[Servant of the 9]

My mind boggles that FR would have pulled this article previously.

I have no objection to government help for the unexpected, hurricaines in California or earthquakes in Florida fall into that category.

I don't at all understand why the government should bail out people who built houses they Knew would be soon destroyed.

I lived most of my life on the Gulf Coast and during the '50s and '60s most everyone got along fine without hurricaine/flood insurance. You either built strong enough to survive, or you built cheap enough the loss was no big deal, or you found a relatively safe piece of ground, but you didn't expect to rp off your fellow citizens to repair your stupidity.

So9

[Wolfie]

I certainly can't think of any reason why the Federal gov't, under any adminstration, would continue to kiss Florida's backside. Nope, none at all.

[billbears]

I have no objection to government help for the unexpected, hurricaines in California or earthquakes in Florida fall into that category

You don't? You should if you're a conservative. Providing relief for acts of God or anything else (i.e fires, disasters, etc.) is not covered in the Constitution? Nor is a 'moral obligation' to provide for the elderly covered either. Of course I learned from our President it must be because he has stated that it is....

just more government waste

[mcg1969]

I have no objection to government help for the unexpected, hurricaines in California or earthquakes in Florida fall into that category.

Earthquakes in California are not unexpected. Hurricanes in Florida are not unexpected. Their timing may be unexpected, but not their occurrence. Which means that you can, and should, plan for them.

As a California resident, I pay $$$ on earthquake insurance, which is flat-out required if you expect to get a mortgage on your house. If you pay cash, well, it is assumed you have the means to deal with it yourself.

[daviddennis]

Aren't there lots of houses in Florida that have survived numerous hurricanes?

I think the problem is poor construction quality and home buyers who don't think through what they're buying.

There are homes on Key West that are over 100 years old, and still standing despite all the hurricanes.

i'll bet that given a decent budget, I could create a Florida waterfront home that would withstand anything nature cares to throw at it.

D

[jamaly]

Bump for later reading.

[familyofman]

Disaster releif should be a state, not federal, function. Everyone knows; floods along rivers, hurricanes in Florida & Gulf states, tornadoes in midwest, snow & cold in upper midwest, earthquakes & fires in California. Those that take the risk of natural disaster should bear the costs.

[k2blader]

It was pulled???

[RightOnline]

Agree with your points, but you've been here plenty long enough to pretty well figure that if Sowell was pulled, it was for one reason and one reason only: duplicate post. :)