>>As you pointed out eloquently - the real issue here is, and always was, "It's my money and I'm not giving you a penny."
>>It's wonderful how we learn to cloak self-interest in pseudo-philosophical terms.
>>
>>It's amazing how all those rugged individuals in the Texas congressional delegation who voted against aid for Hurricane Sandy victims have had a sudden philosophical transformation when voting for aid to Hurricane Harvey victims.
>>
>>Twain said it this way "Show me where a man gets his corn pone and I'll tell you what his 'pinion is."
>
>The point is a concept well taken - despite my belief in the free market system, there DOES need to be funds set aside at both the federal and state level for disasters. We've certainly had enough bad hurricanes in the last 100 years to know that one bad storm can destroy cities. Houston and surrounding areas will need that.
>
>One can support rugged individualism and still believe in the concept of socking money away for emergencies to rebuild infrastructure, etc.
>

So, we have selective recognition of "emergencies."
When Wall Street imploded, the government miraculously found almost a trillion dollars.
The government miraculously found the funds to finance the Iraq and Afghanistan debacles.
When hurricanes hit, we have to react.

Can't find a few K to get decent computers for the people at the VA who take care of the Vets, though.
Better cut the benefits of those evil seniors who actually expect the government to keep its promise that it would do what is necessary to fund Social Security and Medicare.