The fallout from Hurricane Katrina is never far from our hearts and minds and not far from the news and media outlets recently. But not because of praise and accolades for the reconstruction process. No, on the contrary, Katrina and perhaps even more importantly, post-Katrina mistakes and blunders keep plaguing the suffering citizens of New Orleans. And it's a true crime to them that we have such an incompetent and poorly functioning government in such a time of need. Which is why, when the AP reported on the uncontained fraud stemming from the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, it makes your soul weep...
The rundown:
WASHINGTON - The tally for Hurricane Katrina waste could top $2 billion next year because half of the lucrative government contracts valued at $500,000 or greater for cleanup work are being awarded without little competition.
Federal investigators have already determined the Bush administration squandered $1 billion on fraudulent disaster aid to individuals after the 2005 storm. Now they are shifting their attention to the multimillion dollar contracts to politically connected firms that critics have long said are a prime area for abuse.
In January, investigators will release the first of several audits examining more than $12 billion in Katrina contracts. The charges range from political favoritism to limited opportunities for small and minority-owned firms, which initially got only 1.5 percent of the total work.
(emphasis mine) Let's attempt to summarize and encapsulate Bush's blatant failure in this mess. He did not heed the warnings or make the proper federal preparations to adequately be able to assist the people of New Orleans after the storm, he backed and then quickly unbacked a poor excuse for a FEMA director in Michael Brown, he left the survivors of Katrina to wither and cry for help at their most desperate, he only visited Katrina after the worst, irreversible damage had been done, he staged press conferences and took advantage of the disadvantaged as political opportunism, he did not acknowledge his errors and further projected the typical 'Bush Facade' of passing the buck and eschewing responsibility (instead passing it to Michael Brown and FEMA, which were only a small portion of the larger problem), he has allowed insurance companies to deny and forsake the victims of Katrina against the very purpose of what these companies are brought into being for, and now he is furthering government corruption and cronyism by enabling even more political and economic exploitation. This is the 'Iraq' war right here at home:
"Based on their track record, it wouldn't surprise me if we saw another billion more in waste," said Clark Kent Ervin, the
Homeland Security Department's inspector general from 2003-2004. "I don't think sufficient progress has been made."
He called it inexcusable that the Bush administration would still have so many no-bid contracts. Under pressure last year,
Federal Emergency Management Agency director David Paulison pledged to rebid many of the agreements, only to backtrack months later and reopen only a portion.
Investigators are now examining whether some of the agreements — which in some cases were extended without warning rather than rebid — are still unfairly benefiting large firms.
"It's a combination of laziness, ineptitude and it may well be nefarious," Ervin said.
I really can't say it any better than Ervin. To even dream that there would be improper intentions among those in power to benefit off of those neediest of Americans is just unconscionable. It is absolutely imperative that the 110th Congress take priority issue with this to find out just what has been going on and immediately institute new policies for these critical programs, while at the same time bringing those responsible for any and all fraud to justice. Thankfully, it looks like the Dems are going to pounce on this issue early:
Democrats in Congress called for more accountability. When they take over in January, at least seven committees plan hearings or other oversight — from housing to disaster loans — on how the $88 billion approved for Katrina relief is being spent.
Check out the article which goes on to detail the current ongoing investigations relating to this matter and includes a link at the bottom to the Katrina spending report.
Finally:
For many weeks after the storm, minority firms received 1.5 percent of the total work — less than one-third of the 5 percent normally required — because they weren't allowed to bid for many of the emergency contracts.
The National Black Chamber of Commerce called the figure appalling because of the disproportionate number of poor, black people in the stricken Gulf Coast, prompting Sen. Olympia Snowe (news, bio, voting record), R-Maine, and Rep. Donald Manzullo (news, bio, voting record), R-Ill., to request GAO to investigate.
FEMA has since restored many of its competition rules, and the number of contracts given to minority firms is now about 8.8 percent, according to the agency.
Despite the fact that FEMA has since 'changed course' on Katrina, like with Iraq, this is too little, to late, and cannot be accepted. It's encouraging to note that two Republicans initiated the request for an investigation. That just highlights that this issue transcends party affiliations and all leaders need to work together to solve the continuing crisis on the Gulf Coast.