This article describes the incredibly unpopular vote of a Congressman from a conservative state which has received incredible benefits from the federal government. Mr. Palazzo has shown he is only interested in furthering his own interests at the expense of his constituents and the rest of the nation.

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by Thomas Baldwin, Biloxi, MS

January 9, 2013

Mississippi Representative Steven Palazzo's vote against the first stage in basic aid to Hurricane Sandy's victims really got to me.  I was outraged as a citizen of Biloxi, MS, his home town and so were many of his constituents as shown by the public response.  Although I have significantly different political views from Palazzo this vote really went beyond the bounds of decency and compassion.

As everyone will recall, Hurricane Katrina, the worst natural disaster in U.S. history in 2005 devastated much of New Orleans and the coastline of Mississippi. It may have been twice the size of Sandy. It was met by huge support for recovery by the rest of the nation including public support by the U.S. government and by an enormous generosity of private citizen groups across the country including many from the northern states.  Any of us who lived through this, as Mr. Palazzo certainly did, will clearly recall this.

Most of the people of Mississippi certainly remember and were grateful for the support we received.  Mr. Palazzo's memory apparently only lasts for as long as his recent election where he was invited again to become a part of the radical right of the Republican Party.  Unfortunately, due to the ineptness of the Democratic Party in the south, particularly Mississippi, there was no legitimate opposition to his reelection.

So when needed and required to give support to another part of the country what does this Jerk do?  He votes "no" because there are no "offsets" for these expenditures.  Yet, he supports a 600 billion dollar defense bill with few if any questions and he supports subsidies to the fossil fuel industry with no questions.  I cannot restrain my feelings in calling these kinds of elected people what they need to be called:  SCUMBAGS.

Let me tell you.  People in different parts of this nation will not forget this.  My friends in NY are outraged as they should be. Christie the Republican Governor of NJ was outraged and Rep. King of NY, Republican, was outraged, both strong Republicans.   People in northern states are quite aware that they are paying more than their average share into the national treasury to support states like Mississippi who are deriving tremendous benefits from the national government, at least twice what they pay in.  But the ignorant population of this state keeps voting to bite the hand that feeds them!  And Mr. Palazzo "represents" one of the worst!! He represents only his own special interests and those of his corporate sponsors. I am embarrassed by his vote and wish to apologize for those across the nation,  particularly those in the northeast.

Mr. Palazzo has decided to "recover" by having himself appointed as the point person for "disaster recovery" by his mentor, Eric Canton, for the Republican Party. He even visited victims in NJ and NY to find himself.  If we have another disaster in the country, and we certainly will, then there will be no bigger disaster than Palazzo and Cantor working together.  God help us all!

Authors Bio:
Ph. D in Physics, MBA in Management, lifetime educator and consultant.