Katrina - Has America Forgotten?

[senorpepr]

Here are my two cents:

This is in regards to all natural disasters and not just Katrina.

Personally, I feel we, as a nation, should be a key process in the recovery effort. What I mean by this is that I believe federal tax money should work to help in a recovery situation by providing food and temporary shelter for hurricane, tornado, earthquake, etc. victims. (Of course, not limited to just food and shelter.)

However, I feel the rebuilding effort should go to the hands of the states and local governments / taxpayers. Personally, I don’t believe that North Dakotans should help in the process (in terms of tax money) to rebuild New Orleans (as an example), just as Louisianans shouldn’t help in the process to rebuild Bismark after a tornado or blizzard.

I feel the same way in regards to insurance. Those of the coast shouldn’t have to deal with increased rates (locally) due to tornadoes in the Midwest, just as Midwesterners shouldn’t have to deal with increased rates due to hurricanes.

[brunota2003]

Ok...I have been purposely staying away from this thread...not because I've forgotten...but for the fact that I would much rather stay away from all the heart-break I have when I think about Katrina...no America hasnt forgotten...how could that be said? However...the media has moved on, which in turn causes people to think that America has forgotten...As for the NO subject...I have a compermise...First off, you protect/rebuilt the parts of the city that are less vunrable to SS flooding...then after that is done...the rest is abandoned by regular people (which happens to be what? 60-80% of NO?) UNTIL the wetlands are well on their way to being healed...as the wetlands are healing contractors come in and built the levees stronger and start replacing old homes, maybe raising parts of the city, etc. then and only then are the regular people allowed to retake the city...but that way so much taxmoney isnt lost if a hurricane comes and swamps the city again...could you think if another hit right after the houses were rebuilt and moved into??? that would be...ugh...

[sunny]

Personally, I don’t believe that North Dakotans should help in the process (in terms of tax money) to rebuild New Orleans (as an example), just as Louisianans shouldn’t help in the process to rebuild Bismark after a tornado or blizzard.

But Louisianians HAVE helped rebuild many cities after disasters. And we have done so with an open heart. Hell, after 9/11, not only did we open our hearts and wallets, we sent a brand spanking new fire truck up there to help replace the ones that were lost!!! After Ivan hit Pensacola, not only did I donate to a few "relief agencies", I helped organize food and clothing drives! Because I wanted to do everything I could to help people in need. Well, now it's our turn. Yes, it is in a BIG way - I won't deny that. But what would people be saying if this BIG way were say Miami? Would people still be raising hell?

[HurryKane]

and who on earth will move there as a new resident?

One friend bought the house after Katrina that he'd been trying to buy before in NOLA, another friend just moved there from Bay St. Louis, and I'm very seriously considering it.

That's who

[Steve]

As to the firetrucks, we technically sent 2 (just that one wasn't ready when we sent the first one). The NYC firefighters returned the favor last fall. Thanks to them.

>>Not trying to add to the political thread here but I am not in a hole of $1,000 to anyone. Not sure where you got that figure, Steve. Furthermore, implying Texas (Houston) oil companies are the cause of LA's misery is totally off-base. If your going to tell the story tell the whole story

The figure = $300 billion spent divided by approximately 300 million residents of the United States. That = $1,000. Interest on that new portion of the debt will likely be at least a couple hundred million per year for all times. The math isn't hard.

As far as part 2, the oil companies weren't Texas oil companies. They were American oil companies that raped and pillaged the area and consolidated (most of) their employees in Houston when primary headquarters had previously been in New Orleans and Lafayette. Nevertheless, like I said, it is water under the bridge. But since you brought it up, praytell what is "the whole story"? Heh. Didn't think so.

Steve

[Audrey2Katrina]

However, I feel the rebuilding effort should go to the hands of the states and local governments / taxpayers. Personally, I don’t believe that North Dakotans should help in the process (in terms of tax money) to rebuild New Orleans (as an example), just as Louisianans shouldn’t help in the process to rebuild Bismark after a tornado or blizzard.

