What Bush promises:
* We will do what it takes and stay as long as it takes.
* New Orleans will not be abandoned.
* Aide to all evacuees, and aide in reuniting families.
* 60 billion approved by Congress.
* Empty shelters by mid-October.
* Reimburse states for education and health care.
* Provide housing for reconstruction workers.
* Close partnership with state and local.
* Federal funds will cover infrastructure.
* Inspector generals will insure honesty.
* State and local will have the 'primary role' in planning.
* Jobs should go to locals.
* Communities must be rebuilt 'better and stronger' than before the storm.
* Poverty, caused by racial discrimination, must be confronted with 'bold action.'
* Minority-owned businesses should be established.
* Three initiatives:
* 'Gulf Opportunity Zone' with incentives for job-creation, tax reliefs, loans, and support for minority enterprises. Entrepeneurship.
* Worker recovery accounts, up to $5,000 per evacuee or family, to accomodate job searches.
* 'Urban Homesteading Act,' granting federal land to low income citizens if they promise to build on it.
* The city can be protected.
* Great effort undertaken by America, asking Americans to continue donating and helping.
* Must have clear plans for national disasters. Ordered Homeland Security to review all emergency plans.
* 'It is hard to imagine a bright future. But that future will come.'
Commentary:
The 60 billion figure doesn't mean anything; Bush didn't cite a realistic ball-park estimate of how much this is going to cost. The cable news stations are throwing around 200 billion dollars. I have no idea myself.
I think that the steps Bush outlines in this speech are positive, if they're done right. I hope that Bush recognizes that this is a situation where an ideological urge for limiting government cannot be heeded. We as a nation must do what is necessary, whatever that is.
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