A job is a job (GET TO WORK)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But there are SOOOOOOO many people out of work and they are having to do this. It is time to start pulling what little fed money that some people are getting (help yourselves or the well runs dry)

I'd be curious to see how many folks collect they're bonuses!!! $6000 is a pretty fair amount (or $3000 for part-time) of money and I'm certain that they won't pay it out upfront. At the end of it all, I'll bet that there are only a few that collect the $6000.

Sorry,Guys--But I gotta side with William--I'm from the South but it's time for ya'll to get a little Southern Pride and quit sittin' back,depending on the 'government'--I know that I'm gonna catch some flak from this but it's time to get off the pity-potty and buck-up,move on--We've all been thru rough times--Look around--You can always find someone worse off-Be thankful for what you have and WORK to get back what you had before

Sad thing is, there will still be a bunch of deadbeats on the dole and a bunch of Liberals defending them! If there's work, there should be no Welfare, ADC, WIC, etc. Nobody owes you a living just because you can breed.

Another comment made in total ignorance of the total devastation these folks are experiencing. It's hard to get to work when your vehicle is gone, your house is gone and the bridge to the available jobs is out. And you are still in limbo with FEMA and your insurance company and having to spend most of your days trying to make them do right for you. But then AZ doesn't have these issues so I guess there is no way for you to comprehend. How lucky for you.

I wish people would read the WHOLE story before they comment with their arrogant responses to a situation they have no clue about. What part of 800 people have already applied and have been hired are you having a hard time understanding William Garber? When businesses rebuild and reopen and more will as time passes, more folks will be able to go back to work. Also, I have a question? Since some have insight to this so called FED MONEY. What FED MONEY? Somebody want to tell me about it so I get some of this government handouts that is supposedly flowing so freely? Everybody is talking about it but strange how it's not appearinig.

Who should work for $5.50 an hour? Modern slavery.

I agree there is money there for those to get out and work. Why should the fedral money keep coming in when people are using it and not helping themselves. My viewpoint is if someone can work then they can care for themselves. Not my tax dollars. I have seen the aftermath of emergencies as I work in that field. It is true that people lose a lot but when some has a housefire they get a little help. Then they get out and take the bull by the horns and move on.

Thats the problem with this world today! You complain of not having money and being poor, but you turn down the jobs that are on your table. No education, no high paying job, the end. Take what you can get and get it done.

Related to jobs in Katrina area --- are there healthier ways to get food to the surrounding areas? We clearly understand that with rebuilding and construction that workers will need to eat, and eat conveniently at low prices -- but what about the health?

Some people that have started out working with the fast food service industry have gotten great training. Don't let anyone tell you that it isn't a good place to work. You find a wonderful situation where you find yourself. If you don't grab the the present when it presents itself you will find yourself WITHOUT. Start anywhere, start somewhere but just get back on your feet. The things you are now getting for free will go away, be one of the people that find a new and wonderful life. "Get me through December where I can start again - leave your tracks in the snow".

Actually, William, it is the other way around. Right now there are too many jobs and not enough people, mainly because FEMA is paying so well that there aren't enough people for "regular" jobs. Plus there are many people that haven't returned as of yet and many who still can't get to a job due to transportation problems (as in lack thereof). So, why don't you come stay down here with us for a while before making statements from your cushy home in AZ!

I think a bump above the pultry minimum wage of 5.50 an hour in addition to that bonus would keep people working. People want a decent wage, not a one time teaser!

HGoodwin New Rochelle, NY

For William-

My workplace is not a quarter-mile from the Burger King in this article. Fortunately for me and my family, I was able to return to my job within two days after Katrina. The Diamondhead area for the most part is an affluent retirement community, along with well paid young professionals employed by the Stennis Space Center or one of the casinos that have given our beautiful Gulf Coast so many jobs. Your statement to "get to work" is exactly why the Burger King in Diamondhead has to offer an enticement to attract employees.

