Cantor puts ultimatum on helping tornado victims

[lakhota]

GOP Congressman Pays For Emergency Disaster Relief With Cuts To Clean Cars Program

In a stunningly heartless move, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) put strings on emergency relief for the victims of the killer Joplin tornado, saying that other government services would have to be cut to offset aid spending. Yesterday afternoon, the House Appropriations Committee passed an amendment by Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) to add $1 billion in funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster relief fund, offset by cutting $1.5 billion from the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program at the Department of Energy. On MSNBC’s Ed Show, Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO) called the decision “just plain wrong”:

When you talk about cutting clean energy programs versus cutting subsidies for big oil, let’s have that debate here in Washington. But not on the backs of the people of Joplin.

Scientists have warned for decades that our climate system would grow deadlier as greenhouse pollution from coal and oil increases, with greater floods, heat waves, droughts, wildfires, and storms. Instead of responding to reality by mobilizing our nation to protect people from climate disasters and build a resilient, green economy, Republicans are keeping us tethered to big oil.

“It is staggeringly shortsighted to pay for the economic losses of climate disasters by choking off funding for policies that reduce the threat of future climate disasters,” said Bracken Hendricks, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress. “The Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program is helping US companies right now, to remain competitive and protect good manufacturing jobs, by producing highly efficient vehicles that cut dependence on foreign oil. What’s next? Should we cut funding for flood insurance and slash the FEMA budget to pay for flood damage along the Mississippi?”

Update: ThinkProgress has acquired the text of the Aderholt amendment. Of the $1.5 billion cut from the clean cars program, only $1 billion is directed to disaster relief, while $500 million is simply rescinded.

VIDEO: thinkprogress.org/2011/05/25/aderholt-disaster-relief-cuts/

[Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ]

This clean energy horse carp and funding bogus agencies and research programs is a waste of good money. Cantor is right on target.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

"stunningly heartless?"
"staggeringly shortsighted?"

To provide $1 Billion in FEMA funding for tornado victims by cutting the budget elsewhere? I would think it would be "stunningly heartless" NOT to help tornado victims. And, frankly, that money had to come from somewhere, didn't it?

[cme1201]

•The FY09 Continuing Resolution authorized up to $25 billion in direct loans to eligible applicants for the costs of reequipping, expanding, and establishing manufacturing facilities in the U.S. to produce advanced technology vehicles, and components for such vehicles. These vehicles must provide meaningful improvements in fuel economy performance.

www.energy.gov/news/archives/6709.htm

Is cutting 1.5billion from 25billion really that big of a deal?

[sesfw]

What happened?

[Deleted]

Point made, cme. I think he did the right thing. Those people could care LESS about green energy right now.

[dancinmama]

May 25, 2011 18:32:26 GMT -5 @lakhota said:

GOP Congressman Pays For Emergency Disaster Relief With Cuts To Clean Cars Program

In a stunningly heartless move, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) put strings on emergency relief for the victims of the killer Joplin tornado, saying that other government services would have to be cut to offset aid spending.

lakhota: What is so heartless about making the relief money come out of another bucket? We are in the mess that we're in now because our government has not done that in the past when they should have.

Most people understand that when you're living on a budget it means that you can't afford EVERYTHING. We all make choices. I can buy steak or chicken, but buying both is not in my grocery budget. If I decide that I want both, then I have to take money from a different line item in my budget to cover the extra expense for meat. That is what a BUDGET is.

What about "our country is BROKE" do you not understand?

[lakhota]

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

May 25, 2011 18:34:16 GMT -5 Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ said:

This clean energy horse carp and funding bogus agencies and research programs is a waste of good money. Cantor is right on target.

Making disaster relief victims a higher priority than some 'green energy' boondoggle is the OPPOSITE of heartless.

[marshabar1]

What's the problem?

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Is cutting 1.5billion from 25billion really that big of a deal?

Democrats seem to think so. And they don't have any other ideas-- just attacks and name calling.

[Deleted]

Please let that video get us off this page....

[Deleted]

..................

[Deleted]

Bump, then I give up. Can't deal with the scrolly thing...

[marshabar1]

[marshabar1]

[Deleted]

SCARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!







page 2 please............

[Deleted]

[lakhota]

Why didn't Cantor just demand that it be taken out of Social Security and Medicare?

[henryclay]

Any reputable financial counsellor worth his salt will try to impress you to put at least six months of normal expenses in a sock for emergencies. Nobody does it, , , , well, some do. but only a pitiful few, but the counsellors try to impress people that we all need to.

It has been patently clear for the past several years, and even moreso the last couple of years, that the government is the worst violater of that practice in the country. Not to do any give-aways, but to make it possible for victims to have access to low interest, open ended loans for rebuilding their lives and businesses after things like the country is experencing as we speak, , , Tornadoes in Missouri two days ago and Oklahoma today, , flood waters in Midssissippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and other states.

Heartless? It may seem so, but if people think the government will always provide there will never be a reason for self reliance.

Right now money itself is probably not very high on the needs list. But potable water, medical care, food and shelter are likely right up there at the top.

[marshabar1]

We do. ;D

I say hell ya. Call their bluff. It's the only language those dem goons understand.

[dancinmama]

May 25, 2011 23:23:58 GMT -5 henryclay said:

Heartless? It may seem so, but if people think the government will always provide there will never be a reason for self reliance.

