The tragedy in New Orleans reminds us why life is too precious for petty, partisan bickering. That truly politics is secondary to life. We must join hands, like we did after September 11th. I know the president will make this claim. And I know the Democratic Leadership will answer the call. And that Harry Reid will stand up and say, Not as a Democrat, but as an American, I insist we rebuild the marshland around New Orleans and do a better job protecting the environment of the barrier islands throughout our coastal communities. The tragedy in Louisiana is a reminder as to why the environment is our greatest of priorities, larger than that of our developers and even, yes, of our oil interests. We must look beyond the superficial needs of our corporate interests, and for the good of the people, for the sake of every citizen plucked off a rooftop, save the wetlands and protect the barrier islands.
And on this day, I will be proud of Harry Reid, not as a Democrat, but as an American.
After all, in this cynical age where some would accuse the president of putting corporate interests ahead of the people, it is beyond the call of duty for our Democratic leadership to remind us of the decency present on both sides of the aisle, and to ask for their cooperation and mutual sacrifice for the greater good. Truly, at such a human moment, that is what is needed. After all, every acre of land restored will lower future storm surges to the city of New Orleans and the surrounding areas by one foot. Think of the difference a foot makes, by one mere acre. We can secure this city. We will. We must. And we must not stop at New Orleans. Florida must be secured. There was no need for Katrina to wreck so much havoc in Florida. The state will improve yearly measures to secure trees and ground. And we must protect the reefs and barriers that are vital to preventing storm surge and preserving our beaches for the future. We see what happens when we keep our eye off the ball. We will not let that happen again.
But I also know that preventing future tragedies by better funding the levee projects that the current Congress appears to have neglected in their search for funds for Iraq (which I am not bringing up as a Democrat, but as an American), will not help those whose lives have already been altered by this tragedy. And I know Americans are the best sort of people, who in times of trouble open their hearts to others. This is why I know, as Americans united, we will join together to better health care programs to assist these people as they hover under threat of disease. We will unite to provide better medicare benefits. Increase funding to VA hospitals. We will make sure that everyone can be taken care of should devastation hit their community. We will do this not just for New Orleans, but for the nation. Because we are all from New Orleans tonight. We are equally vulnerable to sudden illness or tragedy. We are at the mercy of God, and God can be vengeful. We are all deserving of a social safety net to protect us from the winds and storms of life. Be it hurricane, cancer, or car crash, our citizens can trust in their people, and their government to care for their health and well-being. Our citizens are a giving people, and being that will give up their extra dvd player from their tax cut to give air conditioning to those in the Superdome. Our wealthiest Americans are also our most charitable, and as Americans will understand the need to sacrifice some of their tax cut to ensure the health of every child waiting on every rooftop tonight.
Life is too short, and too precious, to squander our time with petty, partisan bickering. There is a public need. All around us I hear the needy. This is our time as Americans to rise up and prove our better nature, the commonality that exists in us all. When there is such need around, there is no time to waste on bankruptcy bills and corporate welfare. There is, however, time to make sure that we can protect Social Security as a benefit that cannot be blown away by storms. When all you have is washed away and years of savings becomes piles of rubble, there is some comfort the government can provide in the form of public insurance that is not troubled by fickle markets or invested in goods. Goods and property are temporary, as has been made all too clear by the disaster unfolding before us.
Now is the time to rally as Americans. Care for our weak, our vulnerable. Now is the time for the Great Society to care for our people. We are a can-do nation. And we will do what we can. We can do this. We will do this, because failure is not an option. Not as Democrats. As Americans.
God bless America.
This will be my last post before I leave for Europe for approx. two weeks. I pray for all the survivors of this tragedy, and hope for their continued perseverance in times of trouble.