Originally Posted by Mark Schneider
NorthSea, The USA has this core principle of Federalism. That means each state determines the standards and rules about things like coastal development and building codes. Rational universal solutions and standards are trumped by local concerns, culture and tradition. So, that lets each locality do their own thing.... like build a major city in a swamp below sea level without building dykes.... or build a huge major city on more reclaimed bayous without worrying about storm water runoff. The bottom line of course is that they would have to raise their taxes to build the systems that mitigate predictable disasters. Now... AFTER the STORM.... these very same folks insist that their personal catastrophe (insured or not insured) is now a national problem and want cash to rebuild just the way they had it before.

The US solution is to throw this mitigation versus cleanup/rebuild issue into national politics. How much Cash should the US Government give to the Texas people who won't use their rainy day fund or raise their taxes to pay for their personal crisis. Ditto Florida. Ditto the west and the fire problems The dutch solution sound like it is a national plan and you have a consensus of what to build and what standards to enforce. In a properly functioning federalist system.... the US government should cut texas a loan with a rate based on their contribution and willingness to meet rational universal standards. Ditto the payouts to the West and Florida.



Mark, thanks for your eloquent elucidation. It answered the questions and unsatisfying issues in my mind. Maybe it is medicine for other members too.

thanks again.......


ronald
RAIDER-15 (homebuilt)

hey boy, what did you do over there, alone far out at sea?..
"huh....., that's the only place where I'm happy, sir.