Alienscience, while I'll agree that a number of people chose to stay behind, there were thousands of people that live in the New Orleans area who are just to poor to aford transportation out of the city. I know a bus or train ticket doesn't cost much but theres no way that greyhound and Amtrak could shuttle that many people to safety even running at max capacity for a week straight. Even if they could, when you don't know anyone who lives outside the region of the hurricane threat area, you're going to have to pay for a place to stay (hotel, motel, bed & breakfast, whatever). This brings us back to the poverty issue.

I seriously doubt anyone was "asking for the hurricane to kill them". Sure some who could afford to leave may have stayed behind out of ignorance or stupidity but neither ignorance nor stupidity make a person unworthy of help when they are in need.

Yes, the United States is in debt crisis but you can't put a price tag on human life. Imagine for a moment that you had a relative in there in need of food, water, and dry clothing. Would the national debt be a factor still? I certainly hope not.

In my humble opinion, these people need, warrant, and deserve the help of the United States Federal Government. They have a right to it as tax paying citizens. Why even have a government if it doesn't work for you; for the harded earned dollars you pay into it every year; and when you need it the most?