Keep the Conversation Going

As the immense natural disasters in the Gulf Coast fade away into old news and more new tragedies surface in Asia and South America, its easy to forget the long-term impact on the people and regions involved. A New York Times article touches on this subject, bringing up both sides of the argument concerning poverty in America and Hurricane Katrina:

As Hurricane Katrina put the issue of poverty onto the national agenda, many liberal advocates wondered whether the floods offered a glimmer of opportunity. The issues they most cared about - health care, housing, jobs, race - were suddenly staples of the news, with President Bush pledged to "bold action."

But what looked like a chance to talk up new programs is fast becoming a scramble to save the old ones.

Conservatives have already used the storm for causes of their own, like suspending requirements that federal contractors have affirmative action plans and pay locally prevailing wages. And with federal costs for rebuilding the Gulf Coast estimated at up to $200 billion, Congressional Republican leaders are pushing for spending cuts, with programs like Medicaid and food stamps especially vulnerable....

But many conservatives see logic, not irony, at work. If the storm exposed great poverty, they say, it also exposed the problems of the very policies that liberals have supported.

Both valid arguments. Regardless, the conversation needs to continue. What do you all think?

(Check out the article at this link)