Folks is $2000 really enough to help

[alicia-w]

uh, before you go off on a tangent, the red cross has issued "client assistance" cards after numerous disasters. A simple google search will help you find that info. these arent loans. they're emergency funds to get food and clothes for people who have nothing.

what is that expression about walking a mile in another man's shoes????

and just to help you out, here's a search string I used:

http://www.mamma.com/Mamma?qtype=0&query=client+assistance+cards%2C+Red+Cross

[therealashe]

It's a FEMA card, but it does have a Red Cross logo on it. CNN just showed an interview with someone.


Apparently, the Astrodome had a problem with distribution and it's on lockdown now. Looking for a link.


Oooh.. the president is on now, and he just said the money was for "personal needs, food and shelter".

[GalvestonDuck]

It's only everyone elses' money.

Um...yeah, that's the spirit. *sigh*

These people were a mix of un-informed, ignorant, stubborn and just flat-out unprepared.

And that absolves us from helping? They're also Americans.

Furthermore, by assuming that every single solitary person getting that help was "uninformed, ignorarant, stubborn, or just flat-out unprepared," you're assuming that NONE of these people getting help had evacuated BEFORE the storm. Hello? We have sheltered MANY here who got out prior to landfall, many who were informed, not ignorant of the risks, not too stubborn to leave, and possibly were very prepared.

[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.

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!

This is the government bending over backwards because of all the whining and race-baiting

One, you are making this a political issue;

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

Two: Totally uncalled for, and your unqualified responsen and unsound logic make your response moot.

Conclusion, your so ill informed about what poor means, that you define them as being ignorant, stubborn and unprepared people. Very nice, I am sure that is a positive tone you want to say to them who have just lost everything. Very nice, I will leave it at that.

[arcticfire]

Well firstly since they are spending our money to hand out this gift it is a political issue. Where is all the generosity for the poor and destitiute around the country ? Why not just hand everyone thats homeless $2,000 and tell them to get back on track ? Oh thats right , it's only ok to just pass out money if people get hit by a natural disaster.

I understand the purpose behind the money , and I'm really playing devils advocate here more then stating an opinion. Just handing over money is generally not the best thing to do. You can hand out the same money is less tangable ways that would help rebuild lives. Free housing , free food / water and basic nessesities , medical care etc. That would help people rebuild and would be far more effective then just passing out cash for them to spend which is really nothing better then handing federal money to the community around the shelters , kinda like the feds passing out tourist money.

In my opininon , there is nothing paticularly wrong with passing out cash , it's just not the best way of handling things if you ask me. $2,000 isn't really gonna get people very far and seems to me to just be a political move to pay the communities that house the shelters rather then really be a leg up for the surviviors.

[Mattie]

Handing out cash and not being able to limit it to "essential needs" - i.e., the Texas Star card or whatever our food stamp program is here in Texas; will keep these people from going out an buying liquor, cigarettes and the things that are not essential for their survival.

The FEMA cards are specifically for housing/living needs; clothes, food if they need it, etc.

I think cash would be not such a great idea personally.

[GalvestonDuck]

Well firstly since they are spending our money to hand out this gift it is a political issue. Where is all the generosity for the poor and destitiute around the country ? Why not just hand everyone thats homeless $2,000 and tell them to get back on track ? Oh thats right , it's only ok to just pass out money if people get hit by a natural disaster.

I understand the purpose behind the money , and I'm really playing devils advocate here more then stating an opinion. Just handing over money is generally not the best thing to do. You can hand out the same money is less tangable ways that would help rebuild lives. Free housing , free food / water and basic nessesities , medical care etc. That would help people rebuild and would be far more effective then just passing out cash for them to spend which is really nothing better then handing federal money to the community around the shelters , kinda like the feds passing out tourist money.

In my opininon , there is nothing paticularly wrong with passing out cash , it's just not the best way of handling things if you ask me. $2,000 isn't really gonna get people very far and seems to me to just be a political move to pay the communities that house the shelters rather then really be a leg up for the surviviors.

Ugh! Again, it's in ADDITION to the other aid. FEMA offers temporary housing assistance, including reimbursement for rent and/or hotels. Food stamps are being offered as well as there being TONS upon TONS of food for pick up at the many different charities (and water and toilet paper and cleaning supplies and baby food and diapers and I could go on and on). There are gas vouchers to help cover the cost of gas so that they can travel (remember, so of them evacuated BEFORE landfall and they have their cars to get around in). And finally, as far as health care goes, we are seeing patients here at UTMB, Baylor is taking care of patients at the Astrodome, and a number of shelters have clinics open for evacuees. Walgreen's (and possibly other drug stores) are assisting patients with getting prescriptions filled.

The cash is in ADDITION to all of those resources.

