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In any benefit cost analysis - failure is often caused by not explicitly measuring the do-nothing, or "base case" option. In the case of a flooded NO - the base case might be to pump out the water (running the existing pump system), bulldoze much of the residential sectors to eliminate health and environmental issues, then protect a smaller area (downtown, historic district) with additional flood protection.

If the cost of repairs and enhancing the levees to withstand a category 5 were, say 300 trillion dollars, I think we all know what the answer would be. What the real cost of real alternatives is - has to be developed objectively and presented to the taxpayers who are going to foot the bill. It must be of such a magnitude that the state of Louisiana cannot handle it - or one presumes they might have... Never mind.

Hastert is correct - and Blanco should stick to doing what she is supposed to do and has failed to do heretofore - protect the citizens of her state.