Half of the money in Community Development Block Grants given to the Gulf States is supposed to be allocated to the poor (Poor are Lagging in Hurricane Aid, New York Times, November 16, 2007: A1, A29). The State of Mississippi asked for and received a waiver from the administration to disregard this restriction. As a consequence, so far less than 10% of the money has gone to help the impoverished in Mississippi.
We should note that Mr Bush is all to ready to issue waivers to help the well heeled. When it comes to the poor, no such luck.
Two years after Katrina, it is unconscionable that the President has not yet issued a waiver to local authorities in the Gulf Coast so that they do not have to contribute to the reconstruction funds. But we too are at fault for not demanding that he issue the waiver.
In the case of the poor people of the Gulf Coast, help delayed is help denied.
Sent to New York Times
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