Do you think that politicians have too much control? And im mainly targeting the senate with this. And the president. I mean, since all of this 9/11, and this latest bridge collaspe, we can really tell how much the senate, and yet the president fails. And also the huricane katrina event. They did not send help/troops to new orleans until 3 or 4 day until after the storm hit. People got terribly sick or even died just by not getting help in shelters. That was a major thing that i thought that the senate didn't use their power to help the people. And what about 9/11... the terrorists used and got by stuff that we were planning to prevent. Like better security. We could have prevented that. But we never did it until after thousands died in the event. And if it wasn't for the people on flight 93, theres no telling how many more would have died. (Tribute to them.) And now this event with the bridge in minniapolis. I haven't seen 1 press conference from any of the senate, or better yet, the president. He needs to show respect for the people who is going through hell wondering if their loved ones are alive under those raging waters. And they didn't send major troops or help. People had to, or more better to say wanted to volenteer (sorry i can't spell) to help. And also, the president knows how much we want to get out of this pointless war... why won't he pull them back? They are accomplishing nothing. And im not trying to disrespect troops because i know they are fighting for their lives trying to let us live a free life. But even some troops are amitting that nothing is being done. I think that the people of the USA should have more control over what happens. Not all powere should be given to certain individuals.

And second, im a person living in a small town, and yet it is able to hold a mall, and several shopping centers. And what does my mayor and city council do? They build 2 mcdonalds, god knows how many banks, several new buildings for CVS, and they are wanting to build a 9 million dollar rec center with 3 pools, and tennis courts. Come on, we already have one. We want a chik-file (sorry for misspelling), and a TGI fridays, but they continue to put countless junk in. What is with that?

Im so glad i got all these things off of my chest!

The federal government should not, and should never have been, involved in disaster relief. Abolish FEMA. It's painfully clear that the federal government is useless at this kind of thing. Return it to the states.

Speaking of FEMA and all that stuff...what did the presidents do with the donations to help? They went to local strip clubs and bars!!

Speaking of FEMA and all that stuff...what did the presidents do with the donations to help? They went to local strip clubs and bars!!
Somehow I doubt that. They would already have enough money to do that. It's not like strip clubs are terribly expensive.

well according to all of the interviews i heard, that is what they did...not just with strip clubs, but they bought things for their benifit, not the people's.

well according to all of the interviews i heard, that is what they did...not just with strip clubs, but they bought things for their benifit, not the people's.

You would have to list sources for that. While I don't doubt the money was mismanaged, no one here is going to accept the claim without being able to view a source for it.

Somehow I doubt that. They would already have enough money to do that. It's not like strip clubs are terribly expensive.

Strip clubs can be terribly expensive - don't kid yourself.

The federal government should not, and should never have been, involved in disaster relief. Abolish FEMA. It's painfully clear that the federal government is useless at this kind of thing. Return it to the states.

Agreed, but in the analysis of Katrina... the state and local government failed just as miserably (if not more so). If you live in an area that is oft subject to a specific natural disaster, to be totally unprepared for that disaster is foolish and bordering on criminal to the people that you "represent".

I think before you pass judgment on the federal government you should really consider the size of it all and what they do on a day to day basis.

The infrastructure in which this government runs is massive. But it is ran by humans. And we make mistakes.

I don't think it is right to say that because of one mistake we must stop trying all together or that the entire government is a massive failure.

It's important to note that politicians are not the government. They are representatives of the government. Any corruptions in the government are done over time and can't really be blamed on one person or a group of people.

It's the responsibility of our law makers to fix these things and I admit at times I have doubt in their abilties

Yes, maybe the state of Louisiana should have the capability to help their own citizens, but they do not.

And were talking about a state that detests federal government involvement. They asked for the help.

We may never know exactly what went down between the federal government and the state government that allowed that kind of break down to happen.

I think before you pass judgment on the federal government you should really consider the size of it all and what they do on a day to day basis.

The infrastructure in which this government runs is massive. But it is ran by humans. And we make mistakes.

I don't think it is right to say that because of one mistake we must stop trying all together or that the entire government is a massive failure.

That's why the federal government should not have so many responsibilities. Some of these responsibilities can easily be given to state governments. That was Borg's point.

The federal government should not, and should never have been, involved in disaster relief. Abolish FEMA. It's painfully clear that the federal government is useless at this kind of thing. Return it to the states.


For someone still in his teens you seem to have a pretty good grasp on reality. I am always a bit surprised at your maturity and clear thinking. I really shouldn't be because you have demonstrated it often enough. I guess it is just the predjudice of a senior citizen when considering a youthful poster.

The federal government should not, and should never have been, involved in disaster relief. Abolish FEMA. It's painfully clear that the federal government is useless at this kind of thing. Return it to the states.

You would have to amend the Constitution so the President could not take away the state militias as he is doing now for Iraq.

Otherwise all it would do is leave the states completely helpless during times of disaster, especially poorer states.

You would have to amend the Constitution so the President could not take away the state militias as he is doing now for Iraq.

Otherwise all it would do is leave the states completely helpless during times of disaster, especially poorer states.
That would be fine by me. The line between state and federal government has been becoming less and less sharp over the years, and it's time to reverse that.

In fact, not to threadjack here, but it may surprise some of you here that I am opposed to the Roe v. Wade decision. I firmly believe that abortion is a state issue, not a federal one. I'd vote against abortion bans myself, but I don't see how anti-abortion laws are against the Fourteenth Amendment.

That would be fine by me. The line between state and federal government has been becoming less and less sharp over the years, and it's time to reverse that.


I don't necessarily disagree completely... but we already fought a war over that question and frankly the states already lost.

I am already fighting enough of an uphill battle just trying to counter 27 years of conservative/libertarian propaganda and make people understand that we are all in this together.

That's why the federal government should not have so many responsibilities. Some of these responsibilities can easily be given to state governments. That was Borg's point.

And my point was that in disasters like that the state cannot be expected to foot the bill.

The federal government has the resources to implement an effective disaster recovery and for the most part is has been effective. Katrina is not the rule, it's the exception.