How much for Katrina?
Paul Gay
January 26, 2006
Is it wise to keep insuring a home with government backed flood insurance when its obviously located in a chronic flood zone? Why are tax payers being asked to repeatedly help homeowners rebuild multimillion dollar homes in places like the outer banks of North Carolina every time their homes get damaged by water? This flies in the face of common sense, yet we keep doing it. Now Louisiana is asking the Federal government for 30 billion dollars to help repair New Orleans and surrounding hurricane damaged areas.
Let's ask the obvious question, "Who in their right mind would rebuild their home, let alone a city, below sea level?" Who wants to go to bed every night knowing that a levy could collapse and flood their home in a matter of seconds, even when the weather is calm? No doubt anyone living below a dam knows the feeling. Obviously it's a matter of personal choice, however when that choice begins pulling at tax payer's purse strings, then perhaps it's time to re-examine the notion.
Apparently much of this 30 billion dollar reconstruction money would be used to buy-out homeowners at 60% of the actual real estate value and pay off their mortgages. Many would say it seems like the right thing to do. Perhaps, however should these residents be allowed to rebuild in the same place? What if the deal means giving up any legitimate claim to the land where their house once stood? Not an easy thing to do, especially when family history is at stake. In many cases, several generations of families have lived in the very same home for decades. Some may find that giving up their land is simply too difficult to bare. Should these people be offered a choice? Should they be allowed to rebuild? At what point do tax payers say enough?
It's understandable for New Orleans's residents and Americans in general to feel a powerful desire to rebuild such a magnificent city. The culture and rich history of New Orleans make the rebuilding bug a powerful lure indeed. But let's get real. The city is and has been sinking below sea level since the French colonized it many moons ago. Now it has sunk an estimated eight feet below the level of the ocean. Do we keep adding to the top of billion dollar levies every year in a fruitless attempt to keep the water out? If nature has taught us anything, it is that we will loose this battle. Anything mere man builds is only temporary. Mother nature has all the time in the world to make an encore performance on the fragile gulf coast. Although painful, let us do the wise thing and concede victory to her in this case. If buying out homeowners will solve the problem permanently, let's make it happen.
To the people affected by this proposition, remember that despite the fact you did not pay for flood insurance, your local and state governments are requesting this money on your behalf. Is it fair to those who diligently paid for their insurance? Probably not, however one of the great things about a free government is that it's primary concern is helping those of us in need. Should you take the deal if it becomes reality? As Americans, it is your right to decide for yourself. Yes, you should have to right to stay on your flood prone land even though many of us strongly disagree with such a decision. When its all said and done, we can only ask that you do the right thing.
Let's ask the obvious question, "Who in their right mind would rebuild their home, let alone a city, below sea level?" Who wants to go to bed every night knowing that a levy could collapse and flood their home in a matter of seconds, even when the weather is calm? No doubt anyone living below a dam knows the feeling. Obviously it's a matter of personal choice, however when that choice begins pulling at tax payer's purse strings, then perhaps it's time to re-examine the notion.
Apparently much of this 30 billion dollar reconstruction money would be used to buy-out homeowners at 60% of the actual real estate value and pay off their mortgages. Many would say it seems like the right thing to do. Perhaps, however should these residents be allowed to rebuild in the same place? What if the deal means giving up any legitimate claim to the land where their house once stood? Not an easy thing to do, especially when family history is at stake. In many cases, several generations of families have lived in the very same home for decades. Some may find that giving up their land is simply too difficult to bare. Should these people be offered a choice? Should they be allowed to rebuild? At what point do tax payers say enough?
It's understandable for New Orleans's residents and Americans in general to feel a powerful desire to rebuild such a magnificent city. The culture and rich history of New Orleans make the rebuilding bug a powerful lure indeed. But let's get real. The city is and has been sinking below sea level since the French colonized it many moons ago. Now it has sunk an estimated eight feet below the level of the ocean. Do we keep adding to the top of billion dollar levies every year in a fruitless attempt to keep the water out? If nature has taught us anything, it is that we will loose this battle. Anything mere man builds is only temporary. Mother nature has all the time in the world to make an encore performance on the fragile gulf coast. Although painful, let us do the wise thing and concede victory to her in this case. If buying out homeowners will solve the problem permanently, let's make it happen.
To the people affected by this proposition, remember that despite the fact you did not pay for flood insurance, your local and state governments are requesting this money on your behalf. Is it fair to those who diligently paid for their insurance? Probably not, however one of the great things about a free government is that it's primary concern is helping those of us in need. Should you take the deal if it becomes reality? As Americans, it is your right to decide for yourself. Yes, you should have to right to stay on your flood prone land even though many of us strongly disagree with such a decision. When its all said and done, we can only ask that you do the right thing.
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