Folks is $2000 really enough to help

[wxcrazytwo]

support the victims in this tragedy. I my opinion, no way. $2000 is not merely enough to assist these families. I don't know if any kind of monetary assistance is enough do you? Comments Welcome...

[gtalum]

The $2000 is only meant to be a short-term emergency fix.

[huricanwatcher]

this is only a start and not the limit they will get... 2000 until fema paperwork can be processed, insurance companies can get in etc etc etc..

[mf_dolphin]

The 2000.00 is just quick "cash" to help with immediate needs. Personally I think it's a great idea.

[GalvestonDuck]

It's a debit card. I imagine it *might* be like the LoneStar card here in Texas (for food stamps). Maybe more is added later? Monthly? I don't know.

Besides, the debit card is for other "cash" purchases. The food cards and gas cards are separate. And there are tons of goods being donated to give to them as well. Furthermore, many will get money from insurance policies (if they had them).

It's not like anyone's just saying, "Here's $2000...get back on your feet now...off ya go."

[GalvestonDuck]

*sigh* I need to type faster.

[stormie_skies]

I think its a great idea, too. With so many people applying for FEMA checks and insurance compensation all at once, the process is going to take quite a while for many people.... its good to see them taken care of in the meantime.

[wxcrazytwo]

The 2000.00 is just quick "cash" to help with immediate needs. Personally I think it's a great idea.

but why $2000, why not $5k?

[GalvestonDuck]

The 2000.00 is just quick "cash" to help with immediate needs. Personally I think it's a great idea.

but why $2000, why not $5k?

Better than $200. Why ask why? Like I said, look at the other resources and assistance also available.

[wxcrazytwo]

The 2000.00 is just quick "cash" to help with immediate needs. Personally I think it's a great idea.

but why $2000, why not $5k?

Better than $200. Why ask why? Like I said, look at the other resources and assistance also available.

"why ask why." Well, if we don't ask, then we don't get the answers to our questions. Who cares about the other resources, I was just wondering why not $5k. Also, who is to say that the other resources even pan out...

[mf_dolphin]

The 2000.00 is just quick "cash" to help with immediate needs. Personally I think it's a great idea.

but why $2000, why not $5k?

Ok why not 10,000.

[Skywatch_NC]

$2,000 is better than nothing at all for a start, Alex

Eric

[wxcrazytwo]

The 2000.00 is just quick "cash" to help with immediate needs. Personally I think it's a great idea.

but why $2000, why not $5k?

Ok why not 10,000.

ah MF, now your talkin. $10k would for now begin to rebuild some of these families lives. There are many that would love to live in an apartment somewhere and not a camp or the ASTRODOME. And 2k will not do that...

[Cookiely]

Red Cross is also handing out what looked like a credit card for up to 2K which is separate from the FEMA cards.

[alicia-w]

but you have to be registered with FEMA first and then call a 1-800 number to register for the red cross card. it takes 48 hours to process. for a family of four it was $1500. i dont know what the all monetary amounts on the red cross card are.

[GalvestonDuck]

Red Cross is also handing out what looked like a credit card for up to 2K which is separate from the FEMA cards.

Really? I thought we were helping to distribute the FEMA cards.

[alicia-w]

we were passing out information on debit cards on sunday and monday. fema didnt annouce a card until yesterday. are they two separate ones? i think they might be. but i dont know for sure.

[Mattie]

I just had a thought - you know - when you move - you are required to have service elsewhere, or prove credit history for apts., put down large deposits in some case and working through all of the red tape.

Now - grabbing $2000 or $10,000 for some folks would definitely get them going.

For some of these people, unless they are given guidance and the apartment complexes/utility/phone companies are going to accept less than standard info - they aren't going to be able to get an apartment in the Dallas area at least.

Many of these folks operated on the cash out of their pockets and had nothing in the bank. They went down to the local check cashing place - paid the fee and put the money in their pocket.

[azskyman]

$2000 is a morale booster, not a ticket to a great new life. It serves a lot of purposes, and if spent wisely, can be enough to make a deposit on an apartment or buy some necessities beyond all the goods that are being donated.

The whole arena of compensation for victims will take months to work out and sort out...as will the degree of help that will ultimately be provided.

But in the short term, those who want to help themselves can use this to get their feet literally planted on firmer soil.

[HurriCat]

The 2000.00 is just quick "cash" to help with immediate needs. Personally I think it's a great idea.

but why $2000, why not $5k?

Ok why not 10,000.

It's a gamblin' town, so "deal those cards". It's only everyone elses' money. This is the government bending over backwards because of all the whining and race-baiting. Were such cards handed out after Andrew? Other storms? OKAY then.

The truth is that every storm cloud has a silver lining. These folks have literally weathered a bad storm, but most of them will now be caught up in another "surge" - this one of debit cards, checks, "low-interest" loans, and donations to the choking point. There will be offers of free and low-rent homes. There will be offers of free or very cheap vehicles. There will be offers of JOBS. These people were a mix of un-informed, ignorant, stubborn and just flat-out unprepared. Still the floodgates of American generosity are open to them. No, we can't bring back their dead, but we are giving them a second chance in life. Just watch!