Working-class people in Mississippi affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 still are getting very little aid from the government.
Mississippi has set aside just 23 percent of its $5.5 billion federal grant money for programs dedicated to helping poor people recover from the catastrophe. As of now, only $167 million, or about 10 percent of the dedicated funds, has been spent helping the poor. (New York Times, Nov. 16)
What is the hold up? It’s all about government priorities. Money is flowing freely to help wealthy residents and big business rebuild; meanwhile, working-class people are left on their own. Most of those impacted are African American.
Mississippi is the only state that requested and received a waiver from the Bush administration for the rule that 50 percent of its Community Development Block Grants—Katrina aid from the federal government—must be spent to help low-income residents.
The ongoing disaster caused by the state and local governments’ inaction in the wake of Hurricane Katrina illustrates how capitalism is unwilling to assist workers in need.
