New Orleans vs Marshall Plan: How Much Has Been Spent on NOLA?

[Doctor Raoul]

The Marshall Plan was $13 billion over four years starting in 1947.

How much has been spent on one city versus the whole continent of Europe?

What's the inflation factor from 1947 to 2007 so we can compare apples to apples?

[FreedomCalls]

$13 Billion in 1947 is equal to $119.7 Billion in 2007.

http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl

[Roux]

It doesn’t matter how much. It will never be enough.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Please remember that Hurricane Katrina DID NOT hit New Orleans, it hit Southern Mississippi. Believe me, I witnessed it first-hand (my business was destroyed). If the democrat New Orleans officials had spent the tax money allocated to the levies properly, we’d be talking about Biloxi & Gulfport, not New Orleans!! Why in the world should the taxpayers of America rebuild a city that’s UNDERWATER?!!

[weegee]

Louisiana is a corrupt state run by corrupt officials.

Regime change needs to come to Louisiana with the crooks in jail.

Instead we hear about corruption in the rebuilding effort in Iraq. We have corruption at home that doesn’t rate mention.

[Dilbert San Diego]

I may show ignorance here, but.....

Have they even decided if they can re-build much of New Orleans, due to these areas being below sea level? Have they decided if the property owners will be able to even get insurance on the properties? Has Ray Nagin been working with the governor and Congress regarding things like insurance and costs of rebuilding and maintaining the levees?

I may be ignorant. But I thought the reason for delays in New Orleans were based on the issues of insurance and levee maintenance and building permits being issued by city hall.

[ASOC]

One US Dollar in 1947 has inflated to $9.98 as of 2006.

You can do the math from there.

Also, while some parts of Europe are corrupt, it ain’t Louisiana.

[Doctor Raoul]

Just my liitle effort to stop global whining...

[SAJ]

The Marshall Plan, originally, was to provide aid to (generally) democratic countries' economies, in order to help them rebuild so that the US would have viable export markets, and as a preemptive strike against ruined nations turning to Soviet-style Communism instead of markets.

NOLA aid is, essentially, extortion by a corrupt and arch-cronyist socialist political system in a portion of the US in order for the ruling political class to line their pockets.

Other than that, it's a valid comparison. (retch)

[FreedomCalls]

The US has spent $125 Billion so far on Hurricane Karina recovery.

Quote: "Today, 20 months after the storm, a total of $125 billion in U.S. government aid has been allocated to the hard hit Gulf Coast."

[macmedic892]

What’s your point? Abandon New Orleans?

[nativist]

remember guys, the city of Baton Rouge gets the dough from the Feds. It is their responsibility to divvy it up appropriately. Your right however that the Dems in charge of that whole state have it really messed up.

[Volunteer]

I have friends in LA. I know some truly good people in that State. They are not New Orleans folks for a reason.

Not to be ugly about it, but if the City of New Orleans was happy with the leadership of Ray Nagin - so much so that they reelected him - then they should be happy with where they are right now.

[Prokopton]

What’s your point? Abandon New Orleans?

Abandon all US cities built below sea level.

[macmedic892]

"Remember guys, the city of Baton Rouge gets the dough from the Feds. It is their responsibility to divvy it up appropriately.Your right however that the Dems in charge of that whole state have it really messed up."

Which we hope to change this fall when we elect a new governor, almost certainly US Rep Bobby Jindal (R). The story would have been much different if he'd been elected four years ago.

[nativist]

Its bizarre that the relationship between BR and NO is so bad. My brother works at city hall in NO and told me the situation is ridiculous.

[macmedic892]

"Abandon all US cities built below sea level."

Over half of New Orleans is at or above sea level. Now what?

Is it because New Orleans pre-K was overwhelmingly poor and black that we are so quick to cast it away?

[anglian]

The recent decision to extend handouts (1 Billion) to Katrina and Rita evacuees by another year or more will prove to be an incredible blow to the city of Houston. Already rocked by a surge in violent crime, it will only get worse as thousands are told they can avoid working for a living for yet another year.

With room and board paid for regardless of any effort to find employment, these folks have no incentive to improve their lives. Just the opposite - crime is more likely to be seen as a way to make extra cash and fill idle time, without losing the sweetheart deal the government has given them.

It's idiotic that this free ride is continuing. Since the federal government refuses to do anything about it (for fear of being portrayed negatively heading into 2008) the state government must act. I urge Republicans to enact guidelines to state and local aid similar to those required for employment benefits - basically, you have to at least try to find a job and get working. Or go to school. Or volunteer. Do something. ANYTHING.-weekendpundit.com

[kittymyrib]

“Is it because New Orleans pre-K was overwhelmingly poor and black that we are so quick to cast it away?”

Or is it because they took the billions of US taxpayer dollars that were intended to maintain and upgrade the levies, and instead built highways and infrastructure for their cronies to build casinos? Why throw good money after bad when the same crooks are running the place? Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

[Prokopton]

Is it because New Orleans pre-K was overwhelmingly poor and black that we are so quick to cast it away?

Nonsense. Large parts of New Orleans should have never been built in the first place. To expect US taxpayers to subsidize foolhardy building in flood plains is stupid, no matter what flavor of people want to live there.