Free Market Response vs. Government Response

[tylerdurden]

"If the federal government had responded the way Wal-Mart responded, we wouldn't be in this mess."

President of Jefferson Parish Louisiana, on Meet the Press.

[bisonbison]

"If all the girls at the Yale prom were laid end to end, I wouldn't be surprised."

Dorothy Parker

[Il_Mostro]

And Wal-mart responed how?

[SheetWise]

[ QUOTE ]
"If the federal government had responded the way Wal-Mart responded, we wouldn't be in this mess."

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe Wal-Marts efforts are purely financial. Distribution of relief seems to have been the problem -- and that was an issue on the ground.

I see the problem primarily with the first responders (AWOL or incompetent), and the lawlessness that was allowed to define the rescue area. It shouldn't have taken the show of force that eventually became necessary to allow relief and rescue operations to continue.

[cadillac1234]

That Meet the Pres interview was one of the saddest things I have ever seen in my life. FEMA cutting phone lines and refusing entry of fuel and rescue trucks.

I can't remember the last time I actually broke down in tears. I did this morning.

[sam h]

Dumb comparison.

[tylerdurden]

[ QUOTE ]
And Wal-mart responed how?

[/ QUOTE ]

Not just with financial pledges. Wal-mart is setting up mini-stores along the gulf coast (where they are allowed to, at least) with necessities, selling at "non-gouging" prices out of goodwill, and giving product away to those with true need. They are providing communications between those in the disaster area and their relatives elsewhere so people can let others know they are OK. That's just the beginning. It takes about 10 seconds to find this stuff on the web.

[tylerdurden]

Oh, and they had supply caches (i.e. "stores") in position before the storm, though government inaction allowed them to be looted.