The older retirees aren't interested in a fast food job, and the other residents don't need it. The people that you feel are out of work and not responding don't have the ability to get there. The closest community is Pass Christian, MS, which had a total of about 6500 residents before the storm. As of this week, there are 1500 people that have been able to return to the city, many of them housed in FEMA trailers on their property as they try to rebuild their homes and lives. Most have nothing left but the slabs of their houses, and I'm sure that if their jobs are still existing, they're reporting to work every day, and filling all of their free time with replacing sheetrock, clearing off trees, shingleing roofs, and fighting with their insurance adjusters. It's a matter of supply and demand. The supply of workers needed just isn't existent. There is not a large pool of teenagers in the area, and those older are either back to their regular jobs or making ends meet by taking higher paying construction (or re-construction) work.

We are not New Orleans here. Although we are in close proximity (50 or so miles), I'm proud to say that these are some of the most hard-working, resilient Americans that anyone will ever come across.

The well won't ever run dry on the spirit of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Please don't lump us in with anyone looking for a government handout. All that we're looking for is a hand to get back to some sense of normalcy. And we thank so many Americans that have done that.

Special thanks to everyone that has contributed to the relief efforts. The Red Cross, church groups, our firemen and policemen from all over the country, the National Guard, and yes, even FEMA (which has gotten a lot of undeserved press)- all who have sent their aid or prayers. We all will never forget it.

I'm not in "Katrina" land but I take great offense to the sentiment behind your comment, Mr. Garber. It implies that those of us without jobs are being lazy and intend to stay that way. I have struggled for over two years to find (and keep) a full-time job after recovering from an on-the-job injury and I have been stumbling over more roadblocks than debris left over from Katrina. The majority of people out there, even in hurricane land, would rather be working and productive than taking handouts from others. We the taxpayers are paying for these "wells", as you put them, and the ones getting to drink from those wells are also the ones who's taxes created those wells! I suggest you show more tact and compassion, or keep inflammatory comments to yourself. Please. For the sanity of those who must struggle.

My son lives in one of the hardest hit areas in Mississippi and the hype that people are unwilling to work is garbage. Fed money? Try state money for the unemployed. These people are trying to get their homes fit to live in. You really need somewhere to live to be able to work. Things must be great in Tuscon, Arizona.

the feds worst mistake was to give all that money out it gave most a free ride now there are no one who wants to work

Wow! $5.50 an hour would feed a family of dogs! This is great! Thank god for negros and mexicans! They'll work for that much!

Mr. Garber has no clue! I'm from an area in South Louisiana that was thankfully spared by the hurricanes. I still have my job, my home, my car, etc. It's not so easy getting a job when you don't have those things. The areas that are looking for people to work are the same areas that cannot provide basic necessities, like housing, to employees.

I am amazed that there is a shortage of people applying for these positions in view of the levels of poverty and unemployment in this area. There ought to be a line of applicants outside! The question remains: Are people simply not returning to the area? Or are they getting so many hand-outs that they don't feel the need to get a job?

I am so tried of the folks who are waiting on the government to help...get off you're asses and work!!!

On one hand employers are handing out very large signing bonuses in the service industry; a practice unknown of prior to Katrina. And on the other, there are thousands of able bodied people sitting and waiting for their government handout. What's wrong with this picture? WORK!

I would hope that franchise fast food joint never find any employees. These type of businesses are detrimental to the health of people and only serve to drive up healthcare cost. The impact of fast food is always negative.

The problems is not federal money, the problem is that the people who usually took these job are the people who lived in substandard housing and seldom owned their own homes. They have left and have no reason to return. The people with better jobs are working... at their old jobs.

I can empathize with the frustration of waiting for the gov to come through but sometimes we just have to pick up the pieces that we can, move on and do what we have to do to survive. Good going Burger King! $5.50 an hour????? Come on....the state needs to REALLY look at that!

