money for floods

There is no insurance money or federal money for floods... not yet, anyway. FEMA money -- I mean federal loans. So far, that is not even in the works for Binghamton, New York.

A great folk musician, Richard Shindell, has written about the government's attitude towards people and floods. I think he is wrong in the year of 2006.

Money for Floods
from the album Reunion Hill



My name is Eliza
I live by the river
My daughter Louise
Will be three in July
If July ever comes
It's beginning to feel
Like the water will never
Surrender the field

Everyone knows
Rivers will swell
But they always find money
They always find money
They always find
Money for floods

The President came
In a green helicopter
He and the Governor
Walked all around
My sister broke down
And he gave her a hug
And told her he'd do
Everything that he could

(chorus)

When I was sixteen
I went out with a boy
I'd tell you his name
If I thought it would help
He told me he loved me
And tossed me a girl
The bigger my belly
The faster he ran

(chorus)