It may be premature to assume this, but it appears that the insurance crooks are going to find a way to back out. There's chatter that insurance companies already are disputing future claims as a result of Katrina's damage because their policies do not cover "storm surge", but rather wind damage only caused by a hurricane. An analyst I heard speaking on this issue claimed that the insurance companies have a cumulative pot of 456 billion lying around, although they are screaming this catosrophe will bankrupt them. I freaking hate insurance. On top of that, it's believed that only 30% of the homes destroyed down there were insured. It is also believed that upwards of a few hundred thousand homes have either been wiped off the planet, or are structurally unsound and will need to be torn down and rebuilt.
So here we have our feds backing the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast with money you and I have earned. I'm all for helping out the misfortunate ones that lost everything sure, but when the insurance companies start whining and pissing in my boots only to let the feds catch the tab is just flat out wrong.
What do you think? You glad your tax dollars are going into rebuilding another "accident waiting to happen"? I'm not so sure I am.[:@]
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We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a civilization, it expects what never was and what never will be.
A good question, I have no problem footing the bill for that which insurance does not cover, but the feds need to hold the insurance companies feet to the fire and make themPAY UP also!!!
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The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog
Badshot upon further review I just realized this is a double edged sword and in reality it doesn't matter who foots the bill, we still wind up paying for it!!! We get to pay for it through tax money or through increased insurance rates!![:@]
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The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog
Location: land of the Lilliputians, In the state of insanity
Posts: 24,186
RE: How do you feel about footing the bill?
Sad thing about it. If insurance covers it, we still foot the bill in inflated premiums, if they dont, we foot the bill with taxes. Either way, we pay. Or at least the way I see it.
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kaafir mushrik
Unintended consequences and God have one thing in common: Liberals don’t believe in either of them.
Location: The place that Harry Henderson calls home....
Posts: 1,672
RE: How do you feel about footing the bill?
Nope, not happy about it.
As far as I'm concerned, nothing should be rebuilt until the levee system is upgraded to withstand 175mph winds and the corresponding surge. Another CAT 5 hurricane could hit next week or never again, but the reality states that it probably will, and NO will again be demolished.
In my opinion, repair what is salvageable. Anything beyond repair or already destroyed should either be paved over with parking lots or made into green space, easily replaced with another disaster.
And very interesting about the oil, isn't it?
So if there's been no shortage in production (or refining), then 1) why was the price of gas allowed to be increased, and more importantly 2) why hasn't it been reduced appropriately?
If it doesn't drop rapidly within a week,all upon your state reps to push your attorney general into opening price gouging cases. Blumenthal here in CT promised when gas prices soared that gouging cases would be initiated/heard if the actual production or distribution wasn't affected...
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"The first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his own weight." Theodore Roosevelt
These people did not bring this storm upon themselves. I would have to believe that most of them never envision that any storm would cause this much loss of life, propertydamage and property loss. The city has survived everything throw at it since it was established but this was one heck of a knock out blow.
We are one people with a common bond and our goal should be for a better life for all of those willing to do their part in this country.
Burnie hit the nail on the head with the We'll pay one way or the other, taxes or insurance premiums.
I am not thrilled about it but there for the grace of God go I comes into play here.
Just about anywhere you go in the USA there is some type of disaster waiting to happen. Everytime there is a forest fire, earthquake, flood, hail storm, crippling blizzardor drought we in some form or another are bailing someone out of trouble. A little bit here, a larger chunk there.We do it for businesses that are neccessary for the economy such as railroads and airlines.
The right thing to do is do what must be done to help these people and pay the piper regardless of which pipper or pippers it happens to be.
From this we will see improvements in the lives of many and I hope a brighter future for some of the poor who lost what little they did have to start with before the storm.
Sometimes you have to get beat up pretty bad to come out a winner.
I doubt it will happen but this may be what is needed to make congress stop and see that it is time to cut the pork from the budget and direct those funds where they are really needed. That will make the bitter pill a bit easier to swollow.
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Now you have to picture a combination of PeeWEE Herman and Wally Cox but with less muscle tone, trying to be intimidating None of this is funny! Message edited by Cougar Mag -- 1/7/2005 1:16:42 AM >/b]
Seems many people have the "I hate insurance" attitude, and the "I don't want to deal with it" attuitude. I'm not in the business but Mrs. Charley is, and NO HOMEOWNER'S POLICY COVERS FLOODS! If the water comes thru the roof, you are covered, if it comes thru the door, you're sol, unless you have flood insurance, a Federal program. I don't see what is so tough for homeowners to understand about that. I don't feel sorry for folks to ignorant or lazy to do a bit of simple research.
You should NEVER purchase flood insurance or earthquake insurance for that matter. After looking into both, you will realize that even with the high premiums, the insurance company will generally only pay about 1/3 of the cost, maybe 1/2, if you are really lucky. You are stuck with the rest.
Why not have the insurance? Because if you do NOT have insurance, chances are you will get a government bailout if you lose your home.
Sad to say, but it is so true. Punish those who do the responsible thing.
Location: On an Island in the west coast of New England
Posts: 13,133
RE: How do you feel about footing the bill?
Take the amount that the recovery will cost and deduct it from foreign aid. No tax increase, the city will be rebuilt, and we will be spending less abroad and more at home like it should be.
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Too busy with fishing to spend much time here.
How do you feel about footing the bill?
