President Obama visited the offices of the Red Cross today, in part to thank folks for their efforts, and in part to provide an update on where things stand with regards to the response to Hurricane Sandy.
The clip is well worth watching, but this portion stood out for me.
"My instructions to the federal agencies has been, 'Do not figure out why we can't do something. I want you to figure out how we do something. I want you to cut through red tape. I want you to cut through bureaucracy. There's no excuse for inaction at this point. I want every agency to lean forward and to make sure that we are getting the resources where they're needed as quickly as possible. I want to repeat, my message to the federal government: no bureaucracy; no red tape. Get resources where they're needed as fast as possible, as hard as possible, and for the duration."
In instances like these, there's often talk of having some sort of "disaster-response czar" to help cut through the bureaucracy and ensure the federal government in responding as it should to an emergency. By all appearances, the "disaster-response czar" this week in response to Hurricane Sandy just happens to be the president of the United States.
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Hail to the Chief: President Obama!!!!!! You've got my vote!!!!!!!!!
SonnyE1...gotta love you for pointing out just a few of Obama's tragedies.
Ana Whitlow?? Phew! I'll leave that one for you and your fellow, non-religious Democrats to discuss.
Melvin....try writing complete sentences. Your last one:
"We are in a situation, where bring in, something so far apart, is and will always be STUPID!!!!!!!!!"
What the hell is that? Drinking tonight?
Mike read again, You might get the message. Remember the letter A is the first, and z is the last!
Rachel, I love you; I really do. But sometimes you can get caught up in your belief in the inherant goodness of organizations simply because they are supported by our chosen government.
There is a world of difference (literally) between the International Red Cross and the American Red Cross. The former holds the respect of people around the world; the latter is exactly the sort of "privatized emergency management corporation" that Preteder Romney has suggested we hand our public responsibilities to. I served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.
If you polled U.S. servicemen who actually served overseas, I'll bet you'll be hard-pressed to find a single one who would (a) say anything derrogatory about the International Red Cross, or (b)donate a dime to the American Red Cross. The organization is universally despised by all who have seen it work. That's not to disparage the wonderful volunteers, those who actually DO distribute blankets, canned food, water, medicines, and hope. It's the organization, which asks not for these things, because it's hard to purchase a new BMW for the district lead fundraiser with canned tunafish. The IRC doesn't work that way. The ARC shouldn't either, but that's what it does. And by making it illegal for foreign emergency aid organizations to operate in the United States, the AMC maintains a monopoly that would make the Chaney/Ryan crowd proud. It's a shame that our President has been pursuaded to offer an endorsement for such a NON-Democratic organization.
The Federal Government is nothing BUT bureaucracy and red tape. Notice who is doing the heavy lifting - "The American Red Cross is a charitable organization, not a government agency" Why do we give our tax $$$ to the Federal Government, only to have them skim their bureaucratic salaries and inflated pensions off the top and then with a great deal more "bureaucracy and red tape" (the President's own words) spread that money to organizations on the ground, who do the real work. From the FEMA Strategic Plan: We must look beyond the traditional, government-centric approach to emergency management and embrace a philosophy and operational posture that leverages, and serves, the Whole Community.....(volunteer, faith and community-based organizations, the private sector, and the public,
including survivors themselves) – not just the government.
Wake up people, even the Federal Government admits they cannot do it all. Get out of the way!
Sounds great but cannot be put in practice. Faith based groups don't help everyone. If they find out your gay, they won't help you. I know I have been there. With these so-called christian charities out there they put certain restrictions on their aid like going to their church to get it. That's why it's so important to have a nonpartisan group that helps out in disasters. That way we can make sure everyone gets help. I don't buy the argument that charities is the solution because there are millions that need help and the charities only have limited amount of donations of money and food. They would not have enough to help everyone. Without the Federal government there would be 10,000 or more people who wouldn't get help. This idea of charitable organizations just won't work. The only way to offset the costs of a private organizations to help in a disaster like this is to charge the victim a bill to save them. That's just unethical. Its bad enough we have to pay for health care. Even Jesus said we should not take advantage of our neighbor when he or she is suffering. I think you Republicans forget that.
You all are missing the point. For a year and a half Romney has been talking about smaller government, less red tape and regulations to help make things more efficent. And Obama and his campaign has been trashing him for it. NOW, Obama comes up with this great idea to eliminate red tape and government regulations in order to get aid to the victims quuicker, and you all think its great! You are prooving Romney's point. More govt causes more headaches, expense, time, etc. Congratulations-you have just endorsed Romney's biggest campaign issue.
Played like a cheep banjo! Election is over, the storm is old news, No need for photo ops, No need to make pronouncements, "... No bureaucracy; no red tape." Good luck friends.