I watched the speech tonight. I know some of the facts/numbers that were reported before the speech; The below the set wage pay opening he gave developers, the same for the relief workers, 200 billion dollars, the "rob Peter to pay Paul" probabilities where cuts in programs designed to fund the Army Corps of Engineers would be cut and then re-assigned to this relief effort where there can be a zero sum game while appearing to be doing something about the problem.
But the door was opened. It's not enough to keep the door pryed open with a foot - it's time to barge through it and ensure it doesn't close - that the doorway expands.
The ideas presented - the 3 priorities/proposals (granted, none of the finer points from a conservative President known yet) that Bush brought forth as solutions are good ideas.
They must be - the conservatives I've seen talk about this are up in arms. Suddenly we're hearing about Bush's job approval numbers being low and that he may actually be incompetent. That this was an FDR or LBJ speech - not a Reagan or G.H.W. Bush speech - these people don't back it.
Equality? That racial problems are a major cause of poverty? Homesteading? They talk of the price tag being too high. Scarborough mis-quoting the cost of Iraq, saying that the reconstruction would run more than the Iraq war... going straight to the fact that Bush loves to spend, spend, spend - but really no regard for the fact that we're talking about an American city and American Citizens.
But the door's been opened. The Republicans saw it right away - 'what about the mayor of Detroit? He'll say I have poverty, how about some of these plans to counter it in my city' (paraphrasing Matthews).
Now we need to act - to ensure that what was proposed gets done. That more gets done because it's right to do that. Bring those wages back to where they're supposed to be.
Call in people who know how to hold back water - making the city's ability to do so a tourist attraction. What would the Dutch do in New Orleans? Those dikes have mobile plates that can move to address any leaks. Make the city proud of their distinction and ability to thrive below sea level. Make it a feat of mankind to marvel at for years to come.
Let's make sure that progressive ideas win out in the rebuilding of this city.
Let's kick that door all the way open and make sure it stays open.