Texas (Republican politicians) wants federal disaster aid it refused to give others

[ProSense]

Texas wants federal disaster aid it refused to give others

by kos

Texas secessionist Gov. Rick Perry:

Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday declared McLennan County - home to West, the small community rocked by the deadly fertilizer plant explosion - a disaster area and announced that he's asking President Barack Obama for a federal emergency declaration as well.

That's not an unreasonable request, and the victims of the fire and the residents of West deserve it. (Even if West Fertilizer Co should ultimately pay the costs for gross negligence.)

Still, it's curious seeing Perry run to the feds after hearing his secessionist rhetoric because of the "oppressive" federal government. And he's joined in the hall of hypocrisy by the rest of the area's federal delegation.

U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, whose district includes West, called on all Americans to pray for the victims of this tragedy <...>

"I am grateful for all of the police, fire, emergency responders and volunteers from our community and around the state who have come to aid those in need," he said. "Our offices will continue to monitor the aftermath and be on hand to assist our friends and neighbors throughout the recovery process."

How does Flores plan on assisting? By asking for federal aid presumably (his prayers won't accomplish anything tangible), the same kind of federal aid he voted against for Sandy victims.

"It was too large," Flores said about the latest bill Wednesday. “It does more than meet the immediate needs of Sandy victims."

Flores, whose district includes Waco, said he could have supported an earlier version of the bill with $17 billion in aid if it had been offset by federal spending reductions.

Then there are the two Texas senators:

U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz of Texas released a joint statement saying they are among those grieving for those who were injured or lost loved ones in the blast.

&quot We) are grateful to the firefighters and first responders who risked their own lives to keep others safe," they said. "We ask all Texans to keep West in their thoughts and prayers. We remain in communication with Gov. Perry's office and emergency management officials, and stand to offer whatever support we can."

Both Cornyn and Cruz voted against Sandy aid as well, of course. What kind of aid do they think they are proposing for West? Aside from their prayers, that is.

Again, the federal government will and should absolutely lend resources to the town's recovery. But perhaps the state's politicians should be less hostile toward similar aid to other parts of the country. Otherwise, the people of West and their neighbors should reconsider reelecting people like Flores with 80 percent of the vote.

Either we're all in this together, or we're not.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/04/18/1202984/-Texas-wants-federal-disaster-aid-it-refused-to-give-others

Note:

Kos Media, LLC Site content may be used for any purpose without explicit permission unless otherwise specified

[hedgehog]

1. Note that this is aimed at Texas Tea Party politicans, not Texans in general!

[pinboy3niner]

2. Not Texas--just some GOP/teabagger pols

There are a lot of good people in Texas who don't deserve to be blamed for the actions of some of the crap pols they're stuck with for now.

[ProSense]

4. You know,

"Not Texas--just some GOP/teabagger pols There are a lot of good people in Texas who don't deserve to be blamed for the actions of some of the crap pols they're stuck with for now."

...I think the piece is clear up front:

"That's not an unreasonable request, and the victims of the fire and the residents of West deserve it."

Down to the last sentiment:

"Again, the federal government will and should absolutely lend resources to the town's recovery. But perhaps the state's politicians should be less hostile toward similar aid to other parts of the country. Otherwise, the people of West and their neighbors should reconsider reelecting people like Flores with 80 percent of the vote.

Either we're all in this together, or we're not."

Still, maybe I'll add "Republican politicians" to the OP title so that the point isn't missed.

[pinboy3niner]

6. I understood that you used the linked story's headline, it wasn't your own

But I think it would be a good idea to substitute a more accurate one.

[Generic Other]

8. I think it is perfectly fair to criticize the politicians who have egg on their faces

but we need to help the people.

[ProSense]

10. Yes,

"but we need to help the people."

...the OP makes that point, and the aid is already being coordinated.

President Obama Pledges Federal Support To West

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) — While en route to Boston aboard Air Force One, President Barack Obama called Texas Gov. Rick Perry to tell him that his prayers are with the people of West and to pledge federal support in recovery and rescue efforts.

The President also reached out to the Mayor of West by phone, but the two have yet to connect, according to a White House correspondent.