I agree with Mr.Garber. My son has a restaurant on the Gulf Coast and his staff have told him between FEMA, unemployment and all the freebies and handouts they won't work until the pot has run dry. There is such a trememdous lack of workers between people who have left and my previous statement I fear it will take a long time before businesses can get going; and because of these probelms how many businesses will end up leaving?? Very sad situation.

I'm glad there is opportunity for work at whatever cost because there are still individuals in economically dire situations. The public has not been told the entire truth about the disasterous effects of Katrina.

It is easier to sit in a hotel room and let the government take care of you than work. Why work when there are good hearted people and the government paying for your room, board, medical, child care, etc.?
Job, work---You gotta be kidding.

Of course they have to give bonuses. Who can afford to live off minumum wage? Most people who are looking for work can not afford to hop in the car and move.
Sorry but I think that in this case, the first comment is unrealistic and unless you want an America with "Hoovervilles" I suggest that the help continue. Yes, that means Burger King and others who continue to get rich off the backs of the others can open their wallets and help if only for a little while.

people are milking these FEMA campers, food stamps, free hotel rooms and everything else, for what they are worth. Why would a person work if all this was given to them? $6000 sign on bonus at BK...if they were smart they would take that and pay for a education, why not, they have no other bills. When all this free stuff runs out, so many people will be homeless and protesting. They know about the deadlines, make them work or cut them off of all funds when the deadline runs out.

Yes, there are soooooooo many people out of work, but would you go work for minimum wage? Raise the minimum wage rates to realistic levels (but that would be the logical thing to do).

It seems to be a good thing that they are offering these bonuses, but it is likely they will stop at some point. Then the workers will only be making minimum wage. Even in Mississippi I doubt minumum wage is enough to get by. It is a shame but low paying service sector jobs seem to be the only ones availible to a very large segment of the American population. I believe there was a time when these types of jobs were taken by high school kids and new immigrants, but I sense this is changing. To say "a job is a job" is in many ways an oversimplification. In America a job defines who you are to others as well as yourself. The types of jobs that one can be proud to have are dissapearing from our shores!

Where would Mr Graber III have people live? In the parking lot of the Burger King and other fast food restaurants? FEMA is slow in providing temporary housing. Many are still in motels or shelters far away from the MS coast. Insurance companies are not paying claims--homes cannot be rebuilt or repaired. Sen. Trent Lott is suing State Farm.
Both my son and my daughter have been on the coast assisting as recently as last week. I speak from first hand observation. Perhaps Mr. Garber III should think before he posts.
MS people are BEGGING to be able to get back home and to work.

The bonuses make a lot of sense. It's not just enough that you have to work there to stick around (the bonus is a contract & you're bonded by it to stay there for at least a year), you have to deal with living conditions of a town in the midst of rebuilding. So a job isn't just a job, this is more of a life project that someone (especially with kids) will have to endure for sometime before things stabilize. Good luck to them all.

i am an assistant manager for the second oldest fast food chain in the south (do the research and you can easily find out what one) and let me start off by saying this. this bonus program looks good on paper but let me state that it is not as simple as one might think. first off there is probably a clause in it stating you have to work for them a set amount of time to get it, and in that the inventory usage and food cost variables will all factor into this bonus i am sure. if the management does its job in controlling all overhead costs (i.e. repairs to building and equipment lawsuits etc,) then the employees can get the bonus. dont think it is free money. there is always a stipulation and at 5.50 an hour, your not going to get any log term employees unless they are starting at entry level for management anyway. nice try BK.

That's Great. Corparate must do whats neccessary. Now just Imagine a volantary strike, it could do wonders in this country.

Please, they're taking advantage. I'm sure $6000 looks pretty good to those with nothing, however, it won't last long making only $5.50 an hour! Congress needs to raise the minumum wage or live try living on the minimum wage themselves. I think America can do A LOT better than this.

In 2004, the United States' national poverty level for a family of four was estimated around $18,850. An employee working a $5.50 a hour job would earn about $11,000 a year. The signing bonus would barely allow an employee to break out of the national poverty class for one year and does not take into account the additional expenses recovery from Katrina that a family may have.

