Dear Senator Ted Cruz,

It’s been reported that you requested federal aid for those in Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey. This isn’t the first or the second time you’ve requested federal aid for your state, and it’s clear the residents of Texas need help. But, there are a few things I need to say to you regarding this matter because several years ago, in 2012, you voted against providing aid for my state following Hurricane Sandy when thousands of people across the tri-state area were in desperate need.

Now, I recognize that given I’m not a constituent or a donor who lines your pockets, you probably don’t give a rats ass what I think of you, but I have to say, you’re a real piece of work (and that is putting it lightly). That said, the biggest problem I have with you isn’t that I disagree with 99.9% of your policy positions, it’s that you are a world class, hypocrite. Or as the so called President would say, a HUUUUGGGEEE hypocrite.

See, I was born and raised in a small town on the south shore of Long Island, New York. Five years ago my hometown was devastated by a natural disaster known as Hurricane Sandy. Many of my friends and neighbors lost their homes and all of their possessions. My mother, who had 5 feet of salt water eroding everything in her basement, was one of the lucky ones who did not lose everything. In fact, a handful of people I grew up with are still displaced to this very day, their homes are still being rebuilt five years later and they haven’t been able to return. In addition, many, if not most, of the small businesses in my small town were damaged beyond repair. It took several months, and in some cases several years for those businesses to recover; others never did.





Now, you might be thinking, ‘What does this have to do with me?’ Well, I will tell you. Five years ago, in 2012, you voted “no” on the Hurricane Sandy relief bill. A spending bill that would have helped my family, friends, and neighbors recover from this devastating natural disaster. You claimed that the government could not afford it and that there were so-called “pork barrel” provisions in it with which you didn’t agree. Fast forward to 2017, when several days ago, you requested federal assistance and funds for your home state following Hurricane Harvey, a storm which arguably wouldn’t have been nearly as big or disastrous if we actually took steps to reduce our carbon emissions and combat climate change; things that you’re against. But I digress. Worse, you have the audacity to continue defending your “no” vote on Sandy relief. I mean is it really that hard to admit you were wrong?

How is it that you can deny residents of New York and New Jersey federal aid after a natural disaster but then turn around and request aid for your fellow Texans following another? You sir sure have some chutzpah, as we say up here in New York. Is “socialism” okay so long as it benefits Texans, but not if it benefits New Yorkers?

Now, I don’t want to sound harsh. If the residents of Texas need aid and they should get it. Clearly, I am not cold-hearted like you Senator Cruz and I care about the well being of my fellow Americans despite the fact I may despise their choice of elected officials and/or disagree with their politics (except for the Nazis, who deserve what they get, but that’s another article). However, it’s quite disheartening that you’re only in favor of spending money on disaster relief when it benefits your constituents. Is that what it means to be patriotic these days?

In sum, you voted “no” on the Sandy relief bill that my area desperately needed. You did not care about my friends or family, so why am I supposed to care about your constituents? The only reason I do, is because unlike you, I care about all of my fellow citizens. Mr. Cruz, I implore you to stop being a hypocrite. If you want to claim that the government could not afford a disaster bill for New York and New Jersey residents whose lives, homes, and businesses were upended by a hurricane, it is beyond the pale for you to turn around several years later and request federal funds when the same thing happens in your state. It’s wrong, it’s hypocritical, and it’s damn near un-American.

Love,

A Pissed Off New Yorker

P.S. You’re an ass.

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