Dr. Paul! California is Burning!
Submitted by imagery-member on Tue, 10/23/2007 - 18:26
Dr. Paul! What should the President do? What would you do!?
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I posted my personal update
I posted my personal update (I'm in the middle of it) of the fire news here:
http://www.paulforronpaul.com/page35a.html
Let me also say that on the radio this morning of course the fire is on every second of every station but they were saying that the shelters where the 500,000 (yes, that's right) refugees are staying are actually having to turn away people who are showing up there bringing food because there has been such an outpouring of support from folks all across the city. Contrast that to the horrific, fascist and wasteful FEMA response at Katrina and you'll see why such things should not be addressed at the Federal level.
www.paulforronpaul.com
Welfare Society vs Welfare State
This should not be used as a tool to distinguish Ron Paul from other candidates or be used to take shots at anyone. This is a real disaster that is affecting real peoples lives. We should all be praying and supporting those that are affected by this.
However, I don't think its inappropriate to discuss how this should be handled. One of the fears of proponents of the welfare state is that once you take away the government's involvement then you risk leaving victims of tragedies out in the cold, and these tragedies even with insurance can devastate a family. This thinking leads one to believe that people would not be generous unless forced to be so. The welfare state tries to ensure charity through taxation.
America is built to be a welfare society. We have a very charitable population that give support and money to those in need. For welfare to be moral, it has to be voluntary. I firmly believe that we could remove the government from welfare and reduce the welfare state and provide much better service to those in need through a voluntary welfare society. If you believe that too, then this is one of those times where we can show it.
The Paul campaign is doing the right thing by using the fundraiser to raise money. It would only be wrong if they mislead donators on where the money was going, but they are telling you upfront that part of it is going to a relief fund (an example of society providing welfare outside of the state). The fact that it isn't being pushed as a huge campaign point shows the true compassion in the act. I would expect nothing less.
Look here
Just like in the Not Yours to Give story, Ron Paul is doing the same.
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/snippets/86/hollywood-fundraiser/
Read the bottom note:
"A portion of your $2,000 donation will go to the red cross to aide the victims of the recent fires"
--
http://www.ronpaulradio.com/
24/7 Ron Paul Coverage and Discussion
Just Like?
There's a huge difference between a voluntary donation with which you can use great discretion, and a forceful tax in which you have no choice but to participate. If people don't want to help the victims of the fire, then they won't donate to Ron's fundraiser. It would be his loss, yet I'm sure he would understand.
ANYONE WATCHING THE NEWS - ITS DISGUSTING...
AAARRRGGGHHH.... I cant help it, I was watching the news while doing work in the home and I find it disgusting how everyone is stepping up the podium, patting each other on the back, saying what a great job everyone is doing, etc. etc. etc....
Its disgusting because they are *as usual* promoting themselves in these speeches and making this sort of political in MY opinion... lets shove all these people in front of the podium and congratulate this person and that person etc. etc... govenor, you are so good and great etc. etc. etc..
Notice that this is *NOT GOING TO BE ANOTHER KATRINA* again and again....
ONE NOTE GOOD... at least *one* person said that the newer homes that are abiding by the preventions of fire to your home by having fire breaks from the houses, non-flamable roofs, non-flammable materials etc... are the ones surviving this experience... whereas the older homes and non-abiding homes without firebreaks etc.. are the destroyed ones!
Good for that one guy.... they will probably pull him aside and castigate him for making his point!
Disaster Relief
I absolutely agree that charity from fellow Americans is the only solution for short-term help (food, etc...) Did the Federal Gov't help rebuild San Francisco after the big quake? Did the Federal Gov't rebuild Chicago after the fire? No - (the Mafia did, but that's another story:)). Besides, all money is going to "disaster relief" in Iraq.
www.libertyrestorationproject.org
"We are the inheritors of the American Enlightenment, which tells us that Individual Liberty always trumps collectivism in all forms."
Free-market insurance is the answer
People who own property, if they aren't financially able to withstand the loss of that property, should buy private insurance.
