U.S. offers Katrina survivors $2,000 each (is bush buying good will)

[2Design]

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/K/KATRINA_WASHINGTON?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-09-07-13-03-38

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Dispossessed victims of Hurricane Katrina will receive debit cards good for $2,000 to spend on clothing and other immediate needs, the Bush administration announced Wednesday, working to recast a relief effort drawing scant praise from Republicans and scathing criticism from top congressional Democrats.

President Bush is "oblivious, in denial, dangerous," when it comes to the plight of the storm's victims, charged House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi. Her Senate counterpart, Sen. Harry Reid, asked pointedly whether the chief executive impeded relief efforts by remaining at his Texas ranch last week while the storm churned toward the Gulf Coast.

<snip>

seems to be buying good will to me - if I thought this was truly a good compassionate thing - although like many of his ideas - it will probably not get funded

[LoZoccolo]

1. I don't think so, more like damage control.

I don't think he could pay people to like his policies at this point, and the FReepers seem to be up in arms about the "handout". But it might keep more people from being unhappy with him.

[rodeodance]

3. there will be lots of photos on the tube with happy people.

[FreedomAngel82]

14. Heh heh

Now nobody seems to be liking him. Nothing he can do can make it up.

[CountAllVotes]

2. they should get the money being donated!

Like a huge chunk of these billions of dollars floating around that few seem to see!

I'd say give each person more like $200,000 !!!

:grr:

[2Design]

5. be nice if that really happen but RC will pocket most of it n/t

[CountAllVotes]

15. I did NOT donate to the Red Cross

I donated to other places that I know will indeed help. But I agree with you, the RC will pocket a lot of this money - never to be seen, never! :grr:

:kick:

[aquart]

4. To buy what? To do what?

To replace home, possessions, jobs, pets, and, in too many cases, family?

Is this mad money? WHAT'S IT FOR?

[durablend]

8. What I'm wondering...

In order to get the "debit card" do they have to sign a waiver that they won't sue the federal government (and, if you want to go tin-foil, that they won't speak to the media)?

[Turbineguy]

6. Now wait a minute.......

is this simply a good idea or what?

Let's be fair here. What if Clinton had done this?

OK, the Freepers would have been screaming.

Never mind.

[asjr]

7. No compassion there. Sounds more like politics. When

has he ever done anything about the poorer sections of the country? These survivors have absolutely nothing except the clothes on their backs. $2000 sounds good but it sure as hell won't buy them a life.

[enid602]

9. *

One hand giveth, and the other taketh away. You'll notice he's also packing the SC, giving Haliburton contracts, and suspending freedom of press in NO. Bush is a busy boy these days.

[buddysmellgood]

10. I once had trouble with an architect. I sent him half of what he billed

and explained why I was sending half. Once he cashed the check, he could not ask me for more. He had taken the terms.

[gatorboy]

11. For 200,000 that comes out to.....

400 million! Ooohhh! Big spenders!

They go through that in what? A couple of days in Iraq? That's how much Americans are worth to this man?

[Dinger]

12. Didn't 9-11 Victims' Familes Get A Lot More?

A LOT more? Not that they didn't deserve it, especially since bu$h planned it all and murdered their loved ones.

[Blue_In_AK]

21. Yes, they did... n/t

[FreedomAngel82]

13. Wouldn't be surprised

He thinks money can make it all better.

[AlCzervik]

16. lets see, your mom dies at the superdome, your house is gone

and you didn't have any food, water or a place to go to the bathroom for 5 days so Bush is gonna throw 2k at you and you're going to say---"Great, it's all better now"

I don't think so!!!

[catmandu57]

17. 2000 per family is not buying too much goodwill

It comes down to chump change, it's hardly enough to rent somewhere to live pay for utilities, buy everything a home and family needs. I wonder if they'll start charging for food at the evac centers now.

[oasis]

18. It's a one time deal. Rove says"Throw 'em a public relations bone."

If there is any abuse and misuse of these debit cards, those will be the stories we'll hear over and over.

[BringEmOn]

19. $2000 Ha! Didn't 911 families get millions?

[yankeedem]

20. The 9/11 survivors

got 1.4 million average settlement- of course, most of them weren't poor and minorities.

Hopefully this is only the start.

[Skip Intro]

22. Its per "family" - what ever that definition is 2005

[BringEmOn]

23. Hush puppy

Don't think it's gonna work.