We Went To North Carolina: The Devastation Will Shock You.

[@Atimatimukti]

No surprise. The USA is a poor country. No money fot healthcare, education, etc.. your taxes have to help the poor billionaires

[@olgakim4848]

The US has buttloads of money.

[@alexscott6095]

If we helped regular working class Americans, how could we fund programs like tax breaks for private jets? Maybe trump will be able to pass a tax break for the poor billionaires to buy new yachts.

[@bubba842]

​@@olgakim4848There is very little money. No where near enough to go around. The government is running a $2 trillion a year defecit. That means they are borrowing money just to keep the country barely functioning. You have backwards socialism In America. The corporations get all the bailouts and government help, while 99% of the population get nothing, not even functioning schools.

[@outtahere156]

@@olgakim4848 The American people don't. It all belongs to an elite group of billionaires that have no allegiance to our country

[@jamesmclamb8578]

You guys are full of it. Go down to the low-income neighborhoods and really look deep. Yes, the extremely rich don't pay their fair share when it comes to percentages. I will agree with you whole-heartedly. But the low-income American has learned to just sit on their asses and let big government take care of all their needs: income, healthcare, rent, food, cell phones, etc. And every bit of it is done completely legal. We ARE a welfare state. Both the super rich and poor have learned how to work the system to their advantage to ride the backs of the middle class all the way. Until we start addressing that, we won't get anywhere.

[@jameshumphries7272]

Always plenty of money for war but never enough to help our own citizens. Disgraceful and pathetic.

[@bevhills4877]

Public Assistance Grants. FEMA has obligated more than $292 million for 47 grants to support the Tropical Storm Helene recovery in North Carolina.Dec 9, 2024 North Carolina Faces the Effects After Republican Legislators Blocked Resilient Building Codes, Losing Millions in FEMA Funding RALEIGH A year after legislative REPUBLICANS blocked the implementation of more resilient building codes, the financial consequences across North Carolina are becoming clear. Communities across the state missed out on an estimated $70 million in federal FEMA funds this year due to the Republican veto override of HB 488 in 2023. Access to affordable homeowners insurance will become more scarce in many areas as well due to Republicans and special interest blocking new resilient building codes. “Legislative Republicans moved North Carolina backward by recklessly blocking new building codes that would require new homes to be more resilient and efficient,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “As a result, it will become harder to find home insurance and we’re missing out on tens of millions of dollars in federal recovery funds. That’s a lose-lose for our state, particularly when storms hit.” And then North Carolina voted for Republicans again You got what you voted for.. hope you’re happy because you only seem to care about yourselves so pick yourselves up by your bootstraps mo fos

[@Knaeben]

And people just voted in a government that is going to make it 1000x worse.

[@berinmind]

War and illegal immigrants

[@Cory_Springer]

helping our own citizens is SoCiAlIsM

[@vg7985]

They should have their OWN insurance. There is always an answer ….

[@GarethMonteiro-ul5mj]

It's wild that people trust insurance companies more than government. Insurance companies in this country are built to make giant profits off of us, yet we do nothing to really regulate them. And whose names are on all the huge new stadiums and buildings as sponsors? Those insurance companies.

[@The_Opinion_of_Matt]

All insurance is a scam. It didn't used to be, but the scam model is the most profitable.

[@Happy_Biker]

FEMA's budget should be raised immediately to at least $100 Billion per year. And a special assistance fund for WNC of however many billions more are needed there to clean up and help people.

[@tomfromoz8527]

Find out who your state insurance ombudsman is and learn all you can about the rules insurance companies *must* follow. The ombudsman is _kryptonite_ to insurance companies!

[@skylerlightning4620]

Unfortunately it government that trust insurance not other way around as government relies way more on private companies than itself which why it getting further into debt.

[@spongeintheshoe]

Whenever someone says they don’t trust the government, ask them if they’re willing to put more trust in private companies.

[@TheCjbowman]

I remember researching the funding for Katrina recovery. It was like ten cents on thr dollar left after all the rapacious contractors got through with it. This is just capitalism, folks. It's what we want apparently. We vote like we love billionaires more than our neighbors. Especially in the South.

[@jenwendy7]

amen

[@Matanumi]

" From every crisis comes an opportunity" basically

[@debbiemarquis3231]

Whyte folks now getting a taste of reality..now they know how it feels to be colored..

[@mctomans]

Corruption isn't capitalism. Capitalism offers the best services and prices. Competition is a good thing. The government is nothing close to be capitalist. Printing money to bailout your buddies isn't capitalism.

[@myhandlewastakenandIgaveup]

Private equity is just rubbing it's fingers together in anticipation of the windfall it will have.

[@RandomName641-z4c]

TranslаtЕ! Ndisanda kuthumela ividiyo ehlekisayo yomfazi ekhala malunga nenja jak ibekwe phantsi on my home!

[@RandomName641-z4c]

Translаte! Ndisanda kuthumela ividiyo ehlekisayo yomfazi ekhala malunga nenja jak ibekwe phantsi on my home! /. 😊😊

[@keithfoundfun]

Asheville is a desirable (home) investment, just like Lahaina…remember that disaster?

[@benjaminhigham3624]

@@keithfoundfundid private equity start to buy homes in Hawaii after the fires?

[@munk_ken]

North Carolina needs to create laws to block private equity from buying up businesses and land in these impacted areas before it's too late otherwise there will never be a recovery.

[@angelsflight1837]

And what happens when billionaires stop bills that fund the government that included money for FEMA

[@Steve-Richter]

Um, maybe communities will help themselves just like they have done throughout the history of the country. FEMA is a relatively recent government agency.

[@vf1923]

@@Steve-Richter Psst, paying taxes into a big pot of money that is distributed through the government when people need help due to disasters IS communities helping communities. Americans helping Americans. Done right, it is the most efficient method, because it means that everyone pays a very little bit every year instead of people who are also hit by the same disaster having to help when they themselves are also struggling under the effects of the same disaster. I'm sure communities are helping each other in all the ways they can, but if your entire settlement has been wiped out "helping yourself" might be a bit tricky.

