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AP
Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX)
GILFORD, N.H. -- After a lunch speech today, Ron Paul slammed the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, and said that no national response to Hurricane Irene is necessary.
"We should be like 1900; we should be like 1940, 1950, 1960," Paul said. "I live on the Gulf Coast; we deal with hurricanes all the time. Galveston is in my district.
"There's no magic about FEMA. They're a great contribution to deficit financing and quite frankly they don't have a penny in the bank. We should be coordinated but coordinated voluntarily with the states," Paul told NBC News. "A state can decide. We don't need somebody in Washington."
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Ron Paul is unelectable. A nutty professor in a smelly suit. At least he has the decency to make his bizarre pronoucements openly. Now if we could just get Mexico to take Texas off our hands......
Not to mention that the man is 78 years old, if my memory serves...he might be older. Regardless, the man is too old to be president. Look how much Obama has aged in three years. The stress of the job ages all presidents terribly. If by some sick twist of fate Paul somehow becomes president in 2012, he'd be dead within a year. That would leave whatever moonbat he chose as VP to fill out his term, and I'd be willing to bet that he'd nominate his son Rand as veep. (And is it just me or does Rand remind anyone else of one of those creeps on "To Catch A Predator?")
Even if he got elected somehow, he could not govern, that's the real problem with those with extreme views, they can't get anything done, witness the wacko tea party folks. Checks and balances means that we need to elect sensible people with moderate views who are capable of wise and sensible compromise. America does not change direction suddenly and in radical ways, that's why we are still around!
Just like a repub take the money when they want or need it but nobody else deserves it. Paul Ryan, Michelle Bachman , and Rick Perry have all personally received federal funds when they needed or wanted it.
From the comments on here, you'd think FEMA has the capability of stopping a hurricane. Newsflash, folks. They don't.
I'm not totally against FEMA. I like Ron Paul, but I am a bit surprised that he said this. However, I can understand why he feels as he does. Living within a major tornado disaster area this past Spring, I'm not totally unfamiliar with FEMA and their operations. They aren't pure evil, but they aren't exactly the Second Coming, either. Right now our county is in the process of distributing "disaster mitigation" grants for people to install storm shelters. While supplies last, they'll give people 75% of the cost of a storm shelter installation up to a total grant amount of $4000. That's a helluva lot of money for something that people should probably be ponying up their own money for. Did I apply? Hell yes. I pay taxes. If they're going to give my money away, why would I not apply to get some of it? Is someone out there more deserving of the money I earn than I am? If so, please introduce yourself as I'd very much like to meet you.
I also lived in Wilmington, NC - where the hurricane should probably be about now - for 3 years. I was there when Hugo came through. I don't even think there was a FEMA or equivalent agency then. It was a huge mess, but we managed.
So, perhaps those of you who think Mr. Paul has lost his mind should actually sit back and consider what he's saying instead of doing your usual knee-jerk "if-anybody-who-doesn't-claim-to-be-a-liberal-says-it-it's-bad" BS.
miker- I remember Hugo was that in '96? I remember staying there that summer on vacation and a week after we left that storm nocked down the hotel we stayed at. Too bad , I liked that town.
you and ron can both go back under your rocks.. you can share one if you like in Neanderthal square
@los dude: Hugo was some time closer to 89. There was another one - Floyd, I think, around 96.
@Mark: And you can go crawl under a bridge, with all the rest of the trolls. May I suggest the one that goes to Emerald Isle since that one will likely be under water shortly.
I think you are wrong - Ron Paul has something here. I don't say we should eliminate FEMA - just upgrade it to a coordinator not an actualizer. I don't believe the Federal Government can make a difference in something like this if the States are on top of it. And why should Washington be dictating what needs to be done in a State that has more experience handling it than the FG does? I like a lot of Ron Paul's ideas. He will never be elected President though. I'd really rather have him than Bachman or Perry or Romney. But if anyone of these get elected it will be the best thing that ever happened to the Democrats and this country. The unnecessary disruption of American life - skewed for the better to the rich - would eventually cause such an outrage that we would never hear about the TEA Party again except in history books (and only then because they would not be in charge of what we teach to our kids - Creationalism - right).
He's one of mr grover's boys. The ones from texas believe that the bushman did right by new orleans. But the bushman had to do something when calls came from overseas asking the govt to give water to the blacks who were beginning to eat each other on tv..
"Take America Back!" has been the Conservative mantra for nearly two decades now.
I had no idea that meant "Take America back to the 19th century!"
(1900 was the last year of that century).
Actually, 1899 was the last year of that century. January 1, 1900 was the first day of the 20th Century.
Stupid Republicans... They want "Little House on the Prairie" when we should be striving for the "Jetsons" If they get in control we will turn into a third world country.
Rick signed another pledge today with the looney religious right - he will go after an amendment preventing gay marriage and Paul wants the government to abandoned people and leave them to scramble on their own..
