posted on September 9, 2005 07:13:32 AM new
I refuse to have anything to do with the thread by cmsspu on this subject - but I did want to give an opinion and find out others' thoughts on this.
Handing out $2,000 to people who don't exactly have a great background in how to handle money or budgeting may not be a great idea. Also the Red Cross cards will be an additional $600-$1,000. Probably more money than most have seen at one time.
I have not heard, and perhaps someone else has, of any financial counseling given to these people on how it would be best to spend it. i.e. Set aside some for a security deposit for rent/budget $$$ to try to get a used car., etc.
I believe a basic 1 - 2 hour class/lecture on personal finance a the shelter should be mandatory before being given these debit cards.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Caroline
posted on September 9, 2005 07:24:49 AM new
Who is going to determine which people have a good background in budgeting? These FEMA debit cards are going to be made available to all evacuees - not just the poorest.
The Red Cross has given money to disaster victims for years - whether it be a large scale natural disaster or smaller scale (such as house fires) - I think to tie either of these programs to a mandatory finance class now would be perceived very badly.
I would be in favor of such classes if they were optional.
posted on September 9, 2005 07:30:58 AM new
Oh caroline, how I agree!
AND THEN maybe our government should get some counseling on money matters,too!
THEN MAYBE we could have some accounting for the BILLIONS spent in IRAQ!
One 9 BILLION dollar package completely disappeared when it got to Iraq! They can't find it!
There is NO accounting for the YOUR money once it's in Iraq!
Don't you want to know what YOUR money is being spent on?
Didn't the airport just close in Iraq...something aboput not getting paid by America?
From the "I know everything" bigot:
"" believe a basic 1 - 2 hour class/lecture on personal finance a the shelter should be mandatory before being given these debit cards.""
What, you don't think standing in 90 degrees for four or five hours is enough for these people to "deserve" this money?
Don't you think they "earned" it after what they went through?
YOU, bigot, have NO idea what these people went through, what their circumstances are. Get your worthless butt down to the south and take a tour..then maybe, just maybe , it will sink in through that rotten skull of yours just what happened.
caroline, these people have NOTHING...what don't you understand about "nothing". Are you worried they might buy something YOU don't approve of?
AGAIN, sheer hard-hearted , ignorant, "christian" crap from a neocon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
posted on September 9, 2005 08:10:31 AM new
As many may have heard by now, both the Red Cross AND FEMA are handing out debit cards.
The administration formally asked Congress for $51.8 billion in relief and recovery expenses in addition to $10.5 billion already approved, calling it the latest installment, but not the last. "We will in fact need substantially more" money, said budget director Josh Bolten, estimating the money would cover expenses for "a few weeks."
Bolten said about half of the newly requested funds would take the form of direct aid to individuals, and the administration said that included an estimated 320,000 of the $2,000 debit cards per household at a cost of $640 million.
Michael Brown, the embattled director of the Federal Management and Emergency Agency, said those eligible for the unprecedented debit cards would be permitted to use the money "for emergency supplies they need" such as clothing. "The concept is to get them some cash on hand which allows them, empowers them to make their own decisions about what do they need to have to repair their own lives," he said.
-------------------------------------------
According to Fox News some of those standing in line to get these cards are now fighting with one another.....and some elderly have had to be taken away from heat exhaustion.
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
[ edited by Linda_K on Sep 9, 2005 08:11 AM ]
posted on September 9, 2005 08:49:15 AM new
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't most of the evacuees getting clothes, food etc where they are at now? and that a lot of cities that they are going to, they are going to have housing? (as well as free transportation there?)
So the debit cards are for ??? I know we all want money in our pockets, Ok, I guess thats it, just some money to walk around with
posted on September 9, 2005 09:25:00 AM new
Geez, if you had had all your possessions and access to financial assets wiped out and were totally dependent on charity, I suppose you wouldn't need any money either.
As for wise use of the money, this is an EMERGENCY. You accept that some of it will be wasted, but you have to meet the extreme need.
