Don Rorschach - October 31, 2012

Hurricane Sandy was not nice but it was no where near as devastating a hurricane as Hurricane Katrina was in August/September, 2005 when Katrina killed 1,800 people and did approximately $200 million in damages to the New Orleans area. New Orleans was underwater for weeks and the residents were kept out of New Orleans for at least a month.

Elsie E Connelly - October 31, 2012

Yes, I think that the local governments can handle emergencies correctly. I belong to the TEA party (TAXED ENOUGH ALREADY) and I can assure you, I make under 30 thousand a year after almost 25 years working for the State, and a greater portion of my salary goes to big government that someone working at a 6 figure salary. No more big and bigger, and bigger government, no more EPA, DHS, etc.

Terry Gillham - October 31, 2012

I want the very best for the people who were affected by the hurricane and for that reason alone it is best that the government not be involved. Govt response is “one size fits all” and “spend more money = do more good.” Instead, charities should “help people” and govt should stay out of their way.

RobertE - October 31, 2012

FEMA is a bad idea. We all know about Katrina, but FEMA was also less than helpful in an earlier hurricane in NJ in the 1990′s. Let’s use state and local assets, and nonprofits.

Chuck Felts - October 31, 2012

I thought the job of FEMA was to provide federal resourses at the request and direction of state and local governments. FEMA was blamed for all the failures of state and local government in New Orleans after Katrina and now FEMA’s role seems to be take charge, override, dump money and be political, not helpful.

Larry Wilkins - October 31, 2012

The states should handle more of this type of catastrophy. There should be a stop gap figure that when reached would allow the Fed’s to come in. If the Fed Govt wasn’t stealing the states money, they would be able to handle some of these situations.

David Winter - October 31, 2012

Insurance companies offer medical and asset protection against natural disasters including wind and water. We are free to choose to cover ourselves and our assets or not. Disaster relief should be the province of charities and state and local governments. The Federal government needs to get it’s fiscal house in order before trying to interfere in expanded relief and aid activies.

Rex Talmage - October 31, 2012

NO, it should be handled by the states but funded federally.

Susan McClure - October 31, 2012

I strongly support the idea that State Governments should create a “rainy day fund”. This is the only way to stop so much dependency upon the Federal Government. Once a state & its citizens get federal funds, it becomes expected. Once it becomes expected, states spend their tax revenue on “government give away programs” instead of setting it aside for catastropic events and citizens will buy that new cell phone instead of insurance coverage. All this gimme, gimme, gimme, I’m entitled, entitled, entitled, attitude has to stop.

Lawrence Medow - October 31, 2012

Local disasters should be handled locally as much as possible, as they are the ones that can respond most quickly. Less bureacracy equals faster response. States should request federal aid when it is needed.

John K Daugherty - October 31, 2012

yes, and beach houses shoudn’t be covered by anyone. If people are stupid enough to build there, neither Insurance Cos. nor govt. should bail them out.

Jean Smusz - October 31, 2012

Yes, I do. Local government can handle some of the burden and cost of natural disasters – with the help of the Federal Government. When Galveston was devastated by Ike, the local government was made responsible and the people stepped up and did a lot for themselves. Yes, people do need a helping hand, but should not rely on the Federal Government to do everything for them.

Don Etheredge - October 31, 2012

September 12, 1979, I was living in Mobile, Alabama when Frederick hit with 125 mph winds and 12 inches of rain. We had no power for three weeks, and no telephone for over a month. For weeks, many roads were impassable. I spent a week clearing my driveway so I could drive north to buy supplies. I had 26 pine trees over 90ft. tall all twisted in the middle and hanging with the tops on the ground. When we ran out of water, things got really bad and we had to drive north and beg. It worked. There was no help clearing and disposing of trees and trash. The City government was barely functioning and unable to help individuals. The Alabama National Guard came by one day and gave me a 50lb bag of ice. I was thankful, but that was it.

WE THE PEOPLE for the most part were prepared, and helped each other. I had sixty gallons of fuel in a boat parked on my patio. I shared it freely. I knew how to fell trees and wore out two chain saws. We were still hauling trash to the dump two months after the storm. We did not sue each other, or fail to help. We that were armed patrolled the neighborhood and kept the looters out, at the risk of having to use our firearms. We did not worry about concealed carry, our weapons were not concealed! The police came by occasionally and thanked us for helping them!

Now, we have a storm, and I cringe when I hear the wimpies screaming foul because BIG GOVERNMENT is late bringing them their afternoon mint juleps while they sit on their patio plotting a way to get rich by cheating the FEMA system. We cannot trust the government, and guess what …..they can’t trust us either.

Anthony Lawrence - October 31, 2012

The states, and cooperation between states, should be the primary means of preparing for, reacting to and conducting cleanup and repair afterward.