In principle, that seems an equitable scenario; however would you be equally willing to say that if a state contributes 1/3 the nation's energy resources, then it should get 1/3 the governmental revenues from energy?

I see your point, so please don't get me wrong. All we want is our fair share of what we contribute--which we haven't received in the past. Louisiana is a state with a wealth of resources the likes of which few states can match. The federal coffers have received an unbelievably larger amount of money FROM this state, than the miniscule, by comparison, amount we need to get our feet back on the ground.

A2K

[Audrey2Katrina]

and who on earth will move there as a new resident?

One friend bought the house after Katrina that he'd been trying to buy before in NOLA, another friend just moved there from Bay St. Louis, and I'm very seriously considering it.

That's who

LOL, I'm only a teacher; but if I had the funds, I'd love to purchase my old shotgun on Dauphine St. and refurbish her again to what she was back when I was raised there--in a heartbeat!

A heart that still beats and longs for the city I love.

A2K

[sunny]

LOL, I'm only a teacher; but if I had the funds, I'd love to purchase my old shotgun on Dauphine St. and refurbish her again to what she was back when I was raised there--in a heartbeat!

A heart that still beats and longs for the city I love.

A2K

OH, don't you know it!!! I would love to be able to refurbish an old shotgun!!!

I am very happy to say that my niece and her husband are also moving back here from Chicago at the end of this month with their babies. I can't wait! So that is seven more.....

HurryKane, come on over

[senorpepr]

Personally, I don’t believe that North Dakotans should help in the process (in terms of tax money) to rebuild New Orleans (as an example), just as Louisianans shouldn’t help in the process to rebuild Bismark after a tornado or blizzard.

But Louisianians HAVE helped rebuild many cities after disasters. And we have done so with an open heart. Hell, after 9/11, not only did we open our hearts and wallets, we sent a brand spanking new fire truck up there to help replace the ones that were lost!!! After Ivan hit Pensacola, not only did I donate to a few "relief agencies", I helped organize food and clothing drives! Because I wanted to do everything I could to help people in need. Well, now it's our turn. Yes, it is in a BIG way - I won't deny that. But what would people be saying if this BIG way were say Miami? Would people still be raising hell?

It sounds like you have misread what I'm saying. Personally, I don't feel it should be one state's tax money being used to rebuild a second state's disaster. Donating time and effort is wonderful. I fully support that as it's something I've done many times before and will continue to do in the future.

Let me toss out an example of something. The widest tornado on record struck a town a little over an hour away from me. This is your typical, rural Nebraskan town. No Wal-mart nearby... no supermarket. Just a simple town in the middle of the cornfields. After the tornado went through Hallam... everything was practically erased.

My point is... should Florida's share of tax money go to pay to rebuild the homes in Hallam, Nebraska? I feel it shouldn't be. I agree with federal money helping with the recovery effort (saving lifes and providing food/shelter), but not with the rebuilding effort. That should be left to the Nebraskan taxpayers. Now... if Floridians want to come up and help with the clean-up (like I did during my time off from work), that's awesome, but it shouldn't be mandatory for Florida's share of federal tax money to go to rebuilt a Nebraskan town just for it to be hit by another tornado.

The same goes for Katrina victims. I agree that federal money should help with the recovery effort. However, Missourians shouldn't have their share of federal tax money go to help the rebuilding effort along the Gulf Coast. Once again, I fully support donating the time and/or effort. I donated plenty of money, food, and building supplies for the recovery AND rebuilding effort along the Gulf Coast. I don't donate because I'm required to. I don't donate because I want to look good. I donate because I care about the PEOPLE who were affected.

[sunny]

I did misread your post senorpepr. Sorry.

[Pearl River]

So I made a mistake about Jayne Mansfield. I'm not perfect. A2K, she was on Hwy 90 outside of Slidell heading to N.O. for an interview on the old Ch.6 Midday show. She was coming from the coast.

