I was born and raised in NO so I see what's left of it daily. I am constantly appalled at the continued devastaion. Most of the city is sitting there rotting away. The meia likes to show the small areas that are functioning- the french quarter, business district, warehouse district and the Metairie suburb. Someone needs to drive through Orleans parish and see the decay, rot, trash, lack of people, lack of services. People who want to live in NO have no place to come home to and even finding a rental is next to impossible much less afford it. It hurts my heart..

The ad is not weird, it's absolutely true.  The feds and their corporate cronies are dumping billions into a sand pit across the planet (and even then, failing to really support our true allies in the region, Israel), while scrimping on basic, essential infrastructure, flood prevention, and coastal restoration efforts in our Nation's most productive and essential river and estuary system. Federal and local funds are being squandered on outdated, crime-riddled, and poverty-reinforcing public housing, including FEMA trailer parks, destroying the private low income housing markets and the quality of life for property owners.  It's time to demand some realism, common sense, and accountability from our elected officials.  Most of all, it's time to make the Feds return most of our tax dollars to local government, where it can be spent on what is really needed.

Unfortunately for New Orleans, but I think a lot of Americans like me feel very bad about what happened during Katrina, but are not willing to pony up my money so people can rebuild a city below sea level.  Its not a matter of IF the city will be submerged again, its a matter of WHEN, and intelligent people understand that.  Don't spend money trying to rebuild, spend that money getting the needy people situated in another location.  Nature happens.

If you are dumb enough to insist on living significantly below sea level with only a layer of mud between you and certain destruction, then you need to have your gene pool admixed with the ocean's volume.  If you are craven enough to expect others to consistently bail you out physically, emotionally, and financially for your idiotic choices, then the admixing can not occur soon enough. Get the hell to higher ground (you do have legs and feet, don't you?)or develop gills and a flat tail, but do it on your dime and on your time.  Survival subtends the fittest, not the physically and mentally fattest.  Tough, as the rest of us have earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, hail, pestilence, threat of nuclear bombardment, and other crises to deal with, and we most certainly don't parasitize others to recover from our non-elected states of affair. Hand wringing is now limited to clothes done on an old-fashioned scrub board. It's the seaway or the highway, baby.

The Native Americans gave the initial warning to the politicians of the time not to build New Orleans in its current location because it was 'below sea level'. And they did it anyway. How many $'s have gone to New Orleans - both public and private? Billions. And they still can't get their act together?
Perfect place for bin Laden (for a very short period of time).

    Unfortunately, Joe Taxpayer's comments mirror those of many in this country. He says to relocate the city, because "nature happens". It is also true that nature happens WHEREVER it wants to happen, and pays no attention to man. It DOES seem foolish to build (rebuild?) in an area below local water levels. However, the Dutch have done so, successfully, for many, many years, and at great expense, I might add. But, the Dutch had NO choice in that matter, because they had little or no land to begin with. Are U.S. engineers willing and able to listen to, and take, advice from "foreigners" with an admirable success record of building dikes and levees? One would hope so....  
    What choices do New Orleanians have? Rebuilding is the obvious first choice, as most major infrastructure (water, sewer, roads, power, etc.) is already in place. Moving the city to another part of the state would be a daunting task, when one considers the port facilities that would have to be moved, along with businesses, government facilities, and everything else that constitutes a city. Abandoning the portions of the city that are the most vulnerable to flood-related damage is yet another choice, and one that could be accomplished with acute planning and attention to details.
    What remains is the fact that some person or group with the right dynamics and an accomplishable vision for a more secure future will have to step forward and present a flexible plan to save as much of the city as is sensible. Some will lose, for sure. But many more will gain, in the long run, if the plan is accepted and promoted properly. The key to it all is "the long run", and to not look at, or promote, the project as short-term. It will be at least a decade before any semblance of "normal" will return, if not longer, but the people of the area will be the beneficiaries of a much more stable environment that does not expose them to the whims of nature to the extent they were before the hurricane came. Natural buffers between the ocean and the city will have to be created and sustained/maintained. Businesses and homes will not be allowed to be built wherever people want them to be built, and will have to follow a strict plan for a redevelopment of this scope. It will require the cooperation and agreement of many diverse, and often competing, interests to ensure the success.
    It can be done, but all involved will have to see, and accept, that the long-term results are what will be the BEST for the people, and thus, the city.        

