Are You Really Willing To Help The Recovery Effort?

[GotZoom]

The article states that recent polls indicat that Americans are willing to pay to rebuild New Orleans. "According to a CBS-New York Times poll released Wednesday, 73 percent expect their taxes will increase as a result of Katrina, and more than half said they were willing to pay more taxes to help with Katrina recovery, job training and housing for victims."

Are you part of the 73% or the 27%?

I don't want to sound cold but I'm not so sure about how much I am willing to pay.

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/09/15/D8CKNBVG2.html

 

[dilloduck]

The article states that recent polls indicat that Americans are willing to pay to rebuild New Orleans. "According to a CBS-New York Times poll released Wednesday, 73 percent expect their taxes will increase as a result of Katrina, and more than half said they were willing to pay more taxes to help with Katrina recovery, job training and housing for victims."

Are you part of the 73% or the 27%?

I don't want to sound cold but I'm not so sure about how much I am willing to pay.

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/09/15/D8CKNBVG2.html

Good observation and another ridiculous poll question. Don't worry about feeling cold-be proud of being honest. I have been volunteering my time at the Austin Convention Center and the average time by far that the average volunteer spends there is 1 shift. The well intentioned do-gooders are quickly overwhelmed when they discover that thay actually have to work there in an environment that is not safe, the chances of getting ill are quite high, the clients are often demanding and rude, and hundreds are so mentally ill that convesation with them is nearly impossible.

One could ask any population if they expected that thier taxes would go up for no particular reason at all. I'm sure the results would be nearly identical.

 

[GotZoom]

I have done quite a bit here - mostly financially but have also delivered things purchased for survivors, etc. I commend you for the time you have spent volunteering.

I grew up in Southern California - earthquakes, forest fires, etc. Always had the risk of losing everything. We prepared, saved money, etc because my parents said that if we ever lost everything, we would move where we didn't have to worry about so many things happening.

I would love to buy a condo in the Destin/Panama City area but knowing the history of the area with hurricanes, forget it.

You make decisions every day. The people who live in New Orleans, Florida, Southern California, Kansas/Oklahoma (tornado alley), know the risks they are taking by living there. And they should also be prepared for when something happens.

There have been countless natural disasters where people have lost everything. Yes, I know...not to the magnitude of New Orleans, but the basic premise is the same. Take responsibility for yourself and your lives. Far too many people are expecting handouts.

If they want to rebuild people's houses (which is the equvilant of giving them a new house-probably nicer than what they had to begin with for some of them), make them help. Elderly? They can paint, plant flours, etc. Young? Give them a saw and a hammer.

If they have a hand in building their own place, and being hands on in the recovery effort, maybe those area will not end up so run down and derelict.

 

[dilloduck]

I have also gotten a real kick out of moveon.org people passing out flyers at the convention center. It offers a web site (hurricanehousing.org) where people can go to and offers of temporary housing from the moveon wackos.
Try the site and click on the Austin link for example and tell me how successful you think these 250,000 some "offers" will be.

 

[GotZoom]

I checked Austin. It is heartwarming to see how many people are offering their couch, futon, etc. Even if the survivors aren't allowed to bring meat into the house.

Seriously, it is nice to see how people are opening their homes. Not something I would consider doing, but that is just me.

I would donate time to build a home for a family, but when you start talking abou raising taxes, job training, etc...I hae a bit of a problem with that.

 

[Avatar4321]

I have no trouble helping out with food or clothes or money. But I deffinately dont think taxes should be raised. If anything taxes should be cut again. Our economy took a huge hit with Katrina. We will need more money in the system to revitalize it.

Also I find it morally reprehensible to increase taxes on others to make them pay for the people of New Orleans. Being free with your own money is good and i encourage that, but passing legislation to take that money to give the others is just wrong. it makes those who its taken from bitter and makes the people who receiving it ungrateful because they come to see it as an entitlement instead of a gift.

 

[Abbey Normal]

I guess my problem is that we pay $$ every month so that we will have insurance in case our home is damaged or destroyed for some reason. Are we going to have to pay through tax increases because others couldn't be bothered to adequately insure what they owend? And for those who didn't own a home, did they have renters insurance for their property? We did when we rented. If a family truly cannot afford a monthly premium, that's one thing, but I wonder how many could afford it but chose not to pay for it?

