La. government problem-solving:

1. A problem occurs.
2. Problem’s existence is denied.
3. Acknowledgement that problem does, in fact, exist, but talking about it publicly will run off: a) businesses b) tourists c) residents.
4. A solution is offered.
5. Solution rejected because of one or more of the following: a) people don’t/won’t like it; b) person offering it not elected or appointed to anything; c) it will offend one group or the other; d) it won’t pass; e) it won’t work; f) person offering isn’t one of us; g) person offering doesn’t live in______; h) it will make us look bad because people will know we have a problem; i) it’s too simplistic; j) nobody knows if it will work.
6. Form a blue-ribbon commission/committee/task force hire out-of-state consultants.
7. Problem escalates.
8. Mea culpa to the idea proposer. We should have listened, but it’s too late now.
9. Hold elections and re-elect the same public officials who failed to solve the problem.
10. A problem occurs
11. Repeat steps two through eleven.

Credit to C.B.Forgotson and the New Orleans Levee for the above.