Being afraid is a horrible feeling. No one wants to
admit to being labeled weak, cowardly or a sissy.
President Bush must be fearful. What else can explain
his stubbornness and dodging his failures?
Being afraid has no shame. But there is a huge
difference between ignoring fear by conquering the event
that causes it and ignoring the fear-causing event
altogether.
The public outcry about Bush's failure to lead the
rescue efforts immediately following Hurricane Katrina
forced him to publicly announce his responsibility on
Sept. 13. But it was a hollow proclamation, brought
about by fear.
Katrina has uncloaked the racial bias of our leaders,
revealed corruption and created a face for the class war
that some still say doesn't exist.
Bush's tax cuts and the war on Iraq have demolished
federal and state programs that could have saved many
lives.
Katrina has also created new fears.
Bob Kafka of ADAPT, a national organization for
people with disabilities, is in Washington, D.C., until
Sept. 22 to lead a national demonstration against
further cuts to the Medicaid program.
"Don't target poor people with
disabilities!" is the call for action ADAPT has
initiated, pointing out the devastating effect of
choosing who will receive housing benefits: the
survivors of Katrina who may or may not have
disabilities or those who were in line before the
hurricane.
Congress has basically ignored Bush's New Freedom
Initiative, including Money Follows the Person and
MiCASSA - legislation that would remove Medicaid's
institutional bias and give people choice to receive
long-term services in the community.
"People with disabilities need long-term
services and supports, as will many of the survivors of
Hurricane Katrina who have lost their homes and life as
they knew it. Now is not the time for Congress to pit
the needs of the survivors against the ongoing needs of
poor people with disabilities," said Bob Liston,
ADAPT organizer from Montana.
Federal and state budget cuts coupled with the
destruction from Katrina have escalated the fear of
being homeless or forced to live in an institution.
"There aren't enough resources to meet the
current demand," said Beto Berrera, ADAPT organizer
and housing specialist from Chicago. "And with the
drastically increased need caused by Katrina, people
with disabilities will likely be pushed off the housing
waiting lists by survivors of the hurricane. This should
not be a Sophie's choice. In a country that can send
people to the moon, there should be enough for
everyone."
Accepting responsibility requires action. Will Bush
conquer fear or ignore it?
McKee, a wheelchair user, is an Albuquerque
writer, poet and producer. You can e-mail Barbara
at chairgrrl@chairgrrl.com.
Her column runs on Tuesdays.