Anyway, if we received a portion of the oil revenues it could be approx $ 2 billion a year and the poor taxpayers wouldn't have to pay anything. Just think what gas prices would be today, without the port of N.O. The rest of the country would be in a pretty deep economic disaster without the port, no matter what the product is that comes thru here.

Disasters happen and there's not a doggone thing anyone can do about it. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be. Yes, the city will flood again. It maybe this year or not for another 100 years.

This city and state have one of, if not the highest un-employment rate in this country and has for several years. But yet, when it comes to helping others in trouble, we give more than 47 other states in this country. Mississippi gives the most.

[senorpepr]

However, I feel the rebuilding effort should go to the hands of the states and local governments / taxpayers. Personally, I don’t believe that North Dakotans should help in the process (in terms of tax money) to rebuild New Orleans (as an example), just as Louisianans shouldn’t help in the process to rebuild Bismark after a tornado or blizzard.

In principle, that seems an equitable scenario; however would you be equally willing to say that if a state contributes 1/3 the nation's energy resources, then it should get 1/3 the governmental revenues from energy?

I see your point, so please don't get me wrong. All we want is our fair share of what we contribute--which we haven't received in the past. Louisiana is a state with a wealth of resources the likes of which few states can match. The federal coffers have received an unbelievably larger amount of money FROM this state, than the miniscule, by comparison, amount we need to get our feet back on the ground.

A2K

I completely agree with you. If your state contributes X amount into something shared by a greater body (the whole country), then you should receive X amount in revenues.

[brunota2003]

As to the firetrucks, we technically sent 2 (just that one wasn't ready when we sent the first one). The NYC firefighters returned the favor last fall. Thanks to them.

>>Not trying to add to the political thread here but I am not in a hole of $1,000 to anyone. Not sure where you got that figure, Steve. Furthermore, implying Texas (Houston) oil companies are the cause of LA's misery is totally off-base. If your going to tell the story tell the whole story

The figure = $300 billion spent divided by approximately 300 million residents of the United States. That = $1,000. Interest on that new portion of the debt will likely be at least a couple hundred million per year for all times. The math isn't hard.

Steve

Thank god I'm a kid...Me no have any IOU's to anyone...(besides like a $1 for Superbowl bets with one of my friends...) I dont need to pay $1,000 for recovery...nor do my parents or any friends/family...see...I can donate money/time if I want to...plus the gov't couldnt make me pay...dont forget that you would have to pay to...otherwise that would be unfair to the rest of us... dont you hate it when things are turned against you? j/k...

[Steve]

Senor,

I have to disagree with you. I think our state's entire budget is like $12 billion a year (give or take a couple bil). No way does anyone here have $75 billion or whatever it's going to take to finish the job. Some things are bigger than cities, states, or even regions. At the federal level, we don't have a say in where our tax money goes anyway. For all the black holes in government, $75B is nothing. That's not even 1/5th of what we paid in interest on the national debt last year which was like only the 3rd or 4th largest line item in the federal budget. If they don't want to help, *bleep* 'em. I say we seceed from the rest of the country and let them get their own oil. I'm sure the Californians who got shafted a couple of summers ago would show some love. Same goes for seafood. We export out a hell of a lot more than we import not to mention that we pad the federal coffers at either #2 or #3 in the nation (as someone mentioned previously).

If it's a small time thing, okay fine, let the state pay. But when it's your nation's costliest disaster ever and when the feds haven't done a particularly good job (ref. levees, Michael Brown, etc.), then they need to step up to the plate in the way that only they can. As I said, we're not even asking but for about 1/4 of what's been spent and allocated for Iraq to date. If the majority of Americans don't care about us, then I just got even more cynical.

Steve

[senorpepr]

I did misread your post senorpepr. Sorry.

It's alright.

Maybe I'm wrong for thinking this way, but as I was saying, I just don't feel states should be required to help other states (in terms of tax money) in disasters. As someone who doesn't live in a hurricane zone... I shouldn't have my tax money going to fix your disaster when a hurricane strikes. That works both ways as well. You shouldn't have your tax money going to fix my disaster when a tornado outbreak strikes. However, I'll jump up with both feet to help you in your time of need. Do you have to do the same for me? No. I choose to live in a high-tornado risk area. That's my responsibility. But, if you do, I'll be out there to shake your hand and greet you.

