Is the current oil spill mess in the Gulf just the latest in a series of examples we have all lived through that show the importance of at least some level of Federal regulation and intervention capacity in the world of business?
We have seen the toxic water supplies in east central California from PG&E negligence, the Exxon Valdez wreck, Love Canal, levee failures in Iowa and Illinois (and New Orleans), billions of dollars in employee retirement funds lost to criminal negligence on the part of CFOs and CEOs, and now a uncontrollable leak at the bottom of the sea pouring the equivalent of up to 15 Exxon Valdez wrecks onto the US coast over the course of the summer.
I'm not saying that the level of response and regulation for each of these crisis was justified (or even functional), but surely something needed to be done, both to correct the immediate problem and to ensure that it didn't repeat, didn't it? I'm not suggesting that the Federal Government be responsible for fixing each and every issue that pops up, either, but if they are needed to assist and support local and State agencies, then don't they have a responsibility to do so?
Using Jindal as our example, we see a very conservative governor calling for increased Federal aid and support (but not complete control, which I think is an important distinction) in local and State efforts to contain the level of impact the oil spill is having... and we see the Feds failing to deliver that requested aid and support. If this man, whom Ryan has said is a good fit for the Presidency of the United States, can see the wisdom in having the Feds make money, equipment and resources available to the State of Louisiana (and any other State that needs it)... why can't Ryan? Why does Ryan feel that there is no place for Federal intervention in such a crisis as this?
I'm not picking a fight... REALLY I'M NOT! I'm asking an honest question, and looking for an honest answer. If there should be NO Federal involvement, then Jindal is WRONG in asking for it because he is perpetuating or promoting bigger, more intrusive government. If there SHOULD be a degree of Federal involvement, then what is the limit of that involvement? What is ENOUGH, and what is too much?
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