u235

Well we know from the projected profits that the fuel companies are actually going to make out handsomely from this disaster... at the cost of the average American consumer. Putting aside the prices at the pump - ask yourself who the other big winner is going to be from all the pain and suffering. Give up? Here's a hint: If your house has been destroyed, your job is in limbo, if you can't even return to see what you can salvage, how do you live, dress, bathe, and shelter yourself and your family?

1 word answer: Credit.

When you go on vacation you expect to wrack up some debt, but it's anticipated and you still have your clothes, toiletries, car. We're looking at familes who were evacuated in an emergency with little more than what they were wearing. They're charging up thousands of dollars of debt for housing, basic services, and all those things I listed above.

Have the credit card companies stepped up with a humanitarian response... well sort of. MBNA has waived fees on cash advances and late fees and given their clients a 2 month break before payment. Yeah that's great. It's something but it doesn't relieve the overall burden of 6 - 8 weeks of daily expenses for people whose financial income is in flux because their job was washed away.

Again, this is just dandy for the Administration because they just don't care about the average American. The people at the top are fucking sick-rich and have no concept of what it's like to balance money in against money out. Bush is still trying to dodge the bullet but I think it's struck home on the population at large. If it doesn't effect his buddies, then it's not a priority on his adgenda.