Opinion | Trump, Musk, FEMA, Biden and Hurricane Helene: 14 Voters Focus on

Jason, 52, white, unbiased, account govt

Authorities has loads of capabilities. It’s ensuring that we have now a functioning society and never chaos. It’s the army. It’s public companies and packages like Social Safety and Medicaid. It’s serving to its residents.

Porscha, 36, Black, Democrat, guide

Sustaining order, safety, defending our rights, having some kind of guidelines and construction round all the things — that’s my fast thought once I take into consideration what the federal government is meant to do.

Mark, 64, white, Republican, retired

Yeah, the federal government is meant to offer legislation and steering to individuals in order that all of us have the identical rights and obligations.

Kirsten, 35, white, Democrat, sourcing supervisor

Fund its army.

Steve, 55, white, unbiased, plumber

Accumulate taxes. That’s not factor.

Jordan, 34, white, Republican, unemployed

Present difficult explanations for why it does what it does.

Nina, 62, white, Republican, operations supervisor

Not all of the individuals they’re serving to deserve the assistance, however they do provide assist to people who find themselves needy, like vets. I feel they might do higher.

Kimberly, 41, white, Democrat, unemployed

Wealthy individuals.

Richard, 40, Asian, Republican, tech assist supervisor

I feel they do care for companies, in order to make sure that there’s work and jobs.

Steve, 55, white, unbiased, plumber

The whole lot.

LaKetha, 40, Black, Democrat, counselor

They’re extra in tune with what our residents want, our native residents. A whole lot of businesses right here in North Carolina are native, they usually sort of have an ear to what our native individuals want.

Kirsten, 35, white, Democrat, sourcing supervisor

North Carolina is certainly pushing the boundaries of working for itself versus for the individuals. We’ve seen loads of laws handed not too long ago that actually doesn’t have the very best curiosity of the individuals, together with loads of ways to attempt to block votes. So whereas state governments actually are extra in tune throughout the board, I feel North Carolina is testing the bounds of what would have been acceptable up to now.

Nina, 62, white, Republican, operations supervisor

I don’t assume the federal authorities does nicely with FEMA. I feel that they’ve let the individuals of Western North Carolina down.

Sydney, 29, Black, Democrat, studying specialist

There’s been an try at combating rampant misinformation. I see all of those paperwork and web sites that attempt to assist individuals perceive what’s truly occurring in authorities and with FEMA. Nevertheless it appears to only sort of create extra distrust and misinformation. I don’t actually know the best way to fight that, however I feel that we might discover different methods to construct confidence in our authorities than tip sheets and truth sheets.

Steve, 55, white, unbiased, plumber

I feel the federal authorities did a horrible job on the Covid response with their overreach. They threw loads of companies, particularly eating places and small enterprise homeowners, in an enormous wreck, they usually silenced various strategies of remedies for Covid.

Jason, 52, white, unbiased, account govt

Clearly, I hear about Elon Musk and DOGE and the sledgehammer that they’re taking to loads of the federal government businesses. There was a memo about shedding 80,000 employees within the V.A. A whole lot of these are veterans. So I feel there’s undoubtedly waste, fraud and abuse within the federal authorities that must be corrected. However I feel we have to use a scalpel, not a sledgehammer. And I feel it’s inflicting loads of issues within the nation.

Regine, 53, Black, unbiased, caterer

We’ve got a shadow president. Elon Musk is working the nation, and Trump isn’t. And he’s sitting right here, tearing aside the nation. All these persons are being laid off. It’s only a mess. I voted Republican earlier than, so it’s nothing in opposition to them. However what they’re doing is completely mistaken.

Regine, 53, Black, unbiased, caterer

That every one these persons are shedding their jobs, veterans. There aren’t any jobs. Cuts to companies, U.S.A.I.D. It’s all the things. The markets are down. Farmers would possibly lose their farms. It’s simply horrible, what’s occurring proper now.

Mark, 64, white, Republican, retired

All of the layoffs are very regarding. We’re shedding jobs within the technical elements like NOAA and the Nationwide Climate Service. They not too long ago shut down courses for the Nationwide Hearth Coaching Academy as a result of all these jobs and funding had been minimize. And people aren’t simply anyone pushing a chunk of paper someplace. These very important jobs which can be wanted to assist the entire nation.

Steve, 55, white, unbiased, plumber

I feel the cuts are completely good. We’ve spent billions of {dollars} for different nations and loopy packages like transgender analysis in different nations and all types of idiotic, non-common-sense expenditures of taxpayer {dollars}. And that has to alter. It’s been occurring for years, authorities waste on each side.