[@donaldspaulding6973]

They deserve what they voted for!

[@MichelleLanghout]

Yep. Trump exploited their suffering to point out the current administration's failings, and then he and his bff Elon turned around and blocked the money earmarked in the continuing resolution for those affected by Hurricane Helene.

[@MatthewBretton-cu2el]

​@@vf1923 lmao look at you explaining 1+1 to the short bus kids😂😂😂😂

[@o0SupahMario0o]

Sadly, nothing will be done because human suffering is profitable.

[@Nucleric]

you are right

[@PlagueGuy]

Not with that sheepish attitude.

[@cultureal9544]

Yes profits for the ultra rich Because people keep PAYING into insurance companies that get riches ... write to ban insurance companies

[@cultureal9544]

Yes because insurance companies are getting PAID by PEOPLE ... ban all Insurances in America as they are not ACTUALLY HELPING PEOPLE

[@Bruinschuss]

You can do something, join a union if you can and focus on your local politics, those things affect you directly everyday and you can meet and speak with local government face to face. Attend your council meetings on the issues important to you. You're an American, and our founders gave us the right but also the responsibility to be active in our governance. I think most people would be surprised at what you can get done just by showing up. Have an impact where you can within your means, because a thousand ants will eat an elephant, as the proverb goes. And if you're truly effed, we as Americans can always be Luigi. That is what the 2nd Amendment is meant for.

[@sarahelko]

The 1% will never pay their fair share unless we force them to this is why we need to get billionaires out of our politics

[@SpeakerWiggin49]

2,898,424 North Carolinan voters think we need smaller government though, even as FEMA closes up their showering facilities. Yes, propaganda works, but also North Carolinan MAGAts hate their neighbors or are too stupid to see that conservatism is not the way forward.

[@alanraza2570]

Globally, if you make 32,000$ a year, you're in the top 1%.

[@ktodd037]

You can thank the SC for that.

[@mom5catskyle596]

After Katrina, you're really shocked as to how government and private insurance falls so far short than what is needed?

[@RandomName641-z4c]

Translate, Ndisanda kuthumela ividiyo ehlekisayo yomfazi ekhala malunga nenja jak ibekwe phantsi on my home!

[@HypatiaMuse]

Yep, another chapter of The Shock Doctrine

[@haruhisuzumiya6650]

It's by *design*

[@NorthSeaWisdom]

It shouldn’t be shocking to you or anyone, with all due respect …many people have spoken out over at least 2 decades about, income inequality, corporate consolidation industries, concentration of financial markets , …Trump carved out 155 billion from FEMA in 2019…Elizabeth Warren dug in to fight it but to no avail…as Trump enters office, with Musk in toe ..are going gut the entire safety social net And you won’t have to worry about inflation next year because the global economy will collapse..it had already begun in the EU with Germany and France on the ropes..US stave off collapse in the near term , but we can’t escape it. Some are saying it could a historic collapse Americans have to wake up…be an active participant in your rescue

[@maxwell_edison]

'Insurance' is always fraudulent. That's why we gotta free our boi Luigi

[@irenafarm]

Was up there last week. People are doing their best. The scale of the devastation is unthinkable, though. One correction: FEMA is NOT GONE. There's permanent offices up there, now.

[@Phantomdani]

FEMA is stopping some things like housing in hotels for the displaced and some of the food distribution efforts. The community is preparing to do what we can to keep trying to sustain those most impacted

[@Phantomdani]

www.fema.gov/press-release/20241213/fema-extends-transitional-sheltering-assistance-program

[@nickjohansen9038]

@@Phantomdani I'm sure trump will fix it. LMFAO. FAFO.

[@bluebandites]

@@Phantomdaniwell the republicans should’ve let fema funding bill pass because they blocked it

[@lacdirk]

@@Phantomdani Right. That's how communities in the developing world have to deal with disasters too.

[@robinlaszlo]

Why just the oil companies? Straight up we need to tax billionaires of all types.

[@Artur-sw8er]

It's propaganda

[@NAC_Exec]

They'd just pass it on to us. Prices for everything would increase. Taxing billionaires and raising min wage would stop that.

[@maxwell_edison]

@@NAC_Exec It's hilarious that this sort of cope is exactly how we're in this situation. They have enough money, PERSONALLY, to buy and sell your ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD in the snap of a finger, but you're so worried about prices being passed along. GUESS WHAT DINGBAT - WHY DO YOU THINK THEY'RE RICH TO BEGIN WITH? Because they don't give you a good deal. Because they want to screw you out of money. And all you can do is bend over and take it, too scared of propaganda about price raises. Regulations to stop them from screwing us, and taxes to ensure at least their unchecked riches go to public services instead. We can fix this problem, but it starts at realizing that billionaires NEED to be made LESS POWERFUL, and that the only way to do that is to take their money.

[@uncomfortabletruth3831]

@@NAC_Execno it won’t . Can’t fix stupid, and people are dumber, than progress anticipated.

[@Ttdogi]

Taxes and inflation devastate the middle and the poor class, either way, so genius what is your suggestion, and not just shooting down the idea

[@Akanisen049]

Hi, North Carolinian here! FEMA is helping people far more than just the $750, that's just the minimum if you've been effected in any way. BUT FEMA is SUPER underfunded!!! Their total budget for the entire YEAR is $20bil, helene alone caused (you stated) $54bil in damages!!! They want to help, but literally don't have the funds! And Trump wants to defund FEMA more!!! 😡

[@Trackman71]

Trump hasn’t been in office the past 4 years though. I’m sure the Biden administration could have increased it but they didn’t.

[@chodechotchney5331]

They ort to defund your internet

[@victorias935]

​@@Trackman71 Who controls congress and the purse? Trump is telling them not to vote on bills! Are you not paying attention?

[@victorias935]

​@@chodechotchney5331 Ort? 😂😂 Stay off of social media!

[@TheRealSykx]

@@Trackman71 you're part of the problem. President-elect Musk and Vice President-elect Trump just tried to nuke the continuing resolution for our federal budget because they wanted to REMOVE FEMA budget increases. Pay attention. Do better.

