The power to tax is the power to destroy.

On a conference call convened by the Washington Metropolitan Area Council of Governments, Duncan led a discussion with other regional leaders and secured their commitment to join in evaluating and strengthening the region’s preparedness plan in light of the slow federal response to the recent Hurricane Katrina disaster.

On Friday, the Gazette pointed out that Ehrlich's office called the letter "politically motivated, presumptuous and misinformed ranting.” Ehrlich spokeswoman Shareese N. DeLeaver called it "political grandstanding" and "fluff."

However, as surprised as this blog may be, we have to agree with the County Executive this time, although probably not for the same reasons. While Mr. Duncan's motivation was almost assuredly political grandstanding (as he is oft wont to do), we applaud the County Executive's recognition that we should not rely on the federal government as an end-all, be-all, solution to disasters that may befall states, natural or otherwise.

The first level of response should always be at the local level, coordinated by the state, which can operate quicker, leaner, and more specific to the locality. The federal government is inherently - and quite purposely - a behemoth of bureaucracy that should only be called upon under extraordinary conditions, and even then, only after a complete collapse at the state level. While Katrina did represent extraordinary circumstances, the New Orleans and Louisiana governmental response was incompetent at best, criminally negligent at worst, further exacerbated by Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco having one hand busily pointing a finger towards the White House, instead of at their own roughshod emergency plans.

With Tropical Storm Ophelia sitting off the coast of Georgia and picking up steam, now is an excellent time to evaluate and update this region's emergency preparedness plan, Mr. Duncan. Kudos.