The President's Speech Part II

[MikeJ]

seems like all the previous thread could dredge up out of the muck was 11 souls who wanted to scold the President for not getting off the pot quick enough. Wish it were that simple.

What I got out of the speech was:

1. No new taxes to fund rebuilding the Gulf Coast, it will be funded by slashing other federal programs that already have been slashed or eliminated to fund the War in Iraq.
And this will help the poor and average joe outside of the disaster area who want to better themselves with education and better jobs?

2. Government to create $$$ pot to:

a. develop a Gulf Opportunity Zone to create jobs.
b. give small businesses tax reliefs (and who will be the one to fund this? (other small business or those wishing to start one), and loan guarantees for minority owned businesses. (Hope they repay).
c. Begin a worker recovery program ==$5,000 stipend to evacuees for job training, education, and child care. By the time this happens the casinos and liquor stores should be open. OK this is nasty, I know, but after hearing what some used the first $2,000 debit cards, I hope some part of government will make sure the money is spent on what it is intended.
d. begin an Urban Homestead Act for low income persons.
So, if you were middle income, lost your home (or business), didn't have flood insurance, lost your job because your employer flooded out, ARE YOU now low income? (I hope so.) By the way, they are required to build on it. (Can they then sell it to a developer at a nice profit?) And then go to the casino and liquor store?

And now the choicest cut of all:

Permitting the Louisianna and Mississippi elected officials to guard the pot. And their history of honesty with government money (like the dike fiasco) is?????

I am glad to see relief, and humanitarian gestures but I have a teenager and two that were and I found out that until they actually sweated for a wage, it was not a good idea to just put a huge sum of money in their hands and expexct them to make intelligent decisions.

And, how about a little $$ rewards/compensation to those who have provided the humanitarian relief so unselfishly? Maybe even a tax break or something.

[joey791]

Originally posted by MikeJ
seems like all the previous thread could dredge up out of the muck was 11 souls who wanted to scold the President for not getting off the pot quick enough. Wish it were that simple.

What I got out of the speech was:

1. No new taxes to fund rebuilding the Gulf Coast, it will be funded by slashing other federal programs that already have been slashed or eliminated to fund the War in Iraq.
And this will help the poor and average joe outside of the disaster area who want to better themselves with education and better jobs?

2. Government to create $$$ pot to:

a. develop a Gulf Opportunity Zone to create jobs.
b. give small businesses tax reliefs (and who will be the one to fund this? (other small business or those wishing to start one), and loan guarantees for minority owned businesses. (Hope they repay).
c. Begin a worker recovery program ==$5,000 stipend to evacuees for job training, education, and child care. By the time this happens the casinos and liquor stores should be open. OK this is nasty, I know, but after hearing what some used the first $2,000 debit cards, I hope some part of government will make sure the money is spent on what it is intended.
d. begin an Urban Homestead Act for low income persons.
So, if you were middle income, lost your home (or business), didn't have flood insurance, lost your job because your employer flooded out, ARE YOU now low income? (I hope so.) By the way, they are required to build on it. (Can they then sell it to a developer at a nice profit?) And then go to the casino and liquor store?

And now the choicest cut of all:

Permitting the Louisianna and Mississippi elected officials to guard the pot. And their history of honesty with government money (like the dike fiasco) is?????

I am glad to see relief, and humanitarian gestures but I have a teenager and two that were and I found out that until they actually sweated for a wage, it was not a good idea to just put a huge sum of money in their hands and expexct them to make intelligent decisions.

And, how about a little $$ rewards/compensation to those who have provided the humanitarian relief so unselfishly? Maybe even a tax break or something.

Actually there is supposed to be a special session coming up, the state treasurer(certain he is onboard) and the governor(I believe) are pushing that an accounting company or group that has no ties to the state(corruption woes) take over the money so that none is misspent. Its a shame that it took this but it looks like we may be finally starting in the right direction.

Also something that has not been talked about but has been a concern of mine is the imminent domain judgements in the Supreme Court, many of the neighborhoods in New Orleans are totally destroyed or condemned, will there be rich developers running in and taking peoples land to rebuild?



[Edited by joey791 on 09-16-2005 at 11:28 PM]

[2hot2coolme]

This too!!

[MikeJ]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by joey791

Originally posted by MikeJ


Also something that has not been talked about but has been a concern of mine is the imminent domain judgements in the Supreme Court, many of the neighborhoods in New Orleans are totally destroyed or condemned, will there be rich developers running in and taking peoples land to rebuild?