Erm, I could just as easily point out that with Los Angeles, it's just a matter of when the next Earthquake will strike, but noone would dream of telling them to pack up and move. As you say, a lot of the country has natural disasters to face, most of which are a certainty, not merely a possiblity. Yet we don't tell everyone to move to South Dakota or somewhere where there are no disasters, we merely try to rebuild and avoid them as they happen. That you would advocate treating the American citizens of New Orleans different from the citizens of any other city is appalling. But I guess the reason Florida gets rebuilt after any hurricane's is because, why, again? New Orleans is one of America's great cities, and just like we'd do everything pssible to stop the destruction of Boston, Philadelphia or Washington, D.C., here also we have a responsibility to protect and rebuild.

If we want Ben Ladin dead invite him to New Orleans.
Within a week, some street thug will have killed him.

And Eddie Jordan will be candidate for Secretary of Defense.

The levee's broke during a hurricane surge. The levee's should have held up. When all the people move out of FL,SC, NC, MS and AL because of hurricanes, CA because of Mudslides, Kansas cause of tornados, along the midwest rivers because of floods, Northern CA cause of earthquakes, Tampa and Denver cause of lightning, HI and WA and all thgose clowns who continue to live next to those pesky forest that seem to go up in flames every summer. Then the people should live above sea level to make "Ka-Ka-Katrina, nothin' could be mean-a" a little more arrogant.

There are no safe places from natural disasters. The Midwest has tornado alley and fierce snowstorms, the west has huge rapidly moving brush fires, earhtquakes and, yes, volcanos...And other cities are more vulnerable to hurricanes than NOLA. Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville...what about NYC. There was a terrible storm there in the 1920s. It's only a matter of time another one will strike and fill the city's subway system, shut power off for weeks, and bring NYC to a standstill. Imagine that...it will happen, so we better start moving people out of harm's way in all of these places to really exciting places to live like South Dakota or Nebraska, where people will be safe.

New Orleans is America's most unique city. It has been under French and Spanish rule before Thomas Jefferson ever thought about the Louisiana Purchase, which essentially created the Western U.S. - all to have access to one of the world's greatest ports - the Port of New Orleans, which accesses the entire heartland of the nation.

I can't even find words to argue with the jibber jabber of "moving New Orleans." But I do agree with the other poster that asked residents of San Francisco to get the process started before that next earthquake. Maybe they can move that beautiful city to Utah and bring a little flavor to that boring state, huh.

I am a native New Orleanian who ended up in SC after the storms (everyone seems to forget the problems Rita caused right after Katrina).  I have been home ONCE in two years because I can't stand to see a great city in such ruin.  If Joe Taxpayer doesn't want to help, that is fine, but Darrell in PA offers the best solution that I have seen so far.  Everyone is concentrating on getting the homes back together so that people can move back.  Does anyone realize that most people, myself included, lived in apartments?  We had no choice but to move when the landlord we had made comments about wanting to charge us rent for October 2005 even though the front door wouldn't lock, the back door wouldn't open, three of the four windows upstairs were either missing or broken, and we didn't have electricity.  I miss NOLA, but I can't go back, none of us can, we have to take what we were given and work with it.

I still have family there, and Metairie is functioning better than New Orleans itself, but the 9th ward and other REALLY low laying areas should be restored.  Build the city in the other direction instead of closer to the mouth of the river and towards the gulf.  It will take a miracle before that happens, New Orleanians are slow to change, we always have been.

Yes, Angelinos are not moving out of L.A. in droves, but when that earthquake does hit, the nation will provide the unprepared with emergency supplies for a few weeks, and then move on.  Ditto with any area devastated with a natural disaster--at least until the money runs out.  But these natural disasters are usually not a chronic thing, and if they are (like tornados) people with a modicum of sense prepare.  You can't 'prepare' for the inevitable submerging of a city by throwing money at it.  You swallow hard, accept the inevitable, and find some other place to live.