[@gingerredshoes]

Many areas of Appalachia have been like "third world countries" for decades due to economic reasons. How can people recover when they had almost nothing already?

[@silverXnoise]

This area isn’t one of them (some Helene hit areas are, but the ones in this video are largely wealthy, even if the most impacted individual residents aren’t). A 1BD apartment is the River Arts District can run well over $1500/mo.

[@ColonizerChan]

@@silverXnoise That’s normal rent nowadays, it’s that bad now with landlords these days. And op ain’t wrong, Appalachia is the poorest region outside the native reservations. But at least the reservations have sovereignty of some kind

[@jackgardner8225]

And they consistently vote against their own self interest because they buy the garbage that republicans are selling. Just look where it has gotten them. And they will turn around and vote for trump.

[@Virrey17]

True

[@jgg204]

Asheville wasn't a destitute Appalachia town.....have you done any homework or are you just spouting nonsense?

[@YvetteCarmen]

I hope we all know that it doesn't matter who is in the 'top job' because this is a systemic problem -- greed. We have allowed many of our economic sectors, to take advantage of the American people. It's disgusting and frightening for the future of our country. My husband and I will be retiring in the next two years in another country. We are absolutely worried that SSI will no longer be funded. we'll have to rely on his pension, a 403 (b) and a very prolific lnvestment account with Tracy Britt Cool Consulting my FA. Our national debt is bloating and expanding every month. Our government needs to get spending under control and cut the federal budget.

[@EdgarBossen]

I went from no money to lnvest with to busting my A** off on Uber eats for four months to raise about $50k to start trading with Tracy Britt Cool Consulting. I am at $128k right now and LOVING that you have to bring this up here

[@islaperez1151]

I know this FA you just mentioned too. Tracy Britt Cool is a portfolio manager and investment advisor. She gained recognition as an employee of Berkshire Hattaway; a renowned investor she is. Ms Tracy has demonstrated expertise in investment strategies and has been involved in managing portfolios and providing guidance to clients.

[@AlianParmelee]

How can i reach this Tracy Britt Cool Consulting, if you don't mind me asking? I've known her by her reputation at Berkshire Hathaway

[@YvetteCarmen]

Well her name is 'Tracy Britt Cool Consulting'. Just research the name. You'd find necessary details to work with a correspondence to set up an appointment

[@eliantomasup8286]

Great share! Out of curiosity, I searched Tracy Britt Cool Consulting online, found her consulting page ranked at the top, and scheduled a session. I've read many reviews about advisors, but none seem as impressive as hers.

[@DieselDucy]

you guys are some of the best journalists I have ever seen.

[@RandomName641-z4c]

Translate, Ndisanda kuthumela ividiyo ehlekisayo yomfazi ekhala malunga nenja jak ibekwe phantsi on my home!

[@RandomName641-z4c]

Translаte! Ndisanda kuthumela ividiyo ehlekisayo yomfazi ekhala malunga nenja jak ibekwe phantsi on my home! /.

[@vashondajames9811]

Agreed

[@chinookvalley]

We have been warning of these types of weather catastrophes for 50+ years. There is no way FEMA or any other agency will be able to handle what is coming. Sadly, every time someone signs a royalty check from an oil company they are saying, "Drill baby drill". We could have changed our ways, but once again, money wins and the poor lose.

[@MatthewBretton-cu2el]

If by the poor you meant not multi millionaire yeah... constantly voting for Republicans who run on racism, guns and trans fear eventually you are the minority. Lmao Trump forever!!!!!

[@A_Gomes1122]

They literally chanted “drill baby drill” at the most recent Republican National Convention. This was an important election for changing course on climate change, and the dems fumbled it.

[@michellej1947]

Love all America's billionaires that have the means but sit and laugh at us. Luigi just makes sense

[@track1949]

Luigi is unlikely to go free unless some foolish person tries to break him out.😅

[@Red-ej6he]

Try billionaires.

[@Perfidion]

Yeah, that's what I don't get. I mean, if you were sitting on a giant mountain of cash, and you had the means to aid your fellow citizens in their most dire of circumstances, and you chose not to... what kind of callous, self-absorbed vulture would you be, really? Elon Musk could fix this with the change he finds down the back of his couch. The good billionaires could do with the resources they have at their disposal is immeasurable, but they absolutely don't care. "Oh no. Some peasants are living in a tent because their homes and livelihoods washed away in a flood? That's sad. Hey, have you seen my new yacht?!"

[@UnknownPascal-sc2nk]

He was also charged with terrorism but Dylan Roof was not.

[@lacdirk]

@@track1949 True. But there's an awful lot more desperate and angry gun owners in the US than there are CEOs.

[@antonleimbach648]

This is America. We do not help each other we are here to keep the wealthy happy. Welfare is only for corporations, not people.

[@PropagandasaurusRex]

The money needs to come from somewhere... About 10,000 people need to be poor so that one person can be moderately rich. Government helping out is bad because that's communism.

[@yeceniaperez1165]

It happened in Puerto Rico when Hurricane Maria hit and they were abandoned by trump. No electricity, water, people dying. Yes, sad

[@jladd6286]

Aw, come on, he tossed paper towels...

[@bluebandites]

Aw come on trump was tossing paper towels that surly helped right

[@kiwicol7383]

I’m sure trump will go to North Carolina and toss out more paper towels 😂😂

[@TheCYW]

I’m going to need people who would like to be rescued during disasters to support taxing the wealthy. Otherwise, they should just pick themselves up by their bootstraps and remain quietly content. Surely, a red state doesn’t think FEMA should use tax dollars to help them when they don’t like taxes. That would be insanity.

[@maryfields1382]

It's the typical "it's not a problem until it impacts me directly"...

