Republican AND Democrat, BOTH SIDES have a share of fault here.

[Deja Q]

Storms are unavoidable.

The Dem leaders in the relevant states didn't do much. Ditto for the Repubs...

Our Repub leaders at Federal level are no different; except they want to take oil out of the emergency reserves and loan it out. (our tax dollars paid the oil companies for it once; why double-dip here? That's not right.)

Apart from Russia and Venezuela, who has acknowledged our plight and is going to help? (not that I'm being selfish here; the US took 4 days to acknowledge and lip-serve the Asia tsunami of Dec 2004... maybe they're responding in just diligence?)

[Arkana]

1. True, but LA Democrats at least made an effort.

Gov. Blanco attempted to evacuate NO before the storm, didn't she?

[toddaa]

2. Bingo

This disaster (not the natural one, the reponse one) lays at the feet of the entire federal government. My cynicism is officially out of control. Right now, I hate Democratic politicians almost as much as I hate Republican politicians. Fuck 'em all, I'm voting Green.

[gratuitous]

I agree absolutely

But who's in the position -- in all three branches of the federal government -- to do something about this disaster right now?

Meanwhile, we have had offers of help from Canada and the Netherlands. Other countries, as the scope of the disaster becomes a little clearer, will almost certainly offer their assistance as their resources fit the needs.

[Hamlette]

3. 1. We've received offers of support from France, Germany, Canada and

the Netherlands...confirmed. 2. The Bush admin has publically said: "we are NOT asking for help". Many the other countries are not offering because we said we don't need help.

[mzmolly]

4. Bush gutted 45% of FEMA's budget and ... from Molly Ivins.

"It is a fact that the Clinton administration set some tough policies on wetlands, and it is a fact that the Bush administration repealed those policies -- ordering federal agencies to stop protecting as many as 20 million acres of wetlands."

http://www.workingforchange.com/printitem.cfm?itemid=19557

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. republicans have drained the treasury and squandered resources in Iraq

To the point where the FEMA guy is begging us to send money to the Salvation Army, apparently our "Faith based" first responder. Knock it off, the rw has been in charge for years now, and the whole place has turned to shit.

[NRaleighLiberal]

6. Where Dems fault lies is in not fighting - the outcome of the...

2000 and 2004 election, not putting the best people on shows with the repug pundits, not learning how to operate in Roveworld with appropriate responses....essentially playing too nice since * took office. Corporate greed...special interests....in many cases, being just as bad as the right - THAT's where the whole country has been let down.

[Pathwalker]

7. Bush is in charge NOW. He is the one responsible for

getting help to those people NOW! They're dying NOW. The past hardly matters NOW, and if thousands of people die NOW due to rescue efforts not getting there in time, then yes, it's ALL Bush's fault.

[KelleyKramer]

8. GOP controlled house, GOP Senate, GOP White House

They can try to deflect all they want, but responsibility comes FIRST to the party that controls EVERY BRANCH of our government.

You are seeing the result of years of Republican control.

[DURHAM D]

9. Have you checked out the party affilitations of nationally elected

people from LA, MS and AL ? There are 18 congresspeople - 12 Repugs and 6 Dems. The six senators - 5 Repugs and 1 Dem.

24 officials - 17 Repugs = 70% Repug.

[Beelzebud]

10. AGREED. TOTAL BREAKDOWN OF LEADERSHIP.