Building Incompetence

Chris nailed trickle-up incompetency when he wrote about the Katrina blame game. Sure the Federal response could have been better – but if you're looking for real failure you just need to take a look at the state and local government. That all just got a bit clearer after seeing the response to Rita.

Mayor Ray Nagin again showed his leadership – and lack thereof – when he blasted Coast Guard Vice Admiral Thad Allen for disagreeing with his move to reintroduce people to the wetlands of New Orleans. It was a decision President Bush also advised against. It's not like the newly repaired levees are breaking. Oh, right, one did. Mayor Nagin later changed his mind, turns out it actually is a bad idea to put people back in the city.

So we've seen vivid examples of trickle-up incompetency, now let's take a look at the trickle-down side.

Congress has already approved tens of billions of dollars in aid – and guess where that's going to go. Anyone? Bingo – incompetent government. The incompetent federal government approves billions of dollars to be given to the incompetent state and city governments. There you have it – trickle-down incompetency.

So what's my solution? Well, my understanding of government is that by definition is it incompetent. Now, I think we've sorta outdone ourselves with out modern version of federal and state governments, but still, any government equals inefficiency.

Because of that, I only see one competent solution. Take government out of the rebuilding equation. The answer? No-bid contracts with Haliburton. Hey, if they can build a country they should be able to fix up a city. And they are already a contractor in the rebuilding – why not give 'em the whole thing?

But wait! Why are we rebuilding a city that's below sea level? It's an honest question, why? Does that really make any sense? That's what Denny Hastert asked – but then again, he's just a Republican looking to wipe out a population of democratic block voters. Or was the black voters? I guess as a Republican he would hate either. I on the other hand simply question rebuilding a city that will probably be flooded again. Isn't that bordering on incompetency?

That's probably a debate that will never actually take place. We'll rebuild the city, hopefully do a better job on the levees, and maybe the next time won't happen for another hundred years.

Do I really think we should have the evilness that is Haliburton rebuild the city? I don't think it would be worse than having the government manage it.

And while were at it – here's another revolutionary idea. Let's get rid of FEMA. Poof, gone. No longer will FEMA be slow to respond – it won't respond at all. And we'll replace FEMA with – drum roll please – Walmart. Well, Walmart and Sams, whatever you call the Walmart empire.

Yes, I'm suggesting that evil Haliburton rebuild the gulf coast, and the despised Walmart conglomerate replace FEMA. You see, Walmart was trucking in supplies the day before the storm hit, and the day after the storm, Walmart trucks were back on the road. Walmart's supply system was not halted, in spite of power outages and computer system down time. Walmart got supplies to where they were needed days before any government agency did.

My point – you want results? Don't look to the government.

Is it any surprise that the liberal government-dependents are seemingly always disappointed by their great 'provider'? It shouldn't be, trickle-up or trickle-down, it all ends the same. Incompetency.