Wildfires in California have once again wreaked havoc on our friends on the west side of the country. And while it’s undeniably heartbreaking to see anyone lose their home, it’s hard not to roll your eyes when the tabloids light up with stories of Mandy Moore, Billy Crystal, Jeff Bridges and Paris Hilton mourning their multimillion-dollar properties.

Don’t get me wrong. My empathy isn’t a total no-show. I’m genuinely glad these stars made it out alive, that their pets are safe, and that some of their cherished mementos weren’t entirely reduced to ash. But these folks aren’t in danger of having to go to the food pantry anytime soon or needing to rely on a helicopter to deliver water or propane.

Here’s the thing about my empathy for these celebritieis: these rich elitists have got the money to crash at the Four Seasons, rent a Tesla, and order DoorDash sushi without a second thought – so it’s hard to feel like they’re truly struggling. Meanwhile, the folks in North Carolina are living in trailers (if they are lucky), vehicles, garages, barns and tents after the hurricane and flooding swept away their homes.

These North Carolina survivors aren’t booking penthouse suites to ride out their disaster. That leaves these working-class folks scraping together GoFundMe campaigns just to afford a week at a Motel 6. Some have been lucky enough to get trailers (from private companies, not usually FEMA) and many are waiting for a helicopter or a convoy of mules to bring them supplies.

And now we learn that some of the hurricane survivors are getting kicked out of their temporary housing by FEMA just as President Biden announces that the federal government will cover 100% of disaster response costs for California wildfires – for six months. Let that sink in. It seems being a California Democratic government or voter comes with some serious perks – federal cash flows like a river whenever they are in need. Meanwhile, Trump supporters dealing with disasters are left watching FEMA breeze right past their neighborhoods.