[@Phantomdani]

The thing about calling a whole state for one or the other is that it ignores the impact of gerrymandering to shut out the voice of the true majority. It is sad, and will only get worse as our educational system and basic understanding of the us constitution continues to fade. And as poison in the food, water, and air continually worsens people’s cognitive abilities to think critically, or escape survival mode to look up and pay attention at all. I agree tax the rich, and so many common sense things we should be doing… but as a person living in Asheville, I just want you to know that we (the working class) agree on more than we disagree. There’s just all these traps people are falling into… including experiencing Helene and the impact on peoples ability to vote… and the shady changes in laws they were making even before Helene… like changes to make it harder for the university students to vote for example…

[@carlkligerman1981]

Classic. O and let’s not forget MAGA conspiracy theorists that prompted armed ‘militias’ to go around hunting FEMA workers either, huh? I guess low taxes are great until you need your government, and then it’s cries of this is a disgrace and so on. When will Americans wake up to the fact that higher taxes, especially for the well off and wealthy, are worth it if you get cheaper healthcare and disaster relief, like the rest of the civilised world? Red pilled indeed.

[@klee88029]

So, people want less government, less taxation, don't "believe in" the sciences that prove global climate changes, but want one department (FEMA) of the federal government to be funded and staffed to be able to give 100% assistance until everything is fixed in the event of natural disasters. Throughout the USA. Have I got this right? 🧓💙🇺🇸

[@TheRealRoronoaZoro]

@@klee88029 you got it, but I would add this aid should only be available to red states, according to MAGA delusions. 😅

[@rsteup]

Now this is REAL journalism. Thank you!

[@christinepark1398]

It astounds me how miles and miles can be flattened, totally ruined, and people expect it to be all fixed up, back to normal, 3000 houses built and furnished, all the streets and bridges repaired or replaced, all the mess gone, the hundreds of thousands of downed trees cut up and carried away to somewhere. schools and hospitals and workplaces rebuilt and functioning, all in a few months' time as if it never happened. Get real, people. Without a caring society you wouldn't even have the tents you're sheltering in (and cursing daily), the shoes on your feet, and the food you're eating. What's more, this is going to keep on happening because of 80 years of denying climate change and refusing to make even the smallest changes to try to soften some of this harm that 99+ % of scientists assured us was coming. I realize this comment is going to make a lot of people furious but People, denying reality is what made all this happen. It won't even BEGIN to stop getting worse until decades after we start making the necessary changes for our survival. Do you care or not?

[@marksherman1887]

And look who they all voted for!! And who they keep voting for h for!

[@Singlesix6]

@@marksherman1887 Biden is STILL the President. Harris is STILL the VP. Where are they? What have they done? Very little.

[@googleuser868]

What caused the glaciers to melt that left all those beautiful mountains? No humans burning fossil fuels back then.

[@MatthewBretton-cu2el]

Facts dont care about Feelings. Trump forever lmao😂😂😂. This is what the people voted for ... bask in the profits over people Zeitgeist.

[@track1949]

Yes, it's been hot before but there were few humans. The length of time it took for those previous climate changes to occur could be several centuries. Not the 150 years or so it's taking this time.

[@DFontaine7]

i dont understand why anyone is rebuilding in the same devastated spot because IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN.

[@maxstrong1999]

Because they get their government subsidized insurance lmao.

[@mukundamodell]

Nowhere is safe. Your home town is next.

[@pcatful]

This was an anomaly. Not that it might not happen. Maybe it is a new trend. It was especially bad because this is not a place usually affected by Hurricanes. You can’t predict exactly where it will happen. And for people to just pull up an start somewhere new? That won’t happen.

[@lolzasouruhm179]

It’s always funny when politicians act appalled when government funded organizations don’t (can’t) help people enough when the policitans are the ones who put forward legislation that can give the orgs more money to actually help people

[@SpeakerWiggin49]

This. They voted in small government conservatives. This is the result (the shower tents packing up, the debris remaining). 2,898,424 NC voters chose Trump AFTER the hurricane.

[@carlkligerman1981]

@@SpeakerWiggin49EXACTLY. They want small government and then wonder why, and cry foul about it, when that what’s they get! Tax cuts are all well and good until you are desperate and need government programs to be properly funded, huh?

[@ChrisChocol]

​@@SpeakerWiggin49think they stole it. it makes more sense. the dem governor was voted in with about 70% of the vote or something. but then they vote for trump? sus as f

[@janeayre96]

If Elon has his way, NC will never recover.

[@TommyRichardstat2Houston713]

We are watching Biden and the democrats have their way though, this is reality even if you want to make your fictional statement about Elon...pure insanity

[@al4nmcintyre]

But we sure will have a lot of people desperate enough to do ANY job a billionaire needs done at starvation wages and at-will employment if they get uppity. Working as designed!

[@CameronsCookingChannel]

@@al4nmcintyre What is Elon doing to prevent NC recovery, that is not already being done right now?

[@BurleyBob0010]

Go back to sleep Sheeple 🐑💤 .. nite nite. TRUMP/VANCE!!! ❤❤❤

[@MarsMellow84]

You got what you voted for America. It's only going to get worse.

[@donmilo4733]

The Democrats fucked this up

[@ArleeStarr]

Already is. The Dems don't even realize they lost. They're still pushing extreme right wing actions, trying to be more anti-American to entice voters from tRump. LOL

[@wafflecone_wombatdrone]

This is happening under the current admin, the longer we keep acting like this is exclusive to one side the longer this will persist.

[@pcatful]

It’s been the same for every disaster. That’s what we got. Katrina, CA fires, Puerto Rico. Congress has to increase funding and FEMA will still only be able to to do so much. I’m sure administration can improve effectiveness. People say there is some graft in contracts (like everywhere forever) that might get cut out. Congress decides how much money is available and how big an agency is.

[@johnchedsey1306]

@@wafflecone_wombatdrone You're right. This is a systemic problem with a failing, corrupt federal government.

[@abigail01441]

And Congress has the audacity to think they need a raise!