In response to Joe Taxpayer's "nature happens" remark.  So you are saying not to rebuild because New Olreans is below sea level.  Now really, how many times has this happened in the city of New Orleans?  Ok, "nature happens", what about the wild fires that destroy hundred to thousands of acres and not to mention homes on a yearly basis...should we just say "nature happens" and forget about them?  The most recent one was caused by lightening.  Earthquakes, mud slides and tornados that affect cities on a yearly basis and destroy homes and businesses - oh well, "nature happens".  Dallas Tx, what about them - they were just soaked with rain and floods that devistated whole communities - "nature happens".  Think before you make stupid comments.  We (Louisiana tax payers) pay taxes just like you for all these other acts of nature and you never hear us crying because we had to help them year and year again!  This happened once to New Olreans and now you say they should move.  Tell all those other communities to pack up move because I KNOW you should be tired of rebuilding them year after year - especially if you have this much of a problem having your tax dollars go to rebuild New Orleans this one time.......

Those taxpayers who think it's a waste to rebuild here in New Orleans seem to have conveniently forgotten that it was not Katrina that caused the flood, it was the federal government's failure to build a flood protection system that worked, breaking faith with the people they promised to protect.  Many people are misinformed, unaware that over half the populated area of New Orleans is at or above sea level, and what is below mostly did not start there but got there because the ground has been subsiding since the swamps were pumped dry.  People also do not realize that in another 50 years, give or take depending on the rate of global warming and sea level rising, the same concerns will exist in every coastal city in the world, notably Miami, New York, Boston, etc.  Take a look at the August National Geographic, which looks pretty factual based on the best local engineering knowledge here at the local office of a major international engineering company where I work, then offer an opinion that is based on fact for a change.

Quit whining and help yourselves.  

The taxpayers should not pay to re-develop an entire city, period.  If there are private funds willing to pony up the dough to get the ball rolling, then the government can follow up with the needed services in utilities, roads, police, firefighters and the likes.  However, to suggest that the Federal Government start with the first few hundred billion needed is ludacris at best.  

And yes, building a city below sea level, with a giant lake to the north, and the ocean to the south is asinine.  We aren't going to elist the help of the world's best levee and dyke builders, the Dutch, so why bother?  It's 10 - 1000x more expensive to invent your own technology when you can just copy what others have sucessfully done.  

Depending too much on the government is what got a lot of people in the mess they were in to begin with.  

Originally, the area that New Orleans occupied was at risk but probably comparably safe.  However, the modern New Orleans has grown and expanded far beyond those boundaries into far riskier areas that are lower.  Rather than trying to replicate the city that existed, I think this is the perfect opportunity for New Orleans to plan for their entire future.  They should decide what areas should be protected, what areas should not be rebuilt, where new development will go, and what the limits of the city will be.  Then decide how to protect those areas from flooding.  It is sad that so many have lost everything but it is even sadder if we knowingly allow it to happen again.  New Orleans will never be the same.  Maybe that's a good thing.

Umm, excuse me "Cajun Girl" but who said you had to help anybody?  Did you funnel all your money and effort into CA after the Northridge or Loma Prieta earthquakes?  Hmmm?  How about Mount St Helens after it blew, how much money were you "made" to give?  How about the current situation in Texas, or the current wildfires in California?  Are you being "made" to help with any of that relief effort?  All the rest of us pay taxes too, and the portion of those tax dollars slated for disaster relief have gone there.  The big problem I can see here is that folks are getting a bit sick of being "guilt tripped" into emptying their wallets.  Yes, NATURE HAPPENS

I'm tired of hearing how New Orleans was struck by Katrina.  New Orleans got the good side of Katrina! Pearlington, Waveland, Bay St, Louis took the full blunt of Katrina. Still New Orleans gets all of the coverage!!!

To Joe Taxpayer and our resident poor poet, as you may get hit by a bus while crossing the street, would that make you ignorant for walking across the street? No, but speaking in pure ignorance regarding the LIVES of people is just plain low on your part. Kudos for living in nowhere USA, but next time think before speaking. These are PEOPLE regardless of whether you approve of where they reside.

Do you know that the goverment has spent two million dollars for every person in that state.If you people can not rebuild a house for that amount something is very wrong.What did you do with your money?

Some folks seem to have more interest in democracy abroad than domiciles at home.  That's what happens when ideas take on a greater importance than people.