[LSU2001]

Handing out cash and not being able to limit it to "essential needs" - i.e., the Texas Star card or whatever our food stamp program is here in Texas; will keep these people from going out an buying liquor, cigarettes and the things that are not essential for their survival.

The FEMA cards are specifically for housing/living needs; clothes, food if they need it, etc.

I think cash would be not such a great idea personally.

Not trying to disagree with you mattie but our Louisiana Purchase card system is a debit card system and I have personally witnessed folks getting liquor, cigarettes and other things that are prohibited. I have also witnessed people trading the card for pennies on the dollar to get cash for these very things. I do think that this 2k is needed and that it is a good idea. Just don't think for a minute that some and I stress SOME will not find a way to use this money in other ways.
Tim

[smashmode]

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...

Its a free 2000$, for some, that is more money then they had *before* the storm.

Like others have mentioned, There needs to be accountability with the 2000$, not just a blank check, here, do whatever you want with it.

[Mattie]

I am sure all states work differently, Texas definitely has restrictions and if you try to buy non-approved items they print out "cash due" for those items.

Hopefully there will be some accountability.

[mf_dolphin]

I hope people understand that my 10,000 comment was tongue in cheek. The $2,000 isn't meant to put people back on their feet but to give them some cash for immediate needs. Anyone who's worked with the Government with money knows that while the relief will get there you would swear it came by way of camel.

[wxcrazytwo]

I hope people understand that my 10,000 comment was tongue in cheek. The $2,000 isn't meant to put people back on their feet but to give them some cash for immediate needs. Anyone who's worked with the Government with money knows that while the relief will get there you would swear it came by way of camel.

yes we know MF...

[Pebbles]

WOW guys.. you would be really amazed just how far you can make 2G stretch... This money is meant to be used until people get on their feet and get the support from government/agencies they need. Lets honestly break this down for a minute. I will tell you right now what I would do with this money.

And if you are in a shelter you can keep the majority of it stashed for now.

Baby items, cloths, personal care can be obtained at shelters, but if they weren't I could walk into walkmart and get 2 sets of pants and 3 or 4 shirts & personal care items for my family of 5 for about $300 bucks with thrifty shopping. You can get away with this for a couple months if need be.

Food is obtainable at food pantries and you can spend about $25 bucks a week to suppliment that for a family of 5 untill you can get foodstamps from public aid. Let me tell you that you can eat steak and roasts and eat like kings with how much your alloted on food stamps. Let me tell you, and I personally know this... you definately don't go hungry.
Pregnant women and children 5 and under qualify for WIC... which is on top of of food stamps. Both these programs can be started right away (they day you finish applying) in emergency situations.

Medical care is easily obtainable at free clinics. But again you can get it immediately from public aid in emergency situations and they will even back pay 3 months from when you apply.

You need a nice outfit to apply for a job. You would be AMAZED what nice stuff you can find at a thrift store. (I had 12 fantastic nice work outfits for work and spent only 60 bucks at one point)

The one case I could see money going out the windows is if you don't have family or friends to stay with and refuse to stay at a shelter. BUT with some looking around you can get a small rental for 400 or 500 dollars and and your electric turned on (about 1000 dollars). Crowded for a family of 5.. you betcha, but doable. I have gone and bought used furniture and cheep warehouse furniture and spent 200 bucks to furnish AN ENTIRE Apartment! Minimal and crappy, yes, but doable for interm.

I lived a year on $200 a month income with a child... was it easy or the way I wanted to live? Absolutely NOT. But did I have food in our stomachs, a roof over our head, and a bed to sleep in. Yes!

Also many government programs will continue to serve you (healthcare, childcare assistance, and others) for up to a year after you are employed. The thing is people have to realize it does take a little time and frustration (yes, they will have to sit in the different aid offices TONS)

Anyways, the $2G is to suppliment you untill you can get unemployment/public aid/housing assistance rolling.

There is not a lack of programs out there and you would be amazed what is offered. It's just having the self advocating skills you need to get what you need... and having something to hold you over untill you do. Believe me $2G can do that if your responsible with it!

[kevin]

The federal government should concern itself with infrastructure being rebuilt. If people want to redestribute their money that's cool, they can do so privately. Taxing me to give some people a check doesn't make any sense. I already donated a significant percentage of the money I have.

Boo.

[drudd1]

The federal government should concern itself with infrastructure being rebuilt.

The government will definately do this when the time is right. In the mean time, quite understandably, they have chosen to put the immediate needs of the people ahead of the infrastructure.

If people want to redestribute their money that's cool, they can do so privately.

Kevin, your money (taxes) are redistributed every day, at the discretion of the government. This is nothing new. It is actually nice to see where our money is going for a change, and I'll take cash to those in need over a big new shiney missle any day.