According to the Associated Press, Obama arrived in Boston on Thursday to attend an interfaith service to remember the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

The White House released a statement from President Obama in response to the plant explosion that took place on Wednesday evening.

“Today our prayers go out to the people of West, Texas in the aftermath of last night’s deadly explosion at a fertilizer plant. A tight-knit community has been shaken, and good, hard-working people have lost their lives. I want to thank the first responders who worked tirelessly through the night to contain the situation and treat the wounded. My Administration, through FEMA and other agencies, is in close contact with our state and local partners on the ground to make sure there are no unmet needs as search and rescue and response operations continue. West is a town that many Texans hold near and dear to their hearts, and as residents continue to respond to this tragedy, they will have the support of the American people.”

- more -

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/04/18/president-obama-responds-to-west-plant-explosion/

[Generic Other]

21. If those politicians were Japanese

a delegation from New Jersey would arrive with the aid check and the politicians would be forced to bow heads to the floor multiple times to express their shame and gratitude.

Luckily for these Texas rightwing politicians, the rest of us are less uncharitable. We know that Americans take care of their own. In bad times. In sickness. In old age. Either we work together or it's every man for himself.

[russspeakeasy]

12. It really doesn't matter how you say it. If people want

to be offended, they usually succeed.
Good post. Thanks.

[LonePirate]

5. A lot of those "good people" voted those a-holes into office and will do so again.

I know that should not matter in their time of need; but they deserve to be questioned about why they vote for such people.

[demosincebirth]

7. You seem to forget that they voted those "crap pols they're stuck with for now" in office. I kknow

that there are many good texans who voted for the other guys, but the majority rules...er...except in the U. S. Senate.

[pinboy3niner]

11. You answered your own point

Some voted for them and some didn't. And even those who voted for them, for whatever reasons, don't necessarily support every action they take.

[demosincebirth]

14. I don't go to freeperville, but I wonder what they're say about federal aid for the Texax explosion?

[pinboy3niner]

15. I'm afraid to look

[Marr]

16. If I had to guess...

It's a non-issue. Of course *Texas* deserves emergency funds-- they're part of the "real America".

[demosincebirth]

28. I took a peek and you are, mostly, right, then my computer shut down.

[Cali_Democrat]

3. Texans mooching off the Federal teet, eh?

Why don't they pull themselves up by their bootstraps like they demanded people from New York/New Jersey do after hurricane Sandy?

Fucking hypocrites.

[perdita9]

20. Texans are socialists when it's convenient for them.

[progressoid]

9. What?

I'm shocked by this double standard...


NOT

[Thinkingabout]

13. I dont understand why those in positions like Perry, Cronyn, Crux and Flores does not have insight

Keep their mouths shut in times when it does not make any sense to do so but the creeps just can't get it right. Ultimately it will be the residence of West who will suffer but if it was these three thugs let them suffer. Perry don't want the guberment to interfere with his state but send all the money you can.

[Heather MC]

17. Wait Texas is still a State in The Union????

Dayum gotta re draw the new maps again

[pinboy3niner]

22. For some reason they're kinda quiet on that whole secession thing right now

[Indyfan53]

18. Maybe Texas is turning blue.

I See the repubs hypocrites are in no position to sucede.

Let's work to make Texas blue like back in 1976.

[perdita9]

19. Texans are only Americans when it benefits them

And they have the nerve to call themselves patriots

[cali]

24. what? all texans?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

23. We should demand a cut to the oil company subsidies to pay for it.

[SoCalDem]

25. McClennan County's representative won with over 85%

IIRC, he was running unopposed..

People who continually vote for tea party types should know that when their philosphies get put into actual practice, they may be found severely wanting.

[eissa]

26. I hope all the reps from the Sandy region

stand on the House floor when this comes up for vote, and shame their Texan colleagues. I hope they say that they will not do to the people of Texas what their reps did to the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Because when the chips are down, that's what Americans do; we help each other.

Also, I hope the aid comes with conditions, specifically the strengthening of regulations that the idiot Governor of Texas brags his state has so little of.

[sheshe2]

27. K&R

I agree that the people of Texas should not be penalized for it's politicians. Who knows it might take them one step closer to understanding what their party is all about.

Also, the good old boy John Cornyn is up for reelection in 2014. You never know, just saying.

Thank you, ProSense.