt in the 2 years. It is an old city that took years to build, what can you really expect? Habitat for Humanity is still down there, the Amish are still down there rebuilding, but people have to help themselves recover and move on. Many of the clients I spoke with would never return to that city because of the crime and corruption.

Answer 10

Incredible. I never thought I would be saying "I agree with Maxine Waters". Did hell just freeze over?

Answer 11

i agree that some should be handled at local level. The levees are the responsibility of the federal government though. I wonder if congress can put some heat under the insurance companies.



added. there are sometimes legitimate reasons that people don't evacuate. as for the claim about Blanco,it was debunked. not that i excuse most of what she did(n't) do.

http://www.snopes.com/katrina/politics/blanco.asp

Answer 12

I don't always agree with Represenative Watters but she's dead on there. Leaning on the Louisiana State house or the Mayor will get better results.

Answer 13

Wow!! I think this is the very first time I've ever agreed with her!



Bravo, Maxine!

Answer 14

I totally agree. It's been two years now.



At this point, further government help is nothing but a ''handout''. Time for those people to get busy.

Answer 15

I agree. I want to help people who look and act like they are doing something. The ones with their hands out can just wait.

Answer 16

I agree, there are limits.





Hey, Scott B. - Waters is a Democrat.

Answer 17

Time for Louisiana to stand up and get busy,fix their levies and help their people.

The feds gave them billions,where is it at?

Answer 18

They should have gotten zero handouts after 6 months. All those still waiting are those that were the criminal, lazy loafer, welfare bums before the storm.

Answer 19

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MOAcoJZpJw



Take a break and maybe admit that in America we pitch in and help out people rather then relocate and blame the victims .



If we had a little more love in this world maybe .

Answer 20

agree

Answer 21

I agree, but I think that if this happened in her district she would singing a different song.

Answer 22

It's about time someone from the left came out to say it publicly.

Answer 23

"everything"? they aren't doing anything. How would you feel if you were stuck in a trailor park, a single parent with kids, unable to find work because almost all jobs have left. You woudnt be able to be able to do everything, let alone something.

Answer 24

I agree.i have been saying that for 2 years.

Answer 25

ditto with this;



I don't understand why we should give IRaq 50 billion (bush will ask congress soon according to ap) to solver their problems but we can't use 50 billion of federal aid to fix our problems. Doesn't really make sense.

Answer 26

I disagree with unfunded mandates.

Answer 27

I think she's on to something. *wink*