Taxing me to give some people a check doesn't make any sense.

That's because you are lucky enough to not need one. None of us know what the future holds, and even the mighty, wealthy, etc., can fall, not just the poor. If the time ever comes, and I hope not, when you need a helping hand, disbursements such as these will make perfect sense. Far more of our tax money every year is squandered on useless expenditures than what will be spent in giving cash to those in need in the aftermath of Katrina.

[Anonymous]

I just don't think it is proper for someone to get any amount of money that is a gift, and then complain that it isn't enough. I don't want people to act like anyone OWES them anything.

I also don't like the line where people tell me how FORTUNATE I am. I graduated from public high school. I worked 2 jobs and went to school at night to get the college required for my job. I loooked for and got a good job, and then worked hard to get promoted.

When a storm comes, I evacuate my family, even though my job requires that I stay. I have food and water for us all, enough to last over a week. I have insurance for my things. Fortune? Or would you say hard work and good planning?

Before people get angry and say I am heartless, I VOLUNTEERED to go to the storm area, where I spent 10 days. Before I left I gave all of the cash left in my wallet, so some of them could get food and clothes. I donated $1000 more to help after I got home. I just think people need to remember that this is generosity, not an entitlement.

[caribepr]

I just don't think it is proper for someone to get any amount of money that is a gift, and then complain that it isn't enough. I don't want people to act like anyone OWES them anything.

I also don't like the line where people tell me how FORTUNATE I am. I graduated from public high school. I worked 2 jobs and went to school at night to get the college required for my job. I loooked for and got a good job, and then worked hard to get promoted.

When a storm comes, I evacuate my family, even though my job requires that I stay. I have food and water for us all, enough to last over a week. I have insurance for my things. Fortune? Or would you say hard work and good planning?

Before people get angry and say I am heartless, I VOLUNTEERED to go to the storm area, where I spent 10 days. Before I left I gave all of the cash left in my wallet, so some of them could get food and clothes. I donated $1000 more to help after I got home. I just think people need to remember that this is generosity, not an entitlement.

So - you know about working hard to get where you wanted to go in life without the benefit of parental or government handouts (note both please) - but key in on one of the last things you wrote...hard work, good planning. Where did you get that from? Rhetorical question here.
Interesting to me here is the (it seems, since I didn't read it anywhere) assumption that everyone getting 2 thousand dollars is NOT a taxpayer. That they were ALL living on welfare. That losing everything you have means you better not have a drink (they must all be drunks?) or smoke a cigarette (fine time to quit, no doubt) and will be eating steak and lobster. Well, guess what? If they blow the money, it's gone. If they have the direction and help to use the money wisely (as in the post about taking advantage of yard sales, thrift stores, cheap groceries) wonderful. Most poor I have worked with don't have a clue about much in how to go about many of these things on their own, but they may get a great *education* through this.
One question asked was...did they give out cards after Andrew? Nope, they were given cash and were prey to every slimeball in South Florida - with the National Guard protecting them as best they could (they being the ones who weren't waiting for the slimeballs to hurry up and get there). I don't know the follow up details, I only know what was going on right after the storm when I was there and that is what WAS happening.
I know about poverty and I know about ignorance. And after reading this thread, I'd rather hang out with some MD 20-20 swilling smokers who at least have a grasp of some reality, than some of the people who made comments in this thread. Except I'd go buy some cheap Gallo, 'cause I'm so damn smart.
Consider the real separation of yourselves and those you so easily lump together - what the reason for your differences are. If you can, you lie to yourself because every one of those people have a different story and you might be stunned to find some of them are JUST LIKE YOU!

[Scorpion]

I think these cards are a very bad idea and should be scrapped immediately.

[Terry]

sharpenu - I think when you have lost everything, including your city, you may not really care whether it is an entitlement or not. People have no home, no job, no money... possibly are missing their relatives and pets. And many went throught the hell of the NO evacuation debacle.

I hope I never have to learn how I might act in such a situation because it probably wouldn't be my civilized, genteel self.

[jasons2k]

Well it's a heckuva lot more than the people who own their own home, pay an insurance premium, and pay a mortgage are getting.

In all this mess, there is quite a majority out there that so far is getting nothing. They can't get $$ from FEMA b/c they have insurance and don't qualify. They can't get insurance $$ b/c the adjusters can't get in to assess the damage. So they're basically stuck with nothing. They did a story on that on the news here last night and it's the first time I've actually seen it reported.

I feel for these people and they do need assistance but 2 things torch me:

#1) The responsible ones are left to fend for themselves and
#2) As quoted in today's Houston Chronicle one of the refugees was complaining about the Debit Card issue and said "they better give me something!". How's that for gratitude?!?!?!!