Last time I checked, disaster relief to a specific region isn't one of the roles of the federal government as outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

It's a state issue for the affected states to deal with on their own and the Federal government should keep out.

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Originally posted by Elroy79 Last time I checked, disaster relief to a specific region isn't one of the roles of the federal government as outlined in the U.S. Constitution. It's a state issue for the affected states to deal with on their own and the Federal government should keep out.

So true. Fuck the suffering people. Let them die

Last edited by Sunsnail on Sep-20-2005 at 01:07

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Originally posted by Elroy79 Last time I checked, disaster relief to a specific region isn't one of the roles of the federal government as outlined in the U.S. Constitution. It's a state issue for the affected states to deal with on their own and the Federal government should keep out.

lets see, Louisiana's FY05 state budget = $17.5 billion
reconstruction estimates for New Orleans alone = $60-100 billion

i don't care if your a strict constructionist, Federalist or communist. the numbers won't add up without writing off that whole area from the benefits it gives the nation as a whole.

i'm gonna go out on a limb and say that even if Thomas Jefferson himself was in office today, he would subsidize something for the good of the nation.

now that i think about it, wasn't it unconstitutional to have even been funding the Mississippi/Pontratrain levee system through the Army Corps of Engineers for the last 60 years?

whatever.

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Originally posted by Q5echo now that i think about it, wasn't it unconstitutional to have even been funding the Mississippi/Pontratrain levee system through the Army Corps of Engineers for the last 60 years? whatever.

Seriously, why are the leeves the federal governments responsibility

That’s a good question. The Army Corps of Engineers have been utilized very successfully throughout the country for their expertise and manpower needed for large public works projects. The Tennessee Valley Authority is a similar case. As a DOD entity, they receive Federal dollars in the multiple billions annually. State level appropriations are handled through legislation as the case with the Louisiana levee board.

Some history.

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http://www.orleanslevee.com/History3.htm The Lake Pontchartrain and Vicinity Hurricane Protection Project was authorized by Congress in 1965. In late 1966, construction of floodwalls along the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal began on east and west sides. This project advanced so well that when Hurricane Camille hit in 1969, New Orleans was protected from similar tides as were produced by Hurricane Betsy. 1. In order to accelerate construction time, the Orleans Levee Board financed and constructed portions of the floodwalls, and in 1973, the project along the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal was virtually completed. Construction on other portions of the project were continuing: the Citrus Back Levee, Michoud Slip Levee, New Orleans East Back Levee, New Orleans East South Point to Gulf Intercoastal Water Ways were constructed and substantially completed by 1977. First lifts were constructed on the Orleans portion of the Chalmette loop levee in 1970, and the major flood protection structure at Bayou Bienvenue was built in 1974 providing interim protection to New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward. In 1977, the Fifth District Court ruled the Environmental Impact Statement inadequate and enjoined construction of the entire project. Subsequently, the injunction was modified to permit construction of the levee/floodwall elements of the hurricane protection plan. During the interim, sections of floodwall were constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the Orleans Marina, Lakefront Airport, and Lincoln Beach. Since adoption of the Lake Pontchartrain and Vicinity Hurricane Protection Project High Level Plan of 1985, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Orleans Levee Board have completed the bulk of the protection along the Lakefront between the Jefferson Parish line and South Point.

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Originally posted by Elroy79 the Federal government should keep out.

I thought that's what the whole problem was in the first place!?

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Originally posted by Elroy79 Last time I checked, disaster relief to a specific region isn't one of the roles of the federal government as outlined in the U.S. Constitution. It's a state issue for the affected states to deal with on their own and the Federal government should keep out.

Yes it is a state issue, but the state can seek federal help when the burden is too high.

Infact, according to the Newsweek timeline, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9287434/
LO governor Blanco was hesistant for a full federal takeover during the early stages and Bush didn't press her further.

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Originally posted by Elroy79 Last time I checked, disaster relief to a specific region isn't one of the roles of the federal government as outlined in the U.S. Constitution. It's a state issue for the affected states to deal with on their own and the Federal government should keep out.

So why are states funding FEMA and the department of homeland security?

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