Hurricane Helene’s devastation has left many areas, predominantly inhabited by Trump voters, struggling to regain their footing. Asheville, North Carolina, is an outlier, but the upcoming election on November 3rd and early voting (starting October 15th in Georgia, October 17th in North Carolina, and October 16th in Tennessee) raises questions about the political incentives for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to aid these areas.
Two of these states, Georgia and North Carolina, are swing states. Thus, it may seem unlikely that Biden and Harris would prioritize disaster relief if it means aiding potential opponents at the polls. Critics argue that the Democrats have shown willingness to sacrifice lives for political gain, such as their handling of the southern border crisis or pushing for an end to the Senate filibuster.
The lack of support from the federal government has left many people in Hurricane Helene’s aftermath feeling neglected and frustrated with the slow response. Even after eight days, the affected areas still had no cell or internet service, and some roads remained blocked. While Florida seemed to have a better handle on its hurricanes, western North Carolina did not possess the same resources or experience in dealing with such natural disasters.
The Biden-Harris administration only activated up to 1,000 soldiers for disaster relief efforts, which was criticized as being too little and too late compared to the military response following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Thousands of troops were mobilized within seven hours during that crisis. Critics argue that the administration could have called upon the resources of nearby military bases like the 101st Air Assault Division or the 2nd Marine Division, but the people of North Carolina only seemed to warrant a small contingent of active duty troops, phone calls from Delaware, and photo opportunities.
Despite this perceived lack of support, residents of these hurricane-hit areas remain determined to vote. Many believe that political manipulation may be at play, with the Democrats deliberately slowing down aid in hopes of dissuading potential voters.
The corporate media, too, is accused of siding with the Democrats, turning a blind eye to any missteps or lack of action in these disaster-stricken areas. The author suggests that there is no downside for Joe and Kamala to delay aid to Red America, as even just a few missing votes could make a significant difference in the election’s outcome.
In conclusion, Hurricane Helene has raised concerns about political motivations behind disaster relief efforts, with critics accusing Democrats of intentionally slowing down aid to potential Trump voters. Residents affected by the hurricane remain determined to vote, despite facing numerous obstacles and perceived neglect from the federal government. The corporate media is accused of colluding with the Democrats to downplay any shortcomings in disaster relief efforts.