Re: Tsunami Relief vs. Flood/Landslide Relief
It wasnt too hard to find where the money goes. It was slightly harder to concentrate on disaster aid that was in billions rather than mere millions. None of the figures Im listing take into account the substantial aid and relief from NGOs (non-governmental organizations). All this is only a small drop in the bucket. The more you search the more you find. Pretty soon after you go back decades of disasters in all the states and all the millions upon billions spent in disaster aid in this country. <br />I not able to support statements made that disaster aid is lacking. <br />Heres a staggering amount of money, it start out with insured losses, then goes on to FEMA expenditures.<br />
http://www.adjustersinternational.com/journalists.html?journalists/disasterdata.html~body <br /><br />While doing a search on the facts, I was surprised to learn that Ohio gets hit with floods large enough for Federal disaster aid every 3-4 years. The State of Ohio spends a lot of its own funds on them very regularly.<br />Here is State (Ohio), FEMA disaster aid money. Hit the PDF zoom feature.<br />
http://www.ema.ohio.gov/Mitigation_Plan/Appendix_A_State_of_Ohio_Disaster_History_Profile.pdf <br /><br />Dang guys! It was just 6months ago 16 billion was sent your way, the ink has barely dried on the check. Now with the additional floods, no doubt billions more are on the way.<br />
http://www.ema.ohio.gov/Releases/2004/FEMA-DR-1519_NR024.pdf <br /><br /><br />There seems to be quite a few small regions (one or two county wide) in the past 4-6 years that have qualified for 4-6 million in Federal disaster aid for each small incident. <br />
http://www.business-journal.com/archives/20040723OhioDisasterAidtoFloodVictims.asp <br /><br /><br />Something interesting I ran across during my search. The recent power blackout gets Federal disaster relief in Ohio. Its more of the part that we take for granted here in the US. You know, subsides and taxpayer aid to very large and rich private corporations. Heres some pocket change, 5 million for your troubles.<br />
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=5160 <br /><br /><br />Florida isnt any stranger to natural disaster either. Federal disaster aid is common was very substantial in the 2004 season. Two billion to start with.<br />
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041029/WEATHER01/410290438/1075 <br /><br />Holy Mackerel! A couple hundred million here couple hundred million there. What a ton of money!<br />
http://www.floridadisaster.org/documents/IndivAssistData120804.pdf <br /><br />Twelve billion for Florida. They deserve every penny and more. Im sure theres plenty of stories where people are still put out because of the unfortunate disasters. But once you put everything into perspective, this country really does help those in need.<br />
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/10/national/main648425.shtml <br /><br />In the above link and attached to the Hurricane disaster aid bill was an additional 3 billion (not million) for the farmers. They have a disaster too. So theyll get the 3 billion for drought damage to their crops.<br />Clinton gave the farmers 6 billion (not 3) in 1999. <br />
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/budget/stories/farms080599.htm <br /><br />They needed more, in fiscal year 2003 they got 6 billion more. So the 3 billion given in the hurricane disaster bill of 2004 must have been a real slap in the face.<br />
http://www.nasda-hq.org/news/newsletter164.html <br /><br /><br />La Conchita seems to be a different disaster to me. It seems to qualify as one of accepting known risks. Even likely negligence on their part.<br />While not exactly built on a mountainside its built directly under one, on the very debris of historically recent mudslides.<br />The people in this community haven't been able to get mortgages on their homes for the past 10 years.<br />
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Conchita,_California <br /><br />Essentially through the communities own failed litigation (to place blame for the natural disaster and El Nino storms) following the previous 1995 mudslide left no doubt the risks they assumed. The 1995 mudslide was a completely ignored wake-up call. Even after the county erected retaining walls at taxpayer expense. The residents were made very aware that those efforts were useless in protecting them.<br />
http://209.157.64.200/focus/f-news/1319770/posts <br /><br />This country proves beyond a shadow of a doubt how lucky we have it. We have substantial natural disasters yet when the tragedy and loss of life occurs, the actual numbers are surprisingly small. Many storm-related deaths include traffic accident and health related deaths. <br />We all agree theyre tragic and sad.<br />Yet we also take so much for granted that we are able build and rebuild, and take huge risks with our lives and property. After the floods, hurricanes, earthquakes and mudslides, we take the money and rebuild right back in the same place to have it repeated again.<br /><br />It does make me proud that this country is able and willing to throw a lot of money around. Its hardly ever a tepid amount here at home or abroad. And given the choices that it can be spent on, it should come back to the people.<br />Since there are a lot of people who havent a problem with this country being the Worlds Police. It makes it a sweeter pill to swallow to be the Worlds Firemen and first responders also.
