Expectations. You see it at every major disaster… every major hurricane, tornado, wildfire, derecho, earthquake, and so on… the sitting president and/governor will come to the area to ‘survey the damage’. It’s expected. If they don’t want to either public pressure will get them to go or they’ll be shamed into going by the opposite party. Some will even do their best to turn it into a photo op, passing out supplies and so on, but you know they left as soon as the cameras stopped.
Not only that, the people expect it, too. The people will complain how the leader doesn’t care, or whatever, if they don’t show up. Public pressure often gets the leader to show up.
Here’s the question: Should they? Should a president or governor inspect major disaster areas?
Many people believe they should, I believe they should not. That’s right, I don’t think they should show up at all. Here’s why…
- They and their entourages only get in the way of real work, being led around on tours and such.
- They siphon working people from their work to ‘service’ the entourage. This includes utility workers, police, fire, clean-up crews, all people who have real jobs to do instead of babysit.
- Especially for president a security team usually swoops in a day or so beforehand, further disrupting activities.
- They have high-level people who are supposed to be capable to go back and give reports who will not be disruptive.
- They can get their views from video just like you and me.
- Even if they do a fly-over they still disrupt the skies and airports.
There is nothing positive they are adding. Unfortunately, if they didn’t go, even if they stated their reasons, they’d be vilified from all directions.
Disclaimer: This post has nothing to do whatsoever with any specific politician, not even DJT, who stopped by after our own recent major derecho.
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