Dear Senator,

Dear Friend:

Californians know that a devastating earthquake could occur anywhere in the state at any time. And we also know that a major earthquake would cause hundreds or thousands of deaths, widespread homelessness, and massive property damage.

Although Californians are aware of these important facts, somehow the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) still do not seem to have gotten the message. Last September, I requested a copy of the FEMA disaster recovery plan for California. After several months, I was disappointed to receive a general reply outlining the things that might happen following a generic disaster.

Recently, following a new report from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography on the geologic stress that is present especially along the southern portions of the San Andreas Fault -- and the likelihood that a major earthquake is, in fact, overdue -- I again asked for a detailed plan for actions that would follow an earthquake. In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, I have again requested a plan specific to California on the steps that would be taken in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake to respond to widespread destruction.

Sadly, it appears that little has changed at FEMA in the year following Hurricane Katrina. The agency appears to be woefully unprepared for an earthquake of major magnitude and the devastation that would follow in California. You can count on me to continue to demand a substantive plan that is designed to keep Californians safe in the days following an earthquake.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator

Everyone saw how poorly FEMA did in New Orleans, are you really going to count on them? Saying, "Well, FEMA did such a good job with New Orleans, I figured they should handle southern California's disaster plan." after the big one hits isn't going to earn you any votes.

Everyone saw how supportive and helpful private companies like Walmart (http://tinyurl.com/9o6yu) and Home Depot (http://tinyurl.com/qjra7) were, and how much time and money they and their employees donated. Contrast this with the amount of money FEMA took from my paycheck in taxes, and redistributed to the not-so-needy (http://tinyurl.com/peax8) to rebuild (http://tinyurl.com/r9kzf) their lives with big screen TVs and strip club visits. Not that I feel they would have benefitted from some free money, but if you think you can give $10,000 to a poor family to make them middle class; try it, and check back on them in a few months.

I did enjoy your last statement, "You can count on me to continue to demand a substantive plan..." I don't count on you to write letters. I can write letters! I count on you to take action and make people accountable! If you want me to vote for you (and I never have before), take action, and show us voters that you are taking action. After the big one hits, and people are left wondering who's to blame; you, shaking your head and pointing at FEMA is not really going to compel anyone to vote for you. The public doesn't trust FEMA, and the fact that you do, makes everyone wonder if you were paying attention.

You can start convincing me how hard you work, by showing me that law abiding citizens are not going to be disarmed by force (http://tinyurl.com/nzqbb) and left defenseless (http://tinyurl.com/o9voy) from roaming gangs, rapists, and murderers, while the police are off trying to disarm other citizens as they were in Katrina. You could also show me where the government is given the power to take money from tax payers, and give it to people who chose not to be prepaired for natural disasters. The job of relief and aid is better left to the people who can do it well, like the Red Cross, and other charities, not a wasteful, unaccountable branch of the governement.

Earn my vote!

Respectfully,
XXXX XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX XXXXXX, Ca