White House blasts GOP over FEMA funding

[TomCADem]

Source: LA Times

The White House accused congressional Republicans of holding additional federal disaster aid hostage to steep budget cuts, saying the country needs to put politics aside in the wake of Hurricane Irene and provide for Americans in need.

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"I wish that commitment to looking for offsets had been held by the House majority leader and others, say, during the previous administration, when they ran up unprecedented bills and not paid -- and never paid for them," he added.

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the House majority leader, has been steadfast about offsetting disaster funds. His office shot back Tuesday that in the face of the nation's $14-trillion debt load, the GOP approach was "the right thing to do."

"People and families coping with these natural disasters will certainly get what they need from the federal government, but the goal should be to find ways to pay for what is needed when possible," Cantor's office said in a memo.


Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-fema-funds-20110830,0,7738995.story

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The White House's efforts to hold the GOP accountable for their refusal to provide needed resources for federal disaster relief will likely be overcome by the corporate media's steady narrative of blaming Democrats and giving Republicans a free pass. Eric Cantor can say without any fear of retribution that the goal should be to cut the budget, not save lives and property, because the American public's response to such comments is now pavlovian. They will Blame Democrats and Give Republicans a free pass. Indeed, the more outrageous the comment by a Republican, the more visceral the attack will be on Democrats!

As a result, Republicans like Eric Cantor can freely turn a blind eye to the damage caused by natural disasters because the more harm the Republicans do to the American public, the more likely the American public will turn on Democrats and toward the Republican party.

[lonestarnot]

1. He better blast them! Especially while they are kicking their own dumb asses!

[BadGimp]

2. The GOPs backers hold on our Government is that strong..

That we are even having this discussion.

[No Elephants]

3. Cantor has become quite the loudmouth demagogue. Wonder what Virginians think

of his barking about finding spending cuts before FEMA helps people in Virginia, who suffered from an earthquake felt (albeit slightly) all the way here in Boston, wildifires and Irene.

Maybe Republicans evolved such big mouths to counterbalance their lack of hearts?

[Turbineguy]

4. Repubs never miss a chance

to practice extortion.

[LetTimmySmoke]

5. Is the FEMA demand the GOP's Poland moment?

Or are we still in the Anschluss/Munich/Czechoslovakia phase?

[groundloop]

6. Let's not accept the status quo, let's fight like hell !!!

Yes, certainly the corporate media will play favoritism to Cantor and his cronies. There are other ways we can (and must) get our side of the story out there. Letters to the editor, local chat boards, letters and phone calls to local TV stations, emails and calls to our congress critters (if nothing else at least make them squirm a little bit). It's never going to be easy while we're being vastly outspent by the wealthiest corporations, but we need to do everything possible to get the truth out there and never give in.

Edit to add: It's also imperative that we support every single Democrat in the next election. It doesn't matter if they're blue dogs, southern Democrats, or whatever - the primaries are where that fight belongs. Once we get past the primaries we need to put our full effort behind every Democrat on the ballot.

[cstanleytech]

7. We should give in and do some steep cuts to pay for it imo

Say like maybe by closing a bunch of military bases in the southern US.

[Kelvin Mace]

8. So what time will they cave?

They always do.

How will they sell us out this time?

[TomCADem]

10. See? Its pavlovian. Blame Democrats, Give Republicans a Free Pass

Even the left can't hold Republicans accountable for holding FEMA funding hostage. This is why Democrats must eventually give in while Republicans can take the most outrageous positions with impunity. The public and even the left will not back Democrats. The corporate media narrative is too pervasive.

[Kelvin Mace]

11. I hold the GOP accountable

I don't vote for them and I criticize them for every vile thing they do.

But that means I sure as HELL get to criticize people I DID vote for and DID send money.

The GOP has been wrong on EVERY freakin' issue since Obama took office, but he constantly caves to their demands, compromising EVEN BEFORE THE NEGOTIATIONS START!!!

I back Democrats, but they DON'T BACK ME!

[JNinWB]

9. Whenever you refer to Eric Cantor

Type: the Perpetually Confused, House Majority Leader, Eric Cantor.

[mikeytherat]

12. I call him Little Eric Cantor.

A small, petty man-child.