Posted by Nicole_NCali on 9/1/05 9:58pm
Msg #63393

Very OT: Politicians who don't serve the people..LONG

I just got off of a couple of forums where individuals from both parties are placing blame about the crisis in LA, MS and AL. The Republicans are blaming the left wing liberal Clintonites and the Left wing is blaming the Flag toting Bushinites. I find this very funny, because neither parties or the presidents who head them have lifted a finger for the people of the USA. I always wonder why people who are active in their parties do not questioning the direction that the party is taking.

I always laugh when I see CNN or FOX news analyst go over our growing trade deficit, our new enemy: China, and our growing budget deficit. It is also interesting when the Republicans decide that taxes are not enough and when a tragedy like Hurrican Katrina happens, we all realize that everyone must pay their fair share, that means everyone!!!. I hate taxes, but I like being able to call the police when someone decides that they want to take my stuff. I hate taxes, but to do what I need to do, I need adequate and safe roads.

I think that this country's ruling parties, both Dems and Rep are greedy. The Dems want to foster a welfare state, but there is this old adage, "If I give you a fish, you will eat for day, but if I teach you how to fish, you will eat forever." (something like that) Because both DEMs and Republicans have not addressed a growing population for the most richest and powerful nation: the poor, we have a bunch of poor people who did not have the resources to flee away from imminent disaster (New Orleans to be specific)

This hurricane is heartbreaking, the preparedness or lack of preparedness is embarassing, I felt like I had just awakened in a developing country. I feel impotent, because like most Americans, I gave away my power, whether I am a Rep or a Dem is unimportant, the important issues are not being addressed like my safety, ( I do live in the Bay area which is due for a big one) and my family's safety.

This issue crosses all party lines, we the people need to be clear about our American vision for the future. I am sorry, I feel for the people in Iraq and other countries, but I live here, I have evey intention of dying here and this country is my main concern. I served in the Navy to protect it against all enemies at home and abroad and now I am wondering if our own Politicians (all parties) should be lumped into the enemy corner.

I just had to let this one out. I welcome intelligent discourse and to agree or disagree is what makes America such a great country.

Reply by Joan Murad EA on 9/1/05 10:49pm
Msg #63397

I agree with you. But if you look at history in this case. Clinton had set a side funds to fix the levee in New Orleans but Bush took it away. This was going to happen.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 9/1/05 11:33pm
Msg #63410

I'd say that building a city below sea level, and further expanding it where hurricanes "happen" probably have a whole lot more to do with the crisis than anything Bush or Clinton have done.

I read the post as more about a lack of action NOW. I don't get why the government/armed forces/all the resources we have aren't descending with helicopters and convoys to help these people now. This isn't making sense. It's not like this city was on the other side of the world. The danger there is real; looting, violence, rape - people acting like animals. Reports of those that have tried to help are fearful for their safety. Truly terrible in so many ways.

Reply by John_NorCal on 9/2/05 12:06am
Msg #63422

It makes me wonder where the priorities of this administration are focused. As has been said elsewhere, "This is our tsunami."
I won't even start in on Iraq, not at this time. The facts are that this is our country and these are our people. We need to take care of our own, no matter which party is in the White House. This administration has shown they are absolute fools when it comes to taking care of our own.

Reply by Ilona_OH on 9/2/05 1:34pm
Msg #63515

Excuse me but animals don't act as bad as humans.

Reply by DC_NV on 9/2/05 1:02am
Msg #63434

Placing the blame, who knows where to start. The FEMA director looked in the camera just a couple of hours ago and said " We did not know they were there" for the convention center in N. O. and the Super Dome. For heavens sake, most of us live a thousand miles away and WE KNEW.
It does look like a 3rd world country. It is a shame and the administration in charge will spend billions on a country that hates us, yet people here who are in a horrilbe natural disaster are sitting on their roofs, dying in the streets as we type this.
I don't know the answers, but I know who I will NOT be voting for next time, that is for dam sure!

Reply by Dee_RI on 9/2/05 6:22am
Msg #63445

I try not to comment on political discussions.....but I have to agree with DC's statement below:

"It is a shame and the administration in charge will spend billions on a country that hates us, yet people here who are in a horrilbe natural disaster are sitting on their roofs, dying in the streets as we type this. ..."


I was just saying the same thing yesterday. Sometimes it is hard to be proud to be an American when your own government fails to help its own.

Reply by ColleenCA on 9/2/05 7:28am
Msg #63447

Why Bush didn't immediately send in military aircraft with massive amounts of water and MRE's to drop for these poor people I just don't understand! The basic needs of these people is not being met, and the talking heads want to make excuses on who is at fault and who isn't. Why have they not at least cleared some of the areas in LA that are dry, and set up shelter, cantine, MASH unit, etc. These are all basic things that we do for people in other countries. But then, maybe that's the problem. Too many military and too much money being spent "over there" and not enough left to take care of our own.

Reply by newlysmomva on 9/2/05 8:09am
Msg #63451

I totally agree that we have spent too much time helping other countries while people in our own have gone without and are going without now. I love these doctors that go to the Phillipines and other countries and do surgery for free, but would let you die here if you didn't have enough insurance for them to get paid!!! Doing for others is great but don't leave out those at home.
On another note, for any of you that have horses, chickens, etc....are you aware of the national tracking system that is going into effect. Every chicken, goose, rabbit, horse, pig, cow will be implanted with a GPS tracking device and your home will be registered and tracked. You will have to report death or transportation of an animal to a show, etc within 24 hrs to the government or risk fines/taking of your animals. I just want to know if they are going to track the fox that steals one of my chickens and eats it and fine me for the locator going off the property!
The Bush administration is all for the money---lining their pockets and those of their friends at the expense of the taxpayer.
That's all I'm going to say for now before I get more wrung-up up.

