So, while we are gone, I thought I would leave you with my solution for New Orleans. I have posted a similar sentiment as a comment in a variety of locations (by the way, I encourage you to read several of the folks on my blogroll while I am out as they are on top of it in a huge way). Let's call this Windspike's Simple Solution to the Seriously Bad Situtation in New Orleans:
Be it resolved that We, the citizens of the greater USA offer to and help fix all survivors' problems caused by Katrina and the poor response by our seriously deficient governments. More importantly, We, the citizens of these fine United States of America, resolve that each survivor be compensated with some thing that not only replaces what they had, but improves upon it: and that is by their definition, not ours.My hope is that others with solutions post them in the comments below this post. Blog on friends, blog on.
3 comments:
Survivors are people, right?
Many who lost their homes were tenants, not homeowners. If they had renter's insurance, they would be able to recover on worldly goods from there. What tenants lost most were their jobs. A job is most people's only attachment to reality. It's not clear how jobs could be improved upon in replacement, the employment synergies of an entire city have been lost, maybe forever. At best, job seekers can reasonably expect to fit into the empty spaces somewhere else, into a current job-space that is empty for a reason, i. e., it isn't all that attractive to the current locals seeking work.
First of all; Godspeed, W/S. I hope your break is refreshing and relaxing... you are a fantastic American, my friend :-)
I think, in addition to what you proposed, the leaders of our states in the hurricane zones need to find a way to help evacuees secure the safety of their beloved pets. I can TOTALLY relate to a person who REFUSES to leave their beloved pet(s) behind to perish in horror as their caretaker flees to higher ground.
I truly think this would solve a lot of the problem.
Again; Godspeed, brother...
Show them the money!
Donations have been pouring in.
Consider: If $1b has been collected (it's more than that). And 1m are displaced. Then $1b/1m = $1000 per DP is available for distribution.
Further consider: The people who have it roughest are the poor, especially the poor with large families. Were the $1k disbursed to individuals, poor people with large families would benefit the most. Since many of the poor with large families rented, and didn't own cars, their material losses were probably far below what they would garner from a per capita distribution. They would have in cash money greater net worth than many of them could expect to save in 20 years.
Maybe they would like to move to Alaska. A cash distribution would make that possible.
FWIW (not much), I know a fairly rich, successful businessman, who furnished his entire house with furniture found at the curb.
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