Katrina has been a city wide civics lesson. The people of New Orleans have been exercising their skills in calling, writing and otherwise trying to influence their representatives at all levels of government to act on their behalf.

Congress has been particularly vexing as they are the least responsive body to New Orleans needs. The Louisiana delegation is working hard on behalf of the people (although it is mystifying what some of them like William Jefferson think helps). Congressional visits have been followed closely by the local media. Residents have been contacting their out-of-state friends and family asking for them to contact their representatives.

This Congress continues to be controlled by the administration. With solid Republican majorities in both houses, you might expect the commitments of the administration would be kept.