Comments on: Old Conservatives at The Heritage Foundation? http://www.nicholls.edu/bastiatsbastions/2006/03/13/old-conservatives-at-the-heritage-foundation/ What is seen and what is unseen. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:26:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Aaron Ayme http://www.nicholls.edu/bastiatsbastions/2006/03/13/old-conservatives-at-the-heritage-foundation/comment-page-1/#comment-56 Aaron Ayme Wed, 22 Mar 2006 22:21:52 +0000 http://www.nicholls.edu/bastiatsbastions/2006/03/13/old-conservatives-at-the-heritage-foundation/#comment-56 Although the issues raised in Getting America Right do, of course, apply to the entire country, they certainly hit quite close to my hometown near New Orleans. Fortunately, my entire parish of St. Charles was spared by a mere few miles from the wrath of Hurricane Katrina. It has now become even more prosperous, serving as a haven for those less fortunate. In lieu of my personal experience over these past 7 months since this disaster, the 6 questions posed by Feulner and Wilson are very relevant ones. Although individual states, communities and citizens should be permitted and encouraged to handle routine business, the federal government must, at times, make it their business. The ball, in the case of Katrina, was dropped by FEMA. A national disaster needs the federal government to support states, communities, and individuals who cannot handle emergency situations of such magnitude. Truly, self-reliance can only be promoted if individuals are able to help themselves. Katrina wiped entire cities off the map. This is a far cry from enabling citizens to become “permanently dependent” on federal assistance. On the other hand, people who are able to work and provide for themselves but not willing to do so should not be given government aid. Fiscal responsibility and accountability in how our tax dollars are spent by the federal government is crucial. Initially, federal tax money should be wisely spent on our nation’s own needs. We can help other countries, such as Iraq, by first taking care of our own. Prosperity comes through planning and protecting; trade should certainly continue, but with caution. Keeping America safe will enhance prosperity and security for our citizens. Unfortunately, 9/11 and Katrina survivors probably feel anything but prosperous and secure. President Reagan’s philosophy in refusing to allow the federal government to try to do more for individuals is only partially correct. Certainly helping those who can help themselves does not promote unity; it causes anger and resentment by hard-working, tax-paying citizens who feel others are getting a free ride. However, helping those in true, dire need is quite a different scenario. It makes one really wonder – what would Ronald Reagan have done had he been president during these recent years? Although the issues raised in Getting America Right do, of course, apply to the entire country, they certainly hit quite close to my hometown near New Orleans. Fortunately, my entire parish of St. Charles was spared by a mere few miles from the wrath of Hurricane Katrina. It has now become even more prosperous, serving as a haven for those less fortunate. In lieu of my personal experience over these past 7 months since this disaster, the 6 questions posed by Feulner and Wilson are very relevant ones. Although individual states, communities and citizens should be permitted and encouraged to handle routine business, the federal government must, at times, make it their business. The ball, in the case of Katrina, was dropped by FEMA. A national disaster needs the federal government to support states, communities, and individuals who cannot handle emergency situations of such magnitude. Truly, self-reliance can only be promoted if individuals are able to help themselves. Katrina wiped entire cities off the map. This is a far cry from enabling citizens to become “permanently dependent” on federal assistance. On the other hand, people who are able to work and provide for themselves but not willing to do so should not be given government aid.

Fiscal responsibility and accountability in how our tax dollars are spent by the federal government is crucial. Initially, federal tax money should be wisely spent on our nation’s own needs. We can help other countries, such as Iraq, by first taking care of our own. Prosperity comes through planning and protecting; trade should certainly continue, but with caution. Keeping America safe will enhance prosperity and security for our citizens. Unfortunately, 9/11 and Katrina survivors probably feel anything but prosperous and secure.

President Reagan’s philosophy in refusing to allow the federal government to try to do more for individuals is only partially correct. Certainly helping those who can help themselves does not promote unity; it causes anger and resentment by hard-working, tax-paying citizens who feel others are getting a free ride. However, helping those in true, dire need is quite a different scenario. It makes one really wonder – what would Ronald Reagan have done had he been president during these recent years?

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