Upon Further Reflection, I've Decided That I Am Angry at Fred Barnes
Fox News pundit Fred Barnes is upset that the federal government will have to assist many people whose property was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. From Monday's Special Report With Brit Hume:
BARNES: But my problem with it is that, in some of these areas, like a below-sea-level city like New Orleans, they're not -- they want the rest of us to insure their risk. As people who live on the San Andreas Fault in California, where they know there are going to be earthquakes, people who live along the Mississippi River in these low farmland areas . . .
HUME: Floodplains.
BARNES: . . . near the river, the floodplains. They know they're going to flood. And when these things happen, they want the taxpayers all over the country to pay, and they do.
Three things: 1) Most Americans don't just decide to live somewhere. Where one lives is largely determined by one's work and family situations. 2) Most regions of the country are vulnerable to some sort of natural disaster(s), whether hurricane, earthquake, drought, flooding, blizzard, or tornado. 3) The damage caused by Katrina is unprecedented.
I'm tired of the suggestion that, if someone can in any way be blamed or held responsible for his or her predicament, the community or nation or society should not be obligated to help that person. Frankly, this is an un-Christian attitude. Christ calls us to help others, even if they are entirely to blame for the dire circumstances they have found themselves in. Yes, we should encourage personal responsibility; yes, we should hold people accountable for their actions. But Jesus asks us to heal and forgive unconditionally.
I am especially bothered that Barnes suggests that the American taxpayer is somehow the forgotten victim of this unspeakable tragedy.
BARNES: But my problem with it is that, in some of these areas, like a below-sea-level city like New Orleans, they're not -- they want the rest of us to insure their risk. As people who live on the San Andreas Fault in California, where they know there are going to be earthquakes, people who live along the Mississippi River in these low farmland areas . . .
HUME: Floodplains.
BARNES: . . . near the river, the floodplains. They know they're going to flood. And when these things happen, they want the taxpayers all over the country to pay, and they do.
Three things: 1) Most Americans don't just decide to live somewhere. Where one lives is largely determined by one's work and family situations. 2) Most regions of the country are vulnerable to some sort of natural disaster(s), whether hurricane, earthquake, drought, flooding, blizzard, or tornado. 3) The damage caused by Katrina is unprecedented.
I'm tired of the suggestion that, if someone can in any way be blamed or held responsible for his or her predicament, the community or nation or society should not be obligated to help that person. Frankly, this is an un-Christian attitude. Christ calls us to help others, even if they are entirely to blame for the dire circumstances they have found themselves in. Yes, we should encourage personal responsibility; yes, we should hold people accountable for their actions. But Jesus asks us to heal and forgive unconditionally.
I am especially bothered that Barnes suggests that the American taxpayer is somehow the forgotten victim of this unspeakable tragedy.
posted by Tinley | 7:30 PM
3 Comments:
I think that so many people are sick of the victimization syndrome that when true victims emerge, they are lumped in with the less-than-worthy.
Oddly, I don't recall Jesus ever blaming anybody for their circumstance , but He did get in a few words about the blow-hard know-it-alls who pontificated about others...
Good post..
It begs the question, Josh: why do taxpayers support flood insurance? How is this an essential purpose of government?
If these people would like to live in a high-risk area, good for them. Let them pay the insurance for it.
Fred Barnes is a real douche.
Post a Comment
<< Home