Why We Need FEMA

Hurricane Sandy has destroyed millions of homes and in some cases loss of life and livelihood.  Not only has there been flooding, but homes businesses, and cars have also been damaged or lost.  There have been estimates of up to $20 billion in damage which most of it may be replaced by insurance payouts.  When states face disasters of this proportion, the first place people may turn to is the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  Sandy shows us why we need FEMA that can respond to states in their time of need.  It is of course expected that states and private citizens our to respond as much as they can, but we cannot do it all ourselves.  Mitt Romney has previously advocated that he wants FEMA to be eliminated, privatized, or handed off to states in a block grant.  A block grant is a fixed amount that will be unable to expand in times of need which is unimaginable that federal disaster relief could be administered this way.  It is important to really listen to what the candidates are saying when they want to get rid of federal government functions such as FEMA.  People may not think about what kind of impact this may have when a natural disaster does occur, but it is important to have a funded federal government when we meet challenges like Hurricane Sandy.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/31/opinion/bernstein-fema/index.html?iref=obinsite