Maybe why I'm thinking of this is seeing all these people (probably a minority) demanding for the federal government to rebuild their home, yet they aren't doing a great deal to help themselves. I was always taught to help yourself first before someone else helps you.

[sunny]

Maybe why I'm thinking of this is seeing all these people (probably a minority) demanding for the federal government to rebuild their home, yet they aren't doing a great deal to help themselves. I was always taught to help yourself first before someone else helps you.

Unfortunately for us, it is that minority demanding this and that that make the TV news. I could get off on a whole other tangent about that, but I'll save you The majority of us are honest hard working people who just want to get their lives back together.

[senorpepr]

Senor,

I have to disagree with you. I think our state's entire budget is like $12 billion a year (give or take a couple bil). No way does anyone here have $75 billion or whatever it's going to take to finish the job. Some things are bigger than cities, states, or even regions. At the federal level, we don't have a say in where our tax money goes anyway. For all the black holes in government, $75B is nothing. That's not even 1/5th of what we paid in interest on the national debt last year which was like only the 3rd or 4th largest line item in the federal budget. If they don't want to help, *bleep* 'em. I say we seceed from the rest of the country and let them get their own oil. I'm sure the Californians who got shafted a couple of summers ago would show some love. Same goes for seafood. We export out a hell of a lot more than we import not to mention that we pad the federal coffers at either #2 or #3 in the nation (as someone mentioned previously).

If it's a small time thing, okay fine, let the state pay. But when it's your nation's costliest disaster ever and when the feds haven't done a particularly good job (ref. levees, Michael Brown, etc.), then they need to step up to the plate in the way that only they can. As I said, we're not even asking but for about 1/4 of what's been spent and allocated for Iraq to date. If the majority of Americans don't care about us, then I just got even more cynical.

Steve

While I see your point, this is how I see it. Federal tax money should go to take care of federally-owned property damaged or destroyed by the hurricanes. State and local tax money should go to take care of their respective properties. However, for the average citizen... it is up to them to take care of themselves.

If you own a home... the insurance money should take care of it. Insurance money isn't going to cover it? Did you take out an insurance claim that fits your needs?

If you rent property... the insurance money should still take care of your belongings.

See, in my opinion, it's up to the individual people to take care of themselves. If person A had the coverage to take care of their home... they paid the price, but they were rewarded in the end by having their stuff taken care of. If person B didn't have the coverage to take care of their home... sorry. We all have responsibilities.

I know the risks in living where I do. I know that in the event of a natural disaster, I need to have my bases covered. When I took out insurance for where I live, I figured in the risks of tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes and I applied them respectively into my choice of coverage. I choose not to get flood insurance. I know that if I do flood... it's my own responsibility, not the governments.

[CajunMama]

I know that if I do flood... it's my own responsibility, not the governments.

But what if the reason you flooded was because of faulty government made levees?

[Audrey2Katrina]

So I made a mistake about Jayne Mansfield. I'm not perfect. A2K,

Whoa! Pearl River it was NOT your post, I was responding to... it was a tongue-in-cheek response to the FIRST individual who responded with the "not to be nit-picky" comment.

And I agree with your overall assessment.

A2K

[timNms]

I know that if I do flood... it's my own responsibility, not the governments.

But what if the reason you flooded was because of faulty government made levees?

.

Or an unprecidented event that no one predicted nor imagined would happen?

I think New Orleans is a very important part of our country and as a citizen of this country, I believe it is my responsiblity (my tax dollars) to see that it is rebuilt.

How would you feel if what happened to New Orleans and the MS & AL gulf coast had happened to New York? Or what if it had been our nation's capitol that had been flooded or basically wiped off the map by X disaster? Would you expect the DC to fund the rebuilding without tax dollars from any other states?