The Socialist Party USA‘s vice-presidential nominee Stewart Alexander has issued his assessment of the present flooding in the Midwest, placing the blame squarely on the federal government for failing to be pro-active in the wake of 2005’s hurricane season:
Much of the cost of flood damages, over the past few years, is a direct result of Congress failing to invest in the U.S. infrastructure; this was the situation that caused the extreme flooding in Louisiana due to the failure of the levees. The extreme lost of life was due to the poor management of President Bush, Congress and federal agencies.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has warned for years that California may face future flood disasters if there is a failure to invest in flood control systems. As in the Midwest, future floods in California could further endanger the food supplies for the nation and the world.
Stewart Alexander says, “The Midwest floods are demanding immediate action by the federal, state and local authorities. Food, clothing and shelter must be provided to all the victims that have suffered loss.”
Alexander calls for a freeze in ethanol production levels to stifle food shortages resulting from lost crops, as well as $500 billion in state and federal water works projects with the dual goal of flood prevention and providing “needed employment for tens of thousands of working people.”
The complete statement can be read here.