Kasich turns down federal disaster aid

[highplainsdem]

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer

Ohio Gov. John Kasich said thanks but no thanks to immediate federal disaster relief Saturday, even as governors in Indiana and Kentucky welcomed the help.

Kasich did not rule out asking for assistance later, but his decision means tornado-ravaged towns in Ohio will not get federal aid now and are not eligible at this time for potentially millions of dollars in payments and loans.

The governor said Ohio can respond to the crisis without federal help and he would not ask federal authorities to declare the region a disaster area.

-snip-

The county’s Democratic Party chairman, Dave Lane, said there is no reason to wait to ask for help. He said Kasich, a Republican who has been critical of the federal government in the past, may be trying to score political points at the expense of residents.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120303/NEWS01/303030114

[zbdent]

1. Kasich: “I believe that we can handle this,”

Really? When we're at a deficit? You know, the one you b*tched about with Strickland? Last I heard, Ohio's finances aren't that great ... or were you lying?

Who's going to pay? Or are you demanding that any state employees, who are supposed to be working on the state stuff, "volunteer" to clean this up?

[myrna minx]

2. Winning hearts and minds. Putting political ambition over the health and safety of his

constituents is one classy move.

[SusanaMontana41]

37. Even despising Kasich for all these years didn't prepare me for this news.

I am shocked.

Now I'll expect it.

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. Way to go, John. Screw the citizenry, politics come first.

What a doofus.

[PFunk]

4. Cant wait until it's time to vote this POS out (and glad I didn't vote for him iin).

'nuff said

[TheMastersNemesis]

5. Ohio Elected This Heartless Bastard.

Kasich is a heartless bastard. If he goes down to the damaged area they should tar and feather the prick.

Obama should immediately go to the area himself and visit these people. He should let them know that the feds are ready to help but Kasich won't let them. You know that the local Repiglican officials will tell the locals that Obama refused to help them. Using people's death and destruction for political gain in that way is vicious and mean.

[csziggy]

13. You're right - President Obama should pre-empt the inevitable claims against him

And he should do it right away.

No fly over, either - down on the ground talking to affected people one on one since that is one of his best strengths. Listen to people's concerns and where appropriate, point out that FEMA could help but Kasich refused.

It would stir up a shit storm!

[wordpix]

23. +1 about O going to OH, absolutely the right move to make

[randome]

24. That's not Obama's style.

And he would be pilloried for injecting politics into a State matter.

[elleng]

27. Right, its not,

and sane Ohioans will recognize this, imo, giving OH to PrezO in November!

[texshelters]

33. Would any Obama supporter

attack the President if he visited Ohio? Only the lunatic right would attack Obama if he visited, or at least sent someone, so it would be another win for him. At least send some media down there.

PTxS

[Nancy Waterman]

6. Time for another recall petition action!!

This is another a$$ hole that needs to go.

[leftyohiolib]

17. nothing in our constitution allows for a recall of a gov

[saras]

34. Nothing? Felony conviction? Decapitation, drawing, and quartering?

[onenote]

60. Presumably those actions could be addressed by impeachment proceedings

But don't hold your breath waiting for impeachment proceedings against Kasich because he is turning down federal disaster assistance. Both houses of the Ohio general assembly are solidly in repub hands.

[Corey_Baker08]

54. As A Resident, On Behalf Of Many Other Residents, We Agree That Recall Is Necessary Now!!!

[pinto]

7. State budget cuts hit small-town Ohio (LA Times)

State budget cuts hit small-town Ohio

Residents in Uniopolis wanted a balanced budget, and voted in Republican Gov. John Kasich to get the job done. But now the village is facing disincorporation because it can't stay afloat.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-ohio-cuts-20120304,0,6084585.story

[BloodandBlueBerries]

8. Kasich turns down federal disaster aid

Thanks! More for someone else!

[Kingofalldems]

9. I am sure Murdoch can cover the cost of this

[southernyankeebelle]

20. Maybe Koch Brothers could for sure. Of course they'll have to be beholding to them.

But for you that have tv's remind those who lost everything that it was your governor and not the federal government who wanted to help.

[xtraxritical]

38. I think you got that backwards? eom

[lunatica]

10. What political points can he possibly be scoring?

The run-me-out-of-town points?

It's hard to imagine anyone wanting to run for Governor who hates people so much. So hard that I imagine said Governor has some other reason and judging by his actions I'd say he shows a great deal of dedication to destroying the state.

Does anybody still think that if people just talk to him he'll see the error of is ways?

[caseymoz]

15. Maybe astroturf a "miracle turnaround" in Ohio?

See 14.