It's easy for many to say get to work when individuals read a story line such as this, but when a majority of the community no longer has habitable housing, where public infrastructure still is in shambles, and when most of the community has left for good or relocated; I feel that such an attitude is cold-hearted. Economically, how does one rebuild their home, their live, their community, etc., while working full time for minimum wage plus a bonus which can be revoked at any time.

This just shows the catch 22 in the area. In order for you to have a business, you have to have people to work. But because of the devistation many people are not coming back. Therefore, a lot of the workforce is gone. But you also need to have people who are making money to go into businesses and spend it. When those people are not there the business can not continue either. With the loss of whole areas of homes and schools, people don't have a place to stay, businesses don't have a good workforce to build on and the community doesn't have any way to maintain its self.

While I question how much money we should put into a city that has the majority of its' area below sea level, I can not question the need for help for those families that have lost everything and have the insurance companies saying "sorry, not covered for flood."

Those people have, for the most part, tried to make honest livings in what was already hard times.

As someone who has had a long term battle with depresion, I know that what we see from our TV's is only the physical destruction. We need to help these families toward a total recovery. Physical, Financial, and Emotional.

Why are we needing courts to block FEMA from putting people out of hotels when employers can't find enough workers. Some business have been unable to re-open, not due to damage but due to shortages of workers. I live in Lafayette, LA. No damage here and an influx of 30,000 people after Katrina. And yet employers can't fill positions. My employer is about 60 people short and offers great benefits. Drive down any road here with significant business interests on it and you will not be able to keep count of the now hiring signs.

Why then is the federal government and the great people of the U.S. carrying the tab for those who REFUSE to work.

I agree William, and this is from a resident of SE LA. These "out of work" scam artists need to be forced back to work. I tried going to dinner the other night just to be told at Outback I would have to wait 2 hours, and Applebee’s was closed already at 7pm. Instead of a steak dinner I ended up having Chinese.

All I can think of is that the fast-food companies are using another technique to keep people at poverty wages.

who can live and raise a family on $5.50 an hour? If these companies really want employee's that stay, they would offer a living wage.

I lived my entire life, all 51 years of it in Gulfport. All of my family, kids, grandkids and myself moved to Horn Lake, Ms. after Katrina because we all lost our homes. I made a brief trip down to the coast around December 1st. There are still huge amounts of people living in tents, cars and damaged homes. Listen up people!! Tens of thousands of people lost their CARS too. Not only those who's homes were fooded. Trees fell on cars, winds fliped them over. Insurance companies aren't paying claims as they should. It only makes matters worse that the Gulf Coast has the higgest gas prices in the state. There are jobs along the Gulf Coast but it doesn't help if people have no way to back and forth to them. Yes, FEMA did give people $2000. That money was used up quickly for food, gas, ice, clothing and medication. So, please think of the big picture. How would you and your family cope if you lost what they did?

When we see manufacturing jobs offering the same bonuses with higher than min wage being offered by multi-million dollar corp's whose upper managers make a least 1 million dollars annually - we will then see that we are making a difference - to help people off welfare and really giving them sustainable wages to support their families with...

But will we ever see the people of our country treated with the same respect and love for our way of life - this way again - when over seas they will work for pennies per hour?

SRene
ParentsWhoCare.us

It seems somewhat of a dichotomy when BK is offering what is apparently a $6K yearly bonus and contractors, hired under Federal contract, are employing illegal aliens from as far away as NYC and Boston at substantially higher rates

Man...this story and comments disturbe me....everybody has an answer....don't they???

Be carefull what you ask for, a rise in minimum wage has always directly influenced cost of living... ie higher wage, higher grocery bills. As wages increase so do the percentages that companies add to the bottom line of expenses. Elementary business stratagy. I work with someone from that area who has lost everything, he is a hard working man, but his values seem a little lost. He spent some of his FEMA payment on new 20 inch rims for his Caddy. HMMM? I don't think he speaks for everyone though. At least he is working and has gotten off his butt as some of you have put it. Work is hard to find no matter where you live and without transportation almost impossible to find. Those big Corporations might think about donating some of that bonus money to the public transportation systems of that area first to provide better access to not only those who live there but to those who are trying to make the living conditions better.

