Gloria La Riva is the presidential candidate for the Party for Socialism and Liberation. Her campaign issued this statement:
La Riva, presidential candidate whose supporters qualified her last
week for the Louisiana ballot on November 8, also noted that the climate
crisis is directly affecting whole regions in the United States, and
worldwide.
“Only 12 percent of people in Baton Rouge have flood insurance, since
it is only required for areas classified as within certain flood zones.
This is being called a flood that would only occur in 1,000 years. But
these floods are becoming much more common, for instance Hurricane Sandy
and its damage along the east coast.
“It is not enough to just require insurance, another financial burden
for working-class people in an economically-depressed area. Especially
after the 2012 passage of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Act,
insurance costs are skyrocketing for homeowners, making it impossible to
pay. For instance, many homeowners in the East are seeing their
insurance rise from under $1,000 annually to over $10,000 to $15,000.
“Instead, infrastructural improvements are needed short- and
long-term, such as flood control and diversion projects, better
evacuation procedures, and environmental planning, nature restoration,
and providing for communities move further away from risky regions.
“The restrictions and limitations on federal aid to Louisiana mean
that many thousands of people are not eligible. For instance, only
homeowners who didn’t have insurance in areas where insurance was not
required, are eligible, and only for $33,000. Damage could run much
higher. Renters are only eligible for one month of rental aid. That is
outrageous and unacceptable.”
La Riva saluted all the many volunteers, rescue and recovery workers
and neighbors who are working night and day to help in the disaster
efforts.
“Everyone in need should be given sufficient funds for housing, food,
clothing and other necessities, for as long as they need to recover.
Losing one’s housing and belongings could spell a greater disaster that
lasts far beyond the flood.”
In demanding massive federal funds for the people, La Riva said, “The
government has all the ability to marshal the resources for Louisiana.
The problem is its priorities. Instead of the yearly $4 billion to
Israel, that in turn uses the money to repress the Palestinians,
bulldoze their homes, kill and imprison them, instead of the $1 trillion
planned for new nuclear weapons, Washington should allocate many
billions and much more to communities hurt by disaster, whether Native
people in Arizona and New Mexico hit by the Gold King release of toxic
chemicals into the Animas and San Juan rivers, the Hurricane Sandy
devastation, and today, the Louisiana communities. The people who work
and struggle to live should not have to face these disasters alone and
without aid.”
gloria la riva
