Bucks, PA Dem Mash-Up

I apologize for being a little late with this item, but Patrick Murphy came up with a great idea for those victims of flood damage in Bucks who need to file a claim with the national flood insurance program...

On (9/27), Murphy pushed for a new federal office to help direct home owners and business owners through the often confusing national flood insurance program.

The new federal post, which Murphy called the National Flood Insurance Advocate, would be an independent office within the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The new office is modeled after the Taxpayer Advocate Service, which helps Americans with tax questions within the Internal Revenue Service.

“This office would fight for weary, rain-soaked families and businesses looking to rebuild,” Murphy said on the House floor Thursday afternoon.

The office was included as an amendment in the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007, which House members were expected to vote on late Thursday.

This makes a whole lot more sense than Mikey Fitzpatrick’s idea to get PA Governor Ed Rendell to write a letter to request that New York City officials lower their reservoir capacity to 85 percent, resulting in a decrease in the Delaware River along River Road in Yardley Borough of about one inch (as noted here).

It’s called constituent service, Repugs.

Update 11/27/07: And here's a follow up from Patrick on that.

Also, Courier Times reporter Brian Scheid noted here the disparity between those in Congress who have served in the military and those who haven’t and how much that is responsible for our current sorry state...

Fewer than 30 percent of congressional members have served in the military, 28 percent of senators and 23 percent of House members, according to figures provided by the Military Officers Association of America. Just 20 years ago, nearly 80 percent of congressional members had served in the military.

The dwindling number of veterans on Capitol Hill has some veterans nervous that veterans services and the well-being of current military personnel could be overlooked by a growing majority in Congress that has never worn combat boots.

“It really worries me,” said Bill Perry, a Vietnam veteran from Middletown and executive director of Delaware Valley Veterans for America. “It worries me greatly.”

As I have in the past, I should add that I am in no way trying to advertise a return of the draft here, and I never will. There are many other ways to acquire the well-rounded experience with the world and other cultures that I believe is necessary to serve in a high-profile public office. I just don’t think it’s an accident that the majority of our politicians who have served are Democrats, given that they view this country as a member of the would community and advocate policies accordingly on issues such as energy, defense, the environment, etc. (as opposed to the Repugs, many of whom do the exact opposite).

Finally, Steve Santarsiero and Diane Marseglia, the two Dem candidates for Bucks County Commissioners, unveiled their plan to involve all 54 of the county’s municipalities in the effort to fight for open space and try to mitigate sprawl throughout the county.

As the story tells us…

“Townships have been left to flounder on their own,” said land use lawyer Bob Sugarman, who touted the Democrats’ plan. He said a strong county plan, such as what Chester County has, would insulate municipalities against unwanted development.

…

Under the Democrats’ plan, the planning commission would focus on agricultural promotion, water resources, flooding, traffic and property taxes; an Environmental Advisory Council would oversee green practices.

Tinicum Supervisor Boyce Budd — who is Republican, but showed up to hear the Democrats’ plan — said he favored the county bond referendum, but stressed more must be done to help municipalities curtail sprawl.

“If there was a comprehensive plan laid out, we wouldn’t feel like we’re just one little isolated township that’s fighting the developers,” he said.

Once again, it’s called constituent service, Repugs.