We can no longer get away with pretending that climate change is a hoax.  Storms are a natural occurrence; the unusual size of these storms is a function of climate change.  Hurricanes derive their strength from the temperature of the Gulf of Mexico, and these temperatures are up, for some unmysterious reason.  By the same force-multiplier effect, warm air can hold more water to dump back down on us.

Southern states with their reflexive anti-Federal government attitude, which came as a result of the Civil Rights era, must re-evaluate this attitude, as they need-- and will receive-- Federal aid for rebuilding.  (Aid, I might add, that Southern Representatives opposed for us in the North after Sandy in 2012.)

With the huge cost of rebuilding, we can no longer entertain thoughts of tax cuts for the rich-- unless we want the biggest deficits ever.  Neither can we afford a White Elephant of a wall of the Mexican border.  Not when it's the most expensive, least effective means of border control.

There are lessons to be learned from these storms.  Will Republicans learn?  In recent times they've shown a complete resistance to doing so, so I'm not optimistic.  We'll need to be hit with many more disasters, I'm afraid.

Sincerely,
Stephen Van Eck
Rushville, PA