For Immediate Release Friday, September 19, 2008
“There is something inherently wrong with the government forcibly keeping people away from their homes and property,” says Bob Barr, the Libertarian Party’s nominee for president, in response to the government’s continuing and heavy-handed attempt to bar Hurricane Ike evacuees from returning to their homes in Texas.
“There is, of course, an obvious risk to returning to a disaster area,” says Barr. “However, government should not forcibly prevent evacuees from returning to their own houses and property. It is their choice, for better or for worse, to return to their homes.”
Galveston officials initially allowed residents to return, but soon after rescinded the policy for fear of traffic backups and other problems. In some parts of Texas, martial law is being considered to forcibly expel hundreds of residents who refuse to leave their homes.
“It is absurd to keep people from their property when they willingly return or have remained,” Barr observes. “Instead, the government makes them refugees, reliant on the inefficient and expensive ‘charity’ of government.”
“During hurricane Katrina, the government said, ‘Trust us,’ and look what happened. Now, the government is saying the same thing again,” notes Barr. “Yet, many of these people would be better off on their own instead of in the hands of FEMA or some other government agency.”
“Government has no right to keep people from their property,” Barr insists. “Let the people go home.”
Libertarian Party presidential candidate Bob Barr represented the 7th District of Georgia in the U. S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003.
The Libertarian Party is America’s third largest political party, founded in 1971 as an alternative to the two main political parties. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party by visiting www.LP.org . The Libertarian Party proudly stands for smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom.
