COMMENTARY | Fortunately for the residents of Texas suffering through a rash of wildfires, not only are firefighters making some progress, but President Barack Obama has also finally issued a major disaster declaration for the area. But why did he wait? Was he making a point? Are human lives and homes destroyed less important than party politics? It seems so, to this native-born Texan.
With all of the man's flaws as a presidential candidate, last April, Texas Gov. Rick Perry did the one intelligent thing he could, and sent President Obama a letter requesting a disaster designation. Obama denied his request May 3. Why? Was it because candidate Rick Perry decries federal spending? Were the people of Texas denied the help they needed over a spat between two politicians? This goes far beyond the usual ridiculous posturing, mud-slinging and antics of elected officials. Real people's lives and homes were on the line here.
Between the time of President Obama's May 3 denial of assistance to Texas, and his eventual approval of the same aid on Sept. 10, our Commander-in-Chief took another vacation, which was only cut short due to the upcoming Hurricane Irene. The hurricane turned out being nowhere near as big of a deal as the main-stream media predicted, yet those wildfires in Texas were still going the whole time. Were it not for the compassion and courage of other every day Americans -- along with a bit of luck in the weather -- there's no telling what damage would have happened from the fires.
While I certainly do not support Perry as a viable (or even competent) presidential candidate, the delay for assistance to the people of Texas dealing first with a major drought, and then the massive property destruction from wildfires, leads me to believe he may just be biased in which Americans he considers worthy of government assistance. How indescribably terrible of a sitting American president to let people suffer and fight for their lives, in an effort to make a political opponent look bad.
This one move alone should speak volumes to voters on the next Election Day. I'm not honestly able to say I want the Republican Party back in the White House, but after seeing how easy it was for President Obama to vacation comfortably while Texas burns, I will say any other candidate would be a better selection for the next four years.
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