[@stanlee6487]

israel and Ukraine needs money. hahhhhhhhhaaaa. 😂😂😂😂😂😂.these people have the audacity to criticize china. what is wrong with these people

[@bluebandites]

@@stanlee6487they do need money are we gonna abonden our allie

[@carlkligerman1981]

This is peanuts. The real issue is a shrinking tax base. Nobody wants to pay taxes for a functioning government and then cry foul when they need, that’s right, a functioning government! But I’m sure Trump will sort all this out for you guys. SMH. In the rest of the developed world people understand that higher taxes are in fact a form of social insurance: with proper public funding (ie. a fair and realistic tax system) you get public healthcare, disaster relief and reconstruction, infrastructure, social and affordable housing, disability programs, old age pensions, unemployment benefits that are indefinite and cover you UNTIL you find another job! If everybody pays their fair share in tax society works, for EVERYBODY. If everybody is trying to rort the system it fails, and only the rich benefit. You get what you vote for, pretty much.

[@nari5161]

Misinformation

[@th0rn3gaming]

Did people expect the recovery to be overnight? This storm turned a good portion of this country into a 3rd world country. Asheville is the new post Katrina New Orleans.

[@mlblja]

FEMA is underfunded by the Republican Party and their voters keep voting them into office!

[@RealLifeFinance]

My aunt has worked for FEMA for 25yrs after being an RN. She has PTSD as its become so surreal how the workers are NOT allowed to do what they know the people NEED. Dont blame the FEMA workers rhey want to help but must do what they are told.

[@UneducatedGeologist]

Our Govt knows the system is broken and doesn't care

[@vashondajames9811]

Wow

[@RussellD11]

who would work for FEMA when they are an RN that can make $100/hr? I call BS

[@ano1962]

@@UneducatedGeologistrepublicans have been intentionally breaking it for decades to privatize everything and then you complain about the mess you’ve been openly and bragging about making

[@ano1962]

@ a lot of people don’t mind taking less money to do work they believe in, your just kind of exposing your own greedy evil mind set

[@TallyRocky]

Wow, I feel for these people. Maybe there would be more FEMA money if corporations and billionaires paid their fair share of taxes? And I’m sure that the guy that this state voted in as the next president will be happy to help you out (drill baby drill, and btw oil companies, for a billon dollar donation to me I’ll get rid of all of your regulations- at least the few that are left).

[@cmoore7924]

No stop giving our tax dollars to Ukraine!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@skylerlightning4620]

Insurance companies are design to profit so when that design is no longer profitable than they left very little choice but close. This is consequence of a for profit country where even US politicians profit more than most people do due problems they make.

[@BeachyKeen-ub9rg]

And they will continue to vote republican.

[@RoachéCoaché]

Over 2.7 million North Carolinians voted for Harris. She lost by less than 200k votes.

[@margaretcurry8414]

@@RoachéCoaché glad she lost

[@cmoore7924]

like the democrats helped you???? $750 is pathetic and evil!!!!!

[@youralaskalinkphotog]

Here in Alaska, we had a major earthquake not that many years ago. FEMA was not enough. Insurance was not enough. There were houses that were so badly damaged that the city had them condemned. Houses whose mortgages hadn’t even been paid in full. Some folks just literally walked away. What else were they supposed to do? Everyone suffered. The banks repossessed worthless buildings and the home owners lost their places to live and all the equity they paid into it.

[@AnonymousMusing]

I truly hope someone watching this can make a difference. These people are in dire need.

[@dead2802]

Its Citizens that did everything w donations. Gvmt did NOTHING exactly like several and biden made it clear NO HELP! Trump donated at least 3 mill and got other friends to help. People donated 14000 in generators to help w heat but some police sent by gvmt stole them all. Gvmt also forbid RVs, campers, tiny. insulated living, warm, sanitary showers, restrooms. Only tents allowed! No military rescue/help period! What a regime we let run us! Not ONE corporation donated crap!

[@mrnobody3161]

Do you think under Shlump it's going to get better?

[@monsterram6617]

🤣

[@UHaulTV]

Who dat?

[@bartdoo5757]

Bidenomics is working!

[@UHaulTV]

@@monsterram6617 How yo kameltoe vote work out?

[@UHaulTV]

@@bartdoo5757 Governor race *stayed* blue

[@MultiKatieBee]

I mean, you're pretty much on your own once you are born in the United States. Lots of people in this country whine and cry about big government and then turn around and demand the government solve their problems. We don't know what types of insurance policies these people purchased, and many people get cheap and choose to be under-insured. People need to be fully insured on their own. My family home burned down in one of the California wildfires. My mom paid for years on an excellent homeowner's policy, and she was paid out immediately without issue.

[@lifewithramyaaa]

that’s a privilege many people don’t have

[@JoeyJoe-JoeJrShabadoo]

The ignorance of your comment is absolutely embarrassing and you should 100% feel ashamed of it

[@SnozBerryQueen]

I wish you knew how privileged and ignorant you sound right now but I know that you won't just from how you even said all this with such confidence.

[@joancooney7724]

@@lifewithramyaaaNo because they waste their money on Trump merchandise and then complain that they can’t afford to live

[@SprinkledFox]

Good for you? Idgaf.

[@nottenvironmental6208]

Expect exponentially increasing extreme weather events until the end of the fossil fuel industry.

[@hollerlakehomestead3181]

Fossil Fuel is being used as a crutch...they know the real cause and refuse to address...Solar cycles play a way larger part in the weather than fossil fuels.

[@JStankXPlays]

They voted to lift themselves up by their own bootstraps

[@jman6109]

What do you expect after Bidens' disasterous presidency!!

[@matthewsanchez7953]

No doubt Trump will be worse; he's a puppet of privatization, but who's been the president for the last 4 years again?

[@RoachéCoaché]

Tire of this, man. We tried. More than 2.7 million North Carolinians voted for Harris. She lost by less than 200k votes, and won the county where this was filmed 67% to trump’s 36%. Go fact yourself.

[@buddylee5712]

Free Luigi

[@RandomName641-z4c]

TranslаtЕ! Ndisanda kuthumela ividiyo ehlekisayo yomfazi ekhala malunga nenja jak ibekwe phantsi on my home!

[@FolstrimHori]

Wrong channel

[@buddylee5712]

​@FolstrimHori Wrong comment. This channels supporters are heavily pro-Luigi

[@FolstrimHori]

@@buddylee5712 oh, well as much as I agree with what he did, the fact is he also knew the consequences of what he was doing. That's part of what makes his action so important.

