Posted on 11/01/2012 12:24:37 PM PDT by PittsburghAfterDark
I am just sitting here in a bizarre sense of smug self-satisfaction reading about New York governor Andrew Cuomo and various Democratic senators and politicians asking the Federal government to pick up 100% of the costs in rebuilding their state and "the greatest city in the world".
Their line of thought? They can't print money like the Federal government can so, buddy, get those printing presses up to speed.
This is one of those road to Damascus moments. What exactly is the role of government? Well we've seen what it is, government is the ultimate tool and the ultimate control for keeping a population dependent across all segments of society.
Governor Chris Christie has asked for a whopping 7 day change in fuel distribution rules to allow New Jersey retailers to be allowed to buy gasoline from outside the state. The EPA is waiving gasoline blend regulations in an attempt to refill tanks in the state with fuel that works, regardless of any other consideration. President Obama has thrown down the gauntlet and said no red tape, just get it done.
Now, isn't it just amazing that suddenly government rules, regulations and stipulations are being acknowledged as problems? Oh, but only for a week or two. Don't get used to it.
Personally I think the thing that I am most personally offended by is that these bluest of blue states are now crying to the rest of the country that they need us to pay for, not now of course but someday (I mean what's $6 billion on top of $17,000,000,000,000.) their reconstruction.
Well folks, lets remember what you poor red state suckers have been told. Without the blue states paying for you you wouldn't exist. The red states are net takers from the Federal pie with more money going to your states than coming from your states. Now remember something, those red states house military bases, those red states build your national defense hardware, those red states grow your food and raise your livestock. That's the majority of the surplus if not its etirety.
In return for doing that for those New Yorkers, they mock you. Sometimes its innocent and annoying belittling you as living in fly over country or living in the sticks. Other times it's just downright hostile. You're a racist, bigoted, homophobe, knuckle dragging teabagger, Reich Winger, Replikkkan et all.
However now, you owe them. You owe them $6,000,000,000 today. You owe them the privilege of paying for rebuilding Tribeca home to Robery DiNiro. You owe them to rebuild the Village where you would be likely spit on and chased out of any establishment for wearing a Romney Ryan t-shirt even today as their elected representatives demand your cash.
You see, I just know how I can really react in a positive manner to such a request. Give us your money, but f you, all of you and the horses you rode in on to give us the check.
You see the mayor of New York has been very concerned with childhood obesity, limiting trans fats New York City restaurants and selling 16 ounce sodas instead of Big Gulps. Protecting lower Manhattan from the sea? Building flood controls for the Brooklyn Battery, PATH and subway tunnels? No, not important. But dammit get those reps from KFC, McDonald's, Coke and Hershey in here! There's a hearing to be had on fat kids!
"New York State is upside down and backwards; high taxes and low performance. The New York State government was at one time a national model. Now, unfortunately, it's a national disgrace. Sometimes, the corruption in Albany could even make Boss Tweed blush." Andrew Cuomo
I don't need to say it, their own governor did. Now you bold, new leader. Lead and figure out a way to pay for it on your own.
We've had it, our sympathy is all used up.
Hahahaha. LOL!
What a bunch! NYtimes say it’s a surprise announcement.
Mayor Bloomberg Endorses Obama for Re-election, Citing Climate Change
Gold gets dug out of the ground in Africa, or someplace. Then we melt it down, dig another hole, bury it again and pay people to stand around guarding it. It has no utility. Anyone watching from Mars would be scratching their head.
But those Martians would fully understand printing up more and more $$$ to pay for the projects of politically connected Governors in the financial capital of the Empire? If not Martians, at least the Romans would understand it!
Why would the greatest city needs other peoples money??
Why not put this OFF until After the election..???
Even after the Bengazi investigation..
Every natural disaster that occurs in every state results in federal aid. This will never change.
I have always failed to understand the Tea Party stance on this. Of course, every Republican governor and Tea Party patriot has also failed to understand this line of thought the very second their state is destroyed by a natural disaster.
The Gulf and SE coasts will see more hurricanes and the deep south will see more tornadoes. and we’ll see more federal aide flowing into those areas. It’s just absurd to rail against FEMA and Federal aid for such things. You can nuance it all you want, but it’s still absurd.
In addition, I’m not understanding your point about the states that pay more into the federal coffers than they take. You’re saying that while it’s indeed true (it is), that it’s bullcrap because the biggest “taker” states house our military bases and farms?
Do you agree with massive farm subsidies?
This is close to Freeper Editorial standards. If you tweaked it just a little, this is quality work.
What did all these states do before FEMA was around to come to the rescue?
Disaster aid to help people suffering from the immediate aftermath of a disaster is one thing. Subsidizing the rebuilding of a city that built an elaborate tunnel netowrk on an island is a whole different thing. People who decide to live on the coast, and enjoy the benefits thereof, should pay for the consequences in rebuilding on their own. That's what insurance and/or saving is for.
But connections to lawmakers and electronic credits, that's where the real utility is to create wealth and power...
Oh? Like the emergency declaration for the State of Texas for the wildfires? Wait... that didn't happen.
/johnny
To clarify a bit, I am all for states and locales being ensured a politically neutral across the board we’re hurting, we need help so help is on the way.
What I am not in favor of is New York and New Jersey politicians crying for a 100% blank check. The standard has been the feds pay 75% the states and locales pay the rest. Elected and appointed officials are wanting their 25% to also be picked up by the Federal government.
This is unacceptable.
This is not a rail against FEMA and Federal aid but the arrogance of those in New York and New Jersey political ranks.
What irks me about the red states being net takers argument is that defense is never taken into account as a reason why. Do I agree with farm subsidies? No. Especially when the majority of them are paid out to foolishly turn our food supply into gasoline substitutes.
BTW: I agree with everything you said.
This is going to be a VERY long thread. lol
Ok, then I’m cool with your piece. I just misread the tone. Freegards.
I can’t find it now, but I read somewhere that after the 1906 earthquake devastated San Francisco, Teddy Roosevelt offered federal aid to the city. The Governor replied (paraphrased) “We’ll let you know if we need help.”
If true, we’ve come a long way, baby.
With Hurricane Sandy, FEMA will likely be extraneous. These two states in this region are perfectly capable of handling most aspects of the storm recovery themselves. The only area where Federal involvement is likely to be absolutely necessary will be for the channels and berths around the Port of New York & New Jersey, where the Army Corps of Engineers will have to check the water depths to ensure that large ships can still fit into the port facilities.
Beyond that, I can pretty much guarantee you that an awful lot of the Federal money will be simply be used to pay overtime for police who are out directing traffic and guarding gas stations from looters and angry customers.
They didn’t keep rebuilding in flood prone places for one thing.
“Confessions of a Welfare Queen-
How rich bastards like me rip off taxpayers for millions of dollars”
http://reason.com/archives/2004/03/01/confessions-of-a-welfare-queen
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.