Kimberly, 41, white, Democrat, unemployed

I really like that I’m roughly an hour and a half from just about all the things besides the seaside. There’s an enormous metropolis comparatively shut by. I can go as much as the mountains and hike. I can go over to good flatlands. We’ve obtained actually good lakes right here.

Abigail, 28, white, unbiased, working assistant

I equally love the range that we have now. The mountains are so lovely, with wonderful hikes. We’ve got lovely seashores and massive cities, lakes and a really wealthy historical past.

Regine, 53, Black, unbiased, caterer

Coming from New York — the standard of life right here is, arms down, the very best. The air smells completely different. You’re not in a rush to go nowhere like we’re in New York. I simply love being right here. And shifting right here was the very best determination I’ve ever made my entire life.

Nina, 62, white, Republican, operations supervisor

Devastating.

Jason, 52, white, unbiased, account govt

Horrific.

Richard, 40, Asian, Republican, tech assist supervisor

Wrecked.

Mark, 64, white, Republican, retired

Absolute catastrophe.

Kimberly, 41, white, Democrat, unemployed

Devastating.

Kirsten, 35, white, Democrat, sourcing supervisor

Yeah, devastating.

LaKetha, 40, Black, Democrat, counselor

Destruction.

Kimberly, 41, white, Democrat, unemployed

After I first moved to North Carolina as a child, it was truly per week earlier than Hurricane Hugo hit. That was a profound expertise that I carry with me. Preparedness turns into a focus with each dangerous storm as a result of my dad was in development. Nonetheless, with Hurricane Helene, it occurred to be that regardless that they stated, “Right here’s the worst factor that would occur,” it was nonetheless worse.

Nina, 62, white, Republican, operations supervisor

I lived in Florida for 16 years. So I used to be ready, so far as my husband and my fast wants. However I wasn’t ready for the street arising and the waters simply doing what they did. I really feel like I used to be as ready as I might be, although.

Porscha, 36, Black, Democrat, guide

I’m additionally from New York. I went by way of Hurricane Sandy. At the moment, individuals appeared to know what was going to occur. The necessity to evacuate, the hazard zone — all that was clear. With Helene, though we watched the information, I don’t assume anyone had even a clue that it was going to get that dangerous. In the future, you’re residing a method, and the subsequent day, it’s simply gone.

Sydney, 29, Black, Democrat, studying specialist

I used to be overseas when it was occurring. I used to be maintaining with the information, and nobody was texting me again. It will take weeks to succeed in family and friends. And it was bizarre as a result of they didn’t know what was occurring, provided that there was problem with transportation and the telephones had been down. Someway I used to be extra knowledgeable than individuals who had been going by way of it in actual time.

LaKetha, 40, Black, Democrat, counselor

For me, issues obtained actual when our freeway and loads of the key roads had been fully blocked. That was a doozy.

Nina, 62, white, Republican, operations supervisor

When the stream in entrance of my home was coming as much as my entrance door and I used to be seeing bridges go underwater, I assumed, “OK, we’re in bother.”

Jordan, 34, white, Republican, unemployed

I wasn’t personally affected by the hurricane, however my aunt was. After I wasn’t in a position to get in contact together with her and I heard that everyone misplaced energy for weeks on finish, I knew that issues had been actually dangerous. The place I’m from, we obtained just a few downed bushes and misplaced energy for a day or two.

Kirsten, 35, white, Democrat, sourcing supervisor

It was actually troublesome to get correct info throughout the storm. However within the aftermath Blue Ridge Public Radio was the very best info that I got here throughout. They began sending each day textual content messages on what they knew, they usually continued to try this till we had our water again and clear.

Nina, 62, white, Republican, operations supervisor

It’s about the identical with us. Our county, they had been sending us alerts on our telephone. That’s how I obtained it earlier than the storm.

Mark, 64, white, Republican, retired

That occurs lots with common media. They attempt to leap on the story simply to get one thing on the air. However they don’t have both all the knowledge or sufficient info. My two-way radio linked me with loads of North Carolina, together with the VIPER Community, the radio community for the general public security officers throughout the whole state.

Jason, 52, white, unbiased, account govt

There was loads of politicization of the occasion as a result of it was proper earlier than the large election. And there was loads of blaming. There was loads of misinformation about who was getting helped, who was not getting assist, who was flying helicopters, who wasn’t. So loads of tales that got here out — loads of issues obtained debunked. A whole lot of issues truly had been true to some extent, however there was simply loads of issues attempting to polarize individuals as a substitute of bringing us all collectively.

Kimberly, 41, white, Democrat, unemployed

We had been with out web for the higher a part of two weeks. And that meant that most individuals had been discovering info on their telephones, and even then, you continue to couldn’t get a lot. So lots of people had been specializing in social media, the place they might get little bursts of issues. There was loads of, “Oh, nicely, I heard somebody say this.” Seeing it by way of that lens fairly persistently, there have been issues that had been getting unfold that had been very clearly not true. However individuals weren’t able to fact-check it, and that’s why it was going rampant.

Porscha, 36, Black, Democrat, guide

I’ve household that was instantly affected, they usually simply expressed to me how horrible it was, particularly instantly after, to get assist or assist and even simply an understanding of what’s all occurring or when they’ll get assist or when or how or something. They didn’t really feel secure, safe or any of the issues that I stated authorities is accountable for.

Mark, 64, white, Republican, retired

I additionally stated 1. Regionally, I feel issues went nicely. Within the western a part of the state, completely not. There are nonetheless individuals residing in tents. It’s not proper. I used to be denied my FEMA declare for harm over $15,000 at my house, they usually gained’t do something about it.

Regine, 53, Black, unbiased, caterer

I’ve members of the family which can be nonetheless residing in trailers. And identical to Mark, their claims had been denied. The native authorities, the state, that they had meals. That they had all the things. However so far as assist from the federal government and FEMA, they didn’t provide the provide help to’d assume they’d.

Steve, 55, white, unbiased, plumber

I watch each side of the information, left and proper, and attempt to get a commonsense fact among the many polar reverse viewpoints politically. Native authorities and church buildings, they had been extra useful. Positively not FEMA. They usually’re those that supposedly have all the cash.

Nina, 62, white, Republican, operations supervisor

I’ll inform you this until the day I die: If it had not been for individuals coming, volunteers coming from all around the United States — we noticed individuals from Georgia and Florida and Oregon and California and Texas — I don’t know what these individuals would have finished with out the volunteers.

Kimberly, 41, white, Democrat, unemployed

There have been loads of completely different organizations which have actually stepped as much as do no matter they’ll. A few of them are funded by FEMA, and I’ve labored with just a few of these. I need to guarantee that all people is aware of that FEMA did extra than simply work with these funds that instantly got here to us.

Richard, 40, Asian, Republican, tech assist supervisor

I’m certain FEMA funds plenty of various things, and I’m certain a few of the cash went to good use. However there was one group that we had been working with, donating water and issues, and they might truck the provides as much as the mountains. My grandparents reside up there and had been with out energy and water. And to be honest, I do know they need to ensure that issues are secure and issues aren’t getting too crowded. However we merely weren’t allowed to go and produce provides. In order that was actually irritating.

Kirsten, 35, white, Democrat, sourcing supervisor

In Asheville, we obtained loads of consideration. The Military Corps of Engineers got here in to assist rebuild and clear up the principle water remedy plant. Their efforts had been very fast, very direct, with fixed updates.

Jason, 52, white, unbiased, account govt

The $700 they gave individuals, it was very demonized, loads of controversy to say that that was all individuals obtained. However simply the truth that individuals obtained that fast funds to assist purchase provides and do issues — and, I imply, I wasn’t affected, however I do know individuals who had been.

Vincent, 40, white, Republican, customer support

Samaritan’s Purse. They had been doing loads of volunteering and loads of cleansing up for the western a part of North Carolina, together with loads of church leaders and organizations, too.

LaKetha, 40, Black, Democrat, counselor

Native church leaders and native companies.

Abigail, 28, white, unbiased, working assistant

I might agree about Samaritan’s Purse. I do know that they had an enormous quantity of volunteers. I volunteered with them in Asheville.

Porscha, 36, Black, Democrat, guide

Given my circle of relatives’s expertise with denied claims, I’m simply seeing a grey, detrimental cloud over everybody’s dealing with of it. I simply assume there wasn’t loads of consideration. I can sort of see providing a shaky hand for Biden-Harris. Nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient. And even now, I don’t assume that folks perceive that a lot extra assist is required. I feel we’re virtually forgotten.

Richard, 40, Asian, Republican, tech assist supervisor

There’s solely a lot both aspect can actually do, you recognize? However I nonetheless put my hand up for Trump-Vance as a result of the naked minimal you are able to do is simply present up and present your assist with the neighborhood and simply be there and provide no matter assets you might have. Not less than go see a few of the devastation your self and actually perceive and speak to the individuals.

Kirsten, 35, white, Democrat, sourcing supervisor

There have been fast funds launched post-hurricane. Possibly you’d anticipate both presidency to try this, however that simply occurred to be the presidency on the time of the hurricane. They did fly over. I keep in mind that. I feel it was inappropriate to be on the bottom. The roads had been blocked, so I feel that was the suitable factor to do, to fly over, to not truly be going into the city and shutting the few roads we had open. And that’s one thing we noticed with the Trump go to. I don’t know what Trump has finished, if something. I do know he desires to intestine FEMA. So how is that useful? That’s my perspective.

Nina, 62, white, Republican, operations supervisor

Trump obtained elected on Tuesday, and he was right here on Friday. And I feel these individuals wanted to see that the federal government was there. I feel they simply wanted reassurance, hope, no matter.

Porscha, 36, Black, Democrat, guide

I feel there must be extra consideration to the tales of the individuals which can be struggling. I might say it’s simply not loud sufficient.

Abigail, 28, white, unbiased, working assistant

I feel that the media consideration was so short-lived.

Nina, 62, white, Republican, operations supervisor

All the way in which down in Swannanoa, I noticed individuals nonetheless in tents. They should come again and present these individuals in tents. It’s virtually forgotten. And I get it. You begin residing your life.

Jason, 52, white, unbiased, account govt

It’s prefer it’s outdated information.

Kirsten, 35, white, Democrat, sourcing supervisor

My first thought was very selfishly like, “There goes any new assist protection for Western North Carolina. We’re shifting on to the subsequent massive factor.” And rightfully so, on one hand, as a result of that was devastating. However we’re at all times shifting on to the subsequent story. So it simply felt like, “Effectively, right here comes the top for our protection.”

Kirsten, 35, white, Democrat, sourcing supervisor

After which, in fact, I additionally felt a whole sense of loss for them as a result of how horrifying for all these individuals, whether or not they misplaced their properties or simply smoke harm that makes their house uninhabitable. And third, concern about FEMA — we had been fortunate to get some huge cash in 2024. So the 2025 bucket might be going closely on the market. After which what does that go away for the remainder of the storm season for the remainder of the U.S.?

Mark, 64, white, Republican, retired

You had the fires in Hawaii, which has now been — what? — two years in the past, they usually haven’t rebuilt but. Now you’ve obtained all these fires in California. How lengthy is it going to take to rebuild that? How lengthy is it going to take to rebuild Western North Carolina? The entire system of fixing issues is damaged. The whole lot that’s imagined to be in place isn’t there.

Nina, 62, white, Republican, operations supervisor

The final flooding we had on this space was, like, 100 years in the past. So I do know this was only a fluke. I higher knock on wooden that it was a fluke. However I don’t assume it might make me change.

LaKetha, 40, Black, Democrat, counselor

I do know now that I have to be extra ready, that I have to have as many assets as I presumably can for myself. I used to be a child as nicely when Hurricane Hugo got here by way of. After which I went by way of this one. So it modified my considering — not anticipating that the federal government would come by way of and assist. Or in the event that they did, I felt like they simply did drive-bys.

Vincent, 40, white, Republican, customer support

I might simply keep proper the place I’m. It’s all a part of nature and life.

Regine, 53, Black, unbiased, caterer

I used to fret in regards to the disasters the place I’d reside however not anymore. Under no circumstances.

Nina, 62, white, Republican, operations supervisor

I don’t belief FEMA. It’s probably not saying something dangerous about FEMA. I feel that the state ought to deal with stuff like that as a result of FEMA, once I did see FEMA, that they had no thought in regards to the space. They didn’t know the hollers and locations like that. So whereas giving them credit score for what they do, they had been virtually misplaced in some instances.

Jason, 52, white, unbiased, account govt

Unpopular opinion: I feel FEMA serves a really helpful goal because the federal response to deal with emergency administration conditions, just like the California fires and all of the issues we have now. I imply, Helene hit Florida. It hit Georgia. It hit South Carolina. It was not simply Western North Carolina. I feel it was a really troublesome job due to issues that Nina simply talked about, all of the little hollers and areas up there within the terrain. However I’m terrified of shedding FEMA or having FEMA be minimize and when the subsequent hurricane or pure catastrophe occurs underneath this administration or shifting ahead. FEMA isn’t good, however I feel it serves a helpful goal.

Steve, 55, white, unbiased, plumber

I simply don’t belief the federal government hardly in any respect, anyway, for lots of causes, federal authorities and state. I’m going to say extra companies needs to be privatized. Even FEMA might be privatized, I feel.

Richard, 40, Asian, Republican, tech assist supervisor

I feel there may be worth to what FEMA does. However I would like it ensured that the cash’s going to the communities that need assistance. And I do have a mistrust for the federal government basically. I simply need to guarantee that the tax {dollars} they gather go to those communities and go to issues which can be actually going to learn the nation.