And the government should not meddle in the insurance industry. Insurance companies must be free to tailor policies - and rates - to various markets. Coverage for fire loss in Southern California, for example, probably has to cost more than similar coverage in Seattle. Interference by government is simply another way of redistributing wealth.
Building your house on Sand....
Well this post is kinda related. I personally get angry at the government for bailing out people (time after time after time) who build their houses on the coast line and the get "hurricaned" get government relief and build again and so the cycle goes.... I mean come ON FOLKS... do not build your house in a flood prone, hurricane prone area. Its only a matter of time. The government should stop bailing these people out!
Also people that build their houses atop of mud mountains....
I am kinda split 50/50 about sympathies with people who build houses in fire-prone areas... I wont pass judgement here, though personally if I am in a fire-prone area, as much as I love trees, I think I would build a safety zone around my house as a fire-wall....
but building on top of mud mountains or coastal flood areas - 0% sympathies here...
It's Called "Moral Hazard"
Few, if any, private ensurers will ensure property that's in these kinds of areas. If it weren't for the government coming in and creating market distortions, these homes likely wouldn't be built here, meaning that brush fires wouldn't turn into major disasters and that man wouldn't have an incentive to ruin the environment (which many developments in desert and wetland ecosystems do).
We could save lives, save money, and save the environment -- all at the same time!
Paleoconservative
Those homes are all uninsured?
"Few, if any, private ensurers will ensure property that's in these kinds of areas."
Do you really think so?
I'll bet nearly every one of those homes I've seen burning on TV is insured, and the policies probably provide coverage for contents and even temporary living expenses in the event of a fire.
Or is there some sort of federal fire insurance program I don't know about (similar to federal flood insurance)?
Insurance getting harder
I left CA in 2004 because it was getting close to impossible to insure my rural home that was 4 miles from the volunteer fire station. The insurance company did a physical inspection and I cleared a ton of vegetation and took other precautions to get the policy renewed.
While my house was in escrow there was a small fire on the back side of my ridge and we had helicopters flying over our house to dump water on the fire.
There are so many restrictions on what Californians can do to their property (no trees may be felled that are >6" diameter) that property management is a really tough job.
Interesting...
When you say, "close to impossible," I'm assuming you mean expensive. Would you mind sharing how much your premium was and for what dollar amount of coverage?
If you think this is too far off-topic, please feel free to e-mail me.
Impossible not expensive
I live in Florida and people near the water cannot get private insurance. This is because of state price caps on insurance prices. So people have to get insured through a state program. So the next hurricane that comes through will bankrupt the state since so many people are in the program.
There used to be a thing called a beach house. Back when there was a free market for insurance people built on the beach but instead of buying insurance for a house that was likely to get destroyed they built a beach hosue. This usually was up on stilts and was a no frills place to crash at night while you enjoyed the beach. If it got knocked down it was no big deal and you could easily afford to rebuild.
Close to Impossible
means that I was down to the last possible insurance company. Money was not the issue, it was the risk factor that the companies didn't want. This put my mortgage in jeopardy since insurance is required when a bank holds the title.
Regular loss through State Farm was $2329 and Earthquake through Geo Vera was $961.86 in 2003. I think we had the rebuild value around $450K.
He Ought to Write Them a Check
...out of his own personal funds, earmarked for "California Relief."
He ought to get on national TV, wave it in front of the cameras, and explain that he, as a citizen of the United States, is contributing out of his personal wealth to the Salvation Army, or Red Cross, or whomever.
Then he ought to encourage the rest of his fellow countrymen to do the same.
Charity, the way Christ and the Founding Fathers both intended it.
Paleoconservative
I like this idea ...
...except before going to the American people looking for volunteers, he should first challenge every member of the House and Senate to do the same - just the way he handles the Congressional Gold Medal nonsense every time it comes up. Only this time, he will be doing it from the bully pulpit in front of a national TV audience. Shame everyone of these bastards to pony up everytime they wanna throw our tax dollars (or the Fed's phony dollars) at every problem.
