AP IMPACT: FEMA asks for return of disaster aid (We're here to help.)

Associated Press ^ | May 10, 2011 | RYAN J. FOLEY

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

I don’t want to seem callous but it is up to each of us to provide for ourselves and this includes preparing for a catastrophe. We went through a devastating fire but had adequate insurance so came out whole.

[Bryan24]

Think I’d get a bank to help me get $20,000 in pennies and dump them, loose of course, at their office.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

FEMA admits the payments were largely its own fault — the result of employees who misunderstood eligibility rules, approved duplicate assistance for costs that were already covered by insurance or other sources, or made accounting errors.

Translation: Affirmative-action made us do it.

[Myrddin]

I’ll bet he’s not one of “Holder’s people”.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Worthless agency.

FEMA Denies Assistance For Virginia Tornadoes

[cripplecreek]

Yeah we need to stop thinking the government should provide for us in the event of disasters. It just leads to government theft of money and rights.

My congressman is trying to end the use of faulty FEMA flood maps in setting insurance rates. FEMA didn’t have enough money to pay for these floods so they enlarged the floodplains so they could grab more of the money that is set aside by insurance companies in turn driving up insurance rates.

My house is in a floodplain that didn’t exist a year ago.

[blue state conservative]

So if you pay for insurance for years and years it is the insurance company that is responsible restore your belongings. If you don’t buy insurance then it’s the taxpayer’s responsibility. Now I get it. No wonder the government has such a hard time convincing anyone in California to buy earthquake and/or flood insurance.

[cripplecreek]

I think we’d all be better off without federal “help”.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

That only works for Eric Holder's people, though.

If you aren't one of Eric Holder's people, screw you.

[Sunshine Sister]

Your federal govt works for you! I know now that no matter what happens to my property, I will not take one red cent of federal money to fix the problem.

[sheana]

If FEMA should even be allowed to exist......their only job should be showing up with food, water, clean clothing, etc. Govt should not be in the biz of paying anyone because of disasters or being an insurance provider.
If they don’t have insurance then they should have to depend on the goodwill of others.

[hinckley buzzard]

I have said repetitively that under the Usurper, the US Government has declared war on the American People. This is one illustration. While this has been going forward, tens of thousands of Blacks have been handed fifty thousand dollars each as "farmers," but who had only potted plants on their windowsill in some slumdwelling.

Make no mistake about what is going on here.

[combat_boots]

Is this man White?

[newzjunkey]

We went through a devastating fire but had adequate insurance so came out whole.

Goodie for you. The fact is insurance is a crapshoot. We've learned from the many wildfires in CA that insurance carriers may or may not actually pay out and will foot drag for years. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find it's no different with flood insurers even now.

Giving him 30 days to repay for FEMA's error is obscene.

[RetiredTexasVet]

There will be more. As I watched the waters flowing by the roof tops, the owners whined that they didn’t have any flood insurance. Now, why would anyone who lives near a river want flood insurance?

[shhrubbery!]

Worthless agency. FEMA Denies Assistance For Virginia Tornadoes

That's because you live in VA, and VA's a red state. Same thing is happening to TX. Obama won't let $ go to red states!

Heck, even NJ is getting denied FEMA aid after some devastating weather. This might seem surprising because NJ's a blue state - but then you have to remember that Chris Christie is governor there.

[RobertClark]

I guess I am in the minority for being of the belief that it is up to every individual to insure their property and possessions. Why in hell’s bathroom should the collective taxpayers be on the hook for personal property? Whether a renter or a homeowner, the applicable insurance should be purchased to protect from financial ruin in the event of vis major.

The argument that insurance companies “drag their feet” in resolving claims, whether true or not, is irrelevant to the broader issue of taxpayer provided lump sum handouts to ill prepared individuals. There are remedies available if insurers fail to act in accordance with policy terms - taxpayers should not be one of them. Short term relief while awaiting settlements is one thing, a $20k check is another.

The argument that one cannot afford adequate insurance is ignorant. No one can reasonably NOT afford to have adequate insurance on property. The poor decision to reduce coverage levels, or drop coverage altogether, should not be rewarded by a check at the end of the rainbow.

[decimon]

I guess I am in the minority for being of the belief that it is up to every individual to insure their property and possessions.

I don't think you're in the minority in this forum.

[Myrddin]

Pigford. Disgusting.