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 9/2/05 11:13am
Msg #63488

I'm very pro Bush. But this has me real disapointed. Not only has the Bush administration failed at getting the help needed to the region. But I think there is a huge amount of responsibility on the LA elected officials and government officers for not immediately putting immense pressure on the government. As soon as the hurricane was upgraded troops, and other rescue personel, should have been of the proverbial red alert with bags packed ready to go. Along with that where's the help from our so called allies.

Reply by Ilona_OH on 9/2/05 1:36pm
Msg #63516

It is said that many are offering aid. We will see!! Either someone will be too proud to except it or it will go through so many agencies that the prople down South that are suffering and not to mention dying in many cases will never see anything from it.

Reply by TLR_KY on 9/2/05 2:00pm
Msg #63521

You know, I really try to be objective in my thought. I must say that I am not political but for the past 5 years I have had more opinions on the government than ever before. I served in the military during the first gulf war. Didn't have an opinion at that time just did what I was told to do. At least during that war we got most of the world on our side. It just seems like our current admin. has the attitude that we will do what we want and if others don't like it then too bad. As I read the daily news and listen to CNN and FOX the many countries are taking this time to take shots at our country. The power of the media is such a moral deplinisher. We already have enough enemies around the world. We don't need enemies here in our own country due to our governments lack of decision making. It's time like now we need to pull together and help our fellow neighbor. Maybe pull some of our troops back from overseas and help the sick and injured in LA. My prayers go out to all those affected.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 9/2/05 2:13pm
Msg #63524

Re: Very OT: Tray

***The power of the media is such a moral deplinisher***

So true, and I'm hearing from more than one source that network TV is only showing this in the very worst aspect possible; that help is pouring in to the region but just can't get to the worst hit areas quickly for a lot of reasons.

I wish we could hear the news, reported accurately and without bias.

Reply by christiSocal on 9/6/05 2:38am
Msg #63837

A loud amen to what titlegal said! n/m

Reply by NorCalDar on 9/6/05 5:55am
Msg #63841

Re: A loud amen to what titlegal said! n/m

As I write this, my wife (a nurse) and her boss (a doctor) are in the Astrodome tending to the "needs" of the displaced. Blame Bush, Clinton, Satan, or the Wrath of God against a sinful city, Does it really matter?

Instead of pointing fingers at the current administration, consider that RIGHT NOW, my wife, a licensed nurse who has a current nursing license in CA, and has held a license in OK, and TX, is not allowed to "nurse" any of the affected in the Astrodome because Texas officials are concerned that her current license is issued in CA not TX. Rather than come back home, she volunteered to help families reunite with displaced loved ones. She (and I agree) felt that since her boss was there she might as well stay and offer any help she could. Now her boss (as well as all other out of state physicians) have been told that they can no longer help out because it may constitute unauthorized practice of medicine since they are not licensed to practice in the state. Both will be returning home tomorrow night.

States rights issues are why we are where we are on this one. The Governor of LA was "outraged" when she learned that she had to "ask" the Feds for help? Are we to believe that she would have just sat by idle while the President orderd her National Guard (they are under the control of the state's Governor not the President). Yeah right! The Bush administration did not supply the needs to LA until they were asked by LA because by constitutional separation of powers (unlike separation of church and state, this one is actually enumerated in the constitution but that's another story) specifically forbid the Federal Government from acting in a state matter without state authorization. The Feds did ask the Gov. of LA 3 days BEFORE the hurricane if they could act and were declined.

In the same arrogant manner, the State of TX is thumbing its nose at qualified outsiders who just want to help.

Shame on them all!

Reply by BrendaTX on 9/6/05 9:29am
Msg #63848

Texas Arrogance or Texas Law?

**In the same arrogant manner, the State of TX is thumbing its nose at qualified outsiders who just want to help. ***

You said to stop the blame game, but is this not finger-pointing and blame? Your frustrations are understood, but you contradict yourself IMHO -- Is it really arrogance that you are frustrated with, or the problem of medical licensing laws? And, would it be any different in another state?

It's a bad time to lay blame on any state right now as we all desperately need to work together .

I don't see your parallel between La Gov's decision and the law the medical people are dealing with...apples and oranges...except they both indicate federalism.

Just a pet peeve of mine, but I have always thought that placing shame, or "shaming" others, whether they are good, bad or ugly, in *any* situation was actually a very illustrative and prime example of arrogance.

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 9/6/05 10:49am
Msg #63851

NorCalDar

I guess I haven't had the news on enough the past 2 days. I had absolutely no knowledge of the information in your last paragraph. What news agency reported that?

Please thank your wife for going and doing what she can to help.

Reply by NorCalDar on 9/6/05 11:43am
Msg #63861

Re: NorCalDar

Thanks, I'll pass that on to her.

There have been numerous reports on the subject from reputable new agencies. Try reading an artical from the Washington Post. You have to read through most of the article to get to the meat so be patient.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/03/AR2005090301680.html

Additionally, one must understand that an oft underreported fact is that the Bush administration declared the area a state of emergencyon August 28.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,167240,00.html

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 9/6/05 1:33pm
Msg #63871

Re: NorCalDar

Thanks for the links. Good articles.