I sent this letter to all my elected officials on Thursday . . . complete with the gramatical errors and typos I didn't catch . . . (oops)
(Letter in extended entry)
As I watch news reporting from Louisiana and Mississippi, I am getting more enraged and appalled. It's obvious to anyone watching this coverage the US Government has no idea how to handle a crisis or how to protect its citizens. If I did not see this myself, I would not believe this is America. This disaster has been predicted since 2001. The world is watching how the US cannot take care of its own citizens.
Since 9/11 we have heard about "homeland security" and protection. Obviously, these are nice sounding words with no action to back them. The head of FEMA stated on CNN that "the government only learned today (Thursday) of the large number of people at the New Orleans Convention Center." It's been on the news for days!
When government officials are interviewed I hear a long list of excuses. The major excuse is they cannot get into the area. Somehow, the news media has managed to get people there. If the news media can be on site, why can't government resources? If food and water can be dropped to people in Afghanistan, why can't that happen in New Orleans? Instead of help, people are dying due to lack of food and water. Rats are eating corpses that are lying on streets. This is the US, not a third world country!
As Congress comes back to session, I urge you, as my elected representatives:
1 - Put aside all ongoing work. There's nothing more important right now than addressing this issue. I also mean delay hearings for John Roberts. Sandra Day O'Connor's resignation is effective when a new justice is confirmed for the senate. This discussion can be delayed.
2 - Do everything possible to get the required help and assistance to the Gulf area. The governor of Louisiana has requested 40,000 troops. Get them there!
3 - Fix the awful state of emergency management and disaster recovery. If the citizens in the US cannot be protected from a disaster which has been predicted for years, how can it protect citizens from unknown threats.
4 - Restore the money needed by the Army Corps of Engineers to work on the levees. If that money had not been cut, the situation we face today would not be as bleak, and as expensive to fix, as the current situation demands.
5 - Pass the bill being re-presented by Rep Conyers to exempt victims of a disaster from the new bankruptcy law.
6 - To pay for these items, do not repeal the estate tax. And, reverse the tax cuts which have primarily benefited the upper income passed in the last few years. After the immediate crisis the people in the Gulf Area will need a huge inflow of dollars to help rebuild their lives. They have not only lost homes, but, also jobs. These issues must be addressed.
Finally, I urge you to learn the lesson, and impress upon your colleagues, why cutting important government programs does not work and ignoring scientific facts will cause more disasters. Environmentalists have warned of dangers in disrupting the wetlands. The budget for the Army Corps of Engineers has been cut. A study to evaluate the state of levees in Louisiana was cancelled. Those "savings" are resulting in a much larger cost. Today, the cost is in lost lives and probably spread of disease. I would imagine the problems will only get worse, with the disruption of oil production, this country, and possibly the world, will be thrown into a recession or depression. I can only imagine the effects of not having the port in New Orleans operable - how much will that negatively affect this country and the economy? I'm sure many upper income people appreciate the tax cuts of the last few years. But, when the population of the 35th largest city in the US is totally disrupted, this is bound to negatively affect the incomes of recipients of those tax cuts. After all, who will buy the goods and services of these companies? What will be the effect on the US economy of losing a major tourist attraction? The tax and budget cuts instituted since 2001 are obviously a lesson in "penny wise and pound foolish."
The current government administration is showing the world how inept it is. There is no reason why preparations were not made in advance to address this disaster. If we can send troops to Iraq, why can't we take care of US citizens? If Congress can come back into special session and the president make a middle of the night trip to sign legislation benefiting a woman who has been brain dead for ten years, Congress can - and must - address the current problems affecting this entire country.
(Note - addendum to Democrats)
The Democrats in Congress must lead on this issue!