Bobert points out something every citizen should know- a major problem for all our cities in the U. S. of A. and Canada is the lack of money for basics, as tax money goes for frills like wars and pork barrels. New Orleans and most major cities have no reserve funds but live from hand to mouth, always at least one tax year behind needs. There is nothing for keeping up infrastructure. (Engineers in N. Y. live in dread of a major failure in main water lines, some of which have had no repair or maintenance in 100 years). Infrastructure is deteriorating everywhere.

(Digression to local comment). Right here in River City (Calgary, that is), the school system needs $100 million for essential repairs to schools but have been offered $4 million. Boards are faced with abandoning some schools because needed repairs were never made, and they can't get the funds, although the province is swimming in oil money. The provincial government gave a $400 gift to every citizen when as a focused expenditure, the money would have paid for a few new schools, hospitals, and their upkeep.

Back to Katrinagate- The 1.4 billion dollars thrown away by the feds on false Katrina-Rita claims, as detailed in the N. Y. Times, would have helped the N. O. and other local governments with rebuilding their school, transportation and other genuine infrastructure needs.
Katrinagate marches on!