Aug 21 2008
Henry Brown Wants You to Pay for Wealthy Islanders
I missed this little gem while I was vacationing in the People’s Republic of Taxachusetts last week, but I ran across a mention of it on FITSNews. The issue at hand is a bill that Congressman Henry Brown (R-SC) introduced into the House on June 26th, H.R. 6389 for the purpose of removing several dozen acres of Kiawah Island from the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System which would allow these acres to be developed and homes built. As reported by the Post and Courier, the developer is in favor of allowing the future owner of these homes to qualify for federal flood insurance.
Leonard Long, executive vice president of Kiawah Development Partners, said his company approached Brown about the legislation earlier this year.
Long said he and his partners support the bill because they believe future homeowners on the spit should qualify for federal flood insurance just like other homeowners on Kiawah Island.
Big bucks are at stake – for the developers as well as future homeowners. People with houses in the Coastal Barrier zone must buy flood insurance from private companies. That can cost $40,000 a year or more for a $900,000 home, compared with less than $2,000 for government-backed flood insurance.
There is a reason for that. There is a high risk of natural disaster. If you are going to choose to live in a place exposed to that kind of risk then you need to be responsible for it. Others shouldn’t be carrying the weight for you, but Brown thinks that is perfectly acceptable.
U.S. Rep. Henry Brown on Thursday defended a bill that would help future homeowners on the undeveloped southwestern end of Kiawah Island qualify for federally subsidized flood insurance.
It’s not going to be your regular Joe Sixpack buying these homes; it’s going to be upper class elitists. These homes are going to be expensive because of the natural amenities nearby and also because of the higher costs of insuring them due to hurricane risks. Therefore, you and I are paying higher taxes so as to not burden “the Rockefellers” who will be living there.
With higher gas and food prices and a stagnant economy, why is Henry Brown asking the poor to prop up the wealthy?
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I don’t remember when the rich people of the U. S. stopped becoming citizens. Was that before or after they made there money? Congressman Brown’s job is to support and promote his constituients regardless of there bank accounts size. We elected Congressman Brown for alot of reasons and one is to represent our best interests. The “Rockefllers” who will be buying these properties will contribute alot more money to our area than just their real estate purchase. They could, and do I might add, come here, start businesses, use our services and contribute to the community if by no other way than spending their money. Give me and the Congressman a break, and remember that there is more to this story than some developer trying to make a buck, this is actually good for the entire Charleston Area.
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Or better yet, Cory, perhaps you could tell us when rich people became more than regular citizens and when they were entitled to have a taxpayer hand out to insure their palaces on the ocean from flooding in a flood zone.
While it may be good for the Charleston area, it’s at the expense of everyone else. No thanks. Nothing is free.
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