If you want to live in a sewer, do it at your own risk.
There is much sense in what this fellow speaks.
It also applies to people who choose to live along the Pacific slopes in California in their mansions and get bailed out by FEMA everytime there is a massive mudslide.
But what about hurricane damage further north and in the interior? What about tornados?
How do you draw a line between one type of catastrophy like New Orleans, and others which are in the gray area?
The American way--freedom of choice and each American is responsible for their choices--and should be held to that standard.
I agree -- if people choose to live in a bowl under sea level, they should do so at their own risk. I do NOT want to see them standing in the middle of the road asking WHY SOMEONE isn't giving them somthing!
I was in the 23 hour drive away from Rita and I've faced hurricane's all my life here in Galveston County. But I don't expect the government (i.e. the taxpayers, everyone who works an honest day) to pay for my decision. We paid our on way on evacuation, and that's that. We may change our lifestyle to avoid having to do this in the future as well....again, all done in in OUR POCKETBOOKS!
I do not think we (taxpayers) should have to pay to re build New Orleans. As much of a "tradition" as it is -- it might be wiped off the face of the earth once or twice a year -- who knows how many other hurricanes are coming this year, next, and the next? How many $200 billion dollar re-buildings are we supposed to cover?
Cathy