The Kansas City Star puts the entire ethos of the Republican Party to shame.
http://www.kansascity.com/...
A massive outpouring of public and private support has sustained Joplin. And as the president arrives in town, it is worth considering the role of government at multiple levels in responding to the crisis.
A pernicious story line, recited on talk radio, in state legislatures and in some quarters of Washington, says that government can't do anything right. Government is the problem, Ronald Reagan famously said. And a vast political and business alliance works furiously to make his declaration a self-fulfilling prophecy by underfunding vital programs and disparaging public employees.
But when disaster strikes, we expect government to work. We need it to work. Last week, it did.
After a week of whining and caterwauling by Fox News assholes and other assorted right wing pundits who suddenly discovered in themselves an overweening, passionate concern for tornado victims while our President represented our country's interests in Europe, President Obama visits the town of Joplin today, bearing with him the imprimatur and resources of efficient, well-organized, compassionate and generous government.
As the Star's editorial staff notes, the state of Missouri poured its own resources into the crisis immediately:
Police, firefighters and medics made their way through the dark and the rain Sunday night to rescue the trapped and aid the wounded. Kansas City had 50 firefighters en route within hours. Its police department sent communications specialists, tactical teams, a search-and-rescue dog and a traffic enforcement squad.
While Fox News pundits bawled, squealed, and did essentially nothing, the Federal and state governmental apparatus they are paid to demonize kicked into high gear:
Throughout the week, personnel from the state of Missouri poured into Joplin. The National Guard and the Highway Patrol got there quickly. Officials with expertise in emergency management, insurance, mental health, care of senior citizens, land use and power grids followed.
The often-maligned Federal Emergency Management Agency got a team to Joplin within hours of the tornado to set up telecommunications and help with logistics and support.
Of course, this disaster is far from over, which is why Obama in response to the right's contrived hissy-fit, pointed out that he would be visiting ""after the news cameras leave." Because, as the Star points out:
The need for government help in Joplin will continue for years. Streets must be replaced. Schools and a hospital must be rebuilt. Families will need temporary housing.
People who have lost businesses and jobs will need unemployment checks. Some of the tornado survivors will need mental health services, which state budget cuts have seriously eroded. The list is long and costly.
Those are problems that Republicans are incapable of dealing with. As we've seen.
12:26 PM PT: Update--Here is the live feed of the Memorial, as of 3:25 pm EST.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/...
1:10 PM PT: The Memorial has ended. President Obama's speech was quite powerful ("We'll be with you every step of the way...we're not going anywhere..") He received an emotional, standing ovation from the congregation.