[@cookiemonstakjs]

The tax on fuel companies is a great idea, but you know darn well that no red states would enact that, so their people will continue to suffer.

[@user-lt1jd1ye3v]

Thanks for making this!!!

[@nasis18]

Resident of western NC here. Many folks around here were very spiteful towards the federal government before. The response after Helena has only reinforced and validated their beliefs.

[@RBzee112]

Those are the same people who get mad when "other people" ask for handouts.

[@nasis18]

@RBzee112 More often than not.

[@wncjan]

More federal funding mean higher taxes.

[@justinfowler2857]

​@@RBzee112Correction: They get mad when people of the "wrong" color get any help regardless.

[@patches7828]

NC HERE...the people are helping one another....pay attention Everyone...We have to care for each other ❤

[@Robert_McGarry_Poems]

🫂 The delusion some people are showing is scary. Good luck with everything.

[@truecatholic1]

Take money from billonaires. It would NOT be unjust. Those who have more than they need can be forced to assist those with (desperate) needs. You can't serve God and greed.

[@Perfidion]

According to Kenneth Copeland, you absolutely can.

[@truecatholic1]

@Perfidion If you want to go to Hell, then you can be greedy. For example, usury is a sin against justice, so that means that you must give restitution before a priest can absolve you of your sin of usury.

[@bluebandites]

According to trump and magets u cAn

[@carlkligerman1981]

The rich should be paying more, but, frankly, nobody in America wants to pay taxes: forgoing public funding for all forms of social capital. Then they cry foul when they need a functioning government! America keeps getting what it votes for, especially in the South. SMH. It’s insanity.

[@BrownieX001]

Climate change will keep making things more expensive everywhere and any risk management agency will struggle. There isn't funding to rebuild entire cities every few years. The money is spent elsewhere. Yet the US people voted for the party that is promising policies that help the ultra wealthy instead of the people that helped unions stay strong and funded local infrastructure.

[@cmoore7924]

Used to be global warming when that was found out to be a lie they came up with the term "Climate Change" Wake up people! your are being lied to again!

[@MrPenguinsfan66]

They are hard-core GOP people. They need to take care of it themselves. That's what they want for everyone else.

[@spongeintheshoe]

I’m not a hardcore GOP person.

[@jackanapes1492]

Asheville isn’t trump country

[@daveharrison84]

Even if two thirds voted for Trump, that's still one third who didn't vote for this and don't deserve a government that refuses to help its people.

[@donaldspaulding6973]

They voted for the president that CUT Fema money and then complained about it to get votes. They deserve what the voted for!

[@RoachéCoaché]

You obviously don’t know what you’re talking about, sorry. Over 2.7 million people in NC voted for Harris. She only lost by less than 200k votes. Furthermore, in Buncomb County where most of this was filmed, she won 67% to Trump’s 36%. I live here. We’re not happy we lost, but NC is not a lost cause and the people here don’t deserve your condescension.

[@drivingmusicholt1935]

Not just the oil industry. The 1% could make everyone in western NC whole without a dip in their bank account.

[@RealLifeFinance]

Just Like Oprah and the Rock would have only given up 1% of wealth to house every person in Lahaina fires

[@LeslieL-q5o]

Ahhh, but innate greed will prevent that. They're too busy impressing each other with their expensive toys and McMansion. You know you need at least 6 yachts and a few Lear jets, just for starters.

[@jackgardner8225]

Spot on. The tech billionaires that just donated 1 million each to the upcoming inauguration which doesn't need the money could have shown some humanity and donated it where it is needed instead of kissing the orange abomination's ass with it. Welcome to the United States of GREED.

[@alanraza2570]

If you make 32,000$ a year, you're in the top 1%

[@ktodd037]

Elon has made 4 billion dollars a day since the election. Imagine how much 4 billion dollars could do in NC. He received help from the government when he needed it. It would be nice to see 1 billionaire do the right thing.

[@acard1985]

And yet, just some weeks later, North Carolina voted for a negationist who was very clear about letting big oil do everything they want.

[@SpeakerWiggin49]

Yep, 2,898,424 NC voters thought smaller government was a good idea while their neighbors take shower in tents that ARE BEING CLOSED DOWN.

[@bonnieprather610]

Just desserts then.

[@RoachéCoaché]

If you’re going to throw numbers, then you should also note that over 2.7 million NC residents voted for Harris. She lost by less than 200k votes. Furthermore, in Buncomb County, where Asheville is the county seat, she won 67% to trump’s 36%. We tried. Doesn’t mean we don’t deserve federal aid.

[@CR-sw4nn]

Because we have ignored the effects of rising CO2 on our climate, we will now have to look at relocating entire communities. Rebuilding or building towns and cities right next to rivers or on the coast is pointless. No more flood insurance should be provided to owners of places like Mar a Lago and the government needs to provide assistance to those of us in the 99% to assist with relocation to higher ground.

[@carlkligerman1981]

You don’t get a functioning government without a functioning tax system. It’s really that simple. You guys keep getting what you vote for. Agree that mass relocations is the only feasible solution now, but this means higher taxes across the board. A society in which everybody isn’t paying their fair share is a society that goes into rapid decline, and then fails.

[@cmoore7924]

again another person who believes the Lie about Global Warming!

[@RedRose4141]

Congress just passed 100 Billion for these victim's. North Carolina and East Tennessee leader's have been getting in the way for many to get help too.

[@d4mdcykey]

BS, stop getting your talking points from Kremlin social media propaganda.

[@xh0rsex]

A perspective you never see with events like this is focusing on what causes it and changing our ways to try and help prevent it vs focusing on on how do we fix it after the fact. Hurricanes are becoming more frequent and more devastating, with the hurricane season expanding in length. This isn't coincidental or just "the way nature is." This is directly correlated to climate change.

[@skapunkoialternativeliving6522]

$750 cannot do nothing today. Nothing absolutely nothing. What I should have did is least. Give them at least $10000 each at least.

[@krzysztoftrzebiszeczewski85]

Haw, is it possible that nobody is addressing very low quality of materials and crappy contraction of houses?

