9/4/05
America verses the United States
I wonder how many people, including those oh so smart reporters and Bush hating bloggers and news organisations (based in the US and elsewhere), know what this country is called and what it means.
For those of you in the dark: this country we refer to as the US, USA, and America is actually named The United States of America. Now what does that mean? That means that our country is made up of quasi-independent states that have more power over themselves than the Federal government. Each state has ultimate responsibly, lawfully and financially, over its borders. The Federal government serves as loose network, tying the states together, facilitating transport, commerce, and communications. It also ties us together to make us stronger. But the Federal government really has no say in what the states do--that's what caused problems in the past...the Feds interferring over state sovernty. Sure the Feds have stepped in when necessary to preserve the fabric of the union, to make sure we stay strong together...but ultimately it's the states who are the power.
So why are we blaming Bush for the "ineptitude" of the evacuations and rescue efforts? He had no authority to order and facilitate a complete evacuation of New Orleans prior to the hurricane hitting. He didn't order masses of people to the Superdome or the Convention Center. The mayor of New Orleans did. He was the one that let the black citizens of his city down and to fend for themselves. Why didn't he, a black man himself, have the city and school buses start evacuating people that has no transport of their own? Why didn't he talk to the mayors of other cities to loan him school and city buses? Why did he sentence tens of thousands of his fellow citzens to a week of discusting and inhumane conditions of the Superdome and the flooded city?
FEMA is set up to help as a last resort when the efforts of a city and a state are not enough. Hell, from what I see, they_were_never_ in_place. FEMA is not set up to cover the asses of inept city and state officals.
As the annivsary of 9/11 approaches remember...who saved New York, their Mayor? The MAYOR of New York did his job and the MAYOR of New Orleans is now blaming everyone and his cousin for not doing the job he was supposed to do.
Chime in dear readers. Am I wrong? Am I right? Care to add a few things?
And yes increasingly this country states have given more power to the Federal government in recent years, but our country is not set up like that...no matter how many people try to make it that way.
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well said Q!!! and since 9/11 we have beeb told, to make and have on hand a 72 hour kit of emergency supplies. the government is not suppost to take care of us. we are. take responsibiliy for ourselfves. take it serious, do it now!
judy
