Anyone watching the tragedy resulting from Hurricane Katrina unfold in the New Orleans area and wondering why more wasn't done to prevent, or limit such tragic events, one only has to look at the people in the White House and those who helped get them there to get an answer.
Among the leaders on the right are Grover Norquist, who once said of government "My goal is to cut government in half in twenty-five years, to get it down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub."
As a result of such anti-tax movement, and a folly of a war in Iraq, too little effort was put forward in preparing America for such disasters that befell the southeast. And just as the Administration was warned that Osama Bin Laden was determined to attack America, there were also warnings that additional funds were needed in the New Orleans area.
Editor & Publisher pointed out that "In early 2004, as the cost of the conflict in Iraq soared, President Bush proposed spending less than 20 percent of what the Corps said was needed for Lake Pontchartrain, according to a Feb. 16, 2004, article, in New Orleans CityBusiness."
E&P added that "The Newhouse News Service article published Tuesday night observed, "The Louisiana congressional delegation urged Congress earlier this year to dedicate a stream of federal money to Louisiana's coast, only to be opposed by the White House. ... In its budget, the Bush administration proposed a significant reduction in funding for southeast Louisiana's chief hurricane protection project. Bush proposed $10.4 million, a sixth of what local officials say they need."
What did they think? That the "private" sector would protect the city? So now instead of spending tens of millions the government and insurers will have to spend hundreds of millions or billions.
Yet another brilliant achievement for the gang who can't shoot straight.
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