Ron Paul Says Tornado Victims Should Fend For Themselves, Ohio Gov. Kasich Forces Them To Do So By Refusing Federal Disaster Aid

By Chuck Sudo in News on Mar 5, 2012 8:20PM

Ron Paul photo credit: Rich Koele / Shutterstock.com, Ohio Gov. John Kasich via Ohio Governor's Office website.

As residents in Indiana, Ohio, and three other states begin the cleanup process from Friday's severe tornadoes that killed 39 people, some politicians and national figures aren't showing much in the way of compassion for those who are picking up the pieces.

GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul, appearing on CNN's State of the Union with Candy Crowley yesterday, said victims of the storms would be better off without federal disaster relief.

CROWLEY: Let me turn you to a domestic issue. I'm sure you know that tornadoes have hit a wide swath of states, particularly in the Midwest, about 10 states. The damage is enormous.

You have frequently been critical of FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the federal money that is given to some of these home owners and those that are also -- other victims of storms like this. Is there a role for federal money in helping all of these citizens get their lives back together?

PAUL: Not really, because it's not authorized and there is no such thing as federal money. Federal money is just what they steal from the states and steal from you and me. So there is no federal money unless you say, well, they can print it and cause internal problems.

But to say you don't support federal money doesn't mean you don't care about people, because FEMA is inefficient. I've lived on the Gulf Coast and I got re-elected constantly by criticizing FEMA because of people who had to put up with FEMA after the hurricanes, had nothing but frustration and anger with them.

And to point out, well, they might give you a home, yes, they bought a lot of trailers for Katrina, you know, and it's just so wasteful, inefficient. But, you know, the Guard units and other things within the states certainly is there. The people who live in Tornado Alley just as I live in a hurricane alley, they should have insurance for doing this.

But under major emergency, natural disasters, if there is a need, you know, for some help such as the military to come in, that is not a tragic violation, but to say that any accident that happens in the country, send in FEMA, send in the money, the government has all this money, it's totally out of control and it's not efficient.

There's a much better way of doing this and helping it. The FEMA, I was constantly told by the people of my district, they just get in the way. They take over law enforcement. They take over and they hinder the voluntary group and they hinder the state organization, exactly opposite of what we should be doing.

(Video of Paul's segment is below.)

This is consistent with comments Paul made in the past where he stated the federal government "should be like 1900" and return to the era of government assistance.

Meanwhile, Ohio Gov. John Kasich is being accused of playing politics by not seeking federal disaster relief. Kasich, who toured the hardest hit areas of his state over the weekend, defended his decision by saying the state can handle the cleanup on its own.

“I believe that we can handle this,” Kasich said while visiting a shelter for storm victims at New Richmond High School. “We’ll have down here all the assets of the state.”

Clermont County Commissioner Bob proud agreed with Kasich's assessment, but allowed federal assistance may be needed in the future for temporary housing. Governors in Indiana and Kentucky have already welcomed federal assistance. A Kasich spokesman said the state will do its own assessment before making a final decision to ask for federal aid.

Finally, we come to Pat Robertson, who has never passed up an opportunity to blame a natural or man-made disaster on what he says is our lack of religious faith. the website Right Wing Watch found video of Robertson asking why those hit by the tornadoes "build houses where tornadoes were apt to happen?” Robertson then said the tornadoes may have been avoided if the people prayed for Divine Intervention. Watch.