RE . KATRINA Our hearts & donations to the redcross go out to all these people caught up in yet another human tradgedy.But the one thing that continues to irk me is the way GOVERMENTS around the world are far too busy patting themselfs on the back & boasting a budget surplus.After all as we all know in our industry preventive maitenance is far better than a major breakdown.ie if our GOVERMENTS worldwide looked at preventive maitenance &spent the MONEY instead of worring about votes & creating a surplus we would be able to prevent or limet a lot of these situations with a lot less heartache & human loss ..Sorry about bitching at a time like this but its time we all made our GOVERMENTS MORE ACCOUNTABLE spend the money where its needed & stop this senseless loss of human LIVES & heartache. :quest: G!DAY FROM AUSSIE

I have done all that a 59 year old can do. I donated money to the relief effort. I hope you did as well.

Please do not mistake my being pissed off at the administration in Washington as a pass for the inability of the local government to do anything but bitch. Yes, I think the population has a right to expect their elected officials to come to their aid in a disaster of this magnitude. But bad government STARTS at the local level, and just gets worse from there.Send money!!! sooner or later the fine folks in Texas will expect a little something in return.

That was very nicely put Todd.Jamie

Well said Todd. I would give you 9.5 out of 10. Here is my $.50 change.Taxes are not an option.I pay way too many taxes to NOT ASK the government to step up when the lifting gets too heavy. Government is not supposed to be Las Vegas style; ya pay yer money and ya takes yer chances It is supposed to be value received - or at least available - for taxes paid. I feel that the people are not receiving their moneys worth.I live in the sticks, no city water no city sewer, no garbage pick up............ etc etc. I like it just fine. The less government the better as far as I am concerned. But I STILL PAY WAY 2-2-2 MANY TAXES.So I expect a little value. Thank God for the Bu$h administration....... because they give little value.

I am greatful for a President who is upright and honest for once...and I believe he is doing his best to resolve a difficult situation, That said I am like any business owner loaded down with my share of taxes...but instead of complaining I think of all the blessings and freedoms that I recieve living in this great country, there are so many things that we still do right and I am more than happy to contribute.Jamie

In the end it comes down to this: each country has the president it deserves. With all the consecquences. Everywhere in the world (democratic countries only!)

There are many events that shape ones life.....this past month was one of them.In se LA