’)Conservative groupthink dictates that to privatize is to be divine. Since the election of Reagan, we’ve seen a steady drumbeat to privatize everything on earth – from our schools to the armed forces and beyond, in the world of the Republicans privatization is next to godliness.
Except, reality declares otherwise.
Let’s look at two recent examples. John Thune ran his senatorial campaign on the platform that Tom Daschle was more liberal than average South Dakotans, and that his close ties to the White House would allow Ellsworth Air Force Base to stay open. When the base closing recommendations came out and Ellsworth was on the chopping block, it became clear that Thune would be DOA if the closing came to pass. Now that Ellsworth will remain open, it’s more than a bit humorous that the savior of John Thune’s political career will be a massive influx of government money into the biggest area of taxpayer funded spending in the entire federal government.
The other example is the current relief efforts involved in Misssissippi and Louisiana. Both states voted overwhelmingly for President Bush (60% and 57% respectively), an apparently strong endorsement of the conservative movement. But the savior of Mississippi and Lousiana will not be some privatized entity, some benevolent source of private funding. When Mississippi and Lousiana recover – and they will – they will have the much derided federal government to thank. It will be money from the federal government, along with disaster relief from federal agencies like FEMA and the National Guard that will aid these states and bring them back to glory.
And that’s how it should be.
You seem to not quite understand conservative ideology. Conservatives dont think that “everything” needs to be privatized. They recognize that there is a role for government, but a limited one. Defense and disaster relief are two areas where virtually every conservative sees a need for govt.
So much for that strawman.
Defense? Ha. Are you not aware that private contractors are the ones guarding our generals and diplomats in Iraq? Are you not aware that US firms are subcontracting food services for our armed forces in Iraq to companies operating all over Asia? Rumsfeld’s plans to transform the military have largely centered on boondoggle weapons systems like SDI and privatizing just about everything else. He and other conservatives envision a stripped down fightin force supported entirely by private companies in the fields of security, construction, food, transportation, waste management and communications. Iraq was supposed to be their big showcase for how privitization can work for the military. Smashing success don’t you think?
nudnik,
Lots of conservatives make exceptions for their favorite “necessity”. For some, it’s everything except roads and bridges. For others, it’s everything except defense and disaster relief. For others, it’s everything except public education. For others, it’s everything except enforcement of “Christian” morality. The list goes on. Every conservative has their big “exception”.
[...] Willis is using the fact that government disaster money is flowing into the Louisiana area to argue against privatization. Here s the gist. … [...]
In reality, when the Red River floodplain flooded in 1997, many conservatives were against federal disaster funds being used to help farms, businesses, and people recover. The conservative argument was predictable: these people chose to live on a floodplain; they knew the risks.
Of course, that area is a Dem area.
Elrod is correct, though. Conservatives hate the idea of Govt. spending except in their areas. Show me a GOP Congressman or Senator who isn’t bringing home the bacon and I’ll show you an endangered Congresscritter.
That’s the fundamental conservative dilemma: they want smaller Govt–except in their districts or states.
i think they should just wait for god to fix it.
oh crap, he caused it, huh?
It certainly never takes long for jadegold to take any topic and use it to point out that Republicans are uncaring troglodytes.
Plenty of “private” businesses, corporations, companies and non-profits will do quite well as a result of the rebuilding and reconstruction in Katrina’s aftermath.
I think you simplify it too much, Oliver…but your key point remains intact: that Government agencies like FEMA are best suited to respond to national disasters. The CDC is best suited to respond to a viral outbreak. The FDA is best suited to respond to a recall of a dangerous drug that is on the market. The NIH is best suited to do basic biomedical research.
The list goes on. There are thousands of Govt. success stories…but it’s waste, fraud and abuse that get reported in the “liberal” media. In fact, that “liberal” bastion of American journalism, ABC news, regularly reports on the “Fleecing of America.”
Well, it could be worse. If they followed the Fox News formula, they could be on their 11th week of Natalie Holloway. (I feel for the family as much as the next guy, but people go missing every single day. One wonders if it’s just the well-connected that get CNN/Fox news airtime when bad things happen to them.)
JK
The Red River Valley is a democrat area?
Last time I checked, ND was a crimson red state. I should know. I live there.
Grand Forks and Fargo (both in the red river flood plane) are university towns and thus a bit more blue than the rest of the state, but saying that its a “democrat” area is, well, stupid.
Though really that’s pretty much a hallmark of Jadegold comments.
As usual, JD misunderstands.
The facts are what they are. I just visited another blog where a conservative poster was trying to make the case that it’s pretty stupid for people to live in New Orleans. That spending federal funds to improve levees and flood management is just throwing away money.
As for the smaller Govt. issue; would you disagree that the hallmark of the GOP has been to run on a smaller Govt. platform? Yet, when Repugs hold all the keys to power–why hasn’t Govt. gotten smaller? In fact, over the past 50 years, GOP admins have increased the size of Govt. at a rate greater than Dem admins.
It certainly never takes long for jadegold to take any topic and use it to point out that Republicans are uncaring troglodytes.
Why should it take anyone long to point out the simple truth?
Grand Forks and Fargo (both in the red river flood plane) are university towns and thus a bit more blue than the rest of the state, but saying that its a democrat area is, well, stupid.
