Hurricane Katrina had nothing to do with New Orleans?

Question

My dad keeps on trying to tell me that it was the levee's that destroyed New Orleans. He said if the gov't wasn't involved in people's business, and real business would have been able to build the levee to actual standards, none of this would have happened. So was it Katrina, or the gov't once again being involved in your business that destroyed an american city?

He keeps saying that no private business had a chance to build the levee, the gov't took control of the building contracts. because of their inefficiency because they don't have to compete against anyone, they built a crappy levee, because they didn't let anyone else even try. it wasn't really the storm that destroyed new orleans, but the gov'ts lack of efficiency.

wouldn't it be the responsibilty of the govt though, they built the "not strong enough" levees in the first place. what kind of bargaining is that?

Answer 1

Your dad is correct as to the cause of the destruction of New Orleans. Here's why: Under a long-standing policy the federal government (specifically the Army Corps of Engineers) had the responsibility for maintaining the levees. The leves were not maintained, however--nor reinforced. Congress under Republican control refused time after time to heed the warnings of the Army engineers, and would not provide the needed funds for the work on the levees.

Had that work been done, the levees would not have failed. There would have still been damage, of course, but no more than any strong hurricane would have done.

I'm afraid I don't agree that the fact that the levees were under govenrnment management is the rooot of the problem. Some public infrastructure is better done under government auspices--and there's a long history of that going back to the early "turnpikes" (roads) and canals in the US over 2 centuries ago. Not to mention the modern system of highways, etc., that we all use.

BUT--those systems work only when the officials and politicians carry out the responsibilities they have agreed to assume. In this case, corrupt bureaucrats, political favoritism, and self-serving politicians ignored the warnings. That doesn't mean all public works are a bad idea. Often the "public works" approach works well.

On the other hand, its hard to imagine how private industry could do any worse. It might be worth taking a look at this and see if turning the levees over to priate businessmen is feasible.

Answer 2

This is how it went down. It was known that the levees would only withstand a level 3 hurricane. But no one, it wasn't just the federal government, wanted to pay to improve the levees. The city wouldn't pay, the state wouldn't pay and the feds wouldn't pay. It had been known since the levees were first built that they were not strong enough.

The levees were not strong enough because no one would pay. You cannot just blame the government. So, the city and state hoped no stronger hurricane would come through. But the had the fall back position of, if anything did happen, we'll blame the government because so many will believe it.

Answer 3

You missed the main point. The hurricane was an act of God and pointing fingers at who screwed up when they built it is fruitless. The real problem was that after the storm the governments (Fed, state, and local) stood around and let people die. That is what was inexcusable.

Answer 4

It is because Bush cut funding to repair the levees that they broke.

Answer 5

that's right, new orleans was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Answer 6

Who cares

Answer 7

add details cause I really want to answer this question!
I want to understand a little better...

Answer 8

another moronic conspiracy theory