[@gothboschincarnate3931]

Well, homeowners are idiots. To stupid to consider building something that will last.

[@KittyNinjas]

Great question!

[@LiiMuRi]

FEMA should help more! Let's vote in a president that will cut FEMA funding completely. Makes sense...

[@jman6109]

Fema still dealing with Hurricane Katrina 20yrs ago, that's insane!!

[@nickybeingnicky]

There seems to be some serious neglect about mentions of federal aid bills that the republicans have refused to discuss.

[@robertfeil1828]

How is congress gonna pay for their raises?!? 🙄

[@ano1962]

They were voting for more disaster relief so there would be more to help these people! The raise was only a 3.9% cost of living adjustment which of course the billionaires and their bootlickers are against because you want to keep the government bending to the elites and crest

[@jenwendy7]

this is propaganda the raise posted on X is a lie the real things in the bill would have prohibited musk from earning more money so he ginned up lies to get people on his side did you know he owns X and controls all the info he put out on there?

[@skapunkoialternativeliving6522]

That's a great idea. Let the corporations for once pay the cost. That's a great idea. They're making billions and billions of dollars a day. They can with quarter of that money. They can solve the problem of the corporations don't do it. They must be forced to delete. They profit in America more than anyone else, so, let them pay for the privilege of profiting. By helping their fellow Americans.

[@JoAnnFuir]

We have a friend in Asheville NC. They didn't have running drinking water for months after the storm. They got drinkable water around Thanksgiving. Things are still bad down there.

[@Cuperino]

I’m very thankful for the help we got after Hurricane Maria. The biggest help was with rebuilding essential infrastructure. It took 1 year to bring power back to 90% of the local population, but we still see the effects from then in our electricity bills to this day.

[@StyleshStorm]

This is why I didn't say much about the Firestorm disaster in my home state of Hawaii because you Mainlanders usually get it far worse.

[@stellarnomad42]

I was born and raised in Hawaii and live in Asheville, North Carolina and survived Hurricane Helene and am living in the aftermath. It's not about comparison, we're all getting treated like shit by the United Corporations of America.

[@StyleshStorm]

@stellarnomad42 ay. That's true wholesomeness here. True. Aloha brahda. Wishing you all the best in this struggle. Trust Hawaii present day is a horror show if you don't even have the money to escape.

[@stellarnomad42]

@StyleshStorm oh I know it's a horror show. It's been a horror show ever since the ha'oles showed up. Like Haunani Kay Trask said: The United States brings death to indigenous peoples.

[@FreeYourMind1776-SA]

1st issue FEMA funds should not have been diverted to the illegals. 2nd issue Insurance is the longest running legal ponzi scheme in existence.

[@patriciasheldon6273]

How can prepare for weather changes when we don’t even acknowledge them.

[@Jordy-u5l]

why have insurance if they dont pay anyways? This will bring many countries downs. we are not even close to dealing with these situations.

[@gorillashop337]

In the 90’s the Government and the state sued the tobacco companies. 😮

[@craignelson3361]

Probably just because they missed a bribe payment

[@mindfighter1]

Texas didn't even make any changes to the power system after the freezes, we're just as vulnerable as we were before. It will probably happen again next year

[@maxstrong1999]

Even if there was a competent response, wouldn't something like this take years to recover from?

[@donaldcurtis9229]

Why does billionaires stepping up and helping American citizens because that's who they made their money off of

[@peachykeen8504]

That scrap wood they were tossing in the dumpster looked like firewood or even possibly material for a shanty to replace a tent.

[@TawannainTN]

Using tax payer money for only our citizens and not for foreign initiatives of all sorts is what has to happen.

[@blackadder3388]

As an european it seems unreal how someones house gets destroyed and you get offered 750$ for it. When we had massive floods in my country last year, there were 3 main contributors to relief fund: The government, European union, Insurance companies. Together they covered ~90% of what people have lost. Business's got fixed in 1-2 weeks and continued operations. Not to mention the massive amounts of volunteers (myself included) that provided not just short term but also long term relief. On top of all the media came together and encouraged people for months to provide long term support.

[@skapunkoialternativeliving6522]

This lady is absolutely right. The more we wait and do nothing for these people. The harder it gets America has the money and the resources to help these people. They're not foreigners they're not migrants. They're Americans you should be helping these people. But yet you help the migrants find homes. Help your people your own people need help. Charity begins at home. Why don't you understand about that America?

[@secksworker]

yeah sorry to be so frank, a lot of people are about to find out what not investing in social services and government assistance gets you

[@maggiemay5845]

WNC folk here, thank you so much for covering the insurance side of this. So many of us have been completely dependent on gofundme's or other independent fundraising efforts. The lack of financial aid from the government has been devastating for so many. It will likely be decades before we completely recover.

[@thomasdeanda2360]

California, Texas, and New York will pay for it as always.

[@boonedog1457]

Ok, so tax oil companies so that money can be used to restore the lives of victims of these disasters. Yes, like that money will fix the problem. Study the patterns. That money will not make it to where it was intended. We've seen it time and time again! Take Social security for example. That money was repurposed to other uses, which is why it's now under funded. There is no accountability. That's the problem. Even Insurance Companies are not coming to the table to help these victims. They are profit driven companies, driven by greed.

[@EnvironmentalCoffeehouse]

Love Samantha, I had the privilege of an interview. She knows her stuff. Well done video. Wouldn't it be nice if all that funding that goes to pay for some military expenditures would go to disaster management and climate, environmental issues? It may be in the future the government will see they have no choice in funding disaster management because of the intensity of the storms that are happening.

[@PETEYBOY954]

Important video in this age of transparency. Keep up the great work!

[@Unik39]

So people in america don't want to pay taxes because that's socialism and they want to be free. But when the shit hits the fan you demand support and help and criticise government ✌️

[@djpomare]

Stop moaning America. This is what you voted for.

