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No, the analysis was STILL stupid, because the 400K included the infrastructure price.

I think 'stupid' is a strong word for that. You have been really civil on this topic so it's no big deal. :-)

The point the original poster is trying to make is that you have $200 billion being allocated for the well being of X number of people. Whether that money goes directly to the individuals or is spread out to cover their infrastructure needs (besides the port), it's still be used for the benefit of that group which is why it can be calculated to be $400,000 per person.

The argument can certainly be made that port benefits the nation and not just the local residents and that is true. However, private insurance claims and commercial investment would easily rebuild the port without any federal money.

In effect the federal government is rebuilding a port that they don't need to - it would be taken care of without their help. Since the federal money to rebuild the port isn't needed in the first place, the $200 billion is actually just going to the local residents.

Also, any building with a mortgage was almost certainly properly insured due to requirements by the lender. Insurance companies have over $400 billion in reserve and can handle the legitimate claims with no problem.

Also, those that were poor (the ones everyone is using for the poster child) almost certainly didn't own property in the first place. It is not clear why the federal government feels the burden to replace a home that they didn't have in the first place.

A more honest study, one which say, came up with a figure of even 200,000 per person, would be more honest, and would still make the same point without being disingenuous. While I dont have a real problem with the plans for NO, I can see the other side, quite clearly, I do have my libertarian roots. I believe that if there IS a "reason" for a federal government, something like this would surely fall under it (like defense, and certain infrastructure costs). Its just an opinion, and I can see the other side, thats why I know you guys aren't evil or anything, thats why I'm civil about it.

At this point, its going to be a "hope for the best" situation, hope that it can be done with a minumum of waste and corruption (yeah, right...)..