Author: Maria Johnston
The annual hurricane season strikes again, leaving many coastal residences stranded without proper relief. Natural disasters in the United States strike often, however the response to these disasters still leaves many destitute. The governments response to such events is however quite deliberately done. People in desperate situations are taken advantage of by the owning class, corporations as well as landlords. Prices are artificially raised in order to reach as much profit as possible, regardless of the human impact or damage that comes with these kinds of policies. It is increasingly clear that the main priority, even in crisis, is to maintain first and foremost the privileges and power of the owning class, who use their wealth and influence to dictate governmental policy and rhetoric. This is most evident with the ongoing crisis being overlooked by the federal government, which has shifted its focus once more to supplying, supporting and protecting its colonialist, pro-capital puppet states at all costs.
While Hurricane Milton hits Florida, the US government directs additional funding towards Israel, leaving our coastal citizens struggling without much-needed assistance following Hurricane Helene. Meanwhile the aid provided to Israel surpasses the support given to survivors of natural disasters and building infrastructure, even within Arkansas. It is clear that those in state and federal government positions care more about aiding foreign colonialist governments, whilst forcing citizens to turn to other measures of covering damages.
Since October 7th 2023, the US government has allocated 17.9 billion dollars to Israel, apart from the additional $4.86 billion expended on consolidating Israel’s dominance over the Middle East. In 2023, the US government allocated $65 billion in obligations for foreign aid, with a significant portion dedicated to both Israel and Ukraine ($20 billion). Our government has put their priorities on maintaining the control of international capitalism, and rather than aiding its own citizens. In times of disaster, the bourgeois state chooses instead to support itself and its corporate lords. Even within our state government, Sarah Huckabee Sanders and her supporters shovel millions of dollars in the production of missiles for Israel.
The total of natural disasters that happened in the year 2023 totaled to be 28. The damage costs estimated were $92 billion. Government organizations, such as FEMA, spent only $5 billion in obligations for disaster relief. There are still communities in Arkansas that cannot afford to rebuild homes and buildings. In Rogers and Jonesboro, recovery from last year’s tornado season is still ongoing and appears to be of little importance to Sanders and the Mayors. Not only is this detrimental to the infrastructure, but can also ruin families. 57 percent of citizens experience financial hardships because of natural disasters. This can be due in part to high energy bills, housing damage, and spoiled food. Working class Americans are spending more because of factors outside of their control.
When the government does not provide coverage for survivors, insurance companies and organizations swoop in and coerce them to accept predatory loans. Insurance companies can change and alter the coverage included in housing or property insurance. Does your insurance policy include coverage for flooding besides wind damages? Most insurance companies sell separate bundles, such as flood insurance, making it harder for working-class families to be covered. In 2023, Arkansas was the only state where personal income did not rise; what has risen, however, is the insurance rates towards housing coverage and life insurance. Numerous families are overwhelmed by debts they had no say in, forced to bear the brunt of uncovered repair expenses. Those who are unable to afford repair to their homes will also have a struggle finding an acceptable price for rent. Landlords have the ability to raise their renting prices, most corporations and landlords powers go unchecked. Even in cases where a problem is spotted, they are often unresolvable due to the landlord lobby cutting code enforcement.
Insurance companies aren’t the only corporations that are using exploitative tactics. Airlines, gas stations, and hotels are also gouging prices on their services and items. The Wall Street Journal has stated that “price gouging after a disaster is good for the public”, the Florida governor agrees on this motion. Airlines are increasing prices on airline tickets out of Florida, knowing that citizens are trying to evacuate from an obvious danger. Fuel needed for evacuation from Milton has also been running dry. Any remaining gas stations that haven’t run out of fuel are gouging their prices, clearly taking advantage of a disaster situation. Hotels in coastal states are raising their prices for booking a hotel from $95 to $700 a night. These forms of gouging are evil and exploitative. The punishments for price gouging are not enough. In most coastal states, the fines are only $20,000 to $50,000.
When a crisis in capitalism occurs, it can only provide to the people what it can sell. Families who no longer have the ability to support themselves and require the state to assist them must rely on support from what little democratic forces exist in the US. The solution to this is quite evident: The replacement of the capitalist state with socialism. We need a nation that is truly, in every regard, run by the people. Both economically and politically, to expand democracy into the workplace, community and remove the hindrances that keep the common people from participating and deciding things for themselves.
The Biden Administration and Sarah Huckabee Sanders have done nothing but fund the ongoing genocide towards citizens of Iraq, Jordan, and Syria. We have seen that politicians on both sides, regardless of being Democrat or Republican, show no concern for citizens of any nation, not even Israel or Ukraine. The top priority to US politicians is the maintenance of capital. But what exactly should we do to combat these problems? The answer should be the shifting from funds of the owning class to the needs of the people.
Committee of Labor for Arkansas Workers Party 