Do you people really think that fast food is trying to keep people at poverty levels??? Maybe if we all raised our standards we wouldnt have to worry about low paying jobs. I have to hire Hispanics in my restaraunt just to get the job done, because i cant find a caucasian that will get of there duff, and belvieve me that is riches to them so really in esseence we the people of the United States of America are to blame. We have allowed our want for the greatest but not the hard work to get it, ruin our economy so now others are taking our "low paying jobs that bring us to poverty levels" I started fast food at 16..and here i am at 28 making a great living out of it...but did i complain about what i made...nooooooo....i put the pedal to the metal and realized that i can make something for myself if i wanted to. So when i hear of people not being able to find a job i tell them, hey theres a McDonalds right around the corner, go make something of yourself, and be thankful there is anything left for us.Its high time for us to get of our lazy you know whats suck it up and get it done, and stop blaming the whole world for our problems

$5.50 an hour is modern slavery. Period. No education - who cares. This isn't a country where those with an 'education' should take advantage of (and profit from) those without. About time this country woke up and realized that this country is going right into the tank. I hope all you 'rich' people out there enjoy giving your kids all that Walmart crap made in China this year. Your kids are gonna pay for it *dearly* in the future.

Danny Bertucci- Nice post, but could you be less exclusive? Women are police OFFICERS and fire FIGHTERS. And does the rest of your family have names, or are they just "family" as you are the head of the household?

thanks to all for the early warning so that the death toll was really low. thanks to the first responders, trying to reduce the suffering. thanks to the government for trying to restore normalisy. thanks to the press for keeping us informed. thanks to buisnesses for helping to rebuild. thanks to each of you for the small things we do to help each other. thanks to god for all of the above, for if you can read this at least you are alive, and no matter what your opinion is or what your worth is. we can find some one in worse shape that needs our help.

IT A SHAME THAT MONEY IS NOT FAT AS THE HAMBURGER

Mr william Garber, I was wondering just about how much free fed money did you get????? you seem to know alot about this free money more than anybody. Ive see people trying to get jobs and you know what our gov is not even out to help our own, BUT the people from the other states are helping with providing homes and food also workers.so this free money you can keep it we have our pride. that is more that i can say for you. by the way ive help with giving moeny and food to the people here what Have you done besides yell get a job.

For the record, FEMA has already submitted the first bill for the cost of the Katrina recovery to the State of Louisiana - almost $4-Billion, so those of you out-of-the-disaster area with your "get a job" clueless and heartless comments can relax - you're not paying for ANY of it - WE ARE. So chill out, and when disaster strikes your town - may the world be just as gracious to you.

It is interesting to see how many people are saying that the wages need to be increased to a liveable wage. It is obvious that you have no economic understanding of how business works. If you raise the wages of all employees to a "liveable" wage, then the business MUST raise its prices in order to cover the increase in costs.

I'll use Burger King as an example. They pay a minimum wage of 5.50 an hour as starting pay. Let's say that a "liveable" wage would be $11 an hour. I understand this is still barely even or above the poverty level, but I am merely using it as an example.

So, now Burger King has raised its starting wage to $11 an hour for its employees, effectively doubling its costs for the workers' salaries.

Now let's say that this particular Burger King has 20 employees that were making $5.50 an hour and are now making $11. If all 20 employees were working at the same time, the store's cost to pay them for one hour would go from $110 to $220 dollars.

Now imagine that increase for hundreds of work hours. Where do you think the store is going to get the money to pay for all the increased wages?? More customers? Give me a break. The only way to cover the increased cost is to raise prices and raise them quite a bit, which would guarantee a LOSS of customers.

