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We have been bombarded over a week with pictures and commentary on the results of hurricane Katrina and it appears to be a real mess! We all realize that the
hurricane was a natural event of catastrophic proportions but most Americans are appalled by the aftermath of the storm and how it has been handled by the local and national governments.
Last night, George W. Bush finally took blame for the slow response of Fema and other branches of the federal government, admitting there was something wrong in planning for a
major catastrophe. He went on to say how the gulf area would be rebuilt at taxpayer expense. Today he told us that any new taxes to pay for what he called "the greatest rebuilding project the world has ever
known" are not an option. Remember, Mr. Bush considers a roll back of tax cuts as a tax increase, and it is, but only for the richest who should be paying more anyway.
President Clinton left the country in pretty good financial condition, with a surplus and the national debt being reduced, however George W. Bush managed to get a
large tax reduction for the most wealthy, defied the United Nations and plunged into the war in Iraq.
The huge Bush tax cut immediately consumed all surpluses and ate up the the Social Security monies.
The Afghanistan and Iraq Wars plunged the nation deeper and deeper in debt, all in the name of protecting Americans and making us safer. Hurricane Katrina proved
we are no safer than before 9/11, contrary to what George W. Bush has been telling us. |
Then came the hurricane season and the worst storm the gulf coast has ever encountered, Katrina. We watched as the storm approached, first crossing
Florida and then building to a category four hurricane as it blew toward the gulf port cities of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. It seems everyone saw the warnings on television, including President Bush,
who declared an emergency situation before the storm hit land, but he didn't realize that by placing FEMA under the office of homeland security, he had essentially stymied the organization. He had also
appointed Mr. Brown to head FEMA, a horse breeder with no experience in handling emergencies such as Katrina presented. We watched as Bush stood beside Brown and declared he was "doing a great job" in handling
the situation, but a few days later, Brown was removed from his post and later resigned.
Now Bush is working feverishly trying to repair his image, visiting the gulf region, throwing his arms around citizens, trying to show "compashion" and making promises he
knows will not be fulfilled before he leaves office.
The president has not mentioned the cuts he made to the Army Corps of Engineers budget which could have helped maintain the levees and canals along the Mississippi
River and gulf area. Cuts in wetlands management also added to the vulnerability of the lowlands in that area. These things didn't strike the president as being as important as subsidies to the large oil
companies. It appears that anything that is not profitable, is not important to him. GLH.....
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