Let's examine some of the details of the speech.
| What Was Said | My Comment |
|---|---|
| Right now, many are sleeping on ships we have brought to the Port of New Orleans -- and more ships are on their way to the region. And we'll provide mobile homes, and supply them with basic services, as close to construction areas as possible, so the rebuilding process can go forward as quickly as possible. | Don't people make jokes about living in a trailer park. |
| Federal funds will cover the great majority of the costs of repairing public infrastructure in the disaster zone, from roads and bridges to schools and water systems. Our goal is to get the work done quickly. And taxpayers expect this work to be done honestly and wisely -- so we'll have a team of inspectors general reviewing all expenditures. | This was directed at people, like myself, who have commented on the wasteful spending of Homeland Security. |
| Our third commitment is this: When communities are rebuilt, they must be even better and stronger than before the storm. Within the Gulf region are some of the most beautiful and historic places in America. As all of us saw on television, there's also some deep, persistent poverty in this region, as well. That poverty has roots in a history of racial discrimination, which cut off generations from the opportunity of America. We have a duty to confront this poverty with bold action. So let us restore all that we have cherished from yesterday, and let us rise above the legacy of inequality. When the streets are rebuilt, there should be many new businesses, including minority-owned businesses, along those streets. When the houses are rebuilt, more families should own, not rent, those houses. When the regional economy revives, local people should be prepared for the jobs being created. | In one paragraph, he comments on racism and the legacy it leaves. That seems to be what some Blacks say about racism in America and why poverty is high in the Black community. For those who say Blacks need to own more businesses, he also touches upon that as well. His comment seems to go against those comments and articles that point out a struggle in New Orleans to change the racial makeup of the city as a result of Katrina. |
| Tonight I propose the creation of a Gulf Opportunity Zone, encompassing the region of the disaster in Louisiana and Mississippi and Alabama. Within this zone, we should provide immediate incentives for job-creating investment, tax relief for small businesses, incentives to companies that create jobs, and loans and loan guarantees for small businesses, including minority-owned enterprises, to get them up and running again. It is entrepreneurship that creates jobs and opportunity; it is entrepreneurship that helps break the cycle of poverty; and we will take the side of entrepreneurs as they lead the economic revival of the Gulf region. | Empowerment Zones! That used to be a big talking point for Republicans. But, I've noticed that Empowerment Zones seem to have lost favor with them, although Black politicians seem to like the idea. |
| I propose the creation of Worker Recovery Accounts to help those evacuees who need extra help finding work. Under this plan, the federal government would provide accounts of up to $5,000, which these evacuees could draw upon for job training and education to help them get a good job, and for child care expenses during their job search. | OK, now this seems like Job Corp. I haven't heard many people speaking out against that concept. So, what's not to like about this one? |
| And to help lower-income citizens in the hurricane region build new and better lives, I also propose that Congress pass an Urban Homesteading Act. Under this approach, we will identify property in the region owned by the federal government, and provide building sites to low-income citizens free of charge, through a lottery. In return, they would pledge to build on the lot, with either a mortgage or help from a charitable organization like Habitat for Humanity. Home ownership is one of the great strengths of any community, and it must be a central part of our vision for the revival of this region. | Here we have another effort to get more people into houses they own. Given the CBC's efforts to provide programs for home ownership, this should be cheered by them. And Blacks building homes in the area should blunt the gentrification charge a little bit. |
This seems like a strong shot across the bow of the Democrats and the support of Democrats by Blacks.
Empowerment zones?
Vouchers for schools?
Business creation?
Funding for home ownership?
It sounds like a New Deal with the Republican twist. And, I have to say, I don't see how Black Democrat politicians can not support what was proposed. So, he just defanged the CBC as they were trying to grow back their canine teeth.
The President's speech was really a lot of hot air. What comes next is the House and the Senate going through their processes to get the bill, pun intended, on the President's desk.
But, there are storm clouds forming. Already there are complaints coming from some Republicans asking how this is going to be funded.
For the Black people who say "Bush doesn't care about Blacks," given that Blacks will be the primary recipients, it seems like those comments are "shown" to be false.
For me, I say wait until the bill is signed and watch what programs are cut to pay for NOLA repair.
The game is on!