These people are NUTS! NUTS!
Wake up America before these nuts take over.
I don't care for the Paul-bearer, however, his point is people should help themselves whenever possible. The sad part is he thinks most Americans don't take care for themselves...this is a trend that most Tea/GOP talking heads get a pass on. They generalize in broad strokes that anyone who doesn't see things through there lens is a lazy tax sucker.
Ron Paul will never be taken seriously by intellignt,contemporary people. He lives in some extreme zone that is not only in the past but is also dangerous. Before FEMA, people died in these same conditions. We lost friends in the grat hurricane and flood in Galveston all those years ago. Before FEMA was leaned on by Congress and the current President, it was ineffective. That is true but it was/is still needed to help get people back on their feet. If States could have done this by themselves then TX, in the early days, would not have had so many deaths in the Galveston flood and the aftermath. Katrina would not have been the national circus that it was. Mississippi would have looked after ALL of it people. Thank God the media was able to show us what those LA leaders were like. They did not warn or care about the helpless. At least, with FEMA, some attention was given to needs of those who survived. If Ron Paul cannot do better for the people of this country in time of crisis and need then he NEEDS to get a different life outside politics. Some of us are sick to death of these ridiculous extremists and their ugly uncaring attittudes. .
Yes, FEMA has been very effective at getting dead people back on their feet. It's amazing.
The government is not there to care about you or me. That's what your family, friends, or other social networks are for. Insurance companies are there for rebuilding your house. The government is there to build roads and such.
I hate to break it to you people but GOVERNMENT IS BUSINESS. You have to be extremely stupid to not realize that. They function just like any other business. The only problem is those who believe it isn't a business are why our government is failing.
Yes, folks and there you have it, in black and white: what the tea party wants - a return to 1900.
I see MSNBC is up to its tricks of discrediting any GOP candidate it can find. Watch the video. Ron Paul says FEMA is running out of money.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2011-05-26-FEMA-disaster-relief-funds_n.htm
here is an excerpt for those of you who do not want to look it up
Last year, Iowa had to delay $340 million in rebuilding projects from disasters that occurred in 2008 and 2010, Hall said, because FEMA's disaster fund ran low and the agency stopped approving long-term recovery projects from Feb. 1 to Aug. 1, until Congress approved an additional $5.1 billion. Hall said people in Joplin should be "very worried" about FEMA's funding level.
Since 1989, FEMA's disaster fund has received 83% of its cash from mid-year emergency infusions, according to the Congressional Research Service. The Obama administration has made no decision on whether to seek such a replenishment, Reilly said.
On Wednesday, the Republican-controlled House Appropriations Committee proposed doubling the disaster fund next year to $3.65 billion.
FEMA's $1.8 billion request was based on a long-standing practice of seeking funds equal to average annual disaster costs in recent years, excluding major events such as Hurricane Katrina.
I see the GOP proposed funding for FEMA. I also see the OBAMA administration remains undecided AGAIN
Maybe instead of bashing, and thinking of each ones self interest each of you should pause for a moment and use your brains. Pause and think about all the things we want as a nation. Pause and think about what we expect. Pause and think about how we are supposed to pay for these things. Pause and THINK.
Think for a moment:
We want a health insurance program that takes care of everyone
We want a program that pays us in case we lose our jobs
We want a system of insurance that pays for our retirement years
We want an insurance program that rebuilds our homes after a natural disaster
We want a military that spreads across the globe on the offensive "protecting" us from all possible threats
We want credits for buying "green" technology
We want assistance buying new homes
We want special loans and grants to pay for our education
We want subsidies to pay for food
We want, and want, and want.....
No one can deny that such programs would help people. However, are we not to ask if this is financially possible to achieve?
I suppose a lot of these problems wouldnt be needed as much if the Republicans and Tea Bangers would stop looking out for their own interests protecting the Rich who line their pockets and havent created any jobs Its always another excuse their Bush taxcuts havent produced jobs here only in Mexico and overseas There bribery attempts to corporations isnt working Maybe they should charge them high tarriffs for importing their merchandise into the country and then they will think about bringing the jobs back here What is the incentive they pay low wages to the foreigners get free trade and sell their products that dont last as long at high prices and then live tax free and Washington just keeps giving them more and more
You can afford a lot of things if your not wasting your resources on futile wars. Iraq and Afganistan = $4 Trillion Dollars = 1/3 our national debt. What do we have to show for it---6000 + dead Americans, One dead towelhead, and a huge IOU to Communist China, Thanks Dick, Thanks George, but we don't need anymore Patriots like you!
Don't need washington until something happens and need someone to blame.
Reading through the first comments here really reflect accurately the overall stupidity of the American people, and does explain well why the US is at the brink of an economic disaster.
