Yes, the JLA should have helped, despite what Batman said. The story where Superman fixes the power plant just so people can go nuts to prove the JLA shouldn't be there is a bad idea. They should be dropping Cornucopia machines to clean up the water supply, recycle waste, etc. No doubt, no question.
HOWEVER. If you accept the premise that the JLA doesn't stick its nose into other disaster areas in China, Bosnia, Brazil, etc., you're left with one of two options:
1. The JLA is specifically a group that puts America first, because it's America.
2. They realize the dangers of trying to be gods and fix everything, and hold back to saving people only in times of the most dire crises.
I'm more comfortable with the second, even though I don't like it.