This is simple business economics. When companies raise worker wages, they do it in a controlled manner and in increments that will not hurt the business. Raising the wages too high too fast can put a company out of business, which means the workers don't get paid at all.

While it would be nice for everyone to make a liveable wage at any kind of job, it will never happen. Wake up and smell reality. Fast food restaurants will never pay that kind of wage because it would put them out of business.

Compute this: A shortage of housing has inflated the cost of rental housing astronomically. (I Googled and found one unit available in Bay St. Louis for $500 or less). Diamondhead, where the BK is, only had vacation rentals. You require a car, gas and insurance because there is no public transportation. Cars are a sellers market so if you risk buying a used car in a recently flooded area you will pay above blue book. You need clothes, food and personal hygiene items. I believe these calculations are unrealistically low however for arguments sake…

First and last months rent plus a security deposit, $1,250; monthly rent $500; A $1,500 car with insurance $150 a mth; gas $40; food, clothes, personal hygiene $300.

At $5.50 an hour I calculate you bring home about $686 a month (after taxes, social security and unemployment insurance) unless you are lucky and health insurance is being deducted from your paycheck. You will need to work 4 months to come up with the deposit for your apt. (You have food etc while you save). In the meantime you could live in your car but you will have to work 4 months to buy a car, so you sleep in a FEMA tent for 8 months while you earn enough to buy a car and get into an apt. After 8 months you are in your apt. and self sufficient! Now your $686 can go to rent, car, food, clothes, and personal hygiene and at the end of the month, based on my calculations, you will only be $304 in the red. I think some of you are being a little harsh. I’d also say most of these people are benefiting from taxes they paid over the years. If I ever find myself in dire straights I expect to benefit from the thousands of dollars I have paid in taxes. Also, unemployment insurance is not a government handout, every employed person pays into unemployment insurance so again; I expect to get some of it back if I end up unemployed by no fault of my own.

It amazes me how critical people are of $5.50 an hour. I am not in support of this amount, as an hourly wage, however has anyone pointed out the fact that the U.S. minimum wage is ONLY $5.15 an hour? Don't blame Burger King for paying .35 cents OVER minimum wage when all that they are required to pay is $5.15!

As far as what the article is about I can see why they have to offer a bonus with what people are still dealing with and with people not returning to the area. As far as some of the negitive comments about the people, don't totaly blame those who wrote them. The media is the who has given these people these views. Just watch the news some night and what these people were saying is almost the same thing the media is showing. I know there are some bias people out there just like I am sure there are truly some people out there taking advantage of the system. But lets take care of the people first then when the dust settles lets fix the problems with the system.

In 2000 CEO pay was statistically 300:1(dollar to dollar match) to the common mininum wage employee.

In 2005....CEO pay is now 431:1 to common workers.

From 1990 to 2005, if minimum wage was being matched equally in growth to that of our corporate raiders, the average wage would be nearly $19.00 hr.

Let's take back this country folks, (France 1789-1799)

listen folks,this is just the begining of the labor shortage.Remeber the baby boomers?? in 5 to 10 years there will be 50 to 70 million retirees.Now with families having fewer kids than thirty years ago and there are the same amount if not more jobs to fill, 5.50 per hr will be the least of the problems we as a country will have to face. Maybe bush had something after all with his temporary work permits for illeagle immagrants,???? 5.50 looks real good to the mexicans and cubans

Would someone please tell me where all of the free money and goverment handouts are? I live in Gulfport MS., stayed thru the storm, cut my way, with a chain saw, to the main road over the next two days, stood in lines for 7-8 hours to buy 11 gallons of gas for $45, went without power and running water for 3 1/2 weeks and lost most of my possesion, accumulated over a lifetime. $5.50 an hour is an insult to a person trying to rebuild his entire life.
The ignorance of those not affected by the storm never ceases to amaze me. I guess Mike Brown was fired because he did too much for the area. While I would not wish this on any part of the country, I would like to remind those fine Americans in AZ,VA, and MI that all of life changed here in one day. Maybe tommorow it's your turn. And just in case you were unaware, people in MS are Americans who pay taxes too. Perhaps if you spent a little more time with your political reps, you could stop the millions of people crossing the border and working in this country which allows companys to pay a non-living wage. From the tone of your comments, I would not ask you to "@#$$" on me if I were on fire. The people of MS didnt ask for your help and I'm sure you didnt offer.

