[ClancyJ]

Did I say abandon?

I said we might consider areas not fit for dwellings, hospitals, hotels - unless the owners themselves want to be responsible for all repairs yearly, all rescues. The federal government does not tax people to provide coastal repairs yearly when "some" in the population "choose" to live there.

How would you feel if Exxon had the government pay yearly for damage to all the offshore rigs in the Gulf? Why should the taxpayer pay for damage done to hotels? Why not the hotel owners paying for it, why not Exxon paying for the rigs (which they do).

Hurricanes will happen and like another poster mentioned barrier reefs have a purpose and that purpose is to protect the coast rather than provide vacation resorts.

[monday]

"Why should the taxpayer pay for damage done to hotels? "

What makes you think they do? Almost all businesses have insurance which pays for their rebuilding. Federal assistance is mainly for individuals who have no insurance and comes mainly in the form of interest free loans.

Fema also has grants to be used for emergency situations. If you are willing to fill out the paperwork, and wait for them to send you a check, they will pay for things like plywood to board up your windows, or gasoline to power your generator, or ice for you cooler.

The government actually provides far less assistance to victims of natural disasters than is generally believed. If you are ever the victim of a natural disaster, don't expect much in the way of help from the Federal government.