Iowa Needs Help
Much of Cedar Rapids, Iowa’s second city, is under water from the flooding of the Cedar River. The floodwaters crested last night but it may be weeks before the river is below flood stage.
An emergency evacuation order is now in place for Des Moines, Iowa’s capital city. The Iowa River in Iowa City is not expected to crest until Monday.
The flooding in Iowa is an unprecedented disaster. Eighty-nine of the state’s 99 counties have been declared disaster areas.
Barack Obama should visit the state in the next several days and voice his concerns and plans to help Iowans who have been devastated by these floods. This will highlight the GOP’s dismal record in flood relief. Or he could pledge support for legislation that will help citizens recover from this catastrophe and prepare for future floods. Obama must reassure Iowans that his administration will care for people when they are in need.
Iowa’s seven electoral votes may be critical in the November election. Showing concern for Iowa’s citizens in this time of need is not only the right thing to do but is smart politically as well.
Postscript: On Saturday Barack Obama traveled to Quincy, Illinois, to help fill sandbags that were used to hold back the floodwaters of the Mississippi River. He postponed a trip to Iowa until late this month, saying that his presence there would interfere with flood recovery efforts. (Click link to follow to see video.)
Obama Fills Sandbags in Illinois
On his campaign Web site, Obama prominently features ways to help victims of the floods in the Midwest including volunteering to sandbag and contacting the American Red Cross. Obama’s web site offers concrete ways to help. In contrast, on John McCain’s Web site is the routine statement offering “prayers and sympathies.”
