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You are here: Home / Politics / Ouch

Ouch

by John Cole|  September 27, 200510:20 am| 30 Comments

This post is in: Politics

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Via Instapundit, the most scathing WaPo editorial I have read in a LONG time:

THE NATION is at war. It is mired in debt. It has been hit by floods and hurricanes. In the face of this adversity, congressional leaders have rightly dropped proposals for yet more tax cuts, and some have suggested removing the pork from the recently passed transportation bill. But this spirit of forbearance has not touched the Louisiana congressional delegation. The state’s representatives have come up with a request for $250 billion in federal reconstruction funds for Louisiana alone — more than $50,000 per person in the state. This money would come on top of payouts from businesses, national charities and insurers. And it would come on top of the $62.3 billion that Congress has already appropriated for emergency relief.

Like looters who seize six televisions when their homes have room for only two, the Louisiana legislators are out to grab more federal cash than they could possibly spend usefully. For example, their bill demands $7 billion for rebuilding evacuation and energy supply routes, but it also demands a separate $5 billion for road building and makes no mention of the $3.1 billion already awarded to the state in the recent transportation legislation. The bill demands $50 billion in community development block grants, partly to get small businesses going, but it also demands $150 million for a small-business loan fund plus generous business tax breaks. The bill even asks for $35 million for seafood marketing and $25 million for a sugar-cane research laboratory. This is the equivalent of New York responding to the attacks on the World Trade Center by insisting upon a federally financed stadium in Brooklyn…

The Louisiana bill is so preposterous that its authors can’t possibly expect it to pass; it’s just the first round in a process of negotiation. But the risk is that the administration and congressional leaders will accept the $250 billion as a starting point, then declare a victory for fiscal sanity when they bring the number down to, say, $150 billion. Instead, Congress should ignore the Louisiana bill and force itself to think seriously about the sort of reconstruction that makes sense. Katrina has exposed mistakes of policy: water-infrastructure programs that made flooding more likely, and levees and insurance schemes that encouraged human settlement in dangerous places. Now that Congress is getting ready to spend tens of billions on reconstruction, it must seize the opportunity to correct those past errors.

AMEN.

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Reader Interactions

30Comments

  1. 1.

    Mr Furious

    September 27, 2005 at 10:33 am

    Even this “socialist” is on board with you, John.

    Ridiculous.

  2. 2.

    docG

    September 27, 2005 at 10:48 am

    Gee, I wonder where they ever got the idea that the federal cookie jar was wide open in response to Katrina? Surely not from George “whatever it takes to rebuild” Bush.
    May this bill die the ignominious death it so richly deserves. Even Huey Long would blush.

  3. 3.

    John S.

    September 27, 2005 at 10:49 am

    This Democrat agrees that what they are asking for is ludicrous. However, I do find fault with the editorial’s intro that somehow tries to paint the federal government as acting fiscally responsible:

    In the face of this adversity, congressional leaders have rightly dropped proposals for yet more tax cuts, and some have suggested removing the pork from the recently passed transportation bill.

    Yes, despite the fact that the RNC was still crowing about repealing the Estate Tax the week Katrina hit, they decided it would be suicide to push the issue now (but they will once people forget all about that poverty business). And it doesn’t seem like Bush has dropped the idea of making his tax cuts permanent – he has just shelved it until people won’t find it inappropriate. And hey, they suggested removing all that pork from the transportation bill (even though it is doubtful they will do anything about it), so that counts for something, right?

    Call me unmoved by the new found Federal display of fiscal responsibility.

    But this spirit of forbearance has not touched the Louisiana congressional delegation.

    Forbearance? That is overstating the federal position quite a bit. There was nothing ‘patient’ about the way they hastily slapped together a $62 billion package for relief in the immediate aftermath and there is certainly nothing about their spending habits in the past 5 years that can be classified as ‘restrained’.

    But what can we expect when the bulk of the Louisiana congressional delegation are Republicans who at the Federal level have been responsible for the spending spree over the past few years that has distinctly lacked the spirit of forbearance.

    You can paint stripes on a horse, but it doesn’t make it a zebra.

  4. 4.

    Birkel

    September 27, 2005 at 11:31 am

    As Mr. Broussard would say if he had another “Meet The Press” moment:

    Those black-hearted people who want to nitpick.

    Shame on the WaPo for nitpicking. It’s much more important that the storyline be preserved. They’re black-hearted Republican shills, they are.

    /sarcasm

    docG,

    I’m not sure “whatever it takes” means $50k per Louisianna resident. So I’m not sure why you think Bush’s statement is the predicate for this proposed monstrosity. Bush’s statement wasn’t helpful, mind you, but he’s not to blame (fully, anyway) on this one.

  5. 5.

