General Discussion

Pryderi

(6,772 posts) Wed Oct 31, 2012, 06:54 PM Oct 2012

Romney's Privatized FEMA

Every time you have an occasion to take something from the federal government and send it back to the states, that's the right direction. And if you can go even further and send it back to the private sector, that's even better.

-Mitt Romney

Ultimately, Romney wants companies like Blackwater and Halliburton in charge of disaster relief, with insurance companies making the decisions as to whether the damage was caused by wind or flooding and if it'll be covered.

This is the future that Romney wants:

http://www.salon.com/2010/10/04/libertarian_fire_department/

Meanwhile, out in Tennessee, a man’s house burned down because he didn’t pay the fire department.

The homeowner, Gene Cranick, said he offered to pay whatever it would take for firefighters to put out the flames, but was told it was too late. They wouldn’t do anything to stop his house from burning.

Each year, Obion County residents must pay $75 if they want fire protection from the city of South Fulton. But the Cranicks did not pay.

The mayor said if homeowners don’t pay, they’re out of luck.

5 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Romney's Privatized FEMA (Original Post) Pryderi Oct 2012 OP

Just posted that article here the other day. theinquisitivechad Oct 2012 #1

Sorry I missed it! n/t :( Pryderi Oct 2012 #4

Oh, gosh, not even a problem theinquisitivechad Oct 2012 #5

Imagine a private sector "relief" company in NJ the day after Sandy hit BlueStreak Oct 2012 #2

Great fun. LOL! rgbecker Oct 2012 #3

theinquisitivechad

(322 posts)

1. Just posted that article here the other day.

Reply to Pryderi (Original post)

Wed Oct 31, 2012, 07:17 PM

Oct 2012

It beautifully underscores the absurdity and travesty of "pay-for-play" disaster management response.

Pryderi

(6,772 posts)

4. Sorry I missed it! n/t :(

Reply to theinquisitivechad (Reply #1)

Wed Oct 31, 2012, 08:12 PM

Oct 2012

theinquisitivechad

(322 posts)

5. Oh, gosh, not even a problem

Reply to Pryderi (Reply #4)

Wed Oct 31, 2012, 08:14 PM

Oct 2012

Just think it's great that so many of us realize that it's a critical piece of dismantling the libertarian disaster management construct. The more the merrier

BlueStreak

(8,377 posts)

2. Imagine a private sector "relief" company in NJ the day after Sandy hit

Reply to Pryderi (Original post)

Wed Oct 31, 2012, 07:21 PM

Oct 2012

"I'm sorry, you can't speak to the director, he's too busy. Let me connect you to our relief call center in Pakistan."

buzz-click

(broken English accent) "Hello, my name is Freddie. How may I help you?"

Victim: "My house just got destroyed by the hurricane. We have no food. Our car is underwater. We have no electricity and nowhere to go."

Freddie: "Thank you for contacting Bain Recovery Services. Do you already have an account with us or is this your first emergency?"

Victim: "Are you nuts? A hurricane just came through. People are dying here."

Freddie: "Thank you very much for sharing that information with me today. How can I help you?"

Victim: "Well, where can I go to get temporary shelter and some food for my baby?"

Freddie: "Thank you for that question. If you don't have an account with us, I will need to open a new account for you. First I will need to check your credit. Can you please tell me your address and social security number?"

Victim: "I DON'T HAVE AN ADDRESS. THE FREAKING HURRICANE BLEW MY HOUSE AWAY !!!!"

rgbecker

(4,834 posts)

3. Great fun. LOL!

Reply to BlueStreak (Reply #2)

Wed Oct 31, 2012, 07:52 PM

Oct 2012

Freddie: "Oh, you longer have a house? You no longer qualify for recovery. So sorry. Bye-Bye."

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