It's real easy to sit in the comfort of your home at your computer and be critical, isn't it? Maybe you are thinking how hard you have it because gas prices have gone up, too?
posted on September 9, 2005 09:47:56 AM new
"That statement covers alot of what is posted here, mostly by the left; some by the right, so you need to be more specific."
up to this posting by me, i see 4-2 (one unknown) in favor of the neocons posting "here". so, how can it be "mostly by the left", Ron? or is that just another neocon misconception.
$2000 by any current standards is not much money. I would love to see anyone here stretch $2000 with nothing but the clothes on their backs. It is so easy for you to judge "everybody" in one mass group. Caroline's assumption that it is "probably more money than most have ever seen at one time," is pathetic. Once again, we have the neocons pushing their "kick them when they are down" routine.
"Handing out $2,000 to people who don't exactly have a great background in how to handle money or budgeting may not be a great idea."
Caroline, How do you know that the survivors of Hurricane Katrina do not have a background in how to handle money or budgeting????? And why are you not concerned about the billions of dollars that are going to FEMA...an organization that has clearly demonstrated their incompetence????
posted on September 9, 2005 10:03:18 AM new
[b]The cards are supposed to be used for food, clothing and other essential needs, but there are no restrictions. The intended minimum is $2,000 per household but some households could qualify for more based on family size, said David Passey, FEMA public information officer.
advertisement[/b]
The agency is asking that people who suffered minimal damage to their homes or are living in their own home or in comfortable alternative housing wait a few days before applying for the cards. Brown said people staying in shelters should be served first.
So some households may qualify for more, according to first paragraph
posted on September 9, 2005 10:07:40 AM new
Actually rusty I am talking about the knee jerk Bush bashing that is going on over this, leaving out the local governments.
How many threads are there blaming someone who already said the aid was unacceptable?
Whether money is
a grant or loan
yet to be determined
Mary Judice
Business writer
Many Louisiana and Mississippi residents displaced by
Hurricane Katrina and who still need emergency shelter may
qualify for a one-time $2,000 payment per household from
the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The temporary housing program is an attempt to get immediate
assistance to those stricken by the storm. However, they may not
get their money for 10 days or so. The assistance applies to
those who fled as a result of the storm, either renters or home
owners, and are still living in a shelter, a hotel or with family.
The money is designed to handle disaster needs, including
transportation, clothing, housing and food.
The payment effectively would be an early draw from the
benefits that evacuees eventually could get from FEMA. The
$2,000 will be deducted from the total package the evacuee would
qualify to receive.
...........
The assistance is available to the uninsured as well as to those
who have homeowners or renters insurance and may have
received a check for emergency expenses from their insurer,
s a i d W i n H e n d e r s o n , a spokesperson for FEMA.
He said policy holders with a policy rider for “additional living
expenses” do not qualify for the benefit. Typically, such riders
are on policies for homes in the $1 million range.
Whether the payment qualifies as a grant or a loan that
must be repaid depends on the individual’s financial circumstances
and the federal package he qualifies for. That can’t be determined
until the applicant goes through the FEMA process.
Those who receive the money but later discover they don’t qualify
for it as a grant must repay it. For those who do qualify for
the money, Henderson said the $2,000 is not taxable by the Internal
Revenue Service. Evacuees in the Astrodome
in Houston will receive a debit card from which they can withdraw
the $2,000, David Passey of FEMA said in Baton Rouge
on Thursday. All other evacuees will receive
their money by check, mailed to their current address,
or by electronic deposit into their bank account.
Passey said those applying should expect to receive paymentin 10 days to two weeks.
Approximately 24 hours after applying, evacuees may check to
see the status of their request.
Again, I ask you Caroline, why are you not concerned about the billions going to FEMA, an organization that has clearly demonstrated their incompetence?????
To begrudge the survivors of a hurricane this measly sum of 2,000 is cruel and inhumane.
posted on September 9, 2005 10:11:36 AM new
$2000 for what a week? month? all they get?
