Hurricane Maria caused massive devastation to Puerto Rico. So far the federal response has been less than stellar. That needs to change immediately.
Millions of Puerto Ricans are without things as basic to life as drinking water. All are without power. Even hospital generators have run out of fuel, causing patients to die.
This is unacceptable. Our fellow Americans need life-saving assistance, lots of it. Now.
Trump's tweet count last week was NFL - too many to count; Puerto Rico - zero. He did finally fire off a few tweets in Puerto Rico's direction this week. And these were every bit as mature, statesmanlike, well-informed, and empathetic as we have come to expect from 45.
Yes, they were that bad.
He whined.
He whined about the "big ocean" between America and Puerto Rico.
We have big boats and rather impressive planes, if I am not mistaken. Use them to ferry aid rather than honeymoooning Mnuchins.
He whined about Puerto Rico's debt to Wall Street. That's rich, given that Trumpadore is in a sea of red ink himself, mostly to foreign banks as US ones got tired of his welching on his IOUs. Among those he owes millions to - the American taxpayers of Puerto Rico who got stuck with a $33 million tab for one of his numerous failed business ventures.
He whined about the infrastructure. Yes. It's bad. Fix it.
San Juan's mayor, Carmen Yulin Cruz has been on TV for days begging for help. She told Rachel Maddow last night of her frustration with federal officials requesting she send "memos" instead of acting quickly to supply her needs.
This is not the time for memos, or red tape, or tweets. This is the time for action.
The Republicans are always complaining about "government regulations." One shipping regulation which needs to be lifted right now is the Jones Act. This prohibits foreign ships from picking up and delivering products between US ports. It was waived for two weeks earlier this month to help move fuel more efficiently to help Texas and Florida after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma respectively. (The back story on the Jones Act and its impact on Puerto Rico can be found in this article from PBS' website.)
The Trump administration needs to remove barriers so aid can reach Puerto Rico. And the whining needs to stop. I've given up on this president ever being presidential, but can he at least pretend to be human? That would be awesome.
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Monday, September 25, 2017
Once more, up the hill, Sisyphus
Sisyphus was a Greek mythological figure condemned to roll a boulder up a hill, only to see it roll back down. Then he would have to roll it right back up again.
Those of us fighting to keep the Republicans from destroying the Affordable Care Act may be forgiven for feeling a bit Sisphusian. We keep beating back "repeal and replace" only to have the GOP send it tumbling down the hill again. They are obstinate. We have to out-obstinate them, no matter how long it takes, no matter how many times we have to roll the same boulder back up the same hill.
With Sen. Susan Collins announcing her "no" vote tonight, it looks like the Graham/Cassidy version of "repeal and replace" is dead. But various versions have appeared dead before, only to rise again.
Let's keep calling, faxing, visiting until this thing is buried, with a stake in its heart and its zombie brain severed from its zombie body, to mix monster metaphors. Throw in a few sun beams and silver bullets for good measure. Maybe a gallon or two of holy water.
We Resisters could use some reinforcements. New boulder pushers are welcome to join the effort. It actually does not take much time to make a big difference. It just takes a lot of us each doing something.
Here's all you need to do. Call your senators. Tell whoever answers the phone you oppose Graham/Cassidy. You don't need to explain or justify your view. They just want a constituent tally. They will likely ask your zip code so they can see where support and opposition are coming from. That is all. Your job is done. Thank you! Of course if you want to call the DC office as well as the state office closest to you, that would be great. Use this page from Common Cause to find out who represents you and how to contact them. Phone and fax numbers come right up. Hitting the "more" hyperlink calls up that government officials social media links.
Eventually we *will* bust that boulder up into harmless pebbles or build a wall around that sucker so it can't go anywhere.
Those of us fighting to keep the Republicans from destroying the Affordable Care Act may be forgiven for feeling a bit Sisphusian. We keep beating back "repeal and replace" only to have the GOP send it tumbling down the hill again. They are obstinate. We have to out-obstinate them, no matter how long it takes, no matter how many times we have to roll the same boulder back up the same hill.
With Sen. Susan Collins announcing her "no" vote tonight, it looks like the Graham/Cassidy version of "repeal and replace" is dead. But various versions have appeared dead before, only to rise again.
Let's keep calling, faxing, visiting until this thing is buried, with a stake in its heart and its zombie brain severed from its zombie body, to mix monster metaphors. Throw in a few sun beams and silver bullets for good measure. Maybe a gallon or two of holy water.
We Resisters could use some reinforcements. New boulder pushers are welcome to join the effort. It actually does not take much time to make a big difference. It just takes a lot of us each doing something.
Here's all you need to do. Call your senators. Tell whoever answers the phone you oppose Graham/Cassidy. You don't need to explain or justify your view. They just want a constituent tally. They will likely ask your zip code so they can see where support and opposition are coming from. That is all. Your job is done. Thank you! Of course if you want to call the DC office as well as the state office closest to you, that would be great. Use this page from Common Cause to find out who represents you and how to contact them. Phone and fax numbers come right up. Hitting the "more" hyperlink calls up that government officials social media links.
Eventually we *will* bust that boulder up into harmless pebbles or build a wall around that sucker so it can't go anywhere.
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