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Dear Tony and all,
While I agree with you that there are probably many in
this population that are multi-generational welfare recipients, part of that is
caused by the government that allows it to perpetuate. I saw a news piece a few
years back about states that wanted to end this financial catastrophe we call
welfare. They began by building daycare centers and putting welfare mothers back
to work. They interviewed young women that had come from families that had been
on welfare all the way back to the grandmothers or great grandmothers. Many of
these people that were put into this program said how it changed their lives in
so many positive ways. They had a sense of responsibility to their communities,
felt stronger about education and making sure their children did not wind up
they way they had. Many leaders in the African-American community have spoken to
these issues to try to strengthen their communities independence from welfare
and encourage self reliance.
I don't think anyone is blaming the politicians for the hurricane.
I'm blaming them for their lack of effort and leadership. In all this news
footage I am seeing, I wonder why I haven't seen New Orleans chief of police one
time. I saw their mayor once, looking dazed in his office, his words almost
incoherent. During the 9-11 situation, New York's mayor Rudy was seen daily and
everywhere in the city, not only pitching into help but representing leadership
in a time of crisis. I hear the governor's and senators on the phone somewhere
out of the devastated areas. What's that all about? I've seen more officials
from neighboring Texas than from all the 3 affected states combined. Hell, I've
heard more from Harry Connick, Jr. about his relief concert than I have from
politicians actually getting something accomplished. I understand the New
Orleans airport is able to have planes land and take off. Then why aren't planes
loaded with food and supplies coming in every hour on the hour? I saw a
Blackhawk helicopter landing in a field with water yesterday. It was unloaded in
a few minutes. Not enough. Everyone is saying is it too little, so why not get
more of them in there. I understand roads are blocked, but there has to be some
other way. The mayor of New Orleans issued a "desperate SOS" yesterday. Hey, if
the mayor of the city is not out surveying the damage and there is a
communication problem, then it is up to the other officials of the state, that
are out of harms way, can watch the news reports, to get National Guard and
other agencies in their to do the job. Most of these people are good people that
are hungry, tired and frustrated. Yes, there are some thugs and they are
terrorizing their own neighbors. What kind of an idiot shoots at ambulances that
have been brought in to remove sick and dying patients? Those ambulances need
security. I mean if dozens of ambulances got into the city, I think we can get
some security guards into the city too.
Dave's post was right on. I can only hope that these people can hold on and
that some of these politicians who are offering not much more than posturing
will get off their smug behinds and do their jobs.
Sue Heim
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Title: MAJORLY OFF TOPIC (a different take)
- Re: [MOPO] MAJORLY OFF TOPIC (a different take) Susan Heim
