The Blind Spot

The Hurricane Sandy Relief bill finally passed without the help of 179 Republicans. Those representatives just couldn't see their way clear to vote in support of the bill. Why? Their blind spot is apparently up their collective ass.

You may be wondering who those very clueless but obviously physically limber people are, so I did some research for you and here is just a handful. Following is a sampling of the votes of representatives from states that received federal disaster relief as recent as last year:

• Alabama, for Severe Storms and Tornadoes in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and Hurricane Isaac 2012, but 4 out of 7 of its representatives voted Nay.
• Arkansas, for Severe Storms, Flooding and/or Tornadoes in 2003, 2004,, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. 3 out of 4 its representatives voted Nay.
• Florida, for Hurricane Isaac and Tropical Storm Debby in 2012, Hurricane Gustav in 2008, Hurricanes Wilma, Katrina and Dennis in 2005. 13 out of 27 of its representatives voted Nay.
• Indiana, for Severe Storms and Tornadoes in 2009, 2011 and 2012. 6 out of 9 of its representatives voted Nay.
• Kansas, for Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. 4 out of 4 of its representatives voted Nay.
• Louisiana, for Hurricanes Rita and Katrina in 2005, Hurricanes Ike and Gustav in 2008, Tropical Storm Lee in 2011, Hurricane Isaac in 2012. 3 out of 6 of its representatives voted Nay.
• Mississippi, for Hurricanes Katrina and Dennis in 2005, Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and Hurricane Isaac in 2012. 1 out of 4 of its representatives voted Nay.
• Ohio, for Severe Storms, Flooding and/or Tornadoes in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012. 10 out of 16 of its representatives voted Nay.
• Oklahoma, for Severe Storms, Flooding and/or Tornadoes in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and Freedom and Noble Wildfires 2012. 3 out of 5 of its representatives voted Nay.
• Texas, for Hurricane Rita in 2005, Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes in 2006 and 2007, Hurricanes Dolly and Ike in 2008, Hurricane Alex in 2010, and Wildfires in July and September of 2011. 23 of its 36 representatives voted Nay.

If you look at the numbers, the states I listed received the most disaster relief over a large span of time and yet their representatives were unable to show any compassion whatsoever for the victims of Super Storm Sandy. But you can bet they would be the first ones screaming "politics!!" if their constituents were denied disaster relief for such an unreasonable time.

To be fair, even though I don't have to be, there are states that received federal disaster relief who overwhelming voted to support the bill. Let's hope sanity and reason is contagious.

My sources were the FEMA website and govtrack.us.