I understand exactly what you're saying. As part of my evaluation for a home purchase, I've looked into potential natural disasters and probability of one occur

I understand exactly what you're saying. As part of my evaluation for a home purchase, I've looked into potential natural disasters and probability of one occurring in my lifetime. While I think most people just wait until something bad happens then lobbies the gov't for a bailout, I personally view the inconvenience of losing my home in that process too much to bear. Even if the gov't will bail me out due to my own lack of research. That's just common sense, and should be a strain that should hopefully run through all ideologues. My situation is a pittance compared to NYC real estate, so those people have as much or more reason for concern than an average homeowner would. My guess is that the idea faces virulent opposition from those who are absolutely refusing to leave NYC. Deep ties, heels dug in deep, and will wait for the rising tide: and are fully prepared to bribe the government for their reimbursement when problems land. The rest of us are a bit more sensible and prepare ahead of time. There's always going to be those who, rich or poor, refuse to pack up and settle elsewhere. We shouldn't be rewarding outright obstinance, and there will be a day where the gov't won't be around to redistribute that wealth. So it's all quite the gamble just because someone really loves NYC, when they could relocate today to Chicago or Kansas City.