I take my marching orders from the Constitution!
Yes
Amen to that. Free people. Acting out of the goodness of their hearts, minds and souls. Zero coercion. It's the only way.
_________________________________
Freedom - Peace - Prosperity
ask Davey Crockett
This reminds me of an amazing speech by Davey Crockett I highly recommend reading:
http://www.house.gov/paul/nytg.htm
note the hosting is at Ron Paul's congressional website...
Ron draws from this speech occasionally... after reading it, check out what Ron said in his speech denying a Congressional Gold Medal (a civilian medal) to Cardinal O'Connor:
http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2000/cr021500.htm
(p.s. he gives the same speech and basically denies EVERY congressional gold medal - for the right reasons)
federal help
My dad always told me that if I wanted to help then stay the heck out of the way.
I think this type of approach would be best.
The community is best served by the community. The red tape fostered on the community by the group of men and women calling themselves government is stifling at best.
If California were it's own nation it would have the fifth largest economy in the world. Why the heck would they look to the feds (who have nothing but weapons) for help?
Like Ronny Raygun said. "Government cannot solve America's problems because government is the problem". Or something like that.
I think that Ron Paul is doing a fair job of letting people know that they will be taken care of. And they will if people are given the opportunity to help. People like to help others. It's natural.
I like how Dr. Paul explains his stance on the issues.
Go Ron Paul!
none are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.
Hey, maybe if all our
Hey, maybe if all our country's money wasn't tied up in the Iraq war, we'd have the funding and resources to take care of disasters at home. Ya think???
"The world is indeed comic, but the joke is on mankind." - H.P. Lovecraft
President's Role
Should be similar to an adviser/counselor. There should never be federal government control of disaster response because they would be no good! States and local governments should be in charge of disaster readiness and response for their own particular area. They know better what issues they are likely to face.
If anything, the president should urge free people across the country to help in whatever way possible out of their own goodness and care for their brothers/sisters in harms way. The president should also urge any potential groups/localities that could help to do so. The president should also provide a caring and counseling role to the people who are affected by the disaster and let them know that everybody is doing the most within their power to help.
All of these tasks would allow for decentralization of authority and an increase of local accountability and responsibility. No big brother is a good thing for collective personal efficacy in society. With a more advisory president, people would be better at doing things and preparing for things for themselves.
_________________________________
Freedom - Peace - Prosperity
Everyone here is missing the point
We all know how Dr. Paul should respond to the inevitable disaster that occurs periodically throughout all Presidential terms – most of the posts here answer that question quite correctly. The real question is how does he sell these ideas to the public?? Remember, we’re talking about a public that has grown accustomed to seeing the Feds ride in on white horses for even the slightest “crises”. If he were to claim that the Constitution doesn’t allow for victim relief, how will he be able to avoid a media stampede to paint him as a heartless tyrant, insulated from the little people, and hiding behind the Constitution, all the while indifferent to the thousands of helpless victims whose hopes are slowly crushed without Uncle Sam’s bottomless pockets to help them up out of their misery?
This is a very critical question, and I haven’t seen anyone address it here. I think a lot of his ideas will be hard to sell, but this one may be one of the hardest. Any ideas?
I take my marching orders from the Constitution!
Shift programs to the states
He should prepare expectations ahead of time and let everyone know that the Federal gov't, after shutting down FIMA, is no longer in that business anymore and won't be available for disasters. Then shift responsibility to the states and ask all of them to have individual emergency plans, funds, or whatever way they want to handle it. This would not preclude other states from contributing resources to one another during disasters if their people chose to through voluntary cooperation and charity. I'm sure it would work out just fine. Just think of all the money California would have if it wasn't supporting the federal government. Surely, CA could cover its own disaster relief.