[Posteritatis]

21. He might have an eye on federal office. (nt)

[SemperEadem]

49. he's thinking about his campaign videos

and the negative ones his undeclared challenger will run if he does accept the money.

it's not about governing--it's all about campaigning with him--they prove time and time again that they can't govern.

[24601]

11. Let's see if Ohio really CAN handle this. If so, let them. If not, bring in federal assistance.

But if it turns out that it's within the state's capabilities, why spend the federal dollars there when they could be needed elsewhere - in a future disaster when/where a state cannot handle the load?

[leftyohiolib]

19. kaisch is lying. ohio cant unless the gov steals cash from state workers pension the money from the

ahca etc. or some other source allocated to something else

[liberal N proud]

50. That may very well be what his plan is

He is devious and working for the corporate boss, not the citizens of Ohio.

[Viva]

12. How does this effect people's insurance

I have a vague memory of insurance companies treating claimants differently once the federal government declares the area a disaster zone. Does this mean that Ohio still gets this designation sans money?

[caseymoz]

14. Actually, I could see the wealthy making massive donations here . . .

. . . just to prove, in an election year, how government disaster aid isn't necessary and that "private industry" can handle it. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Kasich lined up the pledges before he issued this refusal. The election is looking desperate, and Repubs need an ideological victory. What better way to show that private industry works better than government than to Astroturf a "miracle?"

So, I would encourage the press, including liberal bloggers, to watch and report what really goes in Ohio and how the flow of private charitable, disaster relief is different there in other places. See if we can catch them at Astroturf relief.

Or, it could be that they're just idiotilogues and they are going to make people suffer. This idiocy has been consistent for Republicans. But they do have people who can throw money at a problem to make a political point for the faithful.

[mercuryblues]

16. Way to go

Ohio


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[BigAnth]

44. Love it! Perfect soundtrack choice!

[The Wizard]

66. Nailed it (NT)

[AngryOldDem]

18. Mitch Daniels sounded very lukewarm toward it on Face the Nation

When Bob Schieffer asked if Indiana would apply for federal help, Daniels said something along the lines of, "Right now we need to take care of ouselves," or something, indicating that he's not willing at the moment to ask for federal help. Not surprising at all, but given the amount of damage I don't see how the state can ultimately go it alone.

[elleng]

26. These idiot repug governors are gonna be HOIST ON THEIR OWN PETARDS!!!

Can't WAIT!

[alfredo]

52. Our Democratic Governor didn't wait. He did the right thing immediately.

Governor Steve Beshear of Kentucky.

http://www.lex18.com/news/governor-steve-beshear-on-the-state-s-response-to-the-tornadoes

[Iliyah]

22. Sure the gopper governors can

by laying off all the state governmental workers except for theirs and their minions. Take away the money for federal "medical" coverage of their beloved citizens and divert the foreclosure monies (if not already done) and of course the poorest of their citizens to sacrifice more because "Gawd" wills them to do it. After their states falls into even more caos, while the goppers and thier minions live extremely well off the backs of their beloved citizens, than the gop governors will cry foul and BLAME Pres O and his adminstration for the states horrible situation. Rushiepoo will confirmed that, as well as Mittens and the whole GOP party.

And their brain dead party's base will swallow up this whole BS.

[madrchsod]

25. so the hand of god destroyed democratic property and spared the republican property?

there is something seriously wrong with this guy...

[liberal N proud]

28. While teling Ohioans that budget cuts need to be made.

He is either going leave the citizens of these area to fend for themselves or use state money, then declare the deficit crisis in the state is critical and that he neds to give away more of the state to profit makers.

It is difficult to tell what this asses motives are. I simply don't trust anytime he does.

[ChromeFoundry]

29. He's a Fracking idiot. nt

[the_chinuk]

30. What did Ohio ever do to him?

[LisaL]

39. It elected him.

[Corey_Baker08]

55. I Wouldn't Be So Sure...

[texshelters]

31. As idiotic as this is

he is at least sticking to his idiotic ideology.

http://texshelters.wordpress.com/2011/05/25/stop-the-socialist-fema-takeover-of-the-midwest/

PTxS

[The Magistrate]

42. Seems You Tread Right Up To the Line On Poe's Law, Sir...

"On November 2, 2004, America looked into the Abyss and said 'Wonder what's down there...'."

[tooeyeten]

32. For Republicans

more politics over people, they never disappoint.

[aquart]

35. I'm sure this will make him much beloved.

WTF is the matter with that POS?

[workinclasszero]

36. Truth: Elections have consequences

Elect a damn teabagger America and you WILL pay for it!

[sandyj999]

40. Way To Go John

Did you have your life destroyed? And how do you think you got the job? From the very people that you are now crapping on.

