Why We Can't Forget That Oklahoma's Senators Voted Against Sandy Relief

Yahoo News ^ | 5/21/2013 | Alexander Abad-Santos

[nickcarraway]

Nearly four months ago, Oklahoma Senators Tom Coburn and James Inhofe both voted against H.R.152, the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act that eventually sent $50.5 billion in relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy. And in the flurry of last night's devastation in Moore, Oklahoma. it was impossible not to forget that fact, knowing the federal government would soon rally to the cause.

Part of that reason was because of the social media aspect to the storm—like the Boston Bombings and like Hurricane Sand —information on Monday's storm was quickly dispensed through mediums like Twitter and Facebook. But with that came tweets like this, from Current TV's David Shuster (retweeted 118 times):

Praying for OK victims, hoping federal aid/help won't be delayed like #Sandy when 32 Senators, including OK's Coburn + Inhofe, opposed it. — David Shuster (@DavidShuster) May 21, 2013

This one was retweeted 252 more times:

That awkward moment when Sen. Inhofe votes against government help for Sandy victims and then Oklahoma gets hit by a tornado. — Top Conservative Cat (@TeaPartyCat) May 21, 2013

And a quick search for "Inhofe" on Twitter turns a stream into a river of people talking about Inhofe's Sandy vote:

[the OlLine Rebel]

Maybe it was to ensure they still have some for their own disasters.

Geesh, I tire of this federal welfare. Can’t anyone take care of themselves anymore?

[Gene Eric]

>> You have a problem with Arabo-Hispanics?

Giving second billing to the Romans, are you?

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Andy why should they NOT have voted for Sandy relief? The relief bill was loaded with PORK for pet projects in other states that were never even in Sandy’s path!

[thorvaldr]

We might also remember that the Sandy relief bill was a giant pork fest with huge amounts of spending for things all over the country thrown in

[3Fingas]

God bless you and your neighbors. Frankly, I don’t object to federal monies to help communities struck by natural disasters. Of all the wasteful federal spending out there, disaster relief is a small amount of money that usually does some good. I respect your self-reliant attitude.

[Dogbert41]

Maybe the OK senators couldn’t forget that Obama denied them any Federal assistance when the floods hit.

Wait! What?...

[Carry_Okie]

The Federal government has no authority to be in the business of disaster relief. Were we freed from FEMA, people would have to purchase adequate insurance and would have more available for more effective charities that don't pose a risk to our liberty. The cost of that insurance would preclude many from assuming unacceptable risks.

Good systems prevent problems.

[MrB]

This is all about the fact that no county in OK went for Obama in 08 or 12.

[DoodleDawg]

You might keep in mind that the Gov’s in the Sandy case, inflated their $10B in damages to a $60B political payoff, and OK only asks for what it needs.

It was actually congress who larded up the Sandy relief, adding money for a lot of non-Sandy related spending. Anyone who doesn't think this will also happen for any relief package for Oklahoma is only kidding themself.

[nascarnation]

Great post. Another area where the fedgov has over-ridden local govts and the private sector.

Whenever we have a river flood here in Indiana the news is full of peeps crying about their underwater house and where is FEMA?

[beelzepug]

Yeah! I need a new roof and I have ants under my house. Oh, and the wind is blowing. Where’s my check?

[DoodleDawg]

Andy why should they NOT have voted for Sandy relief? The relief bill was loaded with PORK for pet projects in other states that were never even in Sandy’s path!

So when the same thing happens to any Oklahoma relief package, will they also vote against that on principle?

[Resolute Conservative]

It was not a relief bill, it was a slush fund bill.

[montag813]

Coburn and Inhofe both supported funding Sandy relief for the ACTUAL estimated amount: $7 billion. THAT’S ALL that was required, in addition to fully funding the insurance program ($3.2 billion). The entire remainder of $49.5 billion was PORK. But weak-kneed and N.E. Republicans knuckled under to RINOs like Crispy Creme Christie, and caved.

[CSM]

“the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act that eventually sent $50.5 billion in relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy”

Except that it didn’t. Instead it was a slush fund for Democrat operations and favorites.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The “aid” always goes to fellow members of the big-government/big-corporate criminal complex.

[ealgeone]

Not Holder’s people in OK.

[Paine in the Neck]

Folks ready for secession yet?

[New Jersey Realist]

What goes around comes around. They didn’t feel compassion for me; I can only do the same. Not one penny from me.

[JimRed]

Why We Can't Forget That Oklahoma's Senators Voted Against Sandy Relief

That does not mean that charitable Sandy donations did not come from Oklahomans; and it does not persuade me to withhold tornado relief donations to Oklahoma.