A decent sized portion of Atlanta was flooded by a hurricane a couple of months ago. FEMA said that the damage didn't meet FEMA standards.
Most on this board aren't really conservatives - they are just cheerleaders. If Clinton had given this speech, they would be up in arms.
Why should we pay to rebuild a place better than it was that I chose not to live? Why did these people not have flood insurance?
Actually most of are conservatives, not libertarians. While we believe in less government we recognize that there are times when the government, meaning the federal government must act.
I believe that we are "One Nation Under God" not every man for himself. Personally, I would prefer we fund the aid with private contributions but to do that we'd have to fins a hundred million plus Americans to pony up a grand a piece. Now I'm already on board with that but I know there aren't 99,999,999 others who are or will be.
So then the question becomes are we a Nation or are we islands unto our own. The majority will say we are a Nation and we will do what should be done.
And therein lies an opportunity. Yes, the history of such opportunities is dismal but it is an opportunity nonetheless.
Bush can do this. When we help folks build a new home we put hammers in their hands and then bread on their table paid for with sweat. When folks can't put hammers in their hands we put them to work minding the children of those that can and then we put bread on their table. When we rebuild New Orleans, we don't challenge mother nature, we pay her due deference and build on higher ground. We give them a hand and an opportunity at ownership and in return we insist that they leave the old ways behind. We reinforce the lesson that they should have learned, the government can not protect their families, only they can do that. We help our fellow citizens and we point them toward a better way. Family, work, ownership and individual responsibility.
Damn tough job and the devil is in the details and the auditors hands but it is an opportunity nonetheless. I wouldn't bet the homestead on it working out but I would bet a few grand that things will improve somewhat.