Right now money itself is probably not very high on the needs list. But potable water, medical care, food and shelter are likely right up there at the top.

Yes, and many organizations have pulled together to deliver truckloads of needed items to the affected areas. Many of the gals on the Grocery Challenge have used their coupons to buy and donate items that will be a huge help. Anything that Americans can do to help out is one less thing that the government has to do.

[marshabar1]

May 25, 2011 23:31:54 GMT -5 dancinmama said:

May 25, 2011 23:23:58 GMT -5 henryclay said:

Heartless? It may seem so, but if people think the government will always provide there will never be a reason for self reliance.

Right now money itself is probably not very high on the needs list. But potable water, medical care, food and shelter are likely right up there at the top.

Yes, and many organizations have pulled together to deliver truckloads of needed items to the affected areas. Many of the gals on the Grocery Challenge have used their coupons to buy and donate items that will be a huge help. Anything that Americans can do to help out is one less thing that the government has to do.

Volunteer effort the reason few Alabama tornado victims apply for aid, commenters say

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- As victims of the April 27 tornadoes continue to recover from the devastation in Alabama, only 48,000 of them have applied for federal money to help the process along, which some readers feel reflects the success of the local volunteer effort.

Recovery officials say that number is relatively low for a disaster of this proportion, The Birmingham News reports. Victims either haven't heard about the opportunity to receive federal aid, do not believe they qualify, are reluctant to seek government help or are still recuperating from the traumatic event, the report says.

Some readers are encouraging victims to seek FEMA's help during the recovery, while others feel the people of Alabama are doing a more-than-adequate job at rebuilding on their own without the federal government's help.

Here's what you had to say:

* There is help out there people. Simply ask for it. There is no shame in asking. You paid taxes all these years and that is what programs like FEMA are for. Take this opportunity while your cable is out to ween yourself off of FOX NEWS and you will be much better off. - Republicanwatch101

* Even if you are well-insured and/or wealthy - register with FEMA! This affects the amount of dollars that will be earmarked for recovery and reconstruction in Alabama - especially for those who are not rich or insured. Some folks just need more help than others, so help them! The tornadoes of two weeks ago were bi-partisan! They did not discriminate between the rich, the poor, the Democrats or the Republicans! While we may be divided on our political beliefs, we are one in damage and destruction. Please, please register with FEMA if you have ANY storm damages! - rebelcam

*

I don't think this is that surprising. The outpouring of help from all over has been incredible. If I lost everything and I have insurance for my home and I have family and neighbors showering me with assistance and a temporary place to live, why do I need FEMA? Now if I have no family and no insurance and no outpouring of neighbors-community, I would register and get help. Alabama people seem to be helping Alabama people. - quinny0215

*

The churches and volunteer groups are doing an astounding job. Construction crews, demo crews, food, water, temp shelter, clothes, toys, and propane are but a few things I know our church sent. Multiply that by the number of churches in the area and if even half of them are helping those in need then we are doing a good job of caring for each other. - AlabamaSeeker

*

I live in Tuscaloosa. A close friend lives in The Downs, a devastated neighborhood directly in the path of the tornado, She had car insurance to cover the chimney that fell on her car (no deductible required) and the damage to her home was covered except for a $500 deductible. Her homeowners' agent told her that he would waive the deductible if she used one of several roofing companies that were working with the insurance company. She did. And friends put her up. We even had the food from her refrigerator at our house so she didn't even lose that. At the end of the day, for the loss of a tree, a near-death experience (she was home during the tornado) and a huge amount of stress, she will get a new roof, new siding, new windows on one side of the house, a new chimney, and a general fix-up. Why would she need help from FEMA? - bobcat4424

blog.al.com/montgomery/2011/05/volunteer_effort_the_reason_fe.html

[marshabar1]

What a perfect representation of the two Americas. Proud, libs?

[Deleted]

THANK you, SL.

[henryclay]

There is help out there people. Simply ask for it. There is no shame in asking. You paid taxes all these years and that is what programs like FEMA are for. Take this opportunity while your cable is out to ween yourself off of FOX NEWS and you will be much better off. - Republicanwatch101

krickett, didn't somebody try to belittle you a while back with just about these same words? It must be a job security thing. If they can't get people to sign up they may get laid off and have go find a real job.

I wonder if the government really promotes the active discrimination used here against any particular media outlet. Life magazine was once the pillar that printed media was measured by, similar to Fox and TV news today. I believe if anyone had ever did to Life magazine what is being done to Fox in this one they'd have been blackballed by the entire media and would never work for a legitimate publisher again.

[Deleted]

Correct, Henry. I have taken some flack for recovering on my own, with any advice I can get from people and help from my kids, rather than taking advantage of other people's money. So far, so good.
Yes, the liberal media machine is really entrenched in our society. Pretty easy with the way kids are being taught these days in schools and by parents that think their small children are their friends. The old ways are leaving us, and the results do not look good.

[upstatemom]

Maybe some of these people are not asking for FEMA help because they remember the story in the news last week. The story was about FEMA coming back to "victims" five years later and told them oops, we paid you in error, give us back the money that you used to rebuild your life. FEMA's incompetence in the past decade is unacceptable, yet Congress ignores it!

[Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ]

Why didn't Cantor just demand that it be taken out of Social Security and Medicare?

Those are separately funded programs that are not part of the fed budget.

[ugonow]

Why not take it out of foreign aid?