I’m From The Government, I’m Here To Help

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, we are learning more about the devastation it caused to parts of our country. The loss of life, and the damage in some areas is truly catastrophic. More than a week after, some of the people impacted have yet to be contacted. While there have been isolated reports of looters, the good news is scores of volunteers have rallied to do whatever they can to save lives and minimize the suffering of the people in that area. But then, there is the government. 

The areas most impacted were interior portions of the country not normally on the track of Atlantic hurricanes. This greatly contributed to the damage with entire communities virtually wiped out, including all roads and infrastructure. Yet, the response is no different than it would be for any emergency in any area. Search and rescue the survivors, assist those who need it, and begin recovery efforts. 

The outpouring of response from volunteers across the country has been monumental. Private airplanes, helicopters and drones have come to the area and self-organized to provide assistance. Supplies are being carried into the areas by every means possible including by air, truck, ATV, motorcycle, bicycle, horses, mules and by foot. 

But then, there is the government. State and local resources, where they still exist in these areas, have been overwhelmed. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has reportedly been slow to respond and has brought with it the full depth of the government’s bureaucracy and red tape slowing relief efforts to a crawl. Many reports are coming out indicating FEMA and other government agencies are blocking aid going into the disaster area, confiscating supplies, setting up no fly zones, blocking runways, and threatening arrest of those actively involved in providing relief. The federal government of course deny all these reports and dedicated a page to “rumor response”. I guess it boils down to who you think is a more trustworthy source of information, the volunteers or the government. 

In any case, you would think the government agency responsible for emergency response in disaster situations would embrace every single volunteer and scrap of aid brought to help rescue victims and alleviate suffering. You would expect them to help coordinate resources for the most effective response.  But that isn’t what is happening on the ground. Those in charge seem to be more concerned with getting the credit for any aid rendered than actually saving lives. 

Somewhere along the line, FEMA seems to have lost its way from directing emergency responses. The current goals of the agency reflect a far more progressive agenda. 

Goal 1: Instill Equity as a Foundation of Emergency Management
Goal 2: Lead Whole of Community in Climate Resilience
Goal 3: Promote and Sustain a Ready FEMA and Prepared Nation

Does this sound like an agency laser focused on disaster response and recovery? We’ve also been told FEMA is running out of funds for this hurricane season. Given the millions of dollars siphoned out of the department for housing our new “asylum seekers” and “migrants”, it’s not at all surprising. 

President Ronald Regan is famously quoted as saying the nine most terrifying words in the English language are “I’m from the government, I’m here to help.”  It still holds true today. 

What does this mean for you? 

For the Hurricane Helene response, please give if you can. My recommendation is to contribute to the volunteer groups who are on the ground right now and working around the clock to save lives and help the victims. 

For you and your own family, use this as a wakeup call and get yourself better prepared for an emergency. As horrible as it sounds, every natural or man-made disaster is an opportunity for the rest of us to lessen the impact of these events in our own lives. 

The old rule of thumb used to be you needed 72 hours of supplies in a disaster until the government response can reach you. As we’ve come to learn, this is no longer the case. Consider what you would need for your family, pets included, to sustain yourself for a time you believe is reasonable. Be sure to include water, food, medical supplies, first aid, protection from the elements, communication, transportation and self-defense. 

There are numerous credible resources available in your community and online that can help you and it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Seek out something that works for you. Remember, a little bit of planning now goes a long, long way in a crisis. 

This is also a good time to get to know your neighbors. Yes, even for us anti-social types. Our nation was built by neighbors coming together in time of need for everything from simple tasks, to emergencies and self-defense.  They used to have a word for these types of groups, be we dare not speak it. 

It’s sad to say, but when our government shuns self-sufficiency and members of the community coming together for a common good outside their explicit control, they consider it a threat to public safety. We’ve seen the same thing when states and municipalities attempt to severely restrict law-abiding citizens the ability to defend themselves in public as well as their own homes. The government prefers you to be 100% dependent on them for your safety instead of you and your community being independent. 

Fortunately, we have a choice in how we live our lives, just as we have a choice who represents us. 

Yes, your vote this year matters.

Bob

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