The situation with Hurricane Helene was terrible, but thanks to government— specifically FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Administration— it ended up being much worse than anyone could have expected. As I write this, Hurricane Milton, which looks potentially even more dangerous, has set its sights on central Florida. Will FEMA bungle or sabotage the response to this one, too?
I accept it as a given that government doesn't help, but at a minimum, it shouldn't get in the way or make things worse.
Even this is too much to ask.
FEMA blocking private rescuers from helping the victims was wrong. I'd call it evil. This decision probably killed people. Yes, I understand the agents of FEMA don't want to let people risk their lives, but this is what people choose to do. People heroically risk their lives for others all the time. No one should be stopping them. Government has no say in the matter. It's also not for them to decide whether the offered help is the correct kind or going to the right places or people. If government can't help, it must stand aside and let the people handle it.
To threaten these awe-inspiring volunteers with arrest— whether they were arrested or not— is the last straw.
Many people who still believe government is legitimate call for it to have a monopoly on violence— for government to be the only entity legally allowed to use force. This is both ridiculous and dangerous. However, the apparent "monopoly of assistance" claimed by FEMA after Hurricane Helene is just as bad. It's unforgivable.
Will the federal government now make and enforce new legislation forbidding private assistance after a disaster? Don’t put it past them. The private response embarrassed them and exposed their incompetence. They don't like this. They may want to make sure they have more tools to use in the next disaster— not tools to help, but tools to hurt. Tools to use against the American people, like the grossly misnamed “PATRIOT ACT”.
I would abolish FEMA for this. Of course, there would be no government agencies left if I had my way. They are unneeded. Everything government does shows this to be more true with each passing day.
No matter how much you detest government, you don't hate it enough. This will change if you keep paying attention... unless you have a blind spot that prevents you from accepting reality.
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