Why Hurricaine Katrina Shows Us Less Government is Better

Many communists and socialists around the world have been quite glib in their converage of Hurricaine Katrina. These statements have been profoundly arrogant and almost joyous. They have ranged from, "America should have signed the Kyoto Protocol," as if that would have done anything to prevent any weather or natural event for at least 10 years, to "this is an example of how big government is far superior to less government."

As you might imagine, I completely disagree with these Cassandra's. I believe this is an important opportunity to see why big government has failed us. Who were successful in addressing this natural disaster? Who failed? The American people, under no prompting from the government, raised more than a half billion dollars within a week for this crisis. Charities, churches and concerned individuals were on the ground, despite many having travelled by car across the country. Problems ocurred when they had to collaborate with FEMA and other government agencies.

While each government agency was complaining about not getting support, or how the response was somebody else's fault, the Red Cross was creating evacuation shelters. When the governor was paralyzed from doing anything to help her citizens, the Salvation Army was handing out food. When the mayor was cursing out the Feds, churches were paying rent for evacuated residents to find temporary housing (not in a crowded sports arena) and when our wonderful Congress was passing bills for billions, laden with pork which went to different parts of the country not even disturbed by the hurricaine, Craigslist.com members were offering peole to stay in their own homes.

If anything, this disaster should show us that no matter what the government prepares for, it is ill-suited to provide for the people in times of crisis. The wonderful people of this country showed their true colors and came through for those in need. I believe this disaster shows us what a disaster government is and that we can probably save a lot of suffering and about three billion dollars by just terminating FEMA. Is that too radical a solution? Probably, but I am just fed up with all politicians telling me that government is the solution. As President Reagan once said (and somehow Republicans forgot), I don't believe that government is the solution to the problem, but the source.