I agree the government needs to protect its citizens - yet how long do we have to pay tax dollars so that people can enjoy living in the hurricane prone coastal areas? They enjoy it - until - there is a hurricane which destroys all and then the appeals come for the general public/government to pay for all damage.
My point is - we all worry about how we can afford to care for the elderly in their extended illnesses - many claiming their lives should not be extended or prolonged.
Well - what about the American public that chooses to live in dangerous, unstable areas and then of course lose all to the naturally occurring storms and then expect the government and the taxpayer to pay for their choice? Year after year we hear these appeals for money to help these poor people. Yet - these people never move out but continue living there and continually express the view that it living there is wonderful except the few days of the hurricanes.
Yet, they expect the government to pay for their repairs year after year. And, that government is the American taxpayer.
I could go on and on about this tendency in our society - all to have desired luxuries no matter the cost - as long as the taxpayer is paying that cost.
(Disclaimer-this is not directed at any of the poor souls injured, wiped-out, lost, or hurting. I too pray for them and want to see them safe and happy. This is an overall societal comment to make us look at the trend in our society in all areas to live as we choose - no matter the cost and then, when destroyed, call on the government to bail us out.)
Apparently we are reaching the point of needing laws to outlaw living in accident prone areas. Time to manage our tax dollars a little more.
How much in taxes do the industries and commerce that spring up around waterways and seaports provide to the economy?
Industry and commerce spring up around these areas for a reason, not because people like the scenery.
New flash for you. Nowhere on this planet is particularly safe. New Orleans is a vital artery in American commerce, and sometimes we have to pay for it. That's life.
Exactly! When you build on the edge of the Gulf, you should not be allowed to rebuild IMHO. I really resent tax dollars going to help casino owners who put their casinos on the Gulf rebuild as well.
So we should abandon NO? One of the largest ports in our country? Vital for petroleum refining and transport inland up the Mississippi?
We should abandon vacation areas that bring millions if not billions to the states?
>>what about the American public that chooses to live in dangerous, unstable areas and then of course lose all to the naturally occurring storms and then expect the government and the taxpayer to pay for their choice?
Can you name a single area in the US not prone to natural disasters? I can't think of one.
The Gulf and SE -- Hurricanes.
NE and Northern plains -- Blizzards, Ice storms, Hurricanes at times
Central Plains -- tornados, drought
SW -- severe drought, limited water
West Coast -- earthquakes, volcanos
Every major or minor river system in the US -- floods.
There is not a single city over 500K people that is not affected by natural disasters of one kind or another (according to 2000 census: NYC, LA, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Dallas, San Antonio, Detroit, San Jose, Indianapolis, San Francisco, Jacksonville, Columbus, Austin, Baltimore, Memphis, Milwaukee, Boston, DC, El Paso, Seattle, Denver, Nashville, Charlotte, Fort Worth, Portland, Ok City).
Time for us all to move?