I think this idea [of creating a surcharge for natural-disaster-area residents suggested by Ali Massoud in a Free Liberal blog] has some real merit and I say this as a Libertarian that resides on a barrier island on the Atlantic Coast.

Charge the tax for FEMA for sure – but make it part of the property tax as opposed to income tax. I certainly have no problem with people paying the price of their lifestyle choices – in terms of health care as well as natural disasters.

Richard A. Matthews