Agree with what you say, but hopefully any federal money (i.e. taxpayer dollars) sent to CA would come with guaranties of much needed changes in water management, forestry and brush removal and D.E.I. hiring policy changes.
While I agree it's equally tragic regarding the loss of the home of a fast food cook and movie celebrity, the story of the celebrity brings more interest. The celebrities can certainly afford to rebuild but the losses of Anthony Hopkins, Billy Crystal, Mel Gibson, etc highlight the catastrophe. Gibson mentioned the loss of rare books, one dating to the 1600's, that's a loss of historical importance. I imagine Crystal's loss of the Yankees jersey and ball cap he wore in the lineup for a pre-season exhibition game unique. Also, the Will Rogers ranch and home were destroyed. He was an American icon.
That seems like a reasonable request. There is no point in rebuilding if there are no changes made. This will just happen over and over again absent some correction. Just sending billions of dollars after every disaster is not a sustainable situation. The politicians of California have proven themselves incompetent. In fact, it appears to be their position that climate change has created a situation in which it is impossible to put these fires out. In which case, the only solution is to prohibit rebuilding in these areas. Maybe the state should buy out the properties in fire zones and turn the whole area into a park.
Jason
Sad but true. Just like the Army Corp told New Orleans for about 35 years and funded the flood issue in the city. City redirected the money, no accountability , then Katrina, so oh guess what, it is Bush's fault. Just ridiculous.
Wonder how long before Trump lets Israel finish the job. Hopefully shortly.
Unfortunately, I think the objective is to bring it to an end by whatever means necessary. I can't understand how the allies could overrun Germany, force the Nazis to surrender, and bring those responsible for atrocities to justice, but we can't do that in Gaza. I can guarantee that the US has paid millions to Arab countries to broker this deal. The media is touting this as a major success while most of the hostages remain in captivity and Hamas remains in power. Did anyone suggest cutting a deal with the Nazis that would have allowed them to stay in power?
You can't cut the military unless you can make it much more streamline and efficient. Voting to cut SS would be a death knell to any party voting to do so. People can't live on what they get now and these are people who actually earned it. And Congress didn't help it any by making it so federal (I think) employees to get the full amount. But they sure can come up with money for deadbeats.
Social security should have paid for itself. Unfortunately, all that money has been misappropriated for other purposes. That money is gone. That's the reality that we face. Something like 70% of the US budget is for the military, social security, and health care. Something has to give. The US is $38 trillion in debt and counting. There is two ways to go. Stick our heads in the sand and pretend this problem doesn't exist. Or acknowledge it and try to fix it. The US always does the former instead of being honest and telling people hard truths. The decision is going to be taken out of our hands shortly as the money is gone. It's not a sustainable situation. The types of cuts being discussed by Musk and Vivak are laughable. Grains of sand on the beach. And even those are not likely achievable. The US is in big trouble.
I agree, big trouble. Going to be hard times, especially for the younger generations.
The Allies may not have cut a deal with the Nazi's at the end of WW2, however they certainly took advantage and made use of their scientists and medical specialists regardless of the atrocities they were responsible for and lets not mention where did all the stolen gold bullion disappear too.....
