What To Do When It Affects Your State

Hi All,

Sometimes I ask myself why do so many politicians say one thing and then do a 180 degree opposite. Seems to me that politicians will say whatever, to either get elected or re-elected.

Last year, Hurricane Sandy struck the east coast. When all was said and done, it was determined that is was the most costliest storm to date. When it came time for congress to debate the amount of Sandy FEMA money, there were two Republican Senators that spoke up the loudest regarding the enormous amount of FEMA money requested. The two senators are Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn. But let's look at 2011 first. That's when both senators voted against legislation that would have granted necessary funding for FEMA, when the agency was set to run our of money. Coburn even said that sending money to FEMA would have been "unconscionable".

Then Sandy hit and these two Senators both backed a plan to slash disaster relief to victims of Sandy. Sandy relief through FEMA was held up for months and was only approved in increments, instead of the usual lump sum payment. These two Senators as well as others, wanted a reduction in federal spending before any monies were released. This may sound good, but the reality is that it is not practical to reduce federal spending every time a disaster occurs in the U.S.

In the last two weeks, Oklahoma has been hit with multiple tornadoes that have devastated areas, including wiping out whole towns off the map. I can't imagine what it is like to be in a EF5 tornado with wind speeds of 200+ mph. I feel for their loss, as do all Americans. But, now that Oklahoma Senators Inhofe and Coburn own state has been devastated, again, they want FEMA money ASAP! What? It was OK for them to hold up money for Sandy victims, but when it comes to their own state, they have done a complete about face and want their money now, not months down the road. So they have flip flopped to help their own state but not others?

FYI, Oklahoma ranks third in the nation after Texas and California in terms of total federal disaster and fire declaration which kick starts the federal emergency relief funding process. But when it comes to their own state, both of their beliefs did a 180 degree change and want immediate help without delay. Maybe they should have thought about that when Sandy victims waited needlessly for their share of FEMA money due to politics.

It makes no common sense to flip flop when it suits you. Common sense tells me that there should be a federal tornado insurance program like the federal flood insurance program. This is especially important for states that continually get socked by frequent tornadoes. Money isn't free and maybe houses will be built better if owners had to pay an insurance premium for rebuilding. Maybe people in tornado alley should also consider building safe rooms, for their homes and businesses when they are rebuilt.

Til next week.

Peter