Letter to the Editor: Response to flooding funding

(Our news story about the visit to Decorah of state and federal officials inspecting flooding damage brought this Letter to the Editor from Steve Matter):

If too much rain causes excessive soil saturation and thus a tree loses its grip and blows over onto my house, should the government help me?  If I paint houses and a sudden squall destroys a freshly painted side of a house, should the government help me?  If I neglect to close a window and rain destroys a valuable piece of art, should the government help me?  No, no and no. Finished basements are not vital to the "pursuit of happiness".