Aid for Politicians

Disaster Relief is certainly an area where I believe there is a role for the Federal Government.  That role however, should be limited.

In the midst of devastation from storms or other natural disasters there is often the need for additional policing activity as well as the immediate reconstruction of basic utility infrastructure -- seeing that there is power and potable water as well as clear avenues of access (roads) is a necessary function of government.  For those who have lost everything there is the need to provide shelter and food for a short period -- but not indefinitely.

The problem is that people now seem to expect the government to totally rebuild their lives.  This especially irritates me when it includes houses on a beach that are going to be subject to the next hurricane, or houses on the bank of a major river that periodically floods, or houses on a major fault line that is likely to be hit with another earthquake.  Private insurance should handle those things.

One of the things that has happened with disaster relief though is that the enabling legislation is often accompanied with "pork."  Special interest groups always seem to benefit from disasters.  Frequently, it seems that much of the aid never actually reaches the people most in need -- that is, of course, unless they compose a major voting block.

Disasters always provide photo op's for politicians.  A highly photographed hug or a well choreographed scene of "picking through the rubble" always seem to make the headlines.  Those who are trying to "pick up the pieces of their lives" rarely do though. 

Disasters can make or break politicians.  If they are seen to be strong, forceful leaders who are watching out for their constituents by fighting for huge volumes of federal relief dollars, they usually get reelected.  If on the other hand they are seen to be slow to respond and fail to obtain those federal dollars, they usually are replaced in the next election cycle by someone with a better story.

Self-interest drives behavior.  The ability to vote money for oneself at the expense of others will lead to the downfall of our country if we don't elect LEADERS who will stand up and say, "No more pork.  We spend what is needed but no more."