Magnifisyncopathological

I haven't written anything on the local government response to Katrina's victims, though there are certainly stories to tell and news to analyze. I haven't written anything because I know I would not be able to discuss city and county efforts without deep criticism of the very idea those governments ought to be doing what they're doing.

I'm not ashamed of what I think and what I'd advocate to be done. On MySpace, the following question was posed several days ago to the Anarcho-Capitalism group:

Kid Chino Wrote:

How would an anarcho-capitalist society handle a major disaster like Hurricane Katrina? Would it be up to organizations like the Red Cross and Salvation Army to rescue the poor stranded in a flooded city like New Orleans?

While I think voluntary charity, professional rescue squads, self-organized defense militias, insurance, motivated individuals, and other byproducts of a free-association society would indeed tackle a disaster of Katrina's magnitude, I think it must be stressed that there are no quick, easy, or painless fixes for something as disastrous as this. The outcomes of free market transactions are absolutely crucial to the region's recovery; there can be no other kind in a society that respects individual rights.

But those outcomes are not going to address every problem in the perfect manner for all those concerned. The area's problems are too immediate, too quick, and too deep (no pun intended). Some people are just going to get and be screwed.

Roy W. Wright Wrote:

You have to keep in mind that many incentives would change under anarchism; people's behavior and response to risk would change.

This is very important to note.

If markets were truly free, there would be a greater disincentive to build and live in areas prone to natural disasters. If people had a greater sense of personal responsibility (necessary in an AnCap society), they'd plan ahead and be more prepared. If profit-seeking enterprises had more leeway, the society in general would be more prosperous, leading to greater technical solutions to nature's destructive forces.

This would be the skeleton of my reply to anyone aiming the question, "What ought to be done?" at me. Odds are it would not satisfy many. This is because they are looking for a collective response to individual problems. They want the big We to stand up and work for the benefit of others. No response of mine is going to meet that requirement. At most, I'd respond that the aggregate of individual responses through private initiative is what would occur under ideal conditions. That's about as collective as I would hope things get.

In the interests of honesty, and of providing a contrarian voice to the conversation broadcast out of this city, I will be forthright.

Not even in times of emergency do I think it is acceptable for theft, assault, and murder to occur. Someone's need does not impose a moral obligation (nor should it impose a legal duty) upon others to help. Personal responsibility is doubly important during a crisis.

Therefore, I'm not happy the City of Austin and Travis County are assuming the role of my representative and asserting they are helping hurricane victims in my name. The fact that both governments are seeking federal reimbursement for the costs they incur does not reduce my distaste for their actions; I've paid far more in federal income taxes than local sales and property taxes making the direct connection to me even greater. Furthermore, I think it is rotten to walk out to a crowd of ruined and dejected people, claim to be their saviors, use wealth taken from locals to help them, and then ask the feds to pay back what was spent out of their pile of stolen loot. It's not just flatly wrong, but mendacious.

When the Red Cross, Salvation Army, or the many others operate, you can at least assume the resources they're using to help people are mostly - if not entirely - theirs to give.

I am heartened by stories of evacuees finding work shortly after arriving here so they can get back to providing for themselves and their families. Larry Pinchon stands out as a good example.

I live barely 2,000 feet from the Freescale Semiconductor site (a former Motorola facility) at 3501 Ed Bluestein Boulevard (otherwise known as Highway 183) where the coordinated donations effort has directed charity and volunteers. The traffic heading there over two weekends ago was tremendous. The cops had blocked the median turning point leading to Hudson Street, across from the American Legion building. So much was given that the city asked Austinites to temporarily pause so relief workers and volunteers could sort through the tons of materials. The relief center has reopened and is accepting donations; tomorrow I'm going by to drop off two unused computers with a monitor each and all the important peripherals.

The Austin Convention Center has become a temporary home for 4,000 Louisiana evacuees and as of last week's end, more than half of them have either found charitable housing from foundations, friends, and family or their own homes. The Red Cross operates this shelter. The Toney Burger Center was opened for refugees on August 30th and was primarily for those who needed no medical attention. The Palmer Events Center was opened on September 3rd for those with some medical needs. City police, health workers, Austin ISD, and city and Travis County emergency officials are involved, as far as I know, in all three locations.

The list of services or coordination by local governments include:

• Free one-way air fare or other travel tickets
  
• Food Stamps & Medicaid
  
• the temporary boarding of pets
  
• Austin Independent School District student registration and enrollment
  
• job search, skills development, and outright employment with the city

Crews from Austin Energy, Austin Fire Department and Austin/Travis Co. EMS were deployed to hurricane-affected areas. According to the Austin-American Statesman's Friday edition, the city will be hosted a housing fair over the weekend, is giving out Section 8 housing choice vouchers, and is sending hurricane victims to the top of a 4,500 person waiting list for public housing. There are something like 500 refugee children now attending Austin ISD schools. Those who see the labor of others as a means to accomplish their goals have taken notice and are planning for the community.

It bothers me to see lives flattened and thrown around the country. However, it doesn't justify forcing others to bear the burden of helping those in need.