FEMA

I am struck by what a dichotomy we have recently seen in the FEMA handling of Katrina, vs. the current Hurricane Sandy, and how it directly reflects the appointment of FEMA director by the president.

George Bush appointed Michael Brown as FEMA director in 2003. His relevant experience was... nothing. He spent a decade as a commissioner for an international horse association, where he resigned after multiple lawsuits were filed against the organization. His close friend and Bush campaign manager Joe Allbaugh hired him as general counsel for FEMA in 2001. In 2003, Bush nominated him for FEMA director as what would certainly appear to be political cronyism. 

Contrast that with Obama's appointment of Craig Fugate. From '01 to '09 he was the director of Florida's division of Emergency Management, during which dozens of hurricanes hit the state, including 4 in just a 2 month period of 2004. He's been a volunteer firefighter, and is a trained paramedic. By all accounts, a near ideal candidate to oversee FEMA. 

And the results? Just look at the stark contrast of how FEMA has handled hurricane sandy compared to katrina. The difference is shocking, and illustrates just how effective government can be when given the proper top-down leadership.

Skills & experience matter, peoples lives are on the line. You wouldn't pick your military General based on if he's an [R] or [D] - you pick the best person for the job. The same is true for FEMA.

But then, why should it be any different for the Dept. of Energy, or Dept. of Education? This is the practical oversight of the day to day operation of our country, and we always want the smartest, most qualified person for the job. It should be apolitical. 

Should be.