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Perry’s folly: Texas burns despite prayers

Michael Stone's photo
Democrat Examiner

 Texas is burning, and Governor Rick Perry is coming under fire for what many perceive as incompetence, poor judgement, and a profound failure to lead. 

Earlier this year, facing extreme drought, Texas Governor Rick Perry issued a proclamation declaring a three-day period in April as Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas. Around the same time, however, Perry cut volunteer fire department spending by 75%, the same volunteer fire departments that Texans depend upon to fight the kind of wildfires that are currently raging through Texas, destroying homes and ruining lives.
 
Perry’s choice to decimate the system of volunteer fire departments Texans depend upon, offering up days of prayer instead, has proven disastrous. Perry’s prayers went unanswered: no rain fell; the inevitable fires came with predictable results, and incalculable human tragedy.
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In the middle of what has become one of the worst Texas droughts on record, Perry slashed volunteer fire department spending by 75%, a  funding cut from $30 million to $7 million, despite the fact that Texas volunteer fire departments were already facing serious financial strain, despite the fact that for many Texans, a volunteer fire department was and is all that stands between them and calamity .
 
 
The majority of Texas is protected by volunteer fire departments. There are 879 volunteer fire departments in Texas and only 114 paid fire departments. Another 187 departments are a combination of volunteer and paid.
 
Perry’s short sighted, penny wise - pound foolish, decision to neuter volunteer fire departments across Texas has been an unmitigated disaster, leaving Texans across the state helpless and vulnerable in the face of raging wildfires. Many both inside and outside of Texas are beginning to question Perry’s competence as an administrator and a leader.
 
The following is a sample of relevant tweets from Tuesday’s Twitter stream:
 
Looks like Perry wasn't able to pray the fire away.

Say no to #Rick Perry as POTUS 2012. He prayed for rain & got lots of fire instead. #badomen

Has Gov Perry declared Tx a state of emergency yet or is he to busy trying to be pres?? Tx is on fire and it's getting really scary. :(

Perry prayed for rain and the place caught fire. I mean, really, people, here's your sign.

In FEMA He Trusts: Texas Governor Perry (R) Cut State Funding For Volunteer Fire Departments 75% This Year

Perry slashed the Texas fire dept by 75%. & wants to end FEMA This week he asks FEMA to put out the wild fires

This just in from God: Dear Rick Perry The fact that I'm raining fire on ur state should tell you what I think about u running for President

Texas Gov Rick Perry
Texas Gov Rick Perry
Photo credit: 
Getty

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Michael Stone is a progressive freethinker and freelance writer residing in Portland, Oregon. Informed by science, inspired by art, and motivated by compassion, Michael’s task is to question the world in pursuit of the good. You can reach Michael at stonemichael@hotmail.com.

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