Kanye West, Rev. Jesse Jackson and others do not speak for all of the black community when they blame racism for the government's response. "The mayor failed in his duty to evacuate and protect the people of New Orleans. ... The truth is, black people died not because of President Bush or racism, they died because of their unhealthy dependence on the government and the incompetence of Mayor Ray Nagin and Governor Kathleen Blanco," Reverend Jesse Lee Peterson, founder and president of the Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny, was quoted in a recent Washington Times article.
Throwing red herrings into the 'blame equation' is always a good tactic - for those who want to avoid blame, but deserve it. Rev. Peterson is right. People died because of their unhealthy dependence on a government that does not properly allocate resources and does not get things done quickly. It is undeniable that many people in government were counterproductive before, during and after Katrina. Yet government organizations that stood in the way of helping people have been given more tax dollars, and will continue to ask for more funding so they can "better respond to future tragic events." They will couple the tragedy in New Orleans with their obvious incompetence and claim that, if they had more money, they could do better next time.
When a private company fails to deliver a satisfactory product or service, they offer a refund. When government fails, it asks for more money.
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