FEMA opens office in DeFuniak Springs

[Mango]

That’s exactly my point, people should have the right to live where ever they want. However people should not be entitled to a free ride if things go wrong. No one has the right to expect someone else to pay for their risky behavior right? If I have unprotected sex every weekend and contract AIDs, should you pay for my treatment? If I like sky diving, should you pay for my hospital bills if my chute fails to open?? (Even if I'm "poor country folk"? )

While I believe there are misappropriations with these types of programs, perhaps you might want to tell the above to the next musician or server you enjoy, that may have a family, who may be renting, and has his/her home and work catastrophically destroyed; that he should have enough money to move elsewhere, find a home, have enough for a new security deposit, and enough money saved until he finds more gigs or employment while waiting for a rebuild...because of course, you worked hard to not be in their position. I find that when people have that kind of mentality, they're usually the ones who leave less than 20% in tips.

 

[Matt J]

While I believe there are misappropriations with these types of programs, perhaps you might want to tell the above to the next musician or server you enjoy, that may have a family, who may be renting, and has his/her home and work catastrophically destroyed; that he should have enough money to move elsewhere, find a home, have enough for a new security deposit, and enough money saved until he finds more gigs or employment while waiting for a rebuild...because of course, you worked hard to not be in their position. I find that when people have that kind of mentality, they're usually the ones who leave less than 20% in tips.

I think it boils down to a contempt for the "help".

 

[30A Skunkape]

Walton County.

I am having a hard time finding out much more about this, but I think you must be referencing something that occurred following one of the hurricanes. Without knowing anything other than what you have stated about who scored a chainsaw and generator, I will go out on a limb and bet that this act was actually a savings to taxpayers.

In my experience, people who stay behind during hurricanes represent the first wave of clean up. They clear roads of fallen trees and clear drainage ditches which makes utility restoration, and thus return of the populace, much easier. If a private citizen doesn't clear the debris, either the (undermanned) county or a private contractor that sends FEMA a whopping bill will be happy to do so.

The way I see it, worst case scenario, a chainsaw and generator costs about $2500 which is a good investment if one considers the service returned in exchange.

 

[30ashopper]

30ashopper, your mask of "personal choice" is slipping and revealing the Ebenezer hiding behind it.

Whatever. Don't even try and judge me, you clearly know nothing about me.

While I believe there are misappropriations with these types of programs, perhaps you might want to tell the above to the next musician or server you enjoy, that may have a family, who may be renting, and has his/her home and work catastrophically destroyed; that he should have enough money to move elsewhere, find a home, have enough for a new security deposit, and enough money saved until he finds more gigs or employment while waiting for a rebuild...because of course, you worked hard to not be in their position. I find that when people have that kind of mentality, they're usually the ones who leave less than 20% in tips.

The same servers I give major tips to because I used to be a server and know how hard it is? We should get together and have dinner. You might be surpirsed at how I'm greeted by staff around here.

My point is that it should be my choice, not someone else’s. I am a very kind person, but I am also very independent and feel I should have the right to decide where my money gets spent.. because, ehem, it's my money. Mango I respect your opinion because I know you are a very smart women. But please do not judge me (IMHO wrongly) simply because I feel I'm able to make the best decisions on who to help without, 'help'. FEMA funding is riddled with abuse. The folks you are referring to can find plenty of local support without the help of the federal government. In fact, I would guess that if FEMA did not exist, they would find more. Communities support those that are in need, except when they think somebody else is taking care of the problem. (and 9 times out of 10, the federal government isn't, but they do spend a lot of money supposedly trying.)

 

[Mango]

The same servers I give major tips to because I used to be a server and know how hard it is? We should get together and have dinner. You might be surpirsed at how I'm greeted by staff around here.

My point is that it should be my choice, not someone else?s. I am a very kind person, but I am also very independent and feel I should have the right to decide where my money gets spent.. because, ehem, it's my money. Mango I respect your opinion because I know you are a very smart women. But please do not judge me (IMHO wrongly) simply because I feel I'm able to make the best decisions on who to help without, 'help'. FEMA funding is riddled with abuse. The folks you are referring to can find plenty of local support without the help of the federal government. In fact, I would guess that if FEMA did not exist, they would find more. Communities support those that are in need, except when they think somebody else is taking care of the problem. (and 9 times out of 10, the federal government isn't, but they do spend a lot of money supposedly trying.)

You're on for dinner. I will pay the tip!

I was not judging you, 30A. The Red Cross and Salvation Army also assist in disasters and they are privately funded, but they have their limits. I will agree that whenever government is involved in dispensing financial aide in any program, abuses will be rampant due to the largess of the accounting. However, I have to disagree with the communities supporting every need of a victim in a crisis. All I have to do is look at the food pantry donation box at my local grocery store to see that many are not contributing.

 

[GoodWitch58]

I think you are making assumptions about my supposed lack of good nature based on your misinterpretation of my attempts at defending my personal rights. Please try and avoid mixing up the two. IMHO, abusing my rights in an effort to provide what you perceive as rights for others accomplishes nothing.



Do they, or have they simply become dependent on some higher power? (e.g. government?) I?m trying to come up with examples.. for example people who build on a flood plane, or build a house 20 feet below sea level surrounded by levees, or build a house on the beach in SoWal, or build a farm in the middle of the prairie ? there?s insurance for all the worst case scenarios. Could you give some examples of people who plan as well as they can and still need some help? There are probably some rare examples but I can?t think of any off hand.



I do not believe in any religion, but I do believe in natural selection. Community is important for survival. But there are bounds to that.



I have, and I championed through. I turned to family, to friends, but most of all I turned to myself. I have never turned to government.



I am not lacking in empathy, nor do I find it inappropriate to help those with less. Trust me, I'm a sucker for somebody in need, or even feigning need. I just prefer these acts to be a personal choice. The Constitution you know, it?s a beautiful thing as long as you respect it. Answer me this, if government forces me to give to charity against my will, what is the net-net accomplishment?



That?s exactly my point, people should have the right to live where ever they want. However people should not be entitled to a free ride if things go wrong. No one has the right to expect someone else to pay for their risky behavior right? If I have unprotected sex every weekend and contract AIDs, should you pay for my treatment? If I like sky diving, should you pay for my hospital bills if my chute fails to open?? (Even if I'm "poor country folk"? )



My post was an attempt to draw a line around the subject of ->a right to help from government<-. Personally I ask very little of our government, mainly three things - a national defense to protect my interests, a local police force to keep the streets safe, and a fire department at my beck and call in the rare event something of value catches fire. Looking over my federal and county tax payments, I think I've paid for that support fair and square, and then some. Aside from these things, I am very proud to say I have not asked government for much of anything else during my lifetime. IMHO, this country would be much much much better off if everyone strived much harder to accomplish the same. When did my approach become so heretical, and why?

Well, based on the above post, I don't think I have misinterpreted anything. You just made my point again.

If you have some compassion for those less fortunate, it does not come across in your posts. Perhaps, there is something missing...
if so, that's great; based on additional information, I could change my opinion. In the meantime, I still find the attitude reflected in the posts disturbing.

 

[Matt J]

Whatever. Don't even try and judge me, you clearly know nothing about me.

I'm judging you, I'm judging you...

Get over yourself. I've made my judgment and am content with it. You don't want to be judged, but feel that you should judge everyone else. There's obviously something very small in your life that you are making up for.