[@utopianna]

Notices for property taxes due are sent annually to property owners. How hard would it be for homeowners & business to receive an accompanying notice as to what FEMA can legally provide or NOT provide on property loss should an EMERGENCY occur. It is after all, called the Federal EMERGENCY Management Agency. The taxing authorities have skin in the game because if a property is not insured, any loss will reduce their revenue when it is not brought back to its value.

[@lisamcintyre9832]

I worked with several families after Hurricane Katrina who were bused to Nashville. One family spent 8 days on a bridge. Please remember that things will not immediately do back to normal. Parts of NOLA are still abandoned. Rebuilding will take several years. That’s how it is. We live next to a creek that is dry 10 months a year. After a weekend of rain, the creek flooded a neighbors house and it took 2 years to redo their house. We all have flood insurance because of a spring fed creek. Some of these families may need to move to a different location. It’s hard and it costs a lot. FEMA doesn’t cover many things like when your shed floats into the neighbor’s yard or your asphalt driveway ends up in your front yard. Congress finally approved more money so hopefully things will start moving.

[@Mikemelancon-k9n]

hello Dear, I Usually love your comments on this channel, complement of the season 🎄 🎁 How are you doing today?

[@quarry_24]

I swear insurance was never the right answer... ever. I swear we are better off saving our money in bank accounts, or not letting anyone touch it at all. The careless rich get covered and the careful poor robbed.

[@googleuser868]

The powers that be rob the savers with the printing press inflating away the fruits of your labor.

[@skapunkoialternativeliving6522]

Fiba is a joke and a story. But let some other country have a problem exactly what they said billions of dollars over that.

[@samloki7996]

i love it when people who don’t even live in the US or NC are speaking for them as if this is at all a political issue. It’s a systemic issue that non of you actually understand because you don’t live here.

[@chrisgg80]

people are literally blaming it on republicans as if NC hasn't been a democratic state for so many years...

[@silverXnoise]

I’m from Hendersonville. My brother lives in Swannanoa, my mother in East Asheville. I’m sorry you’ve been made to suffer the empty well-wishing of opportunists, and people larping as journos, but I have to disagree with you-the very definition of a systemic issue (which you are correct, in that these are systemic issues) is that it isn’t unique to one people or place, and it is deeply political. After all, political choices and motivations are responsible for shaping and breaking the systems that are failing us. What you’re experiencing is repeating itself elsewhere-in E Palestine, OH and all over the southeastern coasts, as it has been for decades, and will continue to do so. It may _feel_ new, because such disasters so rarely occur in WNC, but it’s worth highlighting how bad this is in WNC as a microcosm for how broken the systems are that are designed to serve us all. There, by the grace of God, go we.

[@silverXnoise]

I hope you and your family are some place safe and warm, and that this gets better soon. ☮️

[@geekazoid]

I wouldn't dismiss objective observation. When the whole world is saying get your shit together america, they probably have a point. It is important that solutions are local, but the stubborn insistence of americans that they are special different and exceptional is a big obstacle to progress.

[@matricci2256]

​@@chrisgg80 NC has a Super Majority Republican led state house that has all the power. You should do some research before you post stupid 💩

[@jesussalas9262]

If only the us used 1 % of its military budget for social programs, there wouldn't be poverty.

[@joannaolivas9082]

Stop funding wars and keep the money here for the people

[@troywest7045]

If you're referring to Ukraine, we made that commitment back in the 90's. Besides if we don't hold up our end of the deal, it's only right we give Ukraine it's nukes back, right?

[@rebelcampantiguagt]

As long as the population of the usa remains ignorant about climate change expect more of this...

[@DeniseDixon-w8u]

You are lucky the Democrats was working to make sure there unfortunate people got relief money but nothing replaces your home. I have funiture I would glady give someone in that area, FREE! But I live in Athens Ga

[@prettybrwneyez7757]

You get what you vote for!

[@stevenhanson6057]

If you’ve ever used fossil fuels, you’ve no room to complain. Do you realize how crazy that statement is?

[@donaldspaulding6973]

No, they aren't smart enough and many people have a vested interest in keeping it that way. Want proof? They just elected a guy who CUT FEMA money and then complained about it!

[@RoachéCoaché]

The whole US transportation system was lobbied by the fossil fuel industry to be built the way it is, so people would be dependent on their products.

[@RileyMcGreevy]

This is so sad. I actually cried. Unfortunately this is only going to get worse. I think fossil fuel companies and other billionaires should have to pay for every single cent of damage. Capitalism is causing the problem, so lets have capitalists pay to fix it.

[@The_ashley23]

I love how yall think being more green will fix this, when you really should be targeting the dam insurance brokers

[@susanperry4177]

Both and

[@ericcarlson6822]

And some look at the devastation and simply think "how can I use this to put more money in my pockets?"

[@-in-the-meantime...]

Friendly reminder that mountain river valleys, beaches, and swamps will indeed involve water. 🤪

[@AnotherOpinionatedIdiot]

I am more concerned about how Polk county tax assessors were charging me extra money for property that wasn't on my land and would not give me a straight answer as to how long they were charging me this and would not provide documentation. My land used to cost $500 a year in taxes, but some Trump friends built an equestrian park nearby and somehow that changed The valuation of my land and made my taxes $2,200. We should look into that next.

[@monsterram6617]

So you're saying your local government is corrupt? No...

[@UHaulTV]

Which trump friends?

[@mialemon6186]

Oh god that damned equestrian center. Do you remember the drama that was the whole “huge event” they supposedly built that tunnel under 74 for?? Then it flooded/collapsed? Absolutely stupid. I miss home, but I don’t miss the circus of the rich horse people there. I laugh so I don’t cry.

[@drudgenemo7030]

When i was in a FEMA disaster, it took 4 months to get the full relief money, $4k. This was in 98 Last i heard some of Katrina refugees were living in temporary housing years later. Currently Congress is playing games with funding

[@void2258]

"If Kathy Hocul decides to sign it into law before the end of the year" means the law is dead because it doesn't have the support of her corporate backers.

[@MikeSamuelsII-ve8gp]

Its just horrible that Florida gets alll the attention and money that North Carolina needs and deserves.

[@sonicblackhole3559]

These people are out here doing some of the best work in modern media