As the southeastern United States struggles to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene, many Americans are left to wonder if their government is truly invested in their well-being. The storm, which ravaged the region a week ago, has left a trail of destruction in its wake, with at least 202 reported deaths and many more still missing.
The hardest-hit areas, including Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina, are still reeling from the catastrophic flooding that has swept away entire communities. In some areas, the destruction is so severe that it has left residents without access to basic necessities like food, water, and shelter.
Despite the severity of the situation, the federal government’s response has been slow to materialize. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were criticized for their delayed response to the disaster, with some accusing them of being more focused on politics than people. The president and vice president eventually visited the affected areas, but not before being accused of being out of touch with the needs of the American people.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is reportedly running low on funds, having spent over a billion dollars on services for undocumented immigrants. This has led to accusations that the government is prioritizing the needs of non-citizens over those of its own people.
To rub salt into the wound, the administration tells us it only has $750 for the North Carolinian mom who just lost her house to Helene but has been more than happy to ship tens of billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars to Ukraine to fight an indefinite war against Russia.
This is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a larger pattern of disregard for rural Americans and those who hold traditional values. The Biden-Harris administration has been accused of prioritizing the needs of foreign nationals over those of U.S. citizens, and of being out of touch with the concerns of everyday Americans.
The administration’s response to other disasters, such as the chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio, has also been criticized as inadequate. In that case, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was accused of being slow to respond to the crisis, and of prioritizing his own personal interests over the needs of the affected community.
The government’s response to Hurricane Helene has left many Americans feeling frustrated and abandoned. As the recovery efforts continue, it remains to be seen whether the government will be able to provide the support and resources needed to help those affected by the disaster.
