I live in New York City. Currently, over a half million people in the
city are without power and many are starting to run out of the food and
water they stocked up before the storm. Our subway suffered the most
severe damage in a century, with water literally up to the ceiling of
several stations. And, though it’s hard to imagine, the damage in parts
of New Jersey and elsewhere is far, far worse.
Individuals all over the eastern seaboard are pitching in and helping
out their neighbors, but crises like these are bigger than individuals
alone can address. That is why, in their infinite wisdom, our Founding
Fathers founded a nation, the way we pool our resources for the common
good. And this is why I will vote for President Obama, the only
candidate who will ensure that in moments like this, in moments of great
crisis and need, our government is strong and effective and ready to
respond.
The political class has been fixated on budget cutting and deficit
reduction, but spending that can seem expendable on paper is
self-evidently vital when disaster strikes. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan
would cut 40% of FEMA spending
and disaster relief. On paper, that is just an abstract number. In
lower Manhattan, that’s 40% fewer water pumps to clear our streets and
fewer generators to keep hospitals running.