FEMA

[Enoch the Red]

Federal programs like FEMA aren't "made available," they're made mandatory. So, to correct your anaolgy, it would be more like if your health insurance provider put a gun to your head and forced you to do business with them, stole your car, ran you over with it, denied your claims because you complained about the level of service they provided and then mocked you and called it ironic that now you "need" them (after they crippled you, but they ignore that little detail, natch).

And good luck with that productive exchange with GeeGee, by the way. Let me know how it turns out.

To get aid from FEMA the governor has to request assistance from the president. In that sense, the federal government isn't mandating states declare states of emergencies and use their services.

However, you are right in that funding for FEMA is mandatory; there's no opt out option for people living in states that don't want their assistance.

In short GGT, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense for states to pay for two insurance policies when they've already paid for one.