It is difficult to imagine how life threatening emergencies can be politicized. But the recent catastrophes caused by California wildfires and those in the Carolinas are a perfect example of selective response by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. You may recall that California (“blue” state) was strongly reprimanded by our president for mismanaging its forestry practices when wildfires destroyed thousands of acres and killed many people in California. Mr. Trump even delayed aid to California while people were sleeping in the streets and relying on emergency food supplies coming from outside the state in many cases to survive. He even went so far as to open water resources to exert control. When the same kind of wildfires struck in the Carolinas (“red” states) no mention was made of any mismanagement of forestry resources. Nor was there any indication that emergency help would not be immediately provided by the federal government. There was even a rumor that indicated certain people in those states would not receive the same kind of care and response unless they supported the Republican Party. There was never an attempt by the federal government to interfere with the Carolina states efforts to solve their problems by opening reservoirs or any other Washington action. These big differences between California and the Carolina reflects the kinds of treatment that no American wants to see from its president.
Comments are closed