This year has been nothing short of catastrophic when it comes to natural disasters. Houston and Florida have been left in ruins, while the Caribbean has been hammered by storm after storm. Just when Puerto Rico thought it was getting back on its feet after Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria came along and wreaked havoc just a week later.
Currently, the majority of the island’s residents are struggling with the bare essentials: food, clean water, safe housing, and electricity. While the government may paint a rosy picture of relief efforts, the mayor of San Juan, Elena Montoya, delivers a stark reality check.
“I’m pleading, pleading with anyone who can hear us to save us from perishing. If anyone out there is listening, we are dying, and the inefficiency is killing us.”
Let that sink in for a moment. People are literally DYING. Puerto Ricans are American citizens and they are crying out for help. It’s infuriating that our government seems to be turning a blind eye to their suffering, all due to bureaucratic delays. What on earth is happening?
The U.S. government has a duty to assist these citizens, and right now, it’s failing miserably. Many are forced to drink from contaminated creeks, as their infrastructure has been obliterated. Clean drinking water is scarce, and food and aid are slowly trickling in—much too slowly for those in dire need.
According to reports, congressional leaders from the U.S. Virgin Islands, including Del. Jamie Carter and Rep. Lisa Greene, are urging an emergency hearing in response to this disaster. They believe that urgent action could significantly improve the federal response to the devastation in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Yes, that’s exactly what needs to happen—immediately. Not tomorrow, not next week. RIGHT NOW. Meanwhile, while the mayor is literally begging for her people’s lives, what is the president doing? TWEETING and PLAYING GOLF.
“They want everything done for them when it should be a community effort,” he tweeted. Seriously? A U.S. territory is reaching out for help from the U.S., and this is the response? The mayor is navigating through sewage to deliver supplies to her community while the president tweets from the golf course, calling her ungrateful. It’s hard to believe this is our reality.
He is disparaging a woman who is simply asking for assistance after a devastating natural disaster. It’s utterly appalling.
In the meantime, former presidents—George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama—have united to launch a fundraising campaign to assist with relief efforts. It’s astonishing that these former leaders are showing more compassion and initiative than the current administration.
With the power grid destroyed, it may take MONTHS before electricity is restored. This is not just about sitting in the dark; there are medically fragile children and elderly people who rely on electricity for survival. And yet, the president continues to make snide remarks about the mayor while swinging golf clubs.
He announced plans to visit Puerto Rico this week, but I doubt he’ll receive a warm welcome. People are suffering. The mayor is pleading for help, and our leadership is failing them. We MUST take action, and for now, grassroots efforts are crucial. If you have the means to donate, please do so. Puerto Rico needs our support.
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In summary, Puerto Rico is in dire need of assistance following the devastation of Hurricane Maria. The mayor’s desperate plea for help highlights the critical situation, while government responses have been lackluster at best. Former presidents are stepping up, but immediate grassroots efforts are essential to support those in need.