The Politics of Disaster and The New Normal!

There is a famous political quote- "Never Let A Disaster Go to Waste-Grab for everything you can!" Translated into action- is that when a disaster strikes use that moment to get all in the way of funds and resources you can, even if it means over reaching and grabbing for funds to be used in other projects.

This seems to be a way of life in America and for that matter already exists in all parts of the world. It may be a system but in my opinion it is not a good system, in fact it is a broken system. It puts too much reliance on the government to fund everything, it takes the decision making process out of local hands and it stifles or kills the volunteer organizations who are poised and ready to come out and serve.

Right now as oil sweeps across the beaches and marshlands of the gulf, finger pointing is a very active component of the blame game. A claim has been made that the federal government has sent out the biggest response to the gulf disaster in our history. We are told that hundreds of ships have been deployed, armies of experts have been sent in, millions and millions of dollars have been spent. Yet---the American people over all feel that there is little to show for the effort and the oil keeps pouring out.

While the Blame Game is being played in the political arena, I want to ask if we as a nation are prepared for the "New Normal?" Can we picture the new normal of a Louisiana with its fishing industry gone- for a long time if not forever? An entire gulf coast culture that may be wiped out? Do we want to accept a "New Normal" that the once vibrant UNITED STATES of AMERICA may become one without direction, firm leadership, decisiveness, and a united front that pulls together the incredible talent and resources the people of this nation has?

That "New Normal" may be at hand. Many people may think the "New Normal" is already here. I want to believe in the people of this nation. I want to fall back on the history of this country that rose up as a "runt" to defeat a powerful kingdom to gain its freedom, a nation that has risen up against surprise attacks, daunting obstacles, and won races in the cold war, in space, and to the moon.

For now, let us pray for the end to the blame game. Pray and uplift leaders of this nation, pray that the answers and actions will come together and be put in place to end the oil gusher under the sea and begin the clean up of our coastlines, and the preservation of our gulf coast culture. And pray hard for answers as another "New Normal" may be a summer filled with hurricanes and storms.