The Ownership Society Is Here!

[journalist3072]

Well, we've often heard George Bush talk about an "ownership society" and many of us have wondered just what that meant.

And now, I think we have the answer! It means you will literally be ON YOUR OWN!

So I was watching ABC News Tonight, and they were talking about this new hurricane season. And they said some cities and states are taking a hard line approach.

For example, the state of Florida "hopes to scare people out of their complacency" (per the ABC News Report). They are running television ads that feature actual 911 calls of people calling for help in the aftermath of the hurricane, only to be told that officials can't send anyone out to help them. (One woman tells the 911 operator they are going to die in their house if they don't get some help).

Likewise, the new FEMA Director David Paulison is telling the public they need to be ready to get through the first THREE days after a hurricane without any help. Huh?

This is it, ladies and gentlemen! The new ownership society is here!

Have we not learned anything from Katrina?

Of course people need to do all they can to prepare for any major disaster. But the hard reality is that not everyone has the means to evacuate before a hurricane hits. It's called "the working poor."

Not everyone has a car that they can fill up with gas, to get out of town just before a hurricane strikes. And not everyone has the means to stock up on bottled water and an excess supply of medication to get them through the first few days after a hurricane.

Yet, it's these vulernable people that are being forewarned that they are own their own in the aftermath of a hurricane.

A few months ago, government officials told us that we can expect to be on our own in the aftermath of a bird flu outbreak. That I understood, because many people (including some health care providers and emergency officials) would also probably be quarantined after a bird flu outbreak.

But why is it that we think we don't have the wherewithall to get to the most vulernable of our citizens, after a hurricane strikes?

[sweetheart]

1. you are * o w n e d "

that's what the ownership society means, every atom on earth has an owner, belongs
to something, and at the top of the pyramid, in his golden robe, the owner of the
owners of the people walks on his bloody cloud of tyranny.

[Deja Q]

2. Maybe the goal here is for people to help each other...

instead of being greedy, snotty, and selfish animals.

Any society worth having is people helping each other directly. Not being prissy arrogant snots, rubbing salt into the wounds with one hand while doling out some nickels for the local "charity" that'll spirit the lot away at the first opportunity.

Good luck.

There is a good side to this. Trouble is, can people recognize it like I had? Or are they too busy trying to find out "what's in it for them" in which case we've all lost?

[jo35042]

3. Perhaps because the most vulnerable of our citizens are also

the least "desirable."

Its kind of like the "survival of the fittest", and you dont help the wounded monkey get up the tree when the tiger comes. Then you would have to share your food.

[Ripley]

4. And that Prick stands up and calls us a Christian Nation.

Since I ain't one, please do tell. Is it Christian to turn Your back on the poor, the disabled, the ill, the old, the weary, the incapacitated?

You are so right that We are on Our Own. Listen to this crap from Homeland Security re: bird flu.

Fran Townsend is the U.S. president's Homeland Security Advisor and is responsible for coordinating the government's pandemic planning.

She wrote in an online forum that she hopes to change the mindset that the federal government will always be able to take care of people in the event of a pandemic or other disaster. (emphasis mine)

"Citizen and community preparedness is very important, perhaps most important, when it comes to pandemic planning," Townsend wrote.

"There are concrete steps that can be taken to protect you and your families during a pandemic, and to prepare you and your communities beforehand."

Yet the Federal Government seems to be all over the freaking world providing Aid!! Why do we pay TAXES TO THEM????

[Deja Q]

5. True, but government right now has shown itself to be irresponsible.

So have corporations.

We cannot rely on them for help.

We need to rely on each other.

If we can't do that, what hope is there?

[Ripley]

9. Nothing wrong with relying on each other.

But in the case of WAR AND NATURAL DISASTERS the damage is often way too large for a town, or even State to handle. That is why we have FEMA and supposed National Guardsmen. Yes. I am aware of the incompetent asses running the government today. But it ain't like they didn't already collect the tax dollars and then pocket it instead of hiring competent people.

If the feds are not responsible for these situations, who the fuck is? I guess I'll just call the Canadian Mounties.

[Deja Q]

11. Agreed. That is the purpose of government.

And their inaction is deplorable.

But so were many of the people looting and acting otherwise uncivilized down there. As much as the government has a responsibility, so do the rest of us.

And while I certainly don't believe the government is giving us all "tough love", it's a coincidence that's been enlightening for many unintended reasons.

But still, the government has to be ran by real leaders, to give the people some form of direction as much as protection, if not moreso. Not reactive direction, proactive direction. Right now we're only seeing actions that tell the American people we're worthless. I cannot be surprised over what has gone on, even if I am disappointed.

[Scoody Boo]

6. On my own...

is what I wish I am getting every time I vote. I vote for Democratic candidates because I feel that they will have the least influence on my life and leave me alone more than the other guys.

[rucky]

7. When misfortune happens, it must be YOUR fault.

that's the conservative motto.

oh what joyous chilhoods they all must've had.

[partylessinOhio]

8. The result of *'s insane tax cuts is that there is no money for emergency

help. If you thought last year's Katrina response was lacking you ain't seen nothing yet. This year will be worse.

Three days? They are still finding dead bodies in New Orleans after nine months. The bodies are right in their homes. Evidently most of the homes were never searched.

Welcome to Bushland and the new Christian philosophy of every man for himself.

[muntrv]

10. Hey, where's this culture of life?

Oh yeah, that only applies to fetuses.

[Deja Q]

12. I wonder how many fetuses drowned...

and why the mothers weren't brought back to life to stand trial by these sycophants and the spurious.

[AX10]

13. "Screw You" is the Conservative Motto.