FEMA Trailers (Photo credit: Urban Sea Star)
The recent action by the House Republican leadership to allow the current Congressional term to expire without voting on an aid package for Hurricane Sandy victims speaks volumes about the GOP‘s commitment to fight climate change and help those hurt by its severe weather. Moreover, this Congress’ lack of action represents an abandonment of responsibility and duty to American citizens.
To date, there still are thousands of people whose homes and businesses were damaged or completely destroyed by the storm. Many families are caught up in bureaucratic entanglements and local ordinance conflicts that prevent them from repairing their homes and businesses or finding accommodations close to their former schools and businesses so that they can regain some sense of normalcy while trying to get their lives back on track. While FEMA trailers are being delivered, there still is a process required to secure such lodging. Once approved, the families have to wait for the trailers to be delivered, secured to a pad and hooked up to utilities. As many families as possible are being placed in local rentals, and as can be expected, there is now a scarcity of available properties.
With that said, the result is that the storm was emotionally and financially damaging to so many people with the massive loss of property and life. The resulting homelessness and uncertainty have pushed the scales to a tipping point. The victims of this storm need help now, and our government is capable of providing that help. Shame on any Congressman who chose to leave without making this right. If the House of Representatives cannot not act on this because they want to go home on vacation, we as citizens must rally together and use the vote to send them home for good.
Climate change is real and its adverse weather occurrences is equally damaging to the financial and mental health of its victims. Super storm Sandy struck the New Jersey/New York/Connecticut area in November. The next storm could be anywhere in this country. The face of each Sandy victim is the face of any American citizen. Let’s stand together to protect ourselves by seeking solutions to climate change and global warming with its severe weather. Let’s all live green, be green.