notes from across the pond

Duncan Hunter had a hard time following John Edwards and Hillary Clinton, but he did his best to put across his views.

Saw different story.
National Guard troops held city together.
Police and firefighters came from all over country.
Saw huge team of volunteers.
What was really impressive - saw people bringing huge pile of clothes
Had to tell them to stop

All know money that has been sent
Over $100bn now
More important than government progs is way US citizens shape and are shaped by aftermath
People portray NOLA as permanent victims
View every aspect as somehow reflection of bigger and stronger government
Bigger government not necessarily more efficient
Thought at some point there would be political blame for water and wind!

See great future, not on what government does for people, but what free people do for themselves
See optimistic professionals coming to NOLA to meet challenges before them
People on welfare are now finding fulfilment rebuilding city
New educational dreams for their kids
57% attend charter schools

New and profound appreciation for freedom
Story not inefficiency government
Real story is citizens response who gave from their hearts
Impressed by LA helping their own
No nation has as many citizens willing to work for its own

Where is the success in our future? In government? No
Governments/bureaucracies are inept
Previous speakers testified to that

NOLA built on these values will stand forever

Soledad O’Brien:
We can’t fix levees. That’s Feds job. We need leadership from Feds.
We deserve something in return.
What is the role of the Feds?

Duncan Hunter:
$8.4bn has been appropriated for levees.
Feds have obligation for levees.
Question is to what degree you upgrade those levees?

That means every man, woman and child in US will give $300 each
On top of what they’ve already given
Don’t have to convince me government bureaucracies are inefficient

One is story of inept government
Other is success of free people that want to live here and rebuild city

Soledad O’Brien:
The number you talk about is for Cat 3. Would you be willing to invest enough for Cat 5?

Duncan Hunter:
In 1960, 470000 in NOLA
25% had left by Katrina
To spend money efficiently must consult community
Need to use all space

Take it to reasonable level
Need best engineers

Soledad O’Brien:
If there are not enough people here it doesn’t count?

Duncan Hunter:
Possibility of worse than Cat 5?
Where are we going?
How much infrastructure do we need?

Soledad O’Brien:
We will move back if levee to protect us? Chicken and egg situation.
Isn’t role Feds to say here’s what we’ll build, come home.

Duncan Hunter:
Places where you had failures not cos level 3, but cos defective level 3 levees
Therefore, consult best engineers in world and figure out priorities
Congressional delegation of LA knows better than anyone
For long time, thought level 3 appropriate

Soledad O’Brien:
Let move off levees.
Do you think race played a role in government’s response?

Duncan Hunter:
No
Police came from IL. Helped everyone.
What you saw from Feds is what government’s generally do, inept
Expecting it to work extremely effectively
Chicago Fire displaced 100,000 people
Katrina displaced 700-800,000 people
Expecting Feds to cope with that very optimistic

Soledad O’Brien:
You say FEMA’s inept. What do you do?

Duncan Hunter:
Take Fed firefighters. Very effective.
High end capability.
Several locations throughout US.
They’d be front end of response.
Don’t have bureaucracy.

Soledad O’Brien:
You’d replace FEMA with firefighters?

Duncan Hunter:
Yes
If you’re going to front end op, you don’t want bureaucracy
FEMA staff not best capable doing that
Fed firefighters are best equipped to do that

Soledad O’Brien:
People say FEMA failing in lots of ways. If your President what do you do?

Duncan Hunter:
If you appropriate money, you want it to move quickly.
Effective government in all our hands.

Soledad O’Brien:
How would you deal with big crime problem in NOLA?

Duncan Hunter:
Need effective, local government, which is first responder in respect to crime
Local government must handle this

Soledad O’Brien:
You don’t think Feds have role?

Duncan Hunter:
First responders are local government.
Therefore, must have strong local government.
No corruption.
Strong discipline.
Therefore, will sign up when disaster strikes.
Outstanding police forces are function strong local government.

Soledad O’Brien:
Closing remarks.

Duncan Hunter:
Don’t see NOLA as permanent victims.
See lot energy, people coming in.
NOLA is going through tough times.