If it is for just week, then I would say they can get by pretty well. If it is for a month then a little tougher. But you are right $2000 is not enough for all they would get.
posted on September 9, 2005 10:13:05 AM new
how do they get their prescription drug filled if they have lost their card??
-sig file -------
Eat grass,kick ass,never go belly up!
posted on September 9, 2005 10:18:29 AM new
So what are you saying, helen? You don't think that FEMA should be distributing these $2,000.00 emergency funds to the most needy? And if not, then just who do you think should be in charge of helping those who need this help?
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
[ edited by Linda_K on Sep 9, 2005 10:20 AM ]
posted on September 9, 2005 10:25:59 AM new
FEMA "may" be able to distribute checks but other than that, I don't trust their ablility to do anything. I don't trust their ability to manage and use wisely the billions that they have received.
posted on September 9, 2005 10:28:31 AM new
Caroline, she even bolded your name, not once but twice, for emphasis, aren't you the lucky one. It shows she really cares about your response.....not.
posted on September 9, 2005 10:31:37 AM new
I just read most do not want to go to other states,i bet you they are just waiting and hoping to go home,so that money would come in handy-plane ticket,bus ticket,food and clean up supplies.
-sig file -------
Eat grass,kick ass,never go belly up!
posted on September 9, 2005 10:32:02 AM new
lol I don't care WHO your question was addressed to. I had a question I wanted you to answer so I could understand what point you were trying to make.
FEMA has done an excellent job handling these same crisis situations all over America. They'll do the same here. There's no other, already organized group that could handle this massive homeless situation. FEMA has a lot of experience in doing just what this situation calls for. If you think differently....then name that organization that you think could better handle this whole situation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
[ edited by Linda_K on Sep 9, 2005 10:35 AM ]
posted on September 9, 2005 10:34:16 AM new
Yes, helen's great at demanding that HER questions be addressed. But when she choose not to answer questions.....she'll just ignore the person asking. Again...her wonderful double-standard.
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
posted on September 9, 2005 10:35:31 AM new
Yellowstone/piinthesky is really sensitive about bold letters. He once started a thread questioning the fact that some used bold letters to write his name. How pathetic.
posted on September 9, 2005 10:37:53 AM new
Stop, some don't have a home, or apartment to go back to but don't worry the government will step in and build each one a brand new shinny home, fully furnished with all the latest gadgets and paint them all the colors of the rainbow.
posted on September 9, 2005 10:42:04 AM new
See what i mean Red, helen files all posts by everyone that posts in here and she judiciously files them away on her hardrive to be used against you at a latter date. Now that's pathetic. Like she doesn't have better things to do with her time. Did you notice how fast she came up with that one? She'll claim now that she just has better searching skills.
posted on September 9, 2005 10:44:52 AM new
oh helen....you complain about FEMA handling this situation....but are you just one of the liberals that complain but have NO solutions nor alternatives to offer?
If not FEMA....then WHO?
....then name that organization that you think could better handle this whole situation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
[ edited by Linda_K on Sep 9, 2005 10:48 AM ]
posted on September 9, 2005 10:49:25 AM new
I went and looked at that thread and it was more of a questioning of bolding from the standpoint of not understanding it's use from someone who was new to the board. Not as you would have people believe that it was a complaint about bolding. You're pathetic, helen.
posted on September 9, 2005 10:55:09 AM new
Linda, Firing Brown should be the first step. Brown and other Bush political operatives should be replaced by disaster professionals You will have to answer the question of how to straighten out the colossal mess that your favorite president has created.
My question is how you and Caroline can trust billions of dollars in the hands of such a disorganized and inept organization while at the same time, you obviously begrudge a few dollars given or loaned to disaster victims.
I don't expect an answer from you Linda.
So, STFU and let this discussion continue on topic.
Caroline 
I had a question I wanted you to answer so I could understand what point you were trying to make.