Topic: Ron Paul
Ron Paul and Federal Aid for Hurricane Ike
Ron Paul's principles were tested recently as he voted to deny federal aid to his own disaster-struck district. Do you agree with what he did or not? I invite you to share your opinion and why.
by Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution
(libertarian)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
As I wrote in my latest article "HEY! CONGRESS! Al-Qaeda does NOT have an Air Force!", I wanted to start a discussion concerning Ron Paul's vote on Hurricane Ike (unbelievable shots of the devastation here from the Boston Globe), where he voted to refuse $23 billion in federal disaster aid, of which roughly half would be used in Texas, including his district, which was badly damaged. The Houston Chronicle reported that the House vote passed 370-58 with 30/32 of Texas’s Representatives in support, but I was unable to locate the exact text of this bill. (Sorry!) However, I think most would agree that at first glance it seems crazy to refuse 'free' money. Today's typical American, now used to frequent federal bailouts of banks, mortgage and insurance companies and investment bankers (could you have said the same for yourself a year ago?) is that of astonishment - why would you not support your own constituents and bring home the bacon to your home district some money from DC?
First we will review Paul's comments, then all of the feedback I've found from his constituents from their local newspaper, the Houston Chronicle. (source1 source2 source3 photo1 photo2)
Also, please note per the Houston Chronicle, Paul did vote for the Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 that will help individuals affected by Hurricane Ike take expanded IRS tax deductions, and allow businesses to write off demolition expenses, among other things.
Ron Paul's Comments to the Houston Chronicle
"In several disasters that have befallen my Gulf Coast district, my constituents have told me many times that they prefer to rebuild and recover without the help of federal agencies like FEMA, which so often impose their own bureaucratic solutions on the owners of private property." - 2005
"Is bailing out people that chose to live on the coastline a proper function of the federal government? Why do people in Arizona have to be robbed in order to support the people on the coast?" - post-Ike
Constituents and Local Politicians Against Paul
"That's sad. That's bad," said Galveston's City Manager Steve LeBlanc. [Ok, a little weak, but the Houston Chronicle did not think so.]
"I find it very distressing. He's voting against aid for the region that he represents? I don't find that very representative." Galveston city council member Karen Mahoney.
"It feels kind of bad for the citizens of Galveston," said Mareia Schreiber, a local artist?
Other Constituent Opinions
"We've worked hard all our lives. We take care of ourselves. I don't need FEMA or anything else. We got insurance. There are too many people who expect the government to take care of them. But I'm not one of them." - Gene Lossow, 65, a clerk at the Port of Galveston. The Houston Chronicle reported floodwaters soaked through his one-story ranch house, rising to 4 feet. Lossow and his wife had just spent $90,000 renovating the home a few months ago. Lossow stated he doesn't vote.
Tina Rios, who was helping her elderly parents clean out their flooded home on Ibis Street, said it was too early for her to think about "political stuff." "The only thing going on in our house is trying to save whatever we can. We had flood insurance, but not contents insurance."
What do you think?
Rather than repeat my opinion again, I was wondering what do you think? Of course, I am particularly interested if you disagree with Paul's decision. Either way, please support your opinion. Would much appreciate a link to the bill Paul opposed.
For any newcomers, here is an intro to Ron Paul in the brand-new video "A Nation in Peril" from another supporter of www.CampaignForLiberty.com.
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"I want you to know that you are listening to a dream." - Shinedown, Us Vs Them
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©2008 Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Last modified: Friday, October 3, 2008
The views expressed in this article are those of Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution only and do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution is solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
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Reader Comments:
Posted By: Ivan from Oregon
Date: 2008-10-01 05:28:11
Believe it or not, one of my favorite past Presidents is Grover Cleveland, a Democrat. I don't have time to search out precise quotes, but my memory will not change the meaning. Cleveland once vetoed a "drought relief bill" (for about $10k, as I remember). He said, esssentially, "It is not the function of Government to relieve individual suffering - to do so would destroy the moral fiber of the nation".