Ron Paul is right. If he's extreme, it's only compared to all the idiot politicians who keep getting elected year after year who've done nothing but drive America further and further down the hell hole.
Let's get this fact straight for all the near-sighted bimbos posting on this thread who apparently think everything is just plain peachy in the good ol' USA:
Ron Paul is in no way saying that people should not prepare for natural disasters or see to clean-up and aid afterwards. To the contrary, he says that states and individual people should be the driving authority that governs the level of preparedness. Florida and east coast states are the best authorities in how to deal with hurricanes. The west coast is best with earthquakes. Midwest states, the best with tornadoes. There is no sane reason to believe that ONLY DC bureaucrats can know how to handle these things, and no reason why people in a part of the country should be paying for disasters that never strike their home state.
Anyone that doesn't understand that apparently thinks the fed gov is the be-all end-all divinity that sees to ALL your needs and if the feds aren't involved, then by golly things just aren't going to get done. How stupid can you be?
The definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Remember that the next time you go vote for the same crappy politicians year after year. Ron Paul IS different and that's a GREAT thing.
Ron Paul is a screamer with NO ideas...if he's so flippin' smart...why isn't he the President? Just another boy who cries wolf. Loser.
Easily spoken for a wealthy man who's district / home isn't in the path of a hurricane.
His illegitimate son Ru Paul would be a much better choice for President....LOL....BWAAAAAHAHAHA
If there weren't so many lives that would be severely and adversely impacted, I'd like to see Irene decimate Virginia so we could watch Eric the Terrorist Cantor turn down any aid for his state, and declare, we can't afford it.
These people are the most hateful scum of the earth, and they do it in the name of Jesus. Fraggin hypocrites.
We will see how that works for him the Hurricane season isnt over til November and this year has been predicted to be quite active There still could be several devestating storms to hit Texas As I recall Texas got fast service from FEMA after Hurricane Katrina which I thought was quite racist And it helped the rich before the poor George W Bush and his buddy Browny so out of touch if anybody should complain it is the victims in Hurricane Katrina I remember Texas with its hands out and criticizing the government because they ran out of gas because they didnt prepare themselves So if you believe you dont need the government why wasnt it handled by the locals That seems to be the way of Texas criticize the government but take what you can like Perry on the stimulus if your going to complain dont take
OH STFU you moron. You classless and poor excuse of an American
Who in the HE!! are you replying to? "You classless and poor excuse of an American"...wow...where did you learn that diction? George Bush????
Ron Paul is either taking too many drugs or not enough, I'm not sure what is correct.
I agree with Congressman Paul. There is no need for FEMA. The states have become dependent on the federal government to bail them out every time something happens. Has everyone forgotten what happened with Katrina? This was FEMA's biggest failure ever and a clear reason why it should be abolished. Louisiana was just sitting on their hands waiting for the big, powerful FEMA to come rescue them. If they didn't have that mentality and all the restrictions, they could have responded much faster to the situation. Instead look what happened. Bureaucrats arguing about who should be doing what! That's not what we need. We need local control over these types of circumstances. If the feds get out the way, the states can take care of themselves.
FEMA failed because FEMA didn't act you moron. Leave the country if you don't like the government.
Typical hillbilly answer.
I agree powerg..People need to start taking responsibility for themselves. We do that in the south.
Mark? powerg has just as much right to state his/her opinion as you do. You can also leave the country if you want to. That's what is great about America.
Tlang. I don't know who you are talking to so.....
FEMA failed because president dufus put his buddies into important jobs that they knew nothing about. When incompetent people are in charge, things never work like they're supposed to.
As far as the states doing it, that would mean each state would have to have their own separate disaster program, which costs alot of money in times where some states are on the verge of bankruptcy and nobody wants to raise taxes either.
You are very misinformed.
"People need to start taking responsibility for themselves. We do that in the south."
Excuse me, but where exactly are Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida located? You know, those states hardest hit by Katrina.... Some of them are STILL rebuilding, and you think they just should have 'taken responsibility for themselves'?
I don't think that Ron Paul is evil or anything, some of his beliefs are ok, but he is so out of touch, I heard him say that all drugs should be legalized even Heroin, why because are people just going to go out and do it? WTH? No normal people won't, but the scum bags will, and sell it or give it to kids, it's legal! He needs to retire!
I think you need to check your hearing. He never said they need to be legalized, he said that the legal status of drugs needs to be left to the states. He is not against "Decriminalizing" drugs, as long as the states themselves propose it. The War on Drugs is a failure and is a waste of tax payer money. That is a fact.
What Tlang said. Also. Have you thought about what might happen if all drugs were legalized? And taxed?
Tlang- My hearing is just fine, I watched the whole debate. I agree with decriminalizing some drugs, let's see pot or heroin? Come on it's a big leap! You do know there is video, you can look it up! He is a nice man who needs to retire with his gold plated pension!