 

[GotZoom]

I guess my problem is that we pay $$ every month so that we will have insurance in case our home is damaged or destroyed for some reason. Are we going to have to pay through tax increases because others couldn't be bothered to adequately insure what they owend? And for those who didn't own a home, did they have renters insurance for their property? We did when we rented. If a family truly cannot afford a monthly premium, that's one thing, but I wonder how many could afford it but chose not to pay for it?

In other words, you are a responsible homeowner who values your property and possessions to the point that you will purchase something called insurance?

What a brilliant idea. I bet you learned that from proper parental upbringing, among many other things.

And I don't want to hear anything about not being able to afford insurance, homeowners or rental; I know for a fact that insurance would have been very inexpensive for a majority of those people.

 

[archangel]

I have not sent a dime...I for one chose to live where the odds of destruction are minimal to say the least...those who live in these disastor areas do so for the most part thru choice...if not I feel sorry for them...however our country sends billions of aid to countries outside the US and when we have a disastor...why is it we hear from our leaders "dip into your pocket to help!"
Why not save our aid money from taxes to help our own rather then send to foreign (corrupt) governments to spend it on their own interests and arms to throw back at us a a later date! Just one mans opinion...

 

[no1tovote4]

I have not sent a dime...I for one chose to live where the odds of destruction are minimal to say the least...those who live in these disastor areas do so for the most part thru choice...if not I feel sorry for them...however our country sends billions of aid to countries outside the US and when we have a disastor...why is it we hear from our leaders "dip into your pocket to help!"
Why not save our aid money from taxes to help our own rather then send to foreign (corrupt) governments to spend it on their own interests and arms to throw back at us a a later date! Jusy one mans opinion...

You have too. In the form of tax dollars. We have all together already agreed to send more than $60 Billion dollars, and it is expected to be over $200 Billion by the end of it all.

 

[archangel]

You have too. In the form of tax dollars. We have all together already agreed to send more than $60 Billion dollars, and it is expected to be over $200 Billion by the end of it all.

all I am saying is I am tired of it all...I have a hard time taking care of my own...I chose to live where the chance of a natural disastor killing me financially would be minimal...as for taxes I have no control of how they are spent...I can speak my mind but that is all...but when the government says now dig in your wallet and donate on top of the taxes...well I start pulling back...with dismay!

 

[Bonnie]

The article states that recent polls indicat that Americans are willing to pay to rebuild New Orleans. "According to a CBS-New York Times poll released Wednesday, 73 percent expect their taxes will increase as a result of Katrina, and more than half said they were willing to pay more taxes to help with Katrina recovery, job training and housing for victims."

Are you part of the 73% or the 27%?

I don't want to sound cold but I'm not so sure about how much I am willing to pay.

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/09/15/D8CKNBVG2.html

I have heard many congressmen speak to this and say they will not raise taxes as this would surely stifle any free market recovery from business. We may not get the death tax repeal though which should pass regardless but it would be hard for Republicans to justify that kind of tax cut now even if it is the right thing to do.

There will be a huge housing boom in the rebuild and that will be a good thing for the economy. There are already plans to re-open the French Quarter next week as well as other businesses this week. I just don't think the recovery is going to be as dire or as slow as some predict.

 

[archangel]

I have heard many congressmen speak to this and say they will not raise taxes as this would surely stifle any free market recovery from business. We may not get the death tax repeal though which should pass regardless but it would be hard for Republicans to justify that kind of tax cut now even if it is the right thing to do.

There will be a huge housing boom in the rebuild and that will be a good thing for the economy. There are already plans to re-open the French Quarter next week as well as other businesses this week. I just don't think the recovery is going to be as dire or as slow as some predict.

New Orleans...as if this "Boom Town" effects most of the nation...except oil and fuel processing...and a good port to export...the rest is a local issue for entertainment purposes....

 

[Bonnie]

New Orleans...as if this "Boom Town" effects most of the nation...except oil and fuel processing...and a good port to export...the rest is a local issue for entertainment purposes....

It doens't have to be a boom town it just has to re-employ all those that lost jobs and some that were not working, all those casinos etc. The building market affects the economy nationwide and this new demand will hopefully keep housing prices up and interest rates down on top of employing not only the building industry but also all the other industries tied to it.