Wow! $5.50 per hour plus $6,000 bonus equals $17,440 a year if you don't take one day off. That'll really help pay a mortgage on an empty foundation and buy a car, plus put food on the table.I would think that even service workers in the tourist and business sections made much better then this, let alone skilled workers or professionals. As far as tax money going to Americans, what is wrong with that? We give plenty to corporation heads.Isn't that what I pay taxes for? So my fellow Americans can be helped in time of crisis? A lot of us feel for these people, and are getting sick and tired of a slow recovery designed to help the well to do, and simply eradicate the unfortunates. Minimum wage in this country only assists the corporate aristocracy, and does nothing to support a working person. 16 tons and owe my soul to the company store is still a reality in this country. Sorry for anyone who believes otherwise.

The main issue that is missing in this blog is that there is no housing for workers to return to in this area. What apts are available have doubled in rent. Even the middle class can't afford to return. Most workers are being transported from Baton Rouge and surrounding areas via free bus rides that return in the evening to the evacuees new hometowns. People are trying to rebuild their lives. But the area is totally devasted. Imagine your hometown flattened by a nuclear bomb, that is what the gulf coast and even the small inland towns are livng through. Some areas of Washington Parish in Southeast La. don't even have their phone lines reconnected. The area was flattened. The timber industry is ruined. The dairy industry is in shambles. The tourist industry is gone. Medical services are all but non existent. The ports are not able to unload their goods that the rest of country depends upon. The petrol and chemical industries are not running at full capacity which will affect your pocketbook this winter. 90,000 sq miles were affected by Katrina not to mention the area Rita managed to destroy. The rest of the country will pay for this diaster whether thru aid to get the area moving again or through higher prices on the services this area provided to the rest of the country.

Whether people are working at Burger King or in clearing away their destroyed houses, that they've lived in their entire lives, they're working. Is $5.50 enough to pull them away from the disaster that is their lives??? That's a personal choice. Being as such that I don't live there, I pay taxes, I live 1026 miles away I can afford to be critical of anyone I want to be without any problems. Except that I do feel very badly about whats going on in Miss. Gulf Coast. I felt bad enough that i've driven there to see for myself. People who live in Arizona,California(wait till the big one happens!!), Michigan and so forth, don't understand or care it seems. These notes people write about the Miss. Gulf people make me mad enough to spit. Sorry to the people of New Orlean, but your issues are with the Fed, Govern. Those Levees could have been better, but for the failure of the Government. That guy, above, from Arizona, has to wake up and go to work, but people in the gulf have to haul their houses to the street without pay.
God bless to you guys in Mississippi, good luck and Merry Christmas! Get ready, here comes 2006.

Here's a thought. Maybe FEMA can partially subsidize the minimum wage, making it more appealing while decreasing their financial exposure and instead of a $6000 bouns, its $5000 and they (BK) provide the needed transportation to an from work (via bus?) for the employees who don't have their own...

why don't each one of you who offered your opinions here, take a leave of absence from your GREAT jobs and but in a month or two at 5.50 an hour. Its a job that a younger member of any family could only do with the support of his family members. Its not and will never be a job to raise 3 kids and support a house. I would not blame anyone else for not bothering to get out of bed for that crap money...lets get real...the only thinggetting FAT of that job will be your belly with thr FREE burgers...Come on RICH america take your vacation and work at burger king...then lets talk

Saint Paul suggested that if a man doesn't work he doesn't eat.Welfare is usually generational and these people will never work. On the other hand, I went to a Southern Baptist emergency management meeting two weeks ago in which they were begging for saw hands. They said that there were still hundreds of roads still in-passable in southern Mississippