Letters from an American July 6, 2025
28 snips
Jul 7, 2025 Central Texas faces devastating floods, revealing the harsh consequences of government budget cuts on disaster response. The discussion highlights the tragic loss of life and calls for better preparedness. Additionally, a surge in measles cases uncovers the impact of decreased public health funding. The turmoil within the National Security Council and troubling claims about presidential authority also take center stage, raising questions about national security and public health priorities.
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Government Cuts Weaken Flood Warnings
- Severe government cuts reduced the National Weather Service staff by 600, impairing emergency communication.
- This left many unable to receive timely warnings during deadly Texas floods, possibly increasing casualties.
FEMA Communication Limits Increase Risk
- FEMA officials were ordered to limit communication with key federal, state, and local partners.
- This top-down control restricts effective emergency response and coordination.
USAID Cuts to Cause Millions of Deaths
- USAID cuts will result in over 14 million premature deaths in five years, including 4.5 million children under five.
- Past programs prevented nearly 92 million deaths from 2001 through 2021.