Fruits of Corruption

America is stunned at the lawlessness occurring in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Nicole Gelinas (HT Powerline).points out that the storm didn’t cause people to become criminals, the criminal element was already in place (I’m not speaking of those foraging for food, water, and other necessities).

Poverty will be cited as a major factor in the severity of the destruction and death that has occurred. Indeed, the pattern seems to be poor areas are affected worse than rich ones. With New Orleans and the Gulf States being some of the poorest in America, one would see this thesis supported.

But is being poor the cause to be cured or is it really a symptom of the larger problem of corruption? Certainly rescue efforts were hampered because of violence or the threat of violence. How about official corruption? I am reminded of places in Turkey, Armenia, and Iran where buildings collapse more frequently in earthquakes than other places. Reports come out that contractors and complicit building inspectors allow the use of lower grade concrete. Is corruption a factor in the unprepared ness of New Orleans, including a significant cause of poverty found in the area?