New Orleans is below sea level. Building a city at this location is asking for floods.
Building San Francisco on a fault line is asking for quakes. It wasn't exactly inrelligent to buld either in either lcoation.
As for wildfires, mudslides and tornados, they can happen any where at any time on the plenet, give the right conditions.

Personally, I am extreamly tired of hearing how after two years these people aren't taking care of themselves. They say they have no money, and they have no jobs, etc.

How about this, instead of giving them continued hand outs, why don't the 'fund raising' groups Pay the people of New Orleans to work, cleaning up their own city, and re-joining the work force.

People need to help themselves.

The simple fact is that New Orleans was not prepared for this disaster. We knew this was a problem. We know the city is below sea level. We know this is the worst case. Why have state and city officials done nothing to prepare for this until now?

Years of corrupt or inept public officials had drained the city's (and state's) funds that would have been able to improve the levee and pump system. Also, (as someone else brought up) the Dutch have been living below see level for hundreds of years. No, there are not hurricanes, but the North Atlanic is not a tranquil body of water. They have invested the money necessary to ensure that they can live in this location, New Orleans has not.

Surely there could have been more done to mitigate the effects of a hurricane. The fact that next to nothing was done, this begs the question: Why should we pour millions of dollars into a city without some assurance that they will spend it in such a manner that will prevent us from having to bail them out again? How can we save a city that invested so lightly in something so vital to its survival?

The federal government can provide Louisana and New Orleans with money, but it is the citizens of that reigon that must elect honest officals that will spend it wisely.

The money wasted in the illegal Iraq war could have re-built New Orleans and protected it with category 5 levees. Obviously, the war criminals who run this country have other priorities. If NO was a predominantly white city, the Bushies would have at least picked up the rubble by now.

The worst thing about this situation is that it appears that many people are expecting hand outs from non-profits and are expecting the government to pay to fix everything.  Why don't the people from the area band together and help fix the problem themselves rather than relying on everyone else to do it for them.  One comment was about living some where less exciting and safer like Nebraska or South Dakota.  Well I am a Nebraskan and I can tell you we have several natural disasters including tornados, flooding, ice storms, snow storms, etc., but when we have disasters we band together as communities and help ourselves out of the situation rather than sitting back and waiting for someone else to fix the problem.  A few years ago a tornado hit a small rural town and destroyed every thing in town, but that town is already back going strong thanks to that community banding together and rebuilding with minimal help from non-profits or the government.  Nebraska has several natural disasters, we just handle it ourselves and don't whine to the media when we are not getting our free hand outs.

The people who were displaced by Katrina did not found New Orleans.  They were here because they were born and grew up here.  So how do you approach that?  Tell them not to rebuild their homes?  Not to rebuild their culture?  How assinine!  So when Los Angeles is destroyed by an earthquake tell the people whose homes are destroyed not to rebuild because Los Angeles was built on a fault.  The founders of Los Angeles did not know they were building on a fault, nor did the founders of New Orleans know they were building below sea level.

"Nice job Brownie"
George Bush

The Corps of Engineers assured us that the levees were sound for a storm surge up to 18 feet.  Where the levees broke in the drainage system, the storm surge was only about 12 feet.  Where they broke on the MRGO industrial canal, the Corps' incessant dredging of the canal funneled an unaturally large volume of water directly into the heart of the city. . .a result that had long been predicted by LSU experts and regional politicians who have long tried to convince the Federal Government to close the canal.  Finally, the destruction of the coastal wetlands by offshore drilling and pipeline operations has virtually eliminated the natural (and most effective) defense against storm surge.  

Thus, the disaster in New Orleans was easily avoided had the Corps of Engineers operated their regional projects in a competent manner, and had the Federal Govt. done one of its most basic jobs of providing sound infrastructure.  

The local politicians certainly are partially to blame for the general incompetence at dealing with a problem of this size, but that isn't news to anyone.  

The bottom line: the City of New Orleans is sustainable, and it is a cultural asset that is well worth revitalizing and protecting.  I agree that it is a tough pill to swallow for taxpayers to foot the bill to rebuild, but they wouldn't be asked to if the Feds (via the Corps of Engineers) had done their job competently to begin with.  

Obviously Captain Logic has not been keeping up with the news, nor have some of the others who have written because no one here is "depending on the government" for much. They know better. We DID foolishly depend on the Corps of Engineers to build and maintain the levee system, which is actually what caused the flooding.

