Cut The Inaugural

The present aftermath from Hurricane Sandy should not surprise any of us since we have seen the effects of hurricanes on population centers before. Even today, New Orleans has not been entirely rebuilt, leaving over 30,000 people who formerly had homes still waiting.

The tragedies now enveloping Americans in the communities hit by Frankenstorm, on Oct. 29, could have been avoided. This disaster is a direct result of our failure to make sure the infrastructure on which we depend politically, economically, and to keep us safe in the face of disaster does the job we pay to have done for us by government. The source of the problem is not ‘natural disaster’ but one of design and priorities.

The tens of thousands now homeless, having lost everything, remain mired in the evidence our system has failed. We need to see this and take action.

Instead of providing relief, government talks and gives news conferences. Relief efforts remain, largely from volunteers, including Baptists coming in from Louisiana, veterans of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and residents from surrounding areas who are digging into their own resources to ensure people in need are helped.

Instead of sending out suggestions on supplies to have on hand, the enormously expensive government agencies which were assigned to provide for disaster relief should have:

Stockpiled immediate resources to be made available to put people back into their neighborhoods with temporary housing, complete power generated on site, and sanitary and cooking facilities. Plans for such units, which could have been moved in either by road or helicopter, as needed, were ignored in favor of FEMA trailers and shelters, where available.

The specter of small children and elderly, starving and freezing in America, or anyplace else, is not to be tolerated.

Now, we should be working on fast-tracked plans for rebuilding. Since we know it will be necessary to replace homes, schools, and other buildings quickly, the correct approach would be to do it now by spending money to provide better stability and security in impacted areas proven to be vulnerable to disaster. We need pay for no studies to know where this one is.

Rebuilding should be carried out Deep Green, entirely off the grids. The needed materials and technologies exist. Let’s use them, at the same time demonstrating their thrift and superiority. Homes, schools, and businesses could even now be going up. Construction and rehabitation could take place in as little as a month for the first structures.

This is the plan we should have had in place.

Both major political parties today focus only on continuing their sinecure for job security and profits.

It is time to move forward and it is past time for Americans to join together to make this happen. Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Reformers, Greens, or Justice, we are all one in needing the security we are now paying for so dearly.

The election is over. It is time to begin examining what we have accepted and believed and instead become more discerning.

President Obama will continue in office for the next four years. A simple swearing in would be appropriate and a powerful statement which needs to be heard. We must conserve our resources and use them wisely.

All of us hope and pray for real change. We need it and should demand it from those elected to serve.

Plans are now going forward for an Inaugural. Instead of spending money on what is, essentially, a party for corporate donors, money which was earmarked for this event should be spent on the plan for rebuilding above and for immediate relief for those still homeless and without power and food.

Corporate donors should dig into their pockets and help make it happen. Arrange another time for a party at the People’s White House, when those now in need are cared for.

Melinda Pillsbury-Foster – Rebuild America

Nathan MacPherson – MacPherson Investment Group

Sign the petition HERE