I'm sure Ron can do it
I think the key, MD, is for Dr. Paul to keep doing what he's done so well: explaining in a positive way how free markets are far more compassionate than central planning. As you imply, the message can't be simply, "It's none of the federal government's business; read the Constitution, stupid!" I know Dr. Paul can pull this off if he just gets opportunities to explain his position.
I hope that after eight years of a Paul administration, the president WILL be able to simply ignore such events and nobody will think badly of him because of it.
I agree
It is very odd to see hundreds of thousands of sheeple sitting in stadiums and shelters, while 6000 firemen and 2000 prisoners do the work. There was a time, not too long ago, when many of the burnt down structures would have been rebuilt already.
Give me liberty....
______________
"Resistance need not be violent, but the civil disobedience that might be required involves confrontation with the state and invites possible imprisonment." - Ron Paul
Transition Periods
The only thing Dr. Paul advocates ending immediately is the IRS. He is fully aware that everything else requires transition periods. The Feds have been teaching us to depend on them more and more over the last 100 years. So changes cannot be done overnight. For example: transition from fiat money to gold backed money by allowing competing currencies and transition away from social security by reducing our empire and allowing young people out. With regards to FEMA, talk with and prepare states and communities about this change. To help local authorities jump start their capabilities, the Federal government could even donate whatever FEMA equipment won't be needed any more. The states will be able to afford it since we won't be sending as much money to Washington. These transitions will take time and may not even be completed by the time Dr. Paul's eight years as President are over (God willing).
He should urge
He should urge California's emergeny management to make sure each localized piece of the fire puzzle is located in the neceassary areas, and then call for volunteers to different organizing areas. The volunteers sign waivers and get to work.
We should move towards a more localized system of emergency reaction.
Who calls the shots? Whomever is the most local. The well connectedness of the American people can get good consultation flowing to the ones in charge.
These types of rules would make it responsibility to have meetings with neighbors of surrounding areas in cases of disaster, and that is good.
These types of rules would not cost billions at the federal level.
"Freedom Is A Road Seldom Traveled By The Multitude." - Frederick Douglass
Dr. Paul! California is Burning!
LAFrare
I was going to post on the “Old-Young” Topic that was up a few minutes ago, but it went by by. I seen this post on the fires in California and I can’t resist.
Yes, I am one of the old farts that are cheering you on and trying to do my part in this revolution.
My answer to what should the president do, or more to the point, what should the government do?
NOTHING, and they should do it much sooner.
I am not taking the time to research this in the case of California, but, it is true in Washington and all western states I have researched.
Federal and state ownership of lands and the restrictions on private property caused by ridiculous environmental regulations, protecting rodents and subspecies, have curtailed practices that would substantially reduce the fire hazard.
Don’t look to the government for the solution, IT IS THE PROBLEM
LAFrare
Freeman You're right about the Mutual Aid Here in SD
We were up through the night watching Mt. San Miguel burn towards us.
We didn't get evacuated, but our Niece, Husband and their 18mo old did. Thankfully they were allowed back in today. As I watched the spirit of the volunteers, the local newscasters and others I couldn't help to make parallels to the grassroots RP supporters nationwide. The one to one connections, the overall energy and intention of action are unmistakable and only come from spontaneous actions of the heart... however manifested.
It was amazing to see local evacuation centers turn away supplies and volunteers .... all generated locally. One newscaster commented to a qualcomm worker on the atmosphere and how one could almost forget about the fires... the worker looked at him, smiled and said "that's pretty much the point, don't you think?"
Alex Plewniak
Bonita, CA
Alex Plewniak
Bonita, CA
Federal Firefighters only
Federal Firefighters only get paid when there are fires to fight.
A lot of those guys would starve if there weren't fires to fight.
They have already caught them starting fires in the past but only a conspiracy wacko would think the ones who are paid to fight the fires would start them.
KMoore
May our efforts in support of Doctor and Congressman Ron Paul's Campaign to be President of these United States of America be blessed with supernatural productivity and success
May our efforts in support of Ron Paul's Campaign For Liberty be blessed with supernatural productivity and success!