America in Turmoil: E-30
A storm of Republican lies
It was another week of chaos in the US, one deliberately created by Donald Trump and his MAGA followers, aided by the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. This hurricane became so destructive because of climate change. Scientists noted that the extreme rainfall experienced during Helene was up to 20 times more likely due to global warming.
To complete this circle, Trump called climate change a hoax, and he pulled the US out of the Paris Agreement. He did nothing to mitigate climate change or to prepare his country for its destructive impacts. That is the perfect recipe for maximum chaos after a hurricane like Helene strikes.
It all fits neatly together: creating chaos is the foremost aim for fascists in the phase before taking over power. It is well described in Chapter One of the yellow-cover manual on Trump's nightstand, "Fascist Leadership for Dummies."
While the Biden Administration, Governors, FEMA, other organizations, and countless individuals with diverse political backgrounds work together to alleviate the suffering, Trump and his friends are doing what they can to throw sand in a well-functioning aid machinery.
Fascism thrives on lies and fear-mongering. So Trump claimed during a rally in Michigan on Thursday, October 3, that: "Kamala spent all of her FEMA money, billions of dollars, on housing for illegal migrants, many of whom should not be in our country."
Blatant lies
This is, of course, a blatant lie, but I'll get to that. For now, note the last byline suggesting that some illegal migrants should be in the country, which is hard to comprehend from a MAGA point of view, especially since Trump said during an interview with NewsNation that he planned to strip the legal status of the Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, who have been granted Temporary Protected Status. I wonder where this leads; there must be a limit for the MAGA movement when stripping the legal status of immigrants. I'm sure Melania and Elon will remind him.
Back to Michigan, Trump continued: "They stole the FEMA money just like they stole it from a bank so they could give it to their illegal immigrants who they want to have vote for them."
Another lie. Again, I will get to the FEMA money. For now, note that illegal migrants can't vote; I wonder how many in his adoring crowd realized this inconsistency.
The herald of rightwing lies, Fox News, put Laura Ingraham on the task of creating more scandal and confusion. She showed only a few seconds of Kamala Harris' talk about emergency aid of 750 dollars for individuals to get through the first few days. She then deliberately omitted a more extended explanation by Kamala Harris, mentioning that FEMA provides tens of thousands of dollars to help people rebuild their homes. Instead, she ranted about how outrageous it was that the government would only give 750 dollars while their houses were destroyed.
If she had a heart, she wouldn't mislead people who have already lost nearly everything by taking away the last thing they still have: hope for assistance and resources to get them back on their feet.
FEMA’s effective response
In fact, the government and FEMA do what they can to get them back on their feet. The response is far better, faster, and more effective than during Trump's presidency, when there was much criticism of the lack of assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
Trump's claims that there isn't enough money and that "Kamala" had used the money instead to give billions of dollars to illegal immigrants are both blatant lies. There is enough money for Hurricane Helene's immediate rescue and recovery needs; Congress just gave FEMA another $20 billion last week for its Disaster Relief Fund. The Department of Homeland Security says it will need more to make it through the rest of hurricane season.
FEMA, which needs all its human resources for the current crisis, now has to spend time, people, and money correcting Trump, Fox, and other rightwing misinformation. The $640 million for the Shelter and Services Program, which helps with humanitarian aid, is a separate program. Both programs have been approved and funded by Congress.
However, there is a precedent in America's history of pulling money from disaster relief funds to pay for migrant holding facilities. Five years ago, President Trump pulled $155 million from disaster relief funds to pay for migrant shelters on the southern border.
A pattern of lies
You'll recognize the pattern: Trump falsely accuses his political opponents of something outrageous they haven't done but that he has.
If you need another example, this week, Trump accused the Biden administration of also going out of its way not to help Republican areas. Republican governors and the Mayor of Asheville, NC, immediately debunked this lie.
However, In 2018, Donald Trump initially refused disaster aid to California after wildfires, citing the state's Democratic leanings. He changed his stance after aides highlighted that many Republicans were affected, particularly in Orange County.
Joe Biden posted on X:
This week showed again the stark contrast between both presidential candidates. It's also interesting to have a look at Project 2025, which we can safely assume is the best guide to Trumpian politics if he wins the next election. It plans to restructure FEMA to limit aid to states and says that the National Weather Service, which provides crucial data on hurricanes and other storms, "should be broken up and downsized." NOAA, the EPA, and other environmental agencies should also fear for their future if Trump wins the elections.
Compassion in politics
And one more last thought: Kamala Harris combines effective leadership with compassion. She calls on all Americans to come together during this difficult recovery period, and then "we can accomplish anything."
I see pictures of her helping out, listening to the stories of survivors, and hugging a woman who just lost her husband in the flood. Kamala Harris will likely not forget for a moment that she is a politician and that the media is present. Still, looking at her lifetime of service and judging on what I have seen from her, I see empathy and understanding of other people's suffering above all.
In stark contrast to her, I can't think of a single photo, video, or story in which I saw Donald Trump caring for someone else. After ten years of seeing Trump on my screen, I still await a moment when he shows kindness or compassion.
If you are an American and find it hard to choose on November 5, vote for the one you would like to see if you just survived a natural disaster.
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Factually stated.
No paper towel tossing by this administration. Action, caring, efficiency and empathy.
This is what’s critically needed when disasters occur. A quick and caring response for those in urgent need.
When you’ve lost everything, including loved ones in some cases, knowing someone cares means everything.
This nightmare should show voters who they can depend on when the unthinkable happens.
It isn’t Trump.
"I see pictures of her helping out, listening to the stories of survivors, and hugging a woman who just lost her husband in the flood."
I only remember the orange guy throwing rolls of paper towels at citizens of Puerto Rico.
One of our own experienced the devastating impact of a storm out sized because of climate change. FEMA is working.
Vote.