The Case for the Greater New Orleans Area: Why We Matter and Why We Should Exist by Chris Dier
Opinion, Louisiana/GulfCoast, Recovery
September 4th, 2012
Posted on September 1, 2012
“After multiple hurricanes, severe flooding, staggering death tolls, expensive rebuilding price tags, and the likes, the critiques that New Orleans shouldn’t exist, be rebuilt, or similar sentiments, are gaining traction. As Isaac just passed, people are voicing these opinions. Glenn Beck epitomizes this sentiment:
‘I find it hard to feel sorry for New Orleans.’ … ‘We should just walk away from that city. Why are we there?’ … ‘I’m not sure if we should bother rebuilding it.’ … ‘Why are we spending all this money in New Orleans? We shouldn’t spend a single dime of tax-payer money.’ … ‘How much do I think should be spent on New Orleans? Zero. Nothing. Not a dime.’ … ‘The Big Easy is a lost cause.’
So many from all over the political spectrum and various walks of life agree. A lot less crazy people than Beck, as well. These opinions may sound rational on the surface, but deeper analysis exposes its simplicity and absurdity. I write this in a coffee shop, because my house has no electricity due to Hurricane Isaac, in an area that was obliterated by Hurricane Katrina. And less than ten minutes away from me houses in Braithwaite, Plaquemines Parish, are completely submerged. Here’s my case:”
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