William Bohnhoff - October 31, 2012

YES! Disaster relief is best handled at the local level – where local knowledge of infrastructure is greatest. State resources – coordination of multiple localities and assessment of greatest need, along with money disbursement, and coordination with adjacent States. Federal government should be restricted to handling requests for supplies, materials, services, and money from States – nothing more.

Rick - October 31, 2012

With our “FEMA”. the rebuilding of New Orleans is about half-done over seven years after the Katrina / Floods disaster.
Our neighbors, the Mexicans, have no FEMA. The seriously damaged Cancun was completely rebuilt within 100 days after it’s hurricane destruction.
At less that 10% of what FEMA has spent in New Orleans.
Rick
New Orleans

Winifred - October 31, 2012

I think big government should get out of the way and let the states so their job.
I don’t understand why Obama gets so much praise for just doing his job. Too bad for those who died he didn’t do his job in Libya.

Diane Winston - October 31, 2012

Yes. There is too much government involvement in state and local affairs already.

Thomas R. Broussard - October 31, 2012

Everyone should have a plan and insurance. Living in Louisiana I am always vigilant and ready. Camping gear comes in real handy along with generators, chainsaw, window units (AC), axes, machetes, boat, tents, guns and a fourwheeler. We usually stock up on groceries, gas and ice two days before the storm. If we are lucky and the storm misses us we will use all the gas and groceries anyway sooner or later. Self reliance and less government and neighbors helping neighbors. The states national guards can handle the rescues and Fema can come in with the trailers for the ones who lost the houses while waiting to rebuild. Thomas Broussard

Gwen Coleman - November 1, 2012

Our Country and the people would be much better off if our government would let the citizens, as Romney did, help the people instead of pushing the people to trust the government more and thus become more and more dependent on handouts.

Adolph Rabe - November 1, 2012

Yes, I think taxation, responsibility and decisions should be as close to the people as possible. I believe however that New Orleans was supposed to have made many decisions that went unmade, was supposed to have had a stockpile of emergency supplies that couldn’t be found and generally inept and corrupt local governments. Us locals have a responsibility to keep our government honest and responsible. That may not have been done in New Orleans.

Fred Wilson - November 1, 2012

FEMA has a role in coordinating resources but most of the work should be done by organizations like the states, Salvation Army, Red Cross and various religious groups like the Baptists and Catholics. Much of the money should come from insurance companies who are allowed to set their rates based on the assumed risk for that area.

Stuart Harris - November 1, 2012

Local governments are the ones who should be involved in disasters and it should be from the point of protecting life and property. This should NOT include providing disaster supplies, etc. This is the function of private relief agencies such as the Red Cross and Catholic Charities.

‘Conservatives believe FEMA has a role…’ is nonsense. True ‘conservatives’ recognize that the Federal government has NO constitutional authority to even create FEMA, let alone fund it and run it.

Americans are the most generous people in the world and every American should be insulted by this notion that the government must be involved or people would not get the disaster relief they need. Garbage! Americans have ALWAYS provided better support for the suffering than any government agency. (And they do it in the most cost effective ways, without all the political/bureaucratic waste and corruption.)

William M Snedden - November 1, 2012

Yes, I think local preparedness would be more effective for first call, immediate needs and to control the local action. I believe in a Federal emergency preparedness reserve and assistance from the National guard when needed, but I don’t think any area with a clamity should be dependant on the Federal government for timely and efficient assistance.

Col A R McCahan, USA-Ret - November 1, 2012

Absolutely! People keep comparing Sandy with Katrina, but they neglect a few pertinent facts. The folks that were affected by Sandy run the gamut of socio-economic conditions. I’ve not heard of anyone who was affected by Sandy sitting back and complaining that the Federal Government hasn’t done anything to help them. Of course, the folks along the eastern seaboard didn’t have a fleet of busses sent to them that they refused to board, nor did they shoot at responders who were sent to help them. Continuing to rebuild in an area below sea-level wasn’t an issue either. Those folks affected by Sandy have generally cinched up their belts and are cleaning up the mess that was created, without blaming anyone for causing it or not jumping in immediately to give them something they didn’t earn. Our hearts, prayers, and some of our resources go out to them, as does our respect. As several other writers have observed, the folks who are closest to the problem area are the ones who are also responsible for planning and executing disaster response. When they need help in that mission, they should go to the State-level and only when those resources are exhausted, should they go to the Federal Government. We have too much bureaucracy as it is; we don’t need more, we need less…

Jim Beaver - November 3, 2012

I DO believe that States, Counties & Local governments can coordinate and deliver disaster services far more efficiently then the Federal government. I often wonder how much federal red tape robs needed resources before they get to those that need the help.
Federal help made be needed through financial and possible military support but stay out of the administration.