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| Don't know why Texas would want federal help, given that they're all bunkered and hunkered down for fear of a federal invasion |
Like the anti-gay crusader whose daughter comes out as gay, or
the pro-life hardliner who pays for his mistress’ abortion, Ted Cruz is
learning very quickly that the big, bad federal government is only big and bad
when you don’t personally need its help.
Following a series of devastating floods that took the lives of
at least 19 people and caused millions of dollars in damage, the Tea Party
Republican is demanding the federal government help pay for his state to get
back on its feet. That in-and-of itself isn’t wrong.
After all, liberals have
known for years that a responsible federal government should be used to help
people in their times of need.
What makes Ted Cruz a particularly flagrant
hypocrite is how he had just a few years ago watched the devastation of
Hurricane Sandy on the East Coast and decided they didn’t deserve help.
Ideological conviction is so easy when it’s not hurting your own friends and
family, isn’t it?
Citing “new spending” that he didn’t think was necessary, Cruz
voted against a
bipartisan emergency aid package designed to help the victims of Sandy, saying.
“This bill is symptomatic of a larger problem in Washington — an addiction to spending money we do not have. The United States Senate should not be in the business of exploiting victims of natural disasters to fund pork projects that further expand our debt.”
While I’m sure the victims who had lost their homes, jobs, and friends appreciated Cruz’s condescending lecture on the “problem in Washington,” his vote was clear: Politics before compassion.
Except now his own state is a wrecked, soggy, wasteland and Cruz
thinks you, me, and every other taxpayer should chip in.
While touring the state, Cruz promised federal aid was coming.
In fact, he seemed to demand it.
“There are a series of federal statutory thresholds that have to be satisfied. Initially, it appears those thresholds are likely to be satisfied by the magnitude of the damage we’re seeing,” Cruz said. “Democrats and Republicans in the congressional delegation will stand as one in support of the federal government meeting its statutory obligations to provide the relief to help the Texans who are hurting.”
As usual, President Obama is forced to play the well-worn role
of “only adult in the room.” He doesn’t have the luxury of taking a dig at Cruz
for his hypocrisy and dishing out a well-earned “I told you so.” Texans really
are hurting and he has vowed to help them.
Immediately following the disaster, Obama reached out to Texas Governor Greg Abbott (a man
who had, until recently, been floating the idea that Obama’s White House might
be invading Texas) and offered as much help as he needed.
“I assured Gov. Abbott that he could count on the help of the federal government. We have FEMA personnel already on the ground. They are coordinating with Texas emergency management authorities and I will anticipate that there will be some significant requests made to Washington. My pledge to him is that we will expedite those requests.”
If only there were some way to hold the hypocrites like Ted Cruz
and Greg Abbott accountable for their cynical hypocrisy. Oh right – for god’s
sake, go vote.
Author Jameson Parker covers US politics, social justice issues, and
other current events which aren't getting the attention they deserve. Feel free
to follow or drop me a line on twitter.