[Botany]

41. and the damage happened in the very republican red part of the state too (SW Ohio)

Last edited Mon Mar 5, 2012, 02:18 PM - Edit history (1)

Way to sew up being a one term governor John.



And I know this A-hole personally too.

[ben-]

43. Old news?!

Dearest Botany,

The article and picture your trying to associate with the current damage in Ohio is wrong.

The article and picture are from 2010 (which is shown in the link of your article). Lake township is also In northwest Ohio (we voted for strickland) and it hit our area very hard. In the future please post relevant information to the topic, and not try to pull up something painful from the past that has no bearing on our current issues.

For the record, Our governor at the time of the tornado you posted Strickland did apply for federal aid, sadly FEMA denied it. http://media2.foxtoledo.com/files/OHDenialLetter.pdf (i figured you wouldnt mind a fox article with the misinformation thing you got going on.)

[uppityperson]

45. I would like to suggest you edit out your last sentence, there are ways to give info without insults

[Trajan]

47. The essential thrust of Botany's post is that damage occured THIS year, and in the SW Ohio area ...

The inclusion of the photo might have been just for the purpose of showing damage from a tornado, and not this last spate specifically.

The fact that Strickland might have also denied his own citizens aid in a time of need is troubling, if true .... Though I have my doubts considering the source, I will look deeper into this later ....

In any case: You are not long for our fair home, so enjoy your short stay ....

Kasich is an ass, to which we DUers nearly unanimously agree ... and his actions will cause pain to his own constituents - We intend to make him pay a price for that .... politically ......

Good bye ...

[Raine1967]

46. I would never wish this on anyone. I want to make this clear, however --

I hope that the people that voted for him understand that THIS response from this man is what they voted for.

[Corey_Baker08]

57. True. I Am The Only Democrat In Or Around Darke County, Ohio

Kasich is a disgrace and a disaster. He has led an all out assault on workers, unions, teachers, healthcare workers, all the while protecting and promoting the dangerous and disasterous extreme right wing Republican policies that his Bob Taft championed here in Ohio which for some reason helped him get re-elected.

Trust me when I say that not all of us here in Ohio are as batshit as the people that helped elect Kasich, yet it is us that are suffering the most from his arrogant asshole policies, please believe me when I say we are ashamed of this guy.

[JohnWxy]

48. Kasich is an ass. Ohio contributes money to the Federal gov. They are part of the USA. why

shouldn't they get help from the Federal government if they need it? (there would have to be a declared a disaster area to get it of course)

[Dont call me Shirley]

51. Kasick, say that directly to the victims, you dumbs**t

[Corey_Baker08]

53. I Call On My Fellow Ohioans To Seriously Begin the Recall Process

The policies of Governor Kasich are dangerous and destructive and in many cases actually putting lives and livlihoods in jeopardy to try to score cheap political points.

Governor Ted Strickland, please run again, Bill Clinton was re-elected after losing an election, I believe Governor Strickland can and will follow in his footsteps!!!

[onenote]

61. As pointed out above, Ohio doesn't have a recall process.

[NICO9000]

56. What a rugged individualist!

Easy for him be that way from the view of the governor's mansion. I still have a feeling those affected by this disaster will still vote R by habit. I hope I'm wrong about that, but I seriously doubt it.

[Thrill]

58. Elections have Consequences

.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

64. Moscow is in Claremont County, which went for Kasich in 2010

Gubernatorial results in in 2010:



Location of Moscow:



Can't find how the 244 residents of Moscow voted.

[ghjtydger]

59. Spam deleted by NRaleighLiberal (MIR Team)

[samplegirl]

62. I am ashamed to say

he is our governor!!!

[ladym55]

63. Everybody needs to read response 7

That has the link to the LA Times article on just how AWESOMELY well all Kasich's small town supporters are doing. The state does not have the money to help the people hit by the tornado. Small towns have lost police coverage and support services. It's a giant mess.

This is ideologue Kasich. He can only spout his talking points. He has no ability to govern. Sadly too many Ohioans believe the propaganda the somehow government is the problem. The LA Times story has people saying that we need a smaller government. They don't get that government provides many important services that we take for granted. These people are bewildered.

Coverage of the tornado so far in Ohio has been about "neighbors helping neighbors." So apparently the media will sell the idea that we will all take care of each other without the organization and financial support of government.

[jmowreader]

65. Is it possible for the federal government to step in at this point?

We know Kasich is looking for political points at the expense of his constituents. Can Obama declare the storm-damaged areas in Ohio a federal disaster area without a Kasich request?

[The Wizard]

67. Kasich has a different agenda

Like making it to happy hour for cheap drinks.