Who’s To Blame?
This CNN article exposing the misuse of $1 Billion of Katrina aid cites may officials who huffily express their disgust with what happened. For example, one Representative remarked
“…that is no excuse for the lack of preparation, the lack of internal controls and the lack of decisive and professional leadership”
Another Congressman observed:
This is an affront to the American taxpayer, who has been fleeced by the actions of these criminals and the lack of FEMA fraud prevention.
I share these Congressmen’s anger and frustration. My anger, however, is not directed towards “mismanagement” or a “lack of fraud prevention.” My anger is directed at the recipients of the aid. Granted many people used the government’s help legitimately, they were not entitled to it to begin with. And the fact that fraud and misuse existed on such a large scale reflects very poorly on the communities that received large amounts of money.
Unfortunately, instead of point the scorn where it belongs, Congressmen content themselves with political posturing and finger pointing. What they should have said is “We are sorry that so many classless Americans abused the tax payers’ magnanimity when so many hands were extended–demanded prompt and lavish aid only to abuse it. Next time the government will be much slower to shower hand outs. And perhaps, generous individuals will be much more cautious and slow to respond.”
Aid should never have been given in the first place. A recent article I read pointed out that we’re rebuilding people’s homes over & over & over again in Hurricane Country. It mentioned one lady who has had her home rebuilt SEVEN times, at taxpayer expense. We are paying for the risk people take who set up their homes in hurricane-prone areas. The article also pointed out that many of the homes are mansions on the beach, which are also rebuilt with federal (i.e., yours & mine) dollars.
That people abused the aid is no surprise to me. That there are people who continue to live there after their homes are destroyed by hurricanes for the 5th time is no surprise to me. After all, those of us who don’t live in hurricane country are just stupid enough to let them get away with it, by tacitly recognizing the legitimacy of FEMA in the first place.
What IS a surprise to me is that no one in this nation really cares that people buy homes in areas that are prone to hurricane-risk & then expect the rest of the country to foot the bill.
Comment by Big Stupid Guy — June 22, 2006 @ 9:38 am