Many folks have been angered by the exceedingly slow response by FEMA to help the people of western North Carolina. In addition, there have been allegations that FEMA has actually hindered private relief efforts in various ways.
The Carolina Partnership for Reform has a report demonstrating that a plan had been set in motion to assure that FEMA’s response to such situations would be much more speedy by getting aid to the states quickly. The objective would be to help homeowners get their homes repaired and/or restored more speedily.
However, FEMA failed to implement the plan. In addition, it had scuttled an earlier initiative to assure speedy repairs at the federal level.
Under the founders’ constitutional design, there would be no FEMA. It is an unconstitutional federal program– as many of them are.
Given the fact that FEMA exists, it is understandable that people would want it to work well– and indeed, that they would EXPECT it to work well.
The responsibility for disaster response, however, is primarily at the state level. From that perspective, it has been an utter failure despite the noble efforts of many first responders; and Governor Cooper is directly responsible. He ought to be the focus of all the frustration being vented.
TC, my son-law works for FEMA but not in a position where he could slow down the relief measures.
Cooper on the other hand is responsible for the mess in western NC.
Yes, Fred, Cooper is the one with the guilty look on his face.