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Who Really Wants FEMA Gone [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-05-23
Tropical Storm Agnes hit Pennsylvania in June of 1972, like an inland tsunami. Washed out caskets from inundated graveyards, gasoline tanks popping out of the ground, and lots of raw sewage floating down our usually tranquil Susquehanna River, was just the opening act to months of misery. No power, No fresh water, collapsed sewer lines, and washed out roads all had to be dealt with by overextended Local, and State authorities. FEMA was years away from creation, but one Federal agency that was there was “The Corp”, the Army Corp of Engineers. They coordinated debris removal, set up mobile home parks for the homeless, and helped deal with local water, and sewer restoration. We were ALL thankful for their efforts.
In 1979 President Carter signed Executive Order 12127, establishing FEMA, and gave the agency the dual mission of emergency management and civil defense. In March of 2003 the agency was absorbed by the newly created DHS (Department of Homeland Security). Then in August of 2005, Katrina hit New Orleans and the Bush2 administration incompetence highlighted the quote: "Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work, and then they get elected and prove it." FEMA’s tepid response led to allegations of incompetence, neglect, misallocation of resources, and delayed action in the wake of the storm. “Good job Brownie” became the FEMA motto. From it’s inception Republican have voted time and time again, to defund FEMA for various bullshit reasons, BUT WHY?
www.nbcnews.com/…
Lets say for the rest of the diary, I am a greedy racist asshole. When natural disasters happen in my neighborhood, my manly instincts are to protect what’s mine. In my mind hordes of poor, and brown people are coming to get my stuff, and must be stopped. AMMO and weapons are my first priority. Cutting up downed trees, clearing debris, and restoring the neighborhood can wait. This mentality led to the “Danziger Bridge Incident” after Katrina with the shooting of 6 People of Color and the death of 17-year-old James Brissette and 40-year-old Ronald Madison. No FEMA, no federal witnesses to local police atrocities.
After Helene hit NC last year, stories of FEMA “stealing” resources from local retailers were spread by MAGA’s. The truth was FEMA paid fair market price for the supplies, and distributed them equally for free. The retailers in question had jacked the prices up to obscene levels to benefit from the disaster. “Price gouging “ is always a problem after natural disasters, but having FEMA around spoils the “party”. FEMA doesn't directly enforce laws against price gouging, but it does provide information and resources to help survivors avoid scams and price gouging after a disaster. Federal witnesses to local criminality is despised by price gougers.
Naomi Klein’s 2007 book “The Shock Doctrine: the rise of Disaster Capitalism” illuminates the main reason big business, and their best buds, the republican party despise FEMA. Helping local citizens rebuild after a natural disaster, with cash grants and low cost loans, is not a universal goal. Like vultures, disaster capitalists feed on the misfortune and disillusionment of victims, who would abandon their properties without assistance. Federal help from FEMA , again spoils the vulture party, and their perceived god given right to profit from misery.
Normal folks are dumbfounded why anyone would want to eliminate FEMA. Greedy racist assholes get it!
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