Something like this needs to happen...

[LeftyFingerPop]

1) A physical Government clearinghouse needs to be set-up in the Gulf area that is manned by Government employees.

2) The sole purpose of this office would be to aid those effected by the oil disaster financially, and to act as a liaison between BP and those seeking financial relief.

3) The Government should work with BP to establish standardized paperwork that is needed to file a claim. A framework should be agreed upon between BP and the Government on the requirements of a "legitimate claim".

4) The Government should require BP to pre-fund this reimbursement activity NOW, with cash.

5) Cash payments to businesses and individuals should them be made by the Government clearancehouse, and any "settling up" with BP will be performed at a later date.

These people need money...NOW.

[blondeatlast]

1. Well, um, hmm--Yup. can't argue with a thing you said.

Can I get you an emergency appointment to the Cabinet? PLEEZE?!

k/r

[JuniperLea]

2. FEMA could do the work... but BP needs to pay...

In my office, we try to get advances paid on our services... I handle them... I'm saying it now... the US needs to send a whopper of an advance invoice to BP, right now.

Did they pay the last invoice? I don't recall hearing.

[LeftyFingerPop]

3. Good question....I don't know.

this should be treated just like a Government defense contract with advanced funding. THIS is why Mr. Obama needs to be talking to Tony Hayward. They could bring in people from FEMA and the General Accounting Office and get this rolling in a few weeks.

[blondeatlast]

4. Maybe, just maybe, We, the People, could send them an invoice.

Might sensd a message to the politicos on both sides that maybe it is time to do what's right for America, not their re-election campaigns.

[JuniperLea]

6. oooooo... you just gave me chills...

That idea would rally folks, I'm betting. There are people who made their living for generations in the gulf... fish, shrimp, oysters, not to mention tourism... they would be the best people to start something like this. Start... him... individual invoices from all over... inundate them with invoices... I'd send one for mental anguish!

[Catherina]

5. I couldn't understand that this hasn't happened already

For all the lip service, we don't care about people.

How many homes are going to be foreclosed upon? Has a single letter been sent to the bankers who stole our money not to foreclose on people in the Gulf? Or to electric companies not to turn of the utilities?

Everytime I watch Anderson Cooper, one of the few honest people reporting these days, I get angrier and angrier.

[Oregone]

7. It is argued here that Obama is already doing everything possible and reasonable

Your suggestion therefore undermines that message, as well as the president.

[Dystopian]

8. KandR.

peace~