If John Kerry were elected in 2004 the GOP would have criticized him for $$$ to fix levee's in NOLA!

[wndycty]

Seriously think about it, after watching Jindal and his issues with volcano research I realize how petty and short sighted the Republicans are. Before Katrina these idiots would have been complaining about funds for rebuilding levees, hell they are probably against it now.

[blm]

Good point. Kerry said in June2004 he'd fully fund $16billion project to re-inforce gulf coastline.

He said the analysis was already done and the project needed to get started as soon as possible.

The story wasn't sexy enough to corporate newsmedia to even discuss it in that campaign - and after Katrina they didn't DARE look back at themselves.

[ginnyinWI]

1. why do they hate government so much?

Where does it come from? Is it being taught by their masters in Big Business? It's a lot of baloney to fear it otherwise. I mean really.

All my life growing up that's all I heard--don't interfere with the natural course of the free market! It's going to trickle down to us regular people. Besides when we get rich someday, we'll want the government off our backs too. Why should our taxes be wasted by the government!

It's also this Social Darwinism thing. If the poor can't make it--too bad for them. They should have worked harder. Look, it's working for us--why can't they do it too? Racism, you say? Bigotry? Pish-posh, no such thing. That's just an excuse. They could make if they really tried: look at Sidney Poitier! Look at Harry Belafonte. Those minorities are just being lazy!

That's what I heard, and worse. Fortunately I was educated by a government-run school and university and I recovered.

I'll answer my own question: they hate government because they are at odds. They don't like the government doing anything for anybody. And they are totally blind to how dependent they are on their government. Their self-sufficiency is an illusion.

Rant over!

[karynnj]

2. Great analogy

In fact, it would have been even worse. Kerry had worked on legislation dealing with coastal erosion years before running for President. In 2004, he even had one environmental event in LA, where he spoke of the need to deal with coastal erosion and other problems that were making NO more vulnerable. I googled - but could not find a story on it. I could find this though - which referenced it:

"~4/26/04 Recieved invitation from Sen. Landrieu's office to go to Shell Beach LA to meet Senator John Kerry who is running for President. He was being educated on Louisiana's coastal erosion problems also. He was taken on a boat ride down the Mississippi River Gulf outlet and shown first hand the problems. After the boat trip we had the opportunity to also educate the press, he gave a speech and promised to make it a priority if elected President.. I had the opportunity to speak to him, Sen. Landrieu and Con. Bill Jefferson. Mentioned the GMP as one of the programs I am involved with that works with us on coastal issues

http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/cac/FY2004_3rd_Quarter_CAC_Participation.pdf
(an epa citizen's advisory Committee)

So, Kerry would have accused of wanting to preserve beaches at great cost - likely because he wanted to wind surf off of them!