Natural disaster is just that. People's lives are turned inside out. Look at the impact of Sandy on Staten Island, one part of the area that Sandy has devastated. (see the short news segment here)
As tragic as this whole situation has been, I too doubt that privitization would do much help. I don't think there is really any way to properly prepare or account for what mother nature can do to us. Obviously hurricane Sandy had a devastating impact on both New York and New Jersey, there is no argument about that. I understand that the citizens of that region must be in a state of shock, helplessness, and frustration with the government as it pertains to aid. However, I do not believe that the government is holding out or doing anything less than the best they can to help these people. I think it is important to perhpas recognize that there are some forces of nature that will make it extremely difficult to recover from, no matter if the aid comes from the government or private companies.
I agree with Alex, privatization will not make a big difference. The devastation that occurred in these states is horrible and I don't doubt that as the aid reaches every corner, the toll will continue to increase. It seems like everything that can or has to be done is being done, but it will take take to completely cover the entire area. I can understand the frustration and desperation that the people are feeling, but the government is doing what it can as fast as it can. Obama has openly stated that there will be "no red tape" when it comes to this natural disaster. Whatever is needed to be spent will be spent. I also understand that there is not much that can be said to make these people feel better after their loss, but help will come their way.
There is no argument for the principle of the matter. Looking at the grand picture I am still impressed with the current set up we have however. Yes things could be better and the situation is horrible, but I saw a stat on CNN.com a few days ago that was really eye opening. It said that the storm so far had accounted for around 150 deaths. 60 something were in the Caribbean alone. The storm really got its momentum when it was off the coast of the US and we got hit the hardest. Thanks to our infrastructure and preparation we were really able to cut down the death toll. If the storm had hit other areas like it hit us, the devastation would have been way worse. We do what we can, and pray that we can minimize the horror as much as possible. I so far have not read anything that has suggested we made any major mistakes.
Privatization could only work in combination with a mandate for broad disaster insurance, and even then, claimants would likely be subjected to significant legal wrangling over the amounts to be received. Our experience with health insurance shows that insurance companies are more committed to their bottom lines than to actually helping their customers, and a patchwork web of private insurers would add a great deal of complexity to cleanup operations. How could insurance customers be assured that their insurers would have the necessary supplies and equipment to help in a crisis? Perhaps we should also privatize the national guard? How different is a hurricane or an earthquake from a military attack? Similar destruction, similar need for coordinated response and similar expense.
As tragic as this whole situation has been, I too doubt that privitization would do much help. I don't think there is really any way to properly prepare or account for what mother nature can do to us. Obviously hurricane Sandy had a devastating impact on both New York and New Jersey, there is no argument about that. I understand that the citizens of that region must be in a state of shock, helplessness, and frustration with the government as it pertains to aid. However, I do not believe that the government is holding out or doing anything less than the best they can to help these people. I think it is important to perhpas recognize that there are some forces of nature that will make it extremely difficult to recover from, no matter if the aid comes from the government or private companies.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alex, privatization will not make a big difference. The devastation that occurred in these states is horrible and I don't doubt that as the aid reaches every corner, the toll will continue to increase. It seems like everything that can or has to be done is being done, but it will take take to completely cover the entire area. I can understand the frustration and desperation that the people are feeling, but the government is doing what it can as fast as it can. Obama has openly stated that there will be "no red tape" when it comes to this natural disaster. Whatever is needed to be spent will be spent. I also understand that there is not much that can be said to make these people feel better after their loss, but help will come their way.
ReplyDeleteThere is no argument for the principle of the matter. Looking at the grand picture I am still impressed with the current set up we have however. Yes things could be better and the situation is horrible, but I saw a stat on CNN.com a few days ago that was really eye opening. It said that the storm so far had accounted for around 150 deaths. 60 something were in the Caribbean alone. The storm really got its momentum when it was off the coast of the US and we got hit the hardest. Thanks to our infrastructure and preparation we were really able to cut down the death toll. If the storm had hit other areas like it hit us, the devastation would have been way worse. We do what we can, and pray that we can minimize the horror as much as possible. I so far have not read anything that has suggested we made any major mistakes.
ReplyDeletePrivatization could only work in combination with a mandate for broad disaster insurance, and even then, claimants would likely be subjected to significant legal wrangling over the amounts to be received. Our experience with health insurance shows that insurance companies are more committed to their bottom lines than to actually helping their customers, and a patchwork web of private insurers would add a great deal of complexity to cleanup operations. How could insurance customers be assured that their insurers would have the necessary supplies and equipment to help in a crisis? Perhaps we should also privatize the national guard? How different is a hurricane or an earthquake from a military attack? Similar destruction, similar need for coordinated response and similar expense.
ReplyDelete