re: To everyone blaming the government for NOLA's woes

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I've stayed out of the statue thing because I see it as a local issue. I can see both sides of the argument, but in the grand scheme of things is symbolism over substance.

As for Benson, he's become extremely wealthy due to the benefits the state has provided. That can not be denied. He's leveraged the city's love for the Saints for all its worth.

I think many overstate by a large amount just how beneficial an NFL team is to the overall economy. It's more like a bragging right than a huge benefit in the grand scheme of things.

But you need to look in the mirror. Why doesn't NO have better cops? Why are the finances in such bad shape. I'm talking basic services here brother. The state isn't supposed to fund police, fire, etc. even though the state puts their own cops there to supplement the city police.

La. politicians don't dis New Orleans, NO has powerful friends in BR. NO needs to take care of their people better, to fund police, fire, sewer, water, and etc. Orleans Parish is smaller than EBR in population, and is surrounded by a larger metropolitan area, and has millions of tourists coming through their city, the Saints, Bourbon Street, a great restaurant business, and the list goes on and on.

Why is it they can't fund city services?

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i think we're arguing past each other a little bit. 95% of the reason New Orleans has seemingly intractable problems is due to shitty city government. What i'm saying is that a huge segment of the state population/government sees the city as a cesspool that needs to be avoided at all costs as opposed to the economic engine of the state. the state shouldn't be funding municipal services. the fact that LSP has troopers permanently stationed in the city is atrocious.

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Therein lies my point. Regardless if the government is doing their job, the sad truth is that new orleans is just full of people willing to commit this crimes. It's a Lot harder to walk around Austin and get shot because there are less people living there willing to shoot people.

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just go ahead and say there are less black people in Austin since that's clearly what you mean. there is no comparison between Austin and New Orleans in any meaningful municipal metric.

It's never going to change there. See St.Louis, Detroit,Chicago.

NO and the rest are all Democratic strongholds, and because of it the cities are suffering badly. Until the people of these Cities begin to look at Independants and Conservatives, while staying away from progressives, it's going to be crime ridden.

Go look at the deadliest and crime infested Citites in America. All of them have 1 thing in common, Liberal strongholds, some 50 years+.

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things are kinda shitty here right now, but it's amazing how much people from other places think about New Orleans, while people from New Orleans don't think about these other places much at all.

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I left Nola over three years ago. I lived there for 5. While there. I got to do some amazing things. I drummed in Mardi Gras parades, with Mardi Gras Indians, played events like Jazz Fest, and other crazy things. And since then, everywhere is fricking boring. The only unforgettably fun times I've had, has been in nature with friends and family.

I tried a couple cities in Colorado. The mountains and outdoors were great, and I enjoyed the hell out of them. But it's expensive as hell. When you work full-time 5-6 days a week, it's hard to enjoy it as often as you'd like. And the cities are pretty boring.

I hated Houston. No music besides top 40 and pop country, limited outdoors activities, insane traffic, and a million other reasons. Some people like sprawled suburbs, but that's not for me.

I'm in Fayetteville now, and it's a pretty good area. It does have a pretty quiet nightlife, especially for a college town. But it has a couple of cool bars and decent music will occasionally roll through. And it's absolutely beautiful around here. In 5 months I've managed to see more than many people who were raised here.

I've been saying I'm moving back to Nola for awhile now. But I've got to good of a job right now, in a pretty decent place. Nola has my heart, but it's so fricked up. And it was getting bad when I left. I had a teacher friend leave after her third student in a school got murdered.

I love feeling safe, and not have to look over my shoulder as I'm walking around my neighborhood. But I also hate being bored. I really hate it. My job will probably end Thanksgiving. So I'll be looking around to see what kind of work is available down there. As much as I'm worried about things, I just love New Orleans too much. Life would be easier if I didn't.

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hy is it they can't fund city services?

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You want the real answer? It's a generational problem. Because the city government is more concerned with lining their own pockets than being fiscally responsible. And combine that with the fact that a large amount of NO large businesses have vacated, leaving the corporate tax base smaller. And with the loss of those businesses comes the loss of those jobs that would be filled by productive people. So what you're left with is a mojority of people that have no issue with the city status quo because either they are benefiting directly through social programs or indirectly through the lining of political pockets giving them jobs or access. Therefore no change is made.

It's a microcosm of the State politics right now. Leadership that is only interested in pandering to certain interests and placing blame instead of providing actual leadership and direction. But, "imma get mine" so all is well.

I love this state, I really do. And there are a lot of good people. But dammit if it doesn't frustrate the hell out of me.

NO had a lot going for it in 1960, and what happened in the past 50+ years determined much of what we see today.

I don't have the answer, but New Orleans was a great city at one time with problems, but now its just got problems and a great tourist industry.

I wish it weren't so, but NO needs to get away from this racial stuff, the chocolate city, the statues, and people need to see that if they(the good people) don't stay together the bad people are going to win out.

Too many politicians in NO who are in govt. to get theirs, and because its their turn is killing New Orleans. You and I both know that.

The good people need to unite, and by good people I mean all people who want to do the right things and root out the corruption, build the police force, ask where all the tax money is going, and try to rebuild confidence in city hall.

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Too many politicians in NO who are in govt. to get theirs, and because its their turn is killing New Orleans. You and I both know that.

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ok sure. but TBF, that's the entirety of Louisiana. the state legislature may be the most dysfunctional state government in the country right now. Jindal killed this state, and the state GOP is willing to let it rot in order to not let JBE have a single victory.

Well said.

I've met some of the best, hardest working people down there. But also the worst, scumbags I've ever met. There's not much middle ground in Southern Louisiana.

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things are kinda shitty here right now

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Lock up all those thug animals and things will get better. Go ahead and lock up Mitch the Bitch mayor while you're at it.

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And since then, everywhere is fricking boring.

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Nola has my heart,

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but it's so fricked up.

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But I also hate being bored. I really hate it.

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As much as I'm worried about things, I just love New Orleans too much. Life would be easier if I didn't.

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This... NO isn't for everyone, and it's hard to quantify to those what it is about the city that does grab you. But I've also moved away half a dozen times over the years and every time I somehow ended up back in the city.

This uniqueness of this city will always give off the aurora to the ones that 'get it' and will just refuse to give up on the city because they know the alternative because they have experienced other places that just aren't NO.

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Also, sitting around bitching about statues isn't going to fix anything. If you truly want your city to improve, get up and do something about it instead of waiting for the government to do it for you.

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The city is lost. People are just bitching about a lost cause.

Inmates are running the asylum now.