As far as the curt comment to quit whining and help ourselves - everyone here has been doing just that! This whole area is a hive of activity - it's just also an ENORMOUS physical mess due to the failed levee floods.  We ARE very busily digging out and putting things together, one little bit at a time - without any of the support it is not just fair and humane, but fundamental, to expect from one's government.

The day after the levees broke, the military could and should have been here (after all, they got to Indonesia after the tsunami). Silly whiny homeowners - did they really think they would have insurance just because they paid the premiums for years? What whiners Mamie thinks they are to want to get what they paid for.

In fact, what is actually happening here is a very active rebuilding and revitalization process.  Those of you who think it should not be done, good luck moving the Mississippi River or getting along without access to its benefits.  Next time you drink a cup of coffee - be grateful for the port of New Orleans, through which most of the US coffee passes.  Next time you put gas in your car, be grateful for the Louisiana Offshort Oil Port which receives a significant portion of the oil imported into the US from abroad, or for the refinery capacity here for both domestic and crude oil production. Next time you enjoy Tabasco sauce, be grateful for the McIlhenny company of Louisiana.  Actually, be grateful too for the US military's amphibious capabilities in World War II - those boats were designed right here in New Orleans.

So, thank you very much for your arrogant, mean spirited, simplistic and hostile views.  Just don't let the door hit you on the way out, on your way to visit somewhere else please. Poisonous people we just don't need. There's too much else to do!

If you want to live in NO areas that are below sea level, I might be willing to help you invest in skyhooks to hold you above the water - but I have no interest in helping you rebuild an area that nature wants (and has taken) back.

Is anybody here aware of the fact that NOLA is the site of a major U.S. port.  If we lose NOLA then our access to the oil in the Gulf of Mexico will be diminished.  Are we willing to fight a war for oil on the other side of the world but not willing to preserve the ones at home?  

The difference between fl Kansas and other places where natural disasters occurr is that the people who live there usually do the rebuilding themselves, with very little help from the govt' except for low cost loans.  It still amazes me that people continue to build below levees, on hill sides, next to rivers and on and on, and expect the government to bail them out.

What's wrong with people.  California; earthquakes/mudslides/sinkholes.  Utah; wild fires.  Oklahoma; Tornadoes.  Massachusetts (bad infrastructure in Boston), the south (hurricanes).  If it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen. Aren't we suppose to be united as one?  Sorry, but there are alot of closed-minded people who just aren't getting it.  Duh!

The difference between fl Kansas and other places where natural disasters occurr is that the people who live there usually do the rebuilding themselves, with very little help from the govt' except for low cost loans.  It still amazes me that people continue to build below levees, on hill sides, next to rivers and on and on, and expect the government to bail them out.

Natural disasters take lots of time to heal.  People are impatient and want answers now and fast. If you look back at many of the natural disasters, you will see that it does take years to rebuild things that are destroyed in a matter of hours and days.  I was in NC during Floyd in 1999 and there are still areas that have not been rebuilt and homes still abandoned. It is much much improved and it has been but it took years. I think Hugo in Florida also took years to mend.

The ads are an excellent idea--they should be aired often in all 50 states plus DC and Puerto Rico. It's people, especially voters, in such far-flung places as Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada (all locations of early Presidential contests) that need to be reminded of the fact that New Orleans, the rest of Louisiana's ravaged parishes, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and the rest of the area devastated by Katrina and Rita are still in a world of hurt. In fact, Katrina, both because of the Bush Administration's bungled response and because of how it continues to mismanage the recovery, needs to be at the top of the list of campaign issues the media focuses on.

But unfortunately it hasn't been--and while there are several reasons why, one seems to be the fact that because of the campaign, mainstream media outlets mostly are concentrating their coverage efforts on the above-named states which have early contests--and are treating the rest including Louisiana and Mississippi as sort of a Forgotten Zone. And to people in Iowa, New Hampshire, etc., Katrina recovery practically never comes up to voters who are asked what they see as the most important issues facing this country. And so far, Katrina has only been brought up in only 2 debates. It should, like Iraq, be brought up in EVERY presidential debate.

