Was Sandy a good thing?

In a recent lunchtime discussion with a colleague we wondered whether Sandy would be a long term plus or minus for the New York metropolitan area. On the one hand there's all the short term losses of damage and destruction, plus the lost earnings from closed businesses and lost work. On the other hand there's the economic stimulus of replacing all the damaged and destroyed infrastructure, and all the business and economic opportunities that come with it, plus there's the opportunity of replacing or building better than before. This Wikipedia webpage was cited at one point: This also plays into the most major issue in this years presidential election: What is the proper role of government in a disaster? Should the federal government help New York city? Should New York state help New York city? Or should it all be New York's responsibility? And how much help should government at any level render to private individuals who have suffered significant losses?But the central focus of our discussion was whether in the end New York will come out ahead.--Percy

New York will do okay, though it will be rough for a little while.I hope this helps call the nations attention to the importance of infrastructure. And maybe it will remind people that risks of this kind of storm will increase with global warming.Still, I would not call Sandy a good thing.

but it may force some changes that have been needed but never implemented. Unfortunately, the cost of retrofitting upgrades is often prohibited not just by cost but also by convenience. It's easier and cheaper to simply replace overhead power lines than to place them underground.What NYC will see is that some taxis will be newer and really that's about it.But your second question "What is the proper role of government in a disaster?" and that I think is important."The Government" whether State, Local or Federal is simply a clearinghouse and proxy for each of us. It is in reality nothing but an agent of each individual citizen and the proper question is not whether the "Government" should do anything but rather whether I as a Texan should help those living in NYC, NJ, MD, VA, IN, ...Would I want the rest of my fellow citizens to help if my neighborhood was struck by flood or tornado or hurricane?

Do you classify yourself as a Texan first or as an American first?- Oni

Right now as a Texan first.

The lower east side and the village was hit the worst, which, as you may or may not know, is mostly small, local businesses. Now they suffer, hard. The comedy clubs, small restaurants, bake shops, coffee shops, hardware stores, etc...are all suffering financially with the MTA shut down. Today is the first day we in the outer boroughs have been able to take SOME trains into the city. Those small shops depend on the transit for their busniess. Plus not to mention the employees, like myself and other comics, musicians and local artist who make their living from performing in the small venues, parks, etc... This will definitely help a portion of NY'rs, those in large union construction companies that will get the large bids. But remember, a lot of the MTA stuff, which took the most damage, is repaired by the city workers. So if anything the city itself will get a bigger budget to work with. Not much for the avergae NY'er. New York ALWAYS comes out ahead. It's New York, baby!'- OniEdited by onifre, : No reason given.

Why is that? Why does 'right now' matter?- Oni

I missed this point: Well since the gov is using a portion of every citizen's taxes to fund 2 wars and to pay for our own survalance, why not use a small portion to help whenever there is a natural disaster? We'd be using our taxes to help people rather than hurt people, which is nice for a change.On an aside, I think Gov Christie has done a good job at being a loud voice for the people in NJ. In a good way for a change. - Oni

Because right now I am living in Texas. I have also been a Virginian, a Marylander, a Arizonian, a Californian, a North and South Carolinian, a Georgian ...

Right, but the question was do you see yourself as an American first or a (whatever state your in) first?Do you care what happens to other Americans like during Katrina or any other natural disaster? Or do you only care about what happens in Texas and helping only those in Texas?- Oni

Too funny. Have you ever thought to trying comedy?Did you actually read the posts where I said I was a Texan or where I listed other designations I have applied to my identity in the past?

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but it may force some changes that have been needed but never implemented. Unfortunately, the cost of retrofitting upgrades is often prohibited not just by cost but also by convenience. It's easier and cheaper to simply replace overhead power lines than to place them underground.

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What NYC will see is that some taxis will be newer and really that's about it.

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But your second question "What is the proper role of government in a disaster?" and that I think is important.

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"The Government" whether State, Local or Federal is simply a clearinghouse and proxy for each of us. It is in reality nothing but an agent of each individual citizen and the proper question is not whether the "Government" should do anything but rather whether I as a Texan should help those living in NYC, NJ, MD, VA, IN, ...

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Would I want the rest of my fellow citizens to help if my neighborhood was struck by flood or tornado or hurricane?

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The other half of the question is why your state allegiance comes before your national one.In my case, my ties to North Carolina are fairly tenuous. By and large I disagree with most of my fellow NCians on social and political issues as do most people who live in the urban parts of this state. I've moved around quite a bit, including living in all of the states you have except AZ, CA, but adding a few states in New England.Perhaps moving, plus politics, plus time in the military, plus living amidst Republicans has led to this result, but I definitely consider myself an American first.

That one never gets old. I guess the "I as a Texan" stuck out to me, and I was wondering why anyone would identify themselves with a state rather than the country first. I thought you were saying that YOU identified yourself that way. I was just wondering why? is all.But I guess you weren't saying that? I still don't know.- Oni

It is not a matter of allegiance but rather an identification of where I live at the time. As I said in Message 9, "I have also been a Virginian, a Marylander, a Arizonian, a Californian, a North and South Carolinian, a Georgian ..."I also lived in PA and for relatively short periods in other states. The point was that government is simply an agent for all of us and even though Texas was not involved in this disaster I can use my agent, the government, to provide aid to those NOT in Texas.

Note the qualifier "right now" in my reply to you found in Message 9.The reason to mention that I am a Texan was to point out that I was NOT speaking in this case as someone who needed the help, rather as someone outside.