What to Fix

I have been thinking about this for a few days now. New Orleans is hurting. It is in bad shape, and some of the bad shape has nothing to do with Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans needs to solve its own crime problems, education problems, etc. The Army Corps of Engineers failed our city due to a clerical error, it seems. Now we are expecting to be made whole by the government because, to some extent, the government is to blame for the enormity of the disaster caused by failed levees. So what do we really want from the feds? Top-notch levees. The elimination of MR GO. On-time FEMA help. Help restoring our wetlands (despite its uncertain role in storm surge absorption). Is that really too much to ask? The federal government has an obligation to protect its citizens, rich and poor, black and white and all colors in between, and those who live in the mountains and those who chose to live below sea level in a great river's delta.

Let's get on it, government. Fix the things that need fixing. New Orleans will be back one way or the other with or without help. A little help would be nice, though.