Readers sound off: Trump is doing what he can for Puerto Rico

Letter to the editor:

Recovering from disasters in these semi-third world areas is always troublesome. Rebuilding infrastructure damage is slow, impeding supply distribution. And Democrats, both on the island and on the mainland, already weighed in with their usual anti-President Trump and anti-Federal Emergency Management Agency narratives.

It’s misleading to blame outsiders for the problems Puerto Ricans now face. Most are self-inflicted, as was the island’s pre-existing debt. Years ago, I often needed to quickly refuel my plane at the San Juan airport. It was like pulling teeth to get ground crews out of their chairs or off a break. Some problems are endemic.

When floods hit Fargo, N.D., ambitious locals cleaned up the mess and even prepared for future floods without waiting for outside help. We can only hope Puerto Rico will continue to emulate that example.

Richard Doyle; Forest Lake, Minn.

Comments are edited for clarity and grammar:

President Trump needs to get serious about helping Puerto Rico. The current efforts are not enough. He should be sending in the military with food, medicine, generators and temporary shelters, and to oversee rescue and evacuation efforts.

Instead, the president has spent days tweeting about NFL players and criticizing San Juan’s mayor, ignoring the desperate plight of Americans for whom every second can mean the difference between life and death. What kind of a man does this? Americans are in trouble and Trump needs to stop publicly patting himself on the back for doing a good job and actually do his job!

— Jeanne Nelson

They’re making progress on an infrastructure that was already in bad shape. But it will take time to rebuild and modernize. Prayers to Puerto Rico.

— Jake Smith

In Puerto Rico, we need to go big or go home. Otherwise, Trump will do as much good for the island as he did for the Trump International Cocoa Beach Golf Club.

— Carlme Dramer

More: My homeland was destroyed. President Trump, Puerto Rico needs your help.

More: Jones Act is a swamp creature that's strangling Puerto Rico

We asked our followers their thoughts on President Trump’s response to the crisis in Puerto Rico. Tweets are edited for clarity and grammar:

We’ll let you know after he responds! So far, the only thing Trump’s done is criticize San Juan’s mayor, who is doing her best.

— @ijustbtweeting

Response has been great, but Trump’s tweets are in poor taste.

— @Luckeytiger14

Trump’s response to Mayor Yulin Cruz was beyond disgraceful. People are suffering and dying, and Trump is politicizing a tragedy.

— @stevedickman

Trump had plans and help before the storm hit. Despite what Mayor Yulin and others whine about, he was doing all he could.

— @Tree417711

I think Puerto Rico is hurting. The mayor should not strike out in anger. Asking for help in the right manner is important.

— @Cyndy1220

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