The “Vote PSL” La Riva/Puryear presidential campaign extends its deepest solidarity to the people of Iowa who have lost so much in the past few days.
Our campaign demands immediate and massive federal aid for all of the victims of the floods and tornadoes. The government should send thousands of workers and volunteers to the state to assist the tens of thousands of Iowans who have lost their homes, businesses and farms.
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During the nightmare of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the federal government did virtually nothing. Mostly Black communities were devastated. The extreme racism in the United States was exposed. Poor Black people were left to die on rooftops. Large numbers of working class white and Latino families were also hit hard. The government bailed out Big Business and the corporations. Today, the government is again criminally negligent in addressing the unfolding crisis in Iowa. More rain could lead to an even greater catastrophe. The time to act is right now!
President Bush remains in Paris, France, as the worst floods in 15 years ravage Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo and dozens of other towns throughout the state. Democratic and Republican politicians are posturing and the corporate media are focusing on the wreckage caused by the floods—but when a new story pulls them away, who will be there to clean up for the people? Who will build new levees, restore submerged cropland, and replace ruined homes?
The government’s inaction is a crime against the people of Iowa. Instead of funding emergency planning and response; instead of fortifying crumbling levees and pouring funds into the state’s infrastructure, trillions are spent to wage war abroad and to subsidize corporate criminals at home.
When big investment banks were in trouble because of the housing crisis, the government gave them $200 billion literally overnight. That is 200 times more than the estimated losses from the flooding in Iowa. We demand that similar action be taken for the working people and farmers in Iowa.
Yesterday, the Bush administration and Congress spent $430 million to occupy Iraq. Today, another $430 million will be spent—and it will continue until the war is stopped. The U.S. government and its private corporate allies have limitless resources, equipment and people, but only the tiniest fraction will be directed to help Iowans.
Why? Because the system exists only to secure profits for Wall Street, big banks and corporations. People’s needs—from Iowa to the Gulf Coast—are not part of the plan, even in the face of severe catastrophe.
The La Riva/Puryear campaign rejects the hoarding of resources by the rich and powerful. Our campaign puts people over profits. We demand that the people of Iowa get all of the aid, shelter, food and resources they deserve.
The PSL La Riva/Puryear campaign demands:
1) A nationwide government-organized effort to help Iowa with the rescue and rebuilding efforts.
2) Take the $430 million spent every day for the occupation of Iraq and meet the needs of flood victims. Establish a emergency federal fund to pay for the rebuilding of damaged homes, schools, hospitals, infrastructure, farms and small businesses for all those who do not have flood insurance.
3) Criminal prosecution of insurance executives whose companies fail to pay claims of Iowa policyholders.
4) An emergency federal program to provide housing for all those displaced, including renters as well as homeowners.
5) Compensation at full pay for workers who have lost their jobs.
6) A government guarantee that such assistance will remain available to all those suffering displacement and hardship due to the flooding, Hurricane Katrina and other disasters.
