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.
Regarding the Regress, though -- never happen.