In other words, you don't rob Peter to pay Paul, no matter how "noble" the purpose.
Posted By: Larry
Date: 2008-10-01 09:23:10
Of course, Dr. Paul is absolutely right in voting \'no\' on this federal action. There is no constitutional basis for the Federal government acting as a disaster relief agency or insurance company. Once again, the only Congressman to stand by his principles under unpopular circumstances. Give this man a medal!
Posted By: Crystal
Date: 2008-10-01 11:13:15
Ron Paul's vote to reject federal aid is a very brave and noble one. He proves once again that he steadfastly stands by his principles in every decision he makes, even when it (literally) hits home.
Posted By: Dirty
Date: 2008-10-01 13:31:13
Ron Paul is a MAN among BABIES. Once again he shows his true colors by not folding his moral principles. This man should be our president. The fact that he doesn't seem to really want to be president reassures me that he is right man for the job. Long live the Ron Paul Revolution!
Posted By: patrick henry
Date: 2008-10-01 19:56:35
Dirty,
Spot on!
LIBERTY or DEATH
Posted By: Jess
Date: 2008-10-02 19:02:57
I like a man who doesn't fold to pressure (has anyone heard how the relief in New Orleans is going, three years later?) They are better off without the interference from DC and God knows FEMA is a waste of money! Good for Ron! I love that man.
Posted By: tomaO2
Date: 2008-10-02 19:14:37
He can't vote for it without being a hypocrite. He doesn't even vote for the earmarks that he requests on the bills.. You know that. Why even ask? You understand that either we get the principal and will agree with it or we will not and anyone that does not is completely opposed to Ron Paul in the first place.
However, this does have me thinking about one thing. National security. There must be a role for governments in nature related crises like this. If the Polar ice melted then that would destroy countless square miles of land. That hand has been destroyed as surely as it would have been if a foreign power had nuked it or some such. Instead of talking about the rebuilding bill, why not talk about what the proper, constitutional role for the federal/state government is during a national, nature related disaster because I must admit to being somewhat fuzzy on exactly what that role is.
Posted By: Robert Timsah
Date: 2008-10-09 12:42:01
As the good doctor would say, "we simply can't afford it". If we actually had money, perhaps then we could do these kinds of things.
Posted By: Danny S
Date: 2008-12-14 17:06:46
I found the text for the bill online, and it was huge. Much longer than the Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 that Dr. Paul actually voted for.
It was designated emergency to be shoved through Congress. However, it included mandates on uranium enrichment involving Russia, new law enforcement training centers, funding an old homelessness bill for McKinney, making a new air base in Pennsylvania of some sort, and support for the e-Verify program on US immigration.
Reading it, all these programs got thrown a few million each. And this was just one page...
Posted By: Jake, the champion of the constitution
Date: 2008-12-14 17:27:56
Dear Danny S -
Can you please post the link? Thanks!
Jake
Posted By: No Name Supplied
Date: 2009-10-15 04:02:22
I wanted to start a discussion concerning Ron Paul’s vote on Hurricane Ike ceiling lights of the devastation here from the Boston Globe), where he voted to refuse $23 billion in federal disaster aid, of which roughly half would be used in Texas, including his district, which was badly damaged. The Houston Chronicle reported that the House garden lights vote passed 370-58 with 30/32 of Texas’s Representatives in support, but I was unable to locate the exact text of this bill. (Sorry!) However, I think most would agree that at first glance it seems crazy to refuse ‘free’ money. Today’s typical American, now used to frequent federal bailouts of banks, mortgage and insurance companies and investment bankers (could you have said the same for yourself a year ago?) is that of astonishment – why would you landscape lighting not support your own constituents and bring home the bacon to your home district some money from DC?First we will review Paul’s comments, then all of the feedback I’ve found from his constituents from their local newspaper, the Houston Chronicle.