The Right Track: After Milton, Helene, we must lean on community

I have watched in horror as friends and colleagues in North Carolina endure the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. As Florida residents brace for Hurricane Milton, I’ve thought a lot about the intersection of government aid, community and this election. 
I’ve been disappointed at how long it has taken for people to receive federal aid following Helene, and I worry for Floridians dealing with the severity of Milton.   
Yet, I have found inspiration and strength watching communities come together to help one another in crisis.  
America is known for its emphasis on individualism. Conservatives believe strongly in liberty and personal responsibility. Anyone who’s gone through a tough time knows that sometimes the only people we can really rely on are ourselves and our community.  
That said, there is a time and place for the government to help. Because our taxpayer dollars fund these entities, they should do an excellent job when needed. Yet they often don’t. 
My column: Helene exposed FEMA’s weaknesses. Can they handle Milton’s devastation in Florida?
If you’ve been lucky enough to avoid such difficulty until now, you can put this to the test by asking yourself: If you to ship something important quickly, do you use the U.S. Postal Service or FedEx?  
The inadequacies of state, local and federal governments often remind people why they need community, but that doesn’t let our elected officials and bureaucrats off the hook.   
In many ways, an election answers the question: Who can we trust to lead this country, especially when times are hard?  
America is a powerhouse, but not without its struggles. Whether it’s the threat of foreign enemies or natural disasters like a major hurricane barreling toward Florida, it is imperative that Americans have a president they can depend on to make good decisions.  
Who will that be?  
Americans will decide in a few weeks. They will do so with the aftermath of hurricane season fresh in their minds.  
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris would do well to remember that.