Danvers MA explosion and “Live Shot”

My heart goes out to the folks in Danvers, MA whose homes and property were damaged in the chemical plant blast.  Something like that is never good timing; doubly so this time of year.

Yet, there was Senator "Live Shot" Kerry standing there with the MA Fire Marshal.  Certainly not saying anything this time, but I was not surprised to see his LL Bean style field jacket in the main frame of the camera angle. 

That’s not my beef, nor my observation.  Rather, it is the to show the difference in philosophies shown between him and Mitt Romney in this quick article from the Boston Herald.

Romney said the state would evaluate what assistance was available, but Kerry, who toured the site a few hours later, sent his possible 2008 presidential race rival a letter yesterday demanding immediate action. 

The normal case for anything is, and should be, an escalation process.  The first responders are from the local gov’t, then to the county or state, then finally to the Feds.

I’m real tired of Kerry always putting his nose into things whether it is needed or not.  I grew up in MA,  he annoyed me when I wasn’t as much as a conservative as I am now.

A pontificating, self-important, overbearing, scene-stealing pol. Let the process go as it should

“As you know, the plant explosion is reported to have either leveled or severely damaged nearly 75 homes and destroyed multiple businesses, leaving the area surrounding the plant in a state of severe economic and physical distress,” Kerry wrote, asking Romney to join in an immediate call for federal disaster declarations for residents and businesses.

In other words, sarcastically put, he’s posturing to show he cares, and that Romney doesn’t just by dint of not already having filed for help. 

Romney said he would seek federal relief, if it is warranted and available, as soon as state and federal officials determine the need.

“The need’s here, if they can be met by the state, they will be,” Romney said. “If it’s beyond the capacity of the state, then we will go to the federal government. That’s something we will assess as we get a more complete review of what has happened here exactly.”

Now, this may just be posturing in return, but at least the right words are spoken.  This is how our process is supposed to work.  One should NOT just run to the Feds for help (or so "Big Government Solves All Problems" Kerry); one should try to solve it themselves first, then escalate as needed (personal responsibility and self-action Romney).

Now, this is NOT an endorsement of Romney over Live Shot.  Rather, it is an example of a conservative  outlook vs a liberal outlook on how and who should solve a problem.

I go with the conservative outlook…..and would say the same even if the men (ugh, I hate to say this!) saying the above were reversed.