Kirsten, 35, white, Democrat, sourcing supervisor

It is a nice time to carry up insurance coverage, as a result of that may be a type of protection, privatized protection. We’ve talked lots about FEMA, authorities assist. We’re shedding insurance coverage in Florida and California and coastal North Carolina due to pure disasters. We pay into it. That’s a private-ish approach to get your a reimbursement. And loads of these insurance coverage claims are denied 100%. So I feel we’ve tried that, and it failed.

Richard, 40, Asian, Republican, tech assist supervisor

Insurance coverage — that’s an enormous a part of the issue. They paid my declare however didn’t cowl close to all the things that they need to have. However insurance coverage wants to exchange these homes and all the things. It’s loopy. They preserve elevating the price, and what do you get in return? I imply, I assume you do get some peace of thoughts, however there’s so many alternative riders.

Nina, 62, white, Republican, operations supervisor

Effectively, I had expertise with the insurance coverage firm, and I known as them twice a day, day by day. I didn’t have any issues. They paid my claims, but it surely’s in all probability as a result of I bugged them to dying. They had been sick of listening to from me. And to be sincere with you, I don’t know the best way to resolve that.

Kimberly, 41, white, Democrat, unemployed

I simply assume that any insurer that’s going to be in the marketplace, there needs to be one thing that our authorities places down that claims, “If you’re going to operate as a enterprise, you might be required to offer your companies to anybody prepared to pay for it.” And there needs to be a restrict to how a lot that individual must pay, as a result of we don’t need it the place there’s out of the blue value gouging. However everybody ought to have the ability to get insurance coverage. And the federal government is a kind of entities that may step in and assist make that occur.

Vincent, 40, white, Republican, customer support

I want the federal government would know what the victims went by way of, truly. I would like the federal government to be extra useful, to be extra in tune with them.

Sydney, 29, Black, Democrat, studying specialist

Take a chapter from the native response. I do know the federal government on a federal degree has far more assets than native. However I simply want that they’d have a continued and forceful effort in the way in which that native authorities has.

Regine, 53, Black, unbiased, caterer

Individuals are actually struggling on the market. And they should actually step up their recreation and ship individuals the assistance that they want.

Abigail, 28, white, unbiased, working assistant

I might say that these are actual those that didn’t assume that this could ever occur to them within the mountains, and meaning it might occur wherever.

Jason, 52, white, unbiased, account govt

Have higher coordination with native volunteer efforts. I feel that was an enormous drawback, that they weren’t listening to the individuals on the street who had been attempting to assist and had been taking a little bit bit an excessive amount of management.

Porscha, 36, Black, Democrat, guide

Make readiness a precedence, be extra proactive and prioritize funds in order that we’re totally ready to deal with these conditions.

Richard, 40, Asian, Republican, tech assist supervisor

I want they’d perceive how chilly it’s within the winter within the mountains. Sleeping in tents isn’t a fantastic expertise. I simply really feel for all of the those that had been having to expertise that.

Steve, 55, white, unbiased, plumber

Give extra of the ability and assets again to the native and state governments.

Kimberly, 41, white, Democrat, unemployed

The whole lot modifications. So the response that it’s a must to one catastrophe someday can’t be the identical response that it’s a must to even the same catastrophe the subsequent day as a result of all the things actually issues on specifics. Figuring out the individuals and the locations — that’s what it’s a must to do.

LaKetha, 40, Black, Democrat, counselor

We wish you to come back in fast. We wish you to come back in quick. And we wish you to instantly unfold the funds and the monetary help and don’t make it exhausting for us to get it. And make the quantities lots greater.

Kirsten, 35, white, Democrat, sourcing supervisor

In the course of the aftermath of Helene, we fully forgot in regards to the election and political agendas. And they might profit by doing the identical and considering a little bit bit extra in regards to the residents who reside right here.

Nina, 62, white, Republican, operations supervisor

Get right here sooner. And work extra with the locals and volunteers to assist individuals.

Jordan, 34, white, Republican, unemployed

Folks matter greater than politics. Each Republican and Democratic administrations extremely politicized the restoration efforts of the federal government. And I feel that in the end, like everybody stated, persons are nonetheless struggling. And that’s been overshadowed by elections and Elon Musk’s new function and all the things.

Mark, 64, white, Republican, retired

Don’t forget us. We’re nonetheless out right here. We’re nonetheless hurting. We’re nonetheless in want. We nonetheless have to be rebuilt.