 

[archangel]

It doens't have to be a boom town it just has to re-employ all those that lost jobs and some that were not working, all those casinos etc. The building market affects the economy nationwide and this new demand will hopefully keep housing prices up and interest rates down on top of employing not only the building industry but also all the other industries tied to it.

would you want housing prices up...is this a personal investment for you...what happened to help the poor? I'm sure they could not afford higher housing prices...I give up... the mantra of me..me...me shows it's dirty head once again....geeez!

 

[Bonnie]

would you want housing prices up...is this a personal investment for you...what happened to help the poor? I'm sure they could not afford higher housing prices...I give up... the mantra of me..me...me shows it's dirty head once again....geeez!

No I don't have anymore of an investment in housing than anyone else in this country that owns one, my point is that private business would do a much better job of helping the poor than the government would do, and unless one is a socialist I would think that would be obvious. I choose handing out jobs over hand outs anyday. And houses that keep their value does much to help the national economy by keeping interest rates down.

 

[GotZoom]

It doens't have to be a boom town it just has to re-employ all those that lost jobs and some that were not working, all those casinos etc. The building market affects the economy nationwide and this new demand will hopefully keep housing prices up and interest rates down on top of employing not only the building industry but also all the other industries tied to it.

New Orleans proper had only one casino..at the foot of Canal Street. Now, Biloxi is different; they have at least half a dozen (probably more). It isn't even certain now if the Casino's will return. They are trying to change the state law to allow them inland - now they have to be "moored" on water. Beau Rivage and Hard Rock are the only ones saying they will rebuild.

I am just afraid that people will feel so guilty about what happened that they will feel pressured into building bigger and better. Many people and businesses will never return to New Orleans. This was just the final straw for their exodus. If this happens, who will New Orleans be left to: The ones who are looking for the freebiees?

What will that turn the city into?

 

[archangel]

New Orleans proper had only one casino..at the foot of Canal Street. Now, Biloxi is different; they have at least half a dozen (probably more). It isn't even certain now if the Casino's will return. They are trying to change the state law to allow them inland - now they have to be "moored" on water. Beau Rivage and Hard Rock are the only ones saying they will rebuild.

I am just afraid that people will feel so guilty about what happened that they will feel pressured into building bigger and better. Many people and businesses will never return to New Orleans. This was just the final straw for their exodus. If this happens, who will New Orleans be left to: The ones who are looking for the freebiees?

What will that turn the city into?

this was exactly my point...who will rebuilding help...not the poor...to overbuild a disastor area is ludicrus...and this is by no means a socialist theory...as Bonnie alluded toward my point in not wanting to raise the housing market prices! It serves no financial reward to the community at large...just speculators! :shocked:

 

[Bonnie]

New Orleans proper had only one casino..at the foot of Canal Street. Now, Biloxi is different; they have at least half a dozen (probably more). It isn't even certain now if the Casino's will return. They are trying to change the state law to allow them inland - now they have to be "moored" on water. Beau Rivage and Hard Rock are the only ones saying they will rebuild.

I am just afraid that people will feel so guilty about what happened that they will feel pressured into building bigger and better. Many people and businesses will never return to New Orleans. This was just the final straw for their exodus. If this happens, who will New Orleans be left to: The ones who are looking for the freebiees?

What will that turn the city into?

I actually was referring to the whole Gulf area affected not just NO. But I suppose if busniesses don't want to return to the City it could become a dumping ground welfare city. I just don't see that happening, maybe Im being naive???

 

[Bonnie]

this was exactly my point...who will rebuilding help...not the poor...to overbuild a disastor area is ludicrus...and this is by no means a socialist theory...as Bonnie alluded toward my point in not wanting to raise the housing market prices! It serves no financial reward to the community at large...just speculators! :shocked:

Your assuming that bigger and better only helps those with money, I just don't believe that to be true, it's very likely that bigger better means the poor will be elevated to middleclass and some even rich, assuming they wish to work for it. Some poor will always be there, that's life, but the poor could be significantly diminished by having some ownership stake in their lives. Common sense says build a higher wall if your going to rebuild in a flood area, and businesses that want to stay and rebuild in NO will have to put up the money for that.