silo1180 wrote:
Well it's interesting that the local government in New Orleans opted to spend money to promote and hold Mardi Gras over the last two years rather than spend that money on the city!
There are a lot of people here in San Antonio that came after Katrina and they have pretty much decided to stay (seems our schools are a lot better than theirs), so that adds to some of the problem, people left and decided to not go back.
Now you seem to be focused on New Orleans, but Katrina ravaged other areas just as bad. I have a co-worker here who's family is still living in trailers in South Mississippi because the insurance companies got out of paying for damages (they claim it was flood damage, not storm surge!!!). And there were other storms that hit the Gulf region last year. There's a lot of re-building to do everywhere. Why should New Orleans be special?
As for New Orleans (IMO)... the city is sitting on silt that has poured out of the Mississppi river. So basically it's sitting on a big pile of mud and crap. It's below sea levl, so it's not a safe place as it is. I vote we not waste any more FEDERAL tax dollars on a city that is obviously going to get washed away again.
I used to live in New Orleans, and someone in my office relocated from New Orleans. So here it goes:
1) Prior to Katrina, there was a large population of poor. Katrina relocated them to other cities. This is an opportunity for them to do something beyond what New Orleans has to offer.
2) The economy of New Orleans was based mostly on tourism. Therefore no tourists = little economy. So spending money on Mardi Gras = more economy.
3) The city is worse than before. Crime, etc. If you had an opportunity to leave, wouldn't you? Let someone else rebuild, especially because most of the economy is no longer there!
4) With the local economy in shambles, there is a rise in crime. So while there is a demand for construction/rebuilding jobs...who wants to work there?
National money is pouring into the region. The city has always had a reputation for being corrupt...and it continues with the aid received.
It's a matter of time, but even so, the city will never get back to pre-Katrina.
And lastly, blah blah blah why isn't it fixed yet? How long does it take to rebuild in other countries - this is massive devastation and it's been like one or two years? This is like a 10 year problem....