Posted on 02/18/2006 5:13:20 PM PST by Lokibob
Am I the only person bothered by the Mardi Gras? The rest of the country is spending billions of $$$ on Katrina recovery, and New Orleans is partying.
Fox news said this afternoon that overtime for the NOPD will run 2.5 million $$ alone.
I mean things are tough, it is tax time, and we have to cough up hard earned money, while NO acts like a buck sponge.
Louisiana politicians seem like jerks, but that Mardi Gras will be held is a positive thing IMO. I haven't heard that they are asking the federal government to pay for Mardi Gras, so good for them is what I think. It should bring some honest money into town, as opposed to money raised forcibly in the form of taxes.
But the business of New Orleans is tourism. It's how we've always made our money. This is us being self-reliant. Nobody is forcing you to come down here.
Not to beat a dead horse, but $2.5 millon could go along way toward getting a bunch of families on their feet.
Yes, that's true, but presumably Mardi Gras will bring a lot more than $2.5 million into NOLA. Of course the money from Mardi Gras goes into the economy rather than into government run charities, but IMO that's more helpful to the citizens of the city anyway.
Mardi Gras always bothers me
I tend to have the same opinion. It's part of their culture, so I can see how it could give them a morale boost, but there's a part of me that really doesn't like the idea that they are throwing a party when there's been so much destruction.
That is great!!!ROFLMAO!!
Very, very clever!
I believe we have a winner on the thread!
Mardi Gras is part of them and part of their history. To them it may be an innate pride and a refusal to be beat down that inspired civic-minded organizers, clubs and volunteers to forge ahead with the event despite the almost unbearable obstacles.
New Orleans is not all wastrels and looters. There's many people, including grandmas and grandpas, and little kids, and stressed out workers of all kinds who will hear a little happy night music and see an upbeat parade, and catch some beads, and eat some good things again on the streets.
Maybe it's just their own mental Phoenix rising from the ashes. The continuation of their signature celebratory event has got to boost their morale.
Don't knock people who are already down for having their Mardi Gras. Should everyone in New Orleans walk around forever bowed down with a black cloud over their heads?
On with the show!
Leni
You make an excellant point! I see that it coud be of help emotionally to those that have been devastated. I am sorry that I make a lot of comments about how the politicos have misused money and the corruption because there are many wonderful people in LA who have been devestated.
For all the people who have suffered, my heart goes out to you and go ahead and party!
Throwing parties is how we make our living. We've gotta start some time.
Funny part about that is, locals aren't the ones doing the flashing. Those are all tourists. : )
w00t! Comin' down?
A little more seriously: Hard to object that a community that has been flung far and wide by a terrible (mostly) natural event, should delay the one thing that has united them for centuries. I am not po'd that my tax money has been spent. Hell, there are worse things it is wasted upon.
Leni
That's fair.
What part of it's a lot of people's livelihood do you not understand? It's the restaurants, costume makers, float makers, hotels, etc. Besides there are several corporate sponsors this year remember?
I've seen conservative estimates that this years Mardi Gras would result in a $300M influx of money to the NO area....money that is desperately needed by the local businesses and community,
The tax influx was estimated around $30M.....
It would seem that the $2.5M would be both responsible and well spent money to prime the Mardi Gras money making pump.
However, it still remains to be seen if this Marti Gras will meet expectations......
I personally prefer they (NO) raise their money through capitalistic endeavors than continue to rely on the Federal teat.....
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