Worrying about a potential pandemic flu is bad enough without the nagging question of whether or not the U.S. Government can deal with the threat of pandemic flu better than it dealt with Katrina.
It certainly does not inspire confidence to know that Republicans like Sen. Susan Collins (R) of Maine fought against and removed the funding for pandemic flu preparedness from the economic stimulus package.
Said Sen. Collins:
"[T]hese decisions are difficult. For example, I think everybody in the room is concerned about a pandemic flu. Does it belong in this bill? Should we have $870 million in this bill? No, we should not. So, after discussion, we agreed that we would cut the funding for that, knowing that we can deal with that issue later."
Ultra conservative Governor Rick Perry (R-TX) -- whose fondest dream is to shrink and defund government - is now looking to Washington for a little government aid to help with the unforeseen problem of a pandemic flu threat!
And as the SEIU points out (petition here), this is a bad time to be without a Secretary of Health and Human Services. And we are without one because of extremist conservative politicos.
The Nation: GOP Know-Nothings Fought Pandemic Preparedness
Europe Urges Citizens to Avoid U.S. and Mexico Travel
Liberal Politics Swine Flu News Maine Texas