    Mike

    September 27, 2005 at 11:51 am

    I think what really stinks about this is that the LA Representatives seem to be cynically trying to take advantage of the country’s good will and compassion towards the hurricane victims. They are trying to seize an opportunity to milk this for all they can. If they succeed, it sets a very bad precedent and will cause people to be even more cynical next time. I can see many taxpayers saying: “What’s the point of giving to the American Red Cross when Congress is just gonna throw money at them (money they DON’T have mind you) after every disaster whether it makes fiscal or common sense for the country.

  6. 6.

    Lines

    September 27, 2005 at 11:56 am

    Africa AIDS: “Whatever it takes.” Whats shown up?

    Will NOLA/Gulf rebuilding go the same way? Promise the moon and the stars, bloat the bill with so much pork and overspending that only fruitcakes will vote for it, thus providing nothing?

  7. 7.

    Steven D

    September 27, 2005 at 12:16 pm

    Now that Congress is getting ready to spend tens of billions on reconstruction, it must seize the opportunity to correct those past errors.

    The odds of this occurring are somewhat longer than Don Young giving up his bridge to nowhere. Are there any adults left in Congress? That is of course rhetorical, because there clearly are none.

  8. 8.

    docG

    September 27, 2005 at 12:35 pm

    birkel says: I’m not sure “whatever it takes” means $50k per Louisianna resident. So I’m not sure why you think Bush’s statement is the predicate for this proposed monstrosity. Bush’s statement wasn’t helpful, mind you, but he’s not to blame (fully, anyway) on this one.

    Birkel, I agree that President Bush is not fully to blame and that he didn’t mean the horrific mess being proposed by Louisiana politicians. My point remains that the President’s kneejerk reaction statement leaves an irresponsible impression and invites attempts at excess. Let’s all SLOW DOWN and think the recovery effort out more carefully.

  9. 9.

    rilkefan

    September 27, 2005 at 12:36 pm

    Maybe the LA delegation learned from the NY delegation that the Bush admin won’t deliver half of what it promises in disaster relief so you have to ask for double (or more, given that your request will get cut to start with).

  10. 10.

    John S.

    September 27, 2005 at 12:49 pm

    Birkel snarks:

    Shame on the WaPo for nitpicking. It’s much more important that the storyline be preserved. They’re black-hearted Republican shills, they are.

    Translation: Calling WaPo out for their obviously conflated sense of federal “forbearance” is the same as calling them a GOP shill.

    I guess snarking is the Busch league of cognitive reasoning.

  11. 11.

    Doug

    September 27, 2005 at 1:11 pm

    Washington Post: Gets it right about the Louisiana delegation, but remains the company paper for D.C. and consequently goes way too easy on the feds.

  12. 12.

    Mr Furious

    September 27, 2005 at 1:20 pm

    Like looters who seize six televisions when their homes have room for only two,

    Glad they could gratuitously throw some of that shit in there too. The point can be made nicely about the government without underscoring some loaded racial stereotypes to do it. Just a little subliminal those people really don’t deserve the money…

  13. 13.

    Mike

    September 27, 2005 at 1:22 pm

    “Mr Furious Says:
    Like looters who seize six televisions when their homes have room for only two,
    Glad they could gratuitously throw some of that shit in there too. The point can be made nicely about the government without underscoring some loaded racial stereotypes to do it. Just a little subliminal those people really don’t deserve the money…”

    Why is that a “racial” stereotype?
    What’s race got to do with it?

  14. 14.

    Defense Guy

    September 27, 2005 at 1:29 pm

    Mr. Furious

    I think, as Mike appears to, that you are reading racial overtones into something that actually contain none.

  15. 15.

    KC

    September 27, 2005 at 1:30 pm

    Yeah, I think it’s totally disgusting. When we appropriate money, there better be some real public accounting. And, the money better be put to good use, not to line the pockets of wealthy LA business groups and political friends.

  16. 16.

    rilkefan

    September 27, 2005 at 2:00 pm

    One word: Allbaugh.

  17. 17.

    james richardson

    September 27, 2005 at 2:04 pm

    US Congress to LA Legislators:

    Do as I say, not as I do. Pork-laden bills are our tuff. Don’t make us challenge you to a rumble. Really, where do these state delegations get the idea of spending money like this?

    (snark)

  18. 18.

    Far North

    September 27, 2005 at 2:34 pm

    The LA delegation’s request doesn’t really peg too high on my outrage meter, especially after hearing that 80% of the federal contracts for Katrina recovery are of the no-bid variety and most seemed to go to the loyal Bush Republicans. Oversight, anyone?

    I live in a state where two Rebublican scheisters measure their success by how much of the federal treasury they can raid and bring home. These two men don’t give a rat’s turd about the nation’s well-being if they have to give up some of that coveted pork.

    So, Louisiana is making a run at raiding the federal treasury? That’s the way it is with the current bunch in Washington. And it will stay that way until we elect better people to national office.

  19. 19.

