New Orleans politicos want more money


And they are looking outside the US for the cash
Before I point you to the article, I would like to revisit my entry Spirit of New Orleans.

But now I am going to tell you about the New Orleans tragedy, the one that took place long before Katrina hit.

New Orleans is the city where racism was never allowed to heal.

New Orleans is the city where blacks were made a permanent underclass.

New Orleans was the model for American victimhood.

And New Orleans was always playing catch-up with other cities in the American South.

I can't exaggerate the billions of Federal dollars that were poured into Louisiana and New Orleans in an attempt to fix this or that social problem. Flood control. Education. Highways. Police. And literally dozens of other programs. All this taking place over years, decades. And all predicated on one simple assumption.

"The black people can't make it on their own."

"They have to have help. Lots and lots of help. Don't ask too many questions, just keep those checks coming."

New Orleans victimhood not only depended on racism, it reinforced it. Louisiana politicos got and kept power by telling blacks they would never amount to anything without help, no matter how hard they tried. Those politicos promised everything except accountability, and that is exactly what they delivered.

That is the dirty secret that no one wants to acknowledge.

Remember that when you read this.

Kenya Smith, director of intergovernmental relations for Mayor Ray Nagin, said city leaders are talking with more than five countries. He wouldn't identify the countries, saying discussions were in the early stages. But he said the city is "very serious" about pursuing foreign help.

"Of course, we would love to have all the resources we need from federal and state partners, but we're comfortable now in having to be creative," Smith said. He did not know if the city would have to overcome any obstacles if it got firm pledges for aid, but "we want to make sure we're leaving no options unexplored."

For months Nagin has complained bureaucracy is choking the flow of much-needed federal aid dollars to New Orleans - slowing the city's recovery. As of June 8, the city said it had received just over half of the $320 million FEMA has obligated for rebuilding city infrastructure and emergency response-related costs. The city has estimated its damage at far more than that - at least $1 billion. And that doesn't include other improvements - such as raised neighborhoods - meant to help build the stronger city promoted by Nagin and his recovery director.

Discussions with foreign representatives have been occurring off and on since the storm, but Smith said the city became re-engaged after a news report in April that millions of dollars in aid offered by foreign countries after Hurricane Katrina went unaccepted.

Why is the answer always more government aid?

How have the recovery funds that have already been provided been spent?

Where is the accountability?

Why is New Orleans practically the only city that isn't yet mostly recovered?

— NeoWayland

Posted: Fri - June 15, 2007 at 12:50 PM  Tag


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