[Edited by joey791 on 09-16-2005 at 11:28 PM]

When the Red River flooded up here in '97, the towns of Fargo-Morehead suffered severe damage. Many of the victims moved elsewhere with little compensation. As to the neighborhoods that were in the lowest areas:

Several local schools were destroyed, prompting the construction of replacements. Because construction was not finished on most of these schools until the end of 1998, hundreds of students spend a year and a half of school in temporary locations ranging from churches to FEMA-constructed temporary metal buildings, known by locals as "tin bins." Numerous city buildings were also damaged, especially in East Grand Forks, where the flood-ravaged downtown area had been home to the city hall and the public library. Both have since been replaced by new and elegant buildings, though not before spending a few years housed in a former elementary school and an ice rink's warming house, respectively.

New dikes have been constructed in both cities. The system of levees and new "invisible floodwalls" should be complete in 2007, having cost several hundred million USD. What were once entire neighborhoods are now covered by grass and trees, part of an extensive greenway on the wet side of the new dikes. In East Grand Forks, this transformation is especially visible. One former neighborhood is now a large campground, the spiritual center of what is now known as the Red River State Recreation Area. The cities of today are drastically different from their 1997 versions, but most residents are pleased with this, seeing it as fulfillment of President Bill Clinton's promise that the cities would "rebuild stronger and better than ever."

Many of the 'victims' of this flood got little from the government. Thanks to a charitable gift ($15 million) from Joan Kroc (wife of Mc D's founder) residents got $1000 to $2000. The city wisely decide to not rebuild in bad areas and protect other areas due to the fact that the potential for flooding in that area has always been there.

[dec]

it will be interesting to see what they decide to do next year if by some strange reason it happens again. Now is there some type of guarantee that this only happens every thirty years? I would hate to see a half a trillion dollar put into New orleans every 10 years or so. Now if I had a relation in the government for louisiana I guess I might see if I could get a cut too, not really sure why they are so against having to account for where the money is spent. That was bush saying that wasnt it or was I dreaming. Its a good thing he cant run again being he would be history. Im pretty conservitive but Im getting a little tired of him throwing money that we cant afford at everything. Now if you were a multi millionair like him I guess you wouldnt worry either. Oh well I guess it will give Hillary ammo. If were going down ,why not go down in flame. Are they teaching chinese in grade school yet?

[l•k]

.

[Edited by L•K on 09-19-2005 at 06:21 AM]

[MikeJ]

Originally posted by l•k
be happy —— YOUR tax dollars at work

You bet, I just read in what way:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/

[Diceman]

Bush is trying to buy back the Ameircan public now.
That's mainly his goal, it's all about politics to that bunch.
Nevermind, as a country we are so in debt it will take our kids years to pay it off, but they want another tax cut that mainly helps rich people and corps. I think that will make it 5 so far.
You don't even have to be good at Algebra to figure out that you can't spend billions a day on war, disasters and normal operation of gov, while cutting back on the income you need to do so.
It's unreal.

[mattm]

Is this a political thread in the General area. I'm offended by it. By the way since Davo brought it up I'm offended by a lot of stuff and didn't notice it before.

I think I need therapy. What is the number for the "Analog School of Anti-Offensive Feelings" ??

[MikeJ]

Originally posted by mattm
Is this a political thread in the General area. I'm offended by it. By the way since Davo brought it up I'm offended by a lot of stuff and didn't notice it before.

I think I need therapy. What is the number for the "Analog School of Anti-Offensive Feelings" ??

Is this a political thread in the General area.

General Discussion
Any topic, HVAC or otherwise.

Was this a question? ?marks are used to denote this.
According to the moderator's definition I guess you could put a politically themed thread anywhere as can you.

I'm getting offended by a lot of stuff relating to FEMA and it's management.

DISASTER ISSUE: FEMA HAS BEEN WASTING TAXPAYER MONEY FOR YEARS.
South Florida Sun - Sentinel; Sep 20, 2005; pg. 18.A

ARE YOU FEMA MATERIAL? TAKE THE TEST
HOWARD GOODMAN COMMENTARY; South Florida Sun - Sentinel; Sep 20, 2005; pg. 1.B


The Florida Sun has been running some interesting articles on FEMA's mismanagement of funds. Costing us billion$.
And, recently did this poll:

Republicans have controlled the White House and Congress since the 2000 elections. How well have they governed the nation?
9.9%
They have done an excellent job steering the country through difficult times. (532 responses)

17.5%
They have made some mistakes, but overall have done a good job. (937 responses)

12.7%
They have made many mistakes, but also accomplished some good things. (682 responses)

59.8%
They have been mismanaging the nation on almost all counts. (3203 responses)

5354 total responses

I guess you would rather this be posted in the jokes section?

[Edited by MikeJ on 09-21-2005 at 07:28 AM]

[Diceman]

I think you could post the Bush admninistration's record in the jokes section...
Big on the agenda now, another tax cut for the rich and allowing more mercury into the environment.
That's funny ain't it??