Live and Learn

Remember the common motto --“Live and you learn”? That is exactly what we need to be practicing. Another catastrophic hurricane has come and wiped out part of the Texas gulf shore. An editorial in the September 24, 2008 edition of the Austin American Statesman titled “Razing Texas, Raising Questions” brings up some serious issues involved with Texas coastal living.

Hurricanes will occur and chase residents away, but then these same residents can’t wait to come back to rebuild in practically the same place. With Hurricane Ike, new and old issues are being brought up yet again. Should people be allowed to rebuild with their backyard being the Gulf of Mexico? I have mixed views. When I go for a vacation to the beach, I want to be as close as I can to the water. I want to wake up to the sound of the ocean. It would be wonderful to have that life every single day, but that is the selfish side of me. The practical side is hurricanes will always come and that is just the way it is. Yes, there is hurricane insurance, but it affects taxes for others miles and miles away from the coastal areas. All Texans eventually end up helping to foot the bill and compensate coastal Texans for their losses. Damages from Hurricane Ike are estimating $2.1 billion. Why should we have to pay for their selfish living? There have been government efforts to move them further away from the coast for their physical and economic safety, but these residents have resisted the efforts. In January when the Legislature is scheduled to meet, they will confront questions such as how much insurance risk coastal residents should bear and how close to the shore should anyone be permitted to rebuild. With the threat of global warming and the rising sea waters, something needs to be done for the safety of our Texas gulf coast residents and the shores themselves. With a struggling economy, our state cannot afford anymore disasters like Ike.

I agree with the editorial. Something needs to be done. It is obvious to me that people and businesses will always want to locate by the ocean because of its sheer beauty and exquisite nature. That is never going to change. Not only do people want to live by the ocean, they want to vacation there as well. My proposal is once we clean up and rebuild the damages from Ike and the affects from Katrina, we need to save for the next big disaster. Instead of panicking after the damage, we need to be proactive and do what every American is being encouraged to do in this plunging economy – SAVE!. We need to save for the next hurricane whether it is next year or four years from now. We need to be prepared. Instead of raising taxes and pulling money from places where there is no money, there should be a fund ready to be distributed.

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Article Introduction

Texas delegates were showered with an assortment of gifts the week of the Republican National Convention by two of the state’s most popular political figures. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Governor Rick Perry were sending their love and praises to many of the GOP delegates attending the convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. Hutchinson attended the convention and posed for pictures with just about anyone who asked. Many delegates were wearing cowboy hats autographed by Hutchinson. She also gave out red tote bags with her name on them, filled with treats for each of the delegates. Perry stayed in Texas due to Hurricane Gustav, however, he did sponsor both a breakfast and after hours party, and also organized a prayer service for the delegates. His wife, Anita, did attend the convention to spend a day "glad-handing" the delegates. Are we starting to see potential candidates for the 2010 Texas governor’s race? All of the signs are there.

The Dallas Morning News posted an article on Friday, September 5th titled Hutchison, Perry keeping their names out there with gifts for Texas delegation, written by Christy Hoppe. Bill Lawrence of Highland Village said “Logically, this is where it would start.” Both individuals are supported and thought of very highly in Texas. This could be a tough choice for future voters because many are predicting these are the candidates in the race for the 2010 Texas governor.

I think candidates do need to start this “buttering up process” of voters and delegates early to make it known that they might be considering running in the next election for such a prominent elected position. The national convention seems to be the ideal time and place to start when everyone’s spirits and enthusiasm are so high.

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