To all those who don't want to see their taxpayer dollars go to rebuilding New Orleans, you're saying what the Bush Administration wants you to hear. How do you feel about them going to Iraq and other places overseas--where it seems the Bush Administration would rather spend them? New Orleans is an American city and her people have a right to see her rebuilt, and, if displaced and wish to return to New Orleans, to affordable housing there. It would be far more worthwhile to spend the same amount of money we're sqandering in Iraq per WEEK--$2 billion--on rebuilding New Orleans and the rest of the storm zone, than it would to continue blowing it in Iraq.

I already pay enough in taxes to live in Lincoln, NE.
I have given enough $ to help the people in New Orleans.  
Don't build your city below sea level.  Too many people with not enough common sense.  
Ray Nagin had buses sitting empty (school buses) and he choose not to use them.  Why?  YOU BETTER ASK HIM.  HE SEEMS TO HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS.  Lots of folks went to towns in Texas and the crime rate in those towns rose way beyond belief.  Could it be because most of the people who were moved were thugs and gangsters to begin with?

It's sick to read some of these comments about New Orleans. These days, the US is anything but United.

Mistuh Chawlie, NooAwlyunz, Laweeziana to you I say you had better look at the wasted Federal Money by you state government before you blame the Feds.  The Feds appriate the money to the state the state then is to pay to have the work done.

Also, Fl got hit by 3 major storms in one season and did not belly ache the way NOLA has.  They greatfully took the help given and then got on with life without say more more more more.......  Why should we do more more more more.......when NO was in bad shape to start with due to pitifully local and state government.  Take some responsiblity for yourselves.  Texas would be glad to give you back the crime that you exported due to Katrina.  

I live in FL and I say that those people who live near the water should have their homes rebuilt the FIRST time their homes are destroyed by a storm.  If they continue to live near the water and another storm destroys their home again, then they better belly up some dough 'cause I don't think I need to rebuilt their homes.  Sorry, living near the water is a luxury (for many people) so they need to rebuild themselves without government assistance, am I right or am I right??

I always have to wonder about people who complain
about using tax payer money to rebuild areas that have been devastated by natural disasters.  It’s usually these same people who have no issues or in fact support the billions of dollars being spent in Iraq, not to mention all the other billions spent on foreign aid to places like Israel and other places, These same people usually support tax cuts
for the most wealthy so they can re-invest in our economy by buying bigger houses and bigger boats and so on.

I visited New Orleans one time for a conference and had a time I will always remember,  it is a unique city that is part of this country’s great history and it should be rebuilt.  There’s an old saying that’s says charity begins at home. New Orleans is a lot more my home than Iraq or Israel will ever be.

I Work in NOLA but live in Baton Rouge (25' above sea level) and have for over 15 years. The reason is because I'm smart enough to know it's not good to live in a virtual soup bowl below sea level at the edge of the Gulf of Mexico in a hurricane active area with a pathetic levy system overseen by an incompetent federal government and until recently, local politicians.  Those who live here know that as well.

Natural events can and do happen anywhere, but, living in New Orleans is tempting fate - Odds have it that regarding natural disasters, particularly hurricanes, your number in New Orleans is likely to come up sooner than later.

It is heartbreaking to see the devistation, but, I think we should learn from history and not just repeat the same mistakes. If an area like St. Bernard can flood 11 feet, building houses at 3 or 4 feet higher elevation under the new federal guidelines, means what?  now you only get 8 feet of water in your house next time!  If this is what you want to do, it certainly shouldn't be on the taxpayer to fix it when the next storm hits.

The large businesses are leaving or have left, many of the educated population have left or are currently on the fence, demographics have changed and in actuality Katrina was only the final straw.  This transition was happening well before the storm.  

The real issue for this area was and still remains: Corrupt and/or Incompetent Politicians - including Mayors, DA,s, Tax Assessors, Police Jurors, Senators, Congressmen, City Council Members, and state representatives, along with High Utility Costs, High Insurance Rates, Poor Education System, Pathetic Road Systems, High Taxes, High Crime Rates, and an attitude by so many in the area that as long as I'm taken care of, I'm happy.

I am beginning to think a lot of other folks are seeing this the same way - based on the increasing property value in Baton Rouge and the steadily increasing number of vehicles making the daily I-10 commute. New Orleans - it's a nice place to visit.  

