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WASHINGTON - Just as in Iraq, President Bush's policies and unbelievable mismanagement on the domestic front have brought pain and suffering to American people.
Thousands of people may have been killed by hurricane Katrina and many more could die in its aftermath because of the President's refusal to heed the calls of governors for help in repairing the infrastructure in their states. In Louisiana, everybody knew that the levees that hold back flood waters were in disrepair. But instead of listening to the governors, the President cut funding for this purpose.
The President's policies in Iraq contributed to the slow response of federal troops who should have been on alert even before the hurricane struck. Now, as bedlam reigns in New Orleans, 35 percent of Louisiana's and 37 percent of Mississippi's National Guard troops are in Iraq, The hurricane is clear evidence of how the war directly affects the domestic security of our country.
The President is destroying the fabric of America with a combined policy of war, tax cuts for the wealthy, and reductions in spending for domestic needs. These policies are supported by the Republican-dominated Congress. Even so, it was shocking to read reports that Dennis Hastert, the Speaker of the House, said that rebuilding New Orleans made no sense to him.
The President's policies have not only made us less secure, they have widened the chasm between the well-to-do and the poor. The people who couldn't get out of New Orleans to escape the storm were predominantly Black. They stayed behind, not because they wanted to risk the danger of the hurricane, but because they don't have cars. No one is even talking about the poor in more rural areas--Blacks and Whites--who have not even been reached by rescue teams.
President Bush will try to turn this tragedy into a political victory by flying in on a helicopter to examine the damage. But he is in store for political problems resulting from his failed policy in Iraq and the anger of U.S. governors whose constituents are paying the price for the domestic policies of the "war president."
Please find below the text of Congressman Rangel's letter to President Bush about the Federal Governments response to Hurricance Katrina.
September 2, 2005
President George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Bush :
I am writing to strongly urge you to use your power and leadership to provide the most aggressive possible response to the humanitarian crisis taking place in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The response so far has been unsatisfactory.
Food, water, medicine and emergency housing is in critical need. In addition, with the crisis seemingly affecting poor people most, arrangements should be made for emergency short term grants and loans to individuals, particularly those who head families and are taking care of children and the elderly.
Further, while we are all dismayed by television pictures of looters, we must not allow the focus of our humanitarian efforts to be diminished in any way by those actions. While criminal activity that threatens lives should not be tolerated, we must use maximum discretion in the use of force against individuals who may be motivated by poverty and hunger.
I have received many calls from constituents as well as Americans across the country, who believe that the victims of this catastrophe are receiving a lesser government response than would be provided for people of means. True or not, this perception will be aggravated if in coming days Americans do not see a more forceful and creative response to this crisis, whether it means using large military planes to bring in supplies, including temporary housing and the use of hotels or even cruise ships.
Mr. President, we must raise the level of response to this crisis, the greatest natural disaster in the nation's history, and it must be done immediately.
Thanks for your consideration.
Sincerely,
CHARLES B. RANGEL
Member of Congress
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