General Discussion
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Let me begin by saying I am a life long Democrat and have voted (D) since the early 1960's.
This latest Trump vs. Puerto Rico outrage has me absolutely seething. He golfs while people die.
What is upsetting me more is the lack of visible response from our party leaders. Every single one of them should be in front of a live camera calling out this rotten excuse for a human being, Donald J. Trump.
If I've broken DU rules, so be it. I am too upset to care anymore. This latest display of Trump's disregard for our fellow human beings has gone way over the line.
WHERE ARE OUR PARTY LEADERS? I want to see them on live TV ripping him to shreds.
snowybirdie
(5,227 posts)A terrible way to show outrage. Hopefully the Sunday shows will show them having some passion on this.
malaise
(269,022 posts)go right through Puerto Rico.
These territories are just colonial playthings for scumbags like the Con.
Arazi
(6,829 posts)Close to tears every time I've seen him on tv today. He's magnificent
PJMcK
(22,037 posts)All of the Sunday morning news talk shows will be all over this. Trump's failures will be highlighted.
If I'm wrong, skewer me in 24 hours.
liberalmuse
(18,672 posts)And some have succeeded, but let's be fair. The media isn't really asking them to show up on their shows to discuss our side. And by "our side", I mean most of humanity.
Link to tweet
CrispyQ
(36,470 posts)They should be on the phone, calling all the shows & demanding time. They are US Senators & Representatives. We desperately need to get some of the younger ones out & in front of the camera, so come 2020, we don't have a field of relative unknowns. (Unknown to the average American, not the average DUer.) Otherwise, the 2020 dem primary will be Biden vs Sanders. I love them both, but come on!
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)this Republican failure to act to rescue millions of Americans.
They know what they're doing. They've issued calls for action, participated in passing what relief legislation the Republicans have allowed, and are making statements for more. But yammering in front of cameras would only create criticism for "politicizing" and trying to benefit from this dreadful situation.
And right now attention is squarely on the Republicans who control both the executive and legislative branches, and that's exactly where it needs to stay.
lpbk2713
(42,757 posts)Americans have died. Many others are in life threatening situations. Irma knocked out my power for four days and it was just a minor inconvenience compared to the misery some PR's will have to endure for six months. They need the essentials of life; food, clean water and prescription medicine. Others are in desperate need of immediate medical care. Trump must be held accountable.
democrank
(11,095 posts)Rarely do we see a GROUP of Democratic Party leaders step up to a microphone as part of a rapid response team. I'm talking about statements other than political announcements by Chuck and Nancy. Given the things Trump has said and done, I find this inexplicable. That's why bold, searing, straightforward statements from people like Malcolm Nance, Ron Reagan Jr., Elizabeth Warren, and others stand out.
Democratic leadership responses to the likes of Donald Trump and his pitiful enablers should be swift, certain and frequent.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)"While they slowly begin their recovery, more help is needed," the senators said of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, in the letter led by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/09/27/congressional-democrats-to-trump-do-more-to-help-puerto-rico/?utm_term=.b96449808306
lunasun
(21,646 posts)While Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are focusing on tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires, Senate Democrats are calling on GOP leadership to hurry up and get help to the people devastated by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker Paul Ryan, Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren, Tammy Duckworth, Richard Blumenthal, Sherrod Brown, Cory Booker, Robert Menendez, Dick Durbin, Bob Casey, and Edward Markey ask that Congress begin immediate consideration of a bill to provide relief:
The American citizens who reside in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have served in our military and fought for our country since its inception. They answered the call every time their country needed them and now, it is our obligation to be there for them.
New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan used her time during a hearing of the Senate Homeland Security Committee to read a letter from the former governor of Puerto Rico, desperately calling for help for his devastated island, and to ask acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke exactly what the Trump administration is doing to help
Many members of the House have also blasted the Trump administrations slow response tohelp Puerto Rico.
Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) and Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus:
The Trump Administrations response to the disaster in Puerto Rico is unacceptable. One of the strongest and most devastating storms to hit Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands requires a rapid, coordinated and comprehensive disaster recovery response from the federal government and Congress. The full breadth of our nations available resources and attention need to be focused on helping American citizens get the food, water and medical supplies they need to survive and recover from the devastation of Hurricane Maria. This was one of the most powerful storms to hit Puerto Rico in nearly a century. The lives of Americans are on the line with every passing second.
Rep. José E. Serrano (NY-15):
Puerto Rico is going through an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, that combined with the fiscal crisis it was already going through, has caused the island to essentially hit rock bottom. The 3.4 million American citizens residing on the islandmany of whom live in povertyare desperate for help. The federal government needs to take forceful and comprehensive action, including providing immediate, robust assistance to Puerto Rico. There is much to be done, and the federal government needs to step up to prevent this crisis from getting worse.
Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (IL-04):
Puerto Rico has been in economic crisis for years. Five thousand people flee Puerto Rico every month, before two hurricanes hit, leaving behind many old, many young, the very sick, the very poor, and the very vulnerable. There is no food in supermarkets. We need an airlift. We need an effort the scale of Dunkirk. We know the U.S. is capable. We can invade foreign countries with hundreds of thousands of troops, flawless communications, food and security. We need the same effort now.
Rep. Nydia Velázquez (NY-07):
In nearly every major conflict, Puerto Ricans have put their lives on the line for our country. They have shed blood in our warsthey are American citizens. If Congress and the Trump Administration fail to deploy every possible resource to help the people of Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Maria, history will judge our nation harshly. Millions of people lack electricity, shelter, food and waterthe stakes could not be higher. I will continue to press for immediate and comprehensive relief across relevant federal agencies.
Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09):
A humanitarian crisis is affecting 3.4 million fellow Americans in Puerto Rico. The island just faced a deadly Category 4 hurricane which caused massive flooding and crumbled infrastructure, making it difficult to deliver essential supplies to those in desperate need. Damage to the already sensitive infrastructure lead to a complete blackout on the island and left no cell service for families to check in on their loved ones. Reports estimate it could take months to get power back. This is unacceptable. Our American citizens are suffering and there is little sense of urgency coming from our government. We must stand with our brothers and sisters on the island during this extremely tragic moment. In Central Florida, we welcome all our fellow Boricuas in need with open arms. Estamos contigo, Puerto Rico.