Posted on 09/02/2007 8:50:34 AM PDT by 3AngelaD
“Hard to avoid the conclusion that you and others here believe the amount of money New Orleans has received is insufficient. Or no?”
No, my only intent was to clear up the ongoing incorrect notions that some people have as to where all those many government billions are going.
“So, how much more do you think you need, and what amount would be fair? Or has enough been provided? I am not being facetious, I am being serious.”
I appreciate that you are being serious about this, but truthfully I don’t know how to respond. I am not exactly sure just how much federal money is still available and what big projects may lie ahead to be completed. Although we have much more to do,and the city is far from being “back to normal”, much has in fact been done. For instance the levees are slowly being rebuilt and after lots of hassles with insurance companies, many people are rebuilding their homes. Some schools are up and running as well. The medical situation is still somewhat dicey. Many doctors are gone and the number of hospital beds are greatly reduced from pre-Katrina numbers, but we’re making headway and at this point that’s what counts. The news media tends to dwell on the most negative aspects of the storm’s aftermath.Those are the stories that draw the viewers and sell the papers. There is much more going on here than crime and French Quarter revelry.
“And I am still wondering what you think about the idea of setting up New Orleans as a tax-free zone and letting the private sector have a go at the problem?”
I do think that the idea of making us a tax free zone is a good one and could go along way in bringing business and, of course, jobs to the city. No income tax for a while would put more jingle in everybody’s jeans and that would stimulate the local economy too. Since we are two years out and Washington hasn’t proposed such an idea, I guess chances are pretty slim that this will happen.
I wonder if the writer is aware that that 127 billion not only went to New Orleans but also other parts of Louisiana as well as Mississippi, Alabama and Florida?
The White House is simply lying. It knows it is lying and has no problem misleading all of those who want to get rid of New Orleans into thinking that America has done it's job. This administration has been every bit as incompetent as Blanco and Nagin. It will be their pitiful legacy.
Being a New York "yankee" (born in White Plains to be exact)... living in Texas for 35+ years... native Texans think I am in deed an illegal immigrant ;-)
Gig 'Em Texas A&M Aggies... BEAT THE HELL OUTTA fresno st.
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