Thom Hartmann explains that our nation failed in its response, because for most of the past 25 years conservatives who don't believe in governance have run our government. Reagan, like George W. Bush after him, failed to understand that when people come together into community, and then into nationhood, that they organize themselves to protect themselves from predators, both human and corporate, both domestic and foreign. This form of organization is called government, something these ideologues don't believe in.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/090905Q.shtml