The Governors of the two states of Texas and Louisiana declared mandatory evacuations before Hurricane Rita but never really enforced them. So why were they labeled mandatory? They provided transportation for those who could not afford to leave or were physically unable to leave, but did not force people to leave.

My first concern is to call evacuations mandatory only when they are. My second concern is in the rescue efforts. Now we are spending tax dollars, mine and yours, on those who said they did not want to leave. We are risking more lives, equipment and money for those that didn't evacuate when it was mandatory for them to do so. I believe when a national emergency is declared and mandatory evacuation is announced it should be MANDATORY. Those who then decide not to evacuate are on their own. If they call for help afterwards because of their own stupidity, they should be charged with the costs involved to rescue or help them. When I call an ambulance or fire truck to my home in an emergency I am charged for the costs. Why shouldn't they also be charged? Why is this cost passed on to those that did evacuate and those of us not even remotely involved