    Defense Guy

    September 27, 2005 at 2:50 pm

    I live in a state where two Rebublican scheisters measure their success by how much of the federal treasury they can raid and bring home.

    I take it it’s not Mass. where the pork bringers are both Donkeys.

  20. 20.

    skip

    September 27, 2005 at 2:53 pm

    A ridiculous amount, perhaps, but consider the precedent set with the WTC compensation AND the $250,000 per we were being asked to give Gaza settlers for quitting stolen land.

    Then too, as I recall, Florida made out like like a bandit last year, thanks to Jeb’s string pulling.

  21. 21.

    jg

    September 27, 2005 at 3:15 pm

    I take it it’s not Mass. where the pork bringers are both Donkeys.

    Definately not. My home state bleeds money to red states like LA.

    The LA delegation’s request doesn’t really peg too high on my outrage meter, especially after hearing that 80% of the federal contracts for Katrina recovery are of the no-bid variety and most seemed to go to the loyal Bush Republicans. Oversight, anyone?

    I don’t mind the no bid part. Its the part where the gov’t agency that awards the bid is run by someone with close ties to the companies that get the contracts. But if you own the ‘fair and balanced’ media outlet you don’t have to worry about the appearance of impropriety. No one is going to call you on it ir if they do your media will shout them down.

  22. 22.

    Mr Furious

    September 27, 2005 at 3:46 pm

    You two can’t seriously tell me that talking about New Orleans and using the word “looters” doesn’t evoke a certain picture in most people’s minds. Think back to the infamous two photos—blacks “looting”, whites “finding.”

    I’m not necessarily saying this was a deliberate racist use or motive, I’m saying that they should have been a bit more careful with their metaphors. In the context of New Orleans, the “image” created by that phrase is clear.

  23. 23.

    rayabacus

    September 27, 2005 at 4:07 pm

    NOT ONE RED (is that racist?) CENT FOR SHRIMP!!

  24. 24.

    Rocky Smith

    September 27, 2005 at 5:17 pm

    You two can’t seriously tell me that talking about New Orleans and using the word “looters” doesn’t evoke a certain picture in most people’s minds.

    Who is the racist now? I bet many white people did some looting. Want to put some cash on it? I rank that with Mr. Blitzer of CNN fame saying “They’re all so poor and so black!” A conservative would have been whacked for saying that! Looters are all criminals no matter what their race is. (and I don’t count stealing food and drink to stay alive)

  25. 25.

    Lines

    September 27, 2005 at 5:33 pm

    So far right, everything is left of you, including Blitzer. Sad.

  26. 26.

    DougJ

    September 27, 2005 at 5:59 pm

    I think Blitzer is in fact a “neoconservative commentator”. Whether you consider neocons to be cons or not is up to you.

  27. 27.

    Sinequanon

    September 28, 2005 at 12:15 am

    ^5 to WashingtonPost on that one! Sheesh, that is insane! Plus, I’m not so sure anyone should be going back to New Orleans. The contamination is so bad that the clean up effort alone (like a hazardous waste dump) may itself cost 250M to clean up and sterilize. Could take a really really long time. Plus they are dumping all the silt and water contamination back into the ocean and other bodies of water. Real healthy, that. Shouldn’t the EPA stop this – spreading the contamination?. I think so. I don’t believe I will be eating fish from the Gulf for quite some time – we already got the red tides before this on the Texas Gulf making seafood unedible – unless you like to be sick from toxins, that is. As a viable building/rebuilding site – N.O. really sucks. Is it really worth it to live “there” again?

  28. 28.

    Sinequanon

    September 28, 2005 at 12:18 am

    I meant 250 Billion.

  29. 29.

    Far North

    September 28, 2005 at 3:50 am

    Defense Guy,
    The state I’m from is run by Republicans, who have controlled the state legislature for nearly two consecutive decades. A republican sits in the governor’s mansion. My state has not elected a Democrat to national office since the early 70s.

    My state has no income tax. It gets more money back from the federal govt for each dollar it pays in taxes than any other state. My state’s conservative citizens (about 65% of the population) rise up in righteous indignation whenever it is suggested that they pay for some of their government services.

    My state’s representative told the country that they could “kiss his ear” when asked to give up his transportation bill pork.

    My state’s representative is acutally a good microcosm of its republican citizens…..greedy beyond comprehension with an unrepentent sense of entitlement.

    Give up? Think bridges to nowhere.

  30. 30.

    skip

    September 28, 2005 at 2:32 pm

    Doug J doesn’t need to ” think Blitzer is in fact a neoconservative commentator”. He should feel free to KNOW it. Blitzer is a former Washington correspondent for the Jerusalem Post. His “discussions” with Ken Adelman, Pollack and Richard Perle have had predictable outcomes.

    Pollack may be scarcer soon, given his implication in the AIPAC scandal. Blitzer is, I believe, a former AIPÅC employee. Let the circle be unbroken.

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