If you’ve watched the whole New Orleans tragedy on a daily basis, you wouldn't think the Federal government was helping very much at all.  They followed the capitalist tradition and allowed private contactors to build and maintain some of the newer levees. Was it any surprise that they were not built according to the design and subsequently failed?  Allowing contractors to skimp on materials to make a buck at the expense of everyone doesn't seem like a very good use of tax dollars does it?  

So, in many respects, our own poorly managed federal programs is what caused a significant portion of this disaster in the first place.  Wouldn't you think the least they could do is try to make things right?  It seems like they intended to.  However, the completely inadequate response from FEMA that followed doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the government’s use of tax dollars either.

And then there's the final piece of the rebuilding.  Why don't more New Orleanians pitch in and lift themselves out?  Maybe it’s because they don't want to help themselves.  But the federal government did its part to thwart the effort, too.  Louisiana, despite its horrific politics and lack of preparedness did come up with a decent rebuilding plan known as the Road Home.  Under this plan, people would receive federal funds, but only when they could verify the homes were being rebuilt.  Sounds like a generous, federally-subsidized attempt to actually get people up and running again, right?  That’s until the Federal government stepped in and wasted more of those tax dollars.  They forced the program to be amended so that all the money was being paid to homeowners in one lump sum, without any way to ensure the money is used to rebuild housing.  There goes accountability.  With federal leadership like this, no wonder nothing gets done.  You need to lead by example.  People should be upset about all the tax money going into New Orleans.  But to blame New Orleans for being full stupid, or lazy (and some surely are) citizens is to miss a more important issue that goes beyond the Katrina issue.  And that is not should we use tax revenues to rebuild New Orleans, but what if the money that had already been spent on New Orleans (and currently is) was used effectively.

My heart goes out to everyone that lost their homes, and memories.  We just can not ignore the fact there was a reason the government waited four days to even start helping.  Forget New Orleans...relocate and be happy.  "They" almost succeeded this time.  Do not be there when they turn their backs the next time.  No one might be left to survive to complain on a message board.

Why rebuild New Orleans? Haven't the people whose homes were destroyed made a home, found a job, etc. somewhere else? Let New Orleans rebuild itself. If we need the city, it will come back. If not, don't waste taxpayer dollars resurrecting what used to be.

It has been over 2 years, how long are you going to say poor me oh poor me, help me give me money and rebuild my home for me. Well wake up I have been thru 2 hurricanes and 3 earthquakes and after a few month of goverment help we pull ourselfs up by our boot straps and have rebild and moved on. So NO when are you going to stop telling us that the goverment must help you. Grow up it has been over two years and you are living someplace so get out and make a live for yourself (you might enjoy it)

I worked in New Orleans for 18 months and was there for Hurricane Ivan.  Not ONCE in that timespan was there EVER a disaster drill for hurricanes/hurricane evacuation/testing of the dams, etc.  NOLA continues with its hand out but how about taking responsibility for its lack of action and preventative measures?  Major Nagin shows up on television only when it is time to beg for help or get elected--other than that, there is nothing proactive about him, his staff, or the state.  The Governor has a lot of nerve pushing for federal funds without wanting to spend a time of the state's funds to prepare for these situations.  Federal aid is one thing; not doing anything about a situation until it happens and then whining is quite another.

I live 55 miles from a very large (Yellowstone) volcano.  I would not expect the US govt. to rebuld my house if it was destroyed by it.

While I do feel sorry for the victims of Katrina, I am pretty sure that nature will repeat itsself.  Its kind of like gambling.  Sometimes if you keep dropping coins in the slot machine you win!  Other times, you don't.  

Maybe we should just move on.....

Easy for me to say, My home is just fine.

People thinking that the Federal Government should dump billions of dollars into rebuilding a city that SITS BELOW SEA LEVEL are the basis of what is wrong with this country.  THE CITY IS BELOW SEA LEVEL PEOPLE.  The fact that the city survived as long as it did without having an incident like this happen is amazing.  Realize that this city is BELOW SEA LEVEL!!!  Why would anyone want to build a home/business/city knowing that the level of the gulf of mexico is above the roof of your house and there is nothing but a puny man made wall holding the water back.  Give me a break!

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