Posted on 09/10/2008 4:49:29 PM PDT by Fox_Mulder77
Boca Raton, Fl.
Lt. Col. Allen West, Congressional Candidate For Fl. CD-22, Challenges Sen. Barack Obama and Rep. Ron Klein For Supporting a Dangerous Bill
On Sunday, September 7, 2008 Sen. Barack Obama officially gave his support for the Homeowner's Defense Act. Saying, "I've long been a supporter of a National Catastrophic Insurance Plan, and the time to act is now.... I am proud to add my name to this bill, and that's why I'll sign it into law as president."
In response to this Lt. Col. Allen West stated, "While The Homeowners Defense Act may sound like a godsend to many Floridians living through another active hurricane season, one should take care, look at the fine print, and consider the loopholes before signing on. Missing from this bill are clear standards for hazard mitigation: strong building codes, design standards, and hazard control structures. Sen. Obama is wrong when he says this bill will "spread the risk". It will, in fact, create risk by encouraging risky behavior, over development, and poor building standards."
A recent analysis of hazard mitigation grants awarded by FEMA found that, "every $1 spent on mitigation saved society an average of $4." (GAO) Even the National Wildlife Federation has said, Its troubling to see some in Congress proposing legislation that would likely work to encourage irresponsible building and rebuilding in destructions path and carelessly put fragile oceanfront ecosystems in jeopardy.
Lt. Col. West argues, "In these tough economic times we cannot continue to write blank checks that are to be paid by our children and grandchildren."
"Taxpayers should question any lawmaker that would support a catastrophe fund that is void of clear standards for mitigating the loss of life and property damage. This bill is dangerous to the environment, the taxpayer, and everyone living in areas affected by wind storms. There are many other unanswered questions surrounding this bill, which is why I challenge Rep. Ron Klein, the co-author of the bill, to openly debate it with me. If he cannot publicly debate his own bill, why should taxpayers be expected to pay for it?
"We in Florida have learned our lesson from Hurricane Andrew: do everything you can to strengthen your home and community BEFORE a storm hits," West said. "Lives are saved and property damage is mitigated when the proper steps are taken to prepare for a hurricane season. This bill says nothing about creating a comprehensive strategic framework for strong building codes, design standards, and hazard control systems; and tells property owners to build anywhere, with any standards, as the federal government will be there to bail you out if the state can't."
Ping!!
Go Col.West! All Freepers in his county should be supporting him for Congress! Sure wish I could vote for him from St.Pete!!
Obama wants to be yo’ mama. He will take care of you no matter what stupid thing you do.
Do you have a working link for the published text above?
“This bill says nothing about creating a comprehensive strategic framework for strong building codes, design standards, and hazard control systems; and tells property owners to build anywhere, with any standards, as the federal government will be there to bail you out if the state can’t.”
We have an accurate assessment of the current situation in
just one sentence!
Take away the federal and state funding for those who insist on building in harm’s way(barrier islands, water
front flood prone areas,etc.)I’m tired of seeing my tax
dollars rebuilding the beach in front of someone’s
condo!
I’m tired of hearing about houses, MADE FROM STICKS, blowing away in a hurricane or tornado zone and people being shocked about it.
Haven’t any of these people or insurance companies every read the story of the 3 pigs and the wolf huffing and puffing? Apply that fable to a hurricane zone and you’ll have an answer to reduce these huge hurricane disaster costs.
Why do insurance companies insist that a destroyed stick framed house be rebuilt from sticks again? They could insist the homeowner rebuild in concrete block or Insulated Concrete Forms so they don’t have to worry about replacing it again the next time a hurricane hits. It doesn’t matter how many hurricane straps you have on the wood frame, over time the constant flexing will weaken the connection points and IT WILL FAIL.
Stupid is as stupid does I guess.
I agree. In my city of over a half million and a total county of 1 million plus, we are far from gulf storms, but; we are not immune to tornados, floods in low areas, nor are the building codes strictly enforced by inspecters, who are supposed to ensure that all new homes meet building codes.
We have recently had the local news show irate owners of new homes in recently completed subdivisions that have major structural, electrical, plumbing heating and cooling problems.
This legislation defies logic.
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