Disaster relief ??

[RiverRat1]

Should the government give money to help? Or should people have insurance and be responsible for themselves?

Or should it depend on the size of the disaster? Should they also consider how rare the disaster is (like if the people should have seen it coming)?

[rtp]

I was raised to be responsible for myself and I have raised both of my sons that way. I would hate to rely on the govt for anything.

[basskicker24]

I think they do consider the size. I think if an entire city like (New Orleans, New York) is shut down due to a storm, fire or other natural disaster. I have no problem with government helping out. There are alot of resources being used. Extra Fire Fighters, Police, Utility workers, etc from other city's helping out. Thats where government help should be used. I don't feel the government should give money to recover personal property. JMO

[Leftridge]

I don't mind contibuting tax dollars to help disaster relief. Do I think people should have some personal responsibility, yes.. A lot of people have insurance.. But sometimes its just that bad and can't be predicted such as Sandy.. So, the compassionate side says why kick them when they are down. EVERYONE needs a helping hand sometimes..

[Codie]

government funds to help out the city as a whole(ok)

government funds to help individuals (no)

take your hard earned money and buy insurance to protect yourself and your family. That is OUR responsibility, not the governments

[rubydog]

I think the government should help to some degree after a major crisis like Katrina etc. They just need to be a whole lot more accountable for the money they hand out and to whom. I say a whole lot of scandal first hand after that storm first hand...

[Ol Thumper]

I think so to get the city running again but the personal property not a chance.

[Legdog]

Yes

Americans should look out for Americans.

We are all in this together.

Disaster flattens your home and sweeps all of your stuff into the sea, we (including our government) should be there to help. Its part of what makes this country great. We can help ourselves and we can help the world. We always have.

[Sparkles]

Lets not forget many insurance plans exclude flooding. So there are probably lots of folks that were trying to be responsible that are still going to be left holding the bill.

[RiverRat1]

IMO, we should send manpower but not money.

And sorry, if you can see saltwater you should know whats coming sooner or later.

And size should not matter IMO. The small unforeseeable disasters hit those who truely think they did not need that extra insurance. But when it's 1-5 homes it seems just the opposite where people say they should of had insurance.

Not saying to kick anyone when down but why have insurance if you get your home rebuilt when the SHTF?

If you build a home next to mine on a river only I'm 50' closer to the water, the river rises and I get flooded, you'd probably help me rebuild. But if I insist on building in the same place and it floods again 2 years later are you going bowhunting or spending time and money helping me again rebuild next to the water?

[Sparkles]

Much of the flooding was miles inland. Those folks probably couldn't see the saltwater. I understand what you're saying, like why heck build a town behind a levy below sea level.
Many of the houses on the east coast were not really even that close to the ocean above sea level and still got flooded. Pretty sure I read that the storm surge up there was bigger than any for the area in recorded history. So it's not like this happens every decade.
I talked to a guy from Ohio yesterday and his basement is flooded and has no power maybe even until Monday. Guess he should have seen it coming too. His insurance doesn't cover flooding and he is afraid his house will be a total loss by the time they can remove the water.

[RiverRat1]

Much of the flooding was miles inland. Those folks probably couldn't see the saltwater. I understand what you're saying, like why heck build a town behind a levy below sea level.
Many of the houses on the east coast were not really even that close to the ocean above sea level and still got flooded. Pretty sure I read that the storm surge up there was bigger than any for the area in recorded history. So it's not like this happens every decade.
I talked to a guy from Ohio yesterday and his basement is flooded and has no power maybe even until Monday. Guess he should have seen it coming too. His insurance doesn't cover flooding and he is afraid his house will be a total loss by the time they can remove the water.

So help the guy out. I never said we should not help anyone. But the homes right on the beach, they did not think they would ever get flooded? And heck they are the ones with money if they can afford a beach house.

[M16]

No, the government has no business helping anyone out. That's why people should have insurance. Flood insurance is available. We as individuals should help our fellow countrymen however we can even if they are yankees.

[BIG IRON]

So help the guy out. I never said we should not help anyone. But the homes right on the beach, they did not think they would ever get flooded? And heck they are the ones with money if they can afford a beach house.

And there we have it. I figured you had an angle when I saw this. So, how many of these houses didn't have proper insurance?

[bowhuntntxn]

So when the insurance companies refuse to pay, which is well within their rights, who pays then? Suppose someone has been paying home owners insurance for 20+ and is refused coverage because of a rider that wasn't filled out, what will they do? And the businesses that are down, should they have had millions on hand to pay for the repairs to their business and property and equipment?

It is a fickle situation for sure, and we as Americans need to stand together for the betterment of the nation. Any sitting president would ensure funding. It isn't an Obama/Romney thing.