This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In the name of cutting the federal budget, some in Congress are quibbling about disaster relief for Oklahoma unless it's matched by cuts somewhere else in the budget. What in the … that's ridiculous!
We helped the East Coast after Hurricane Sandy and New Orleans after Katrina. We helped Florida after hurricanes, California after earthquakes and Joplin, Mo., after that tornado.
Disaster relief is what makes America compassionate and great. It keeps our country strong and productive. It keeps us a nation of hope and optimism.
Not addressing our disasters is like not getting your cavities filled: Pretty soon you're going to be in big trouble.
Whatever one's position on the federal budget, disaster relief should not be cut. Politicians, quit using it as a political football. Someday your constituents may need it.
Bryan D. Thomas
Salt Lake City