Are Texas Republicans Ready to Oppose Hurricane Harvey Reliefs Like They Did with Sandy?

(Let the hypocrites stew in their polluted cesspool!)

The GOP's stance is clear: entitlements and relief spending are fine if they benefit the wealthy, but not for the general population. When a white person is on welfare, it's viewed as acceptable, whereas minorities are deemed "mindless wildlife" (permanently dependent and unable to fend for themselves).

Inaction and Partisan Politics

A real-world example underscores this: A family from North Carolina, deeply supportive of the GOP, are obese diabetics and disabled due to their lifestyle. While their situation is unfortunate, their constant exposure to Fox News and social media posts about Obama and socialism have redefined their views on government assistance.

The family danced for joy every month when they received special diabetic orthotics paid for by Medicare, but showed no gratitude for the assistance provided by the federal government. Instead, they viewed relief funding for others with disdain, arguing that such funds should be withheld from those less fortunate.

Past Precedents

History has a disturbing pattern. The GOP's track record with disaster relief funding is also concerning. Take, for instance, the Hurricane Sandy Relief bill. Only 1/3 of the money was used for Sandy relief. The remaining 2/3 went to unrelated or debatable projects, which were debated and passed under the guise of disaster relief.

This is not the first time the GOP has played games with relief spending. When Republican representatives opposed Sandy relief, they argued not only about the money to be spent but also who deserved it, often ignoring the needs of low-income and disenfranchised communities.

Texas's Future After Harvey

Fast forward to the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. The Republican leadership in Texas has already expressed a willingness to oppose the necessary relief efforts, setting their sights on securing the lion's share of funds.

According to reports, only 1/3 of the funding for Harvey relief could be allocated without political debate. This leaves the rest to be spent on other, potentially unrelated projects, in much the same way as with Sandy.

There's a growing concern that the relief funding for Harvey will be delayed or even completely squandered in the same manner as Sandy's.

A Call for Unity and Responsibility

Let's hope that the government can still help rebuild the region, despite the political posturing from some Texans who wish for secession. These individuals should consider their own history and the critical role of the federal government in supporting them.

Even as a liberal from the Northeast, I hope for the best for the people of Texas who have lost everything and will make a donation to the Red Cross tomorrow. I will, however, choose to focus on solutions rather than delay or obstruction by wayward lawmakers.

(I hope they don’t delay it but I hope they never let them forget it.)