In pont of fact, the areas most harmed by the 1997 flooding (Grand Forks, ND, E. Grand Forks, MN and Ada, MN) are decidedly blue areas.
I realize Rob would like to pretend the flooding only affected North Dakota and never crossed that imaginary wall into MN but that’s pretty typical of Rob’s lack of education and general low intelligence.
By the way Oliver- nice to see you’re moderating comments. Perhaps you should also try to avoid finding ways to politicize a natural catastrophy.
But somehow I knew you would find a subtle way to do it. (Or perhaps, not so subtle.)
Jadegold- I hate to break it to you but Polk County and Clay County (East Grand Forks and Moorehead- just across the river from Fargo) voted for Bush in 2004. Norman County (Ada) voted for Kerry.
I wouldn’t say that they are DECIDEDLY blue areas. You can’t even call Minnesota a DECIDEDLY blue state anymore with a Republican Governor and a Republican State House. Only the State Senate as a Democrat Majority. And the Congressional Delegation is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. But how nice of you to take a cheap shot at Rob. Perhaps you should look within and check your facts before challenging someone’s education and intelligence.
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/MN/P/00/map.html
And Rob is definitely right about North Dakota.
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/ND/P/00/map.html
Marty: If you weren’t so concerned at defending your political masters, at all costs, you’d probably have better perspective on why this is a political issue.
In 2001 (before 9/11), FEMA came out with a list of what they considered to be likely catastrophic scenarios for the US. They were: terrorist attacks in NYC, a major earthquake in the Bay area, and a hurricane hitting NOLA.
This was 4 years ago. Before 9/11.
Before 9/11, AWOL George’s admin cut funding for counter-terrorism. We now know from the 9/11 Commission–only one person was actively working Al Qaeda–while there were some 400 FBI agents cracking down on prostitution in NOLA. We know AWOL George basically ignored PDBs and his NSC seemed uninterested in OBL and his crew.
Now, we’re finding (post-9/11) that monies that were earmarked to improve levees in NOLA and better flood management were diverted to Iraq and Homeland Security.
There’s really no need to be subtle about this. FEMA, in 2001, told this administration what the likely catastrophes might be. 2 of 3 have come to passand in each instance this admin has been behind the curve.
And it seems clear that since 6500 National Guard units from LA, MS, and AL are in Iraq, and since all those states are requesting out-of-state Guard units to come in and help out, that the Guard in Iraq were “diverted” from their state-level function, no?
Oh- and don’t link the budget cut links as proof. Prove the “diverted” claim.
So wait, you do accept that the flood protection money was cut, but it only matters to you if it was “diverted”? Why is that an important distinction?
Jade- since my comment prior to the one you have responded to is awaiting “moderation,” perhaps you should rethink your “(Grand Forks, ND, E. Grand Forks, MN and Ada, MN) are decidedly blue areas” claim.
As for NOLA flood monies being diverted to Iraq and to Homeland Security, you’ll need to document that claim. Show me ONE non-blog, non-editorial link that proves that claim. (Not that I’m saying that you’re making that up…. Well… Actually, I am saying that.)
http://www.pnionline.com/dnblog/attytood/archives/002331.html
perhaps you should rethink your (Grand Forks, ND, E. Grand Forks, MN and Ada, MN) are decidedly blue areas claim.
I don’t believe I will, Marty. MN, especially in 1997, was a blue state. One can even argue North Dakota, with two Dem Senators at the time, was still more blue than red.
As for NOLA flood monies being diverted to Iraq and to Homeland Security, you ll need to document that claim.
I’m certain your apology is forthcoming.
Why Marty Should Apologize
Key excerpts:
Emphasis mine.
Fox News: All New Levels of Pathetic
Guess what, North Dakotans? The next time Grand Forks is flooded, Jack Chambliss wants us to fend for ourselves. No longer shall we receive “charity” and “handouts” from the federal government to clean up and rebuild. We’re not welfare queens in N…
ND is a blue state that thinks it’s red. I am from Bismarck and I can tell you, most of the people there are more like 1950s Republicans – they have very little in common with the current batch of GOPers.
Perhaps more on point, North Dakota has one of the highest call-ups of National Guard units per capita in the country. What happens if Grand Forks floods? Or tornadoes hit a city? We’re gonna be in a lot of trouble.
National Guard units should stay in the states so when we need them, we have them. Selfish of me? You bet!
Apologize? Mmmm. Nah. Oh-wait. You’re right. You weren’t making it up. You were reading other peoples opinions. Fine. Sorry. Now- exactly which funds earmarked for NOLA were “diverted?”
And that Minnesota blue/red thing? Minnesota has been a blue state for a long time and yet those counties in the west and south have long been toss ups. Minnesota is blue because of the dominance of the Twin Cities and the Iron Range counties which have traditionally been hard core DFL. (Although the suburbs of the Twin Cities have grown immensely and are becoming heavily Republican.)
You know what I’m more sorry about Jade?
That I let myself get sucked into a political discussion about this. Right now the only thing we whould be talking about is how to help the people who need it most.
Go to Oliver’s current post (09/01/2005) and give what you can. Or find other ways you can help.
That is much more important right now. If you want to snipe, there is an election next year.
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