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*Immediate 24hr. manned hotline

*On the ground support within 24 hours by me personally

*Immediate coordination with FEMA, State and local officials

*Personal contact of major corporations for sponsored supplies

*Daily briefing with local leaders

*Speed the process for temporary shelters

*Facilitate quicker access to Block Grants

One of the primary responsibilities of a representative of the government is to, in fact, represent his constituents. The failure of Ron Paul to support and vote for the $24 million dollar relief package for the people of the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Ike is inexcusable. Despite this, the appropriation bill passed 370-58. To refuse government aid on philosophical grounds when people’s lives were devastated from Hurricane Ike is irresponsible. People from Chambers, Galveston, and Brazoria Counties continue to suffer the after-effects of this catastrophe.

"Is bailing out people that chose to live on the coastline a proper function of the federal government?" Paul said. "Why do people in Arizona have to be robbed in order to support the people on the coast?" (Houston Chronicle September 25, 2008)

Does this mean that the people of California should expect no assistance because they live in a state that is prone to earthquakes or grass fires? Or should the people of Jarrell, Texas not have expected any federal assistance when their town was nearly wiped off the map and 27 people died by a tornado in 1997? I don’t believe the people of Arizona are heartless to their fellow Americans; to the contrary. Nor would we as Texans turn our backs on any other area of the country that has faced a similar crisis. This is part of what Alexis de Tocqueville referred to as the “collective individualism” that he said makes America so great.

Should we be surprised by Ron Paul’s position? I think not, as he voted against any support for the people of New Orleans and Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. This is a consistent pattern for sure. Unfortunately, it’s a consistent pattern of neglect. Americans are hard working people who only want to know that their representative is listening and will be there for them when they need it most. Ours is a government Of the People, By the People, and FOR the people. Without it we have no power at all.

The response of FEMA was improved over the disaster of Katrina but must improve its response time to provide shelter and provisions. Many people are still recovering after 1 ½ years of little or no progress. Greater pressure must be put on FEMA and local governments to expedite the rebuilding process.

I will be a leader who will respond to this type of crisis and do what it takes to help our communities long after the excitement and attention have died down while looking for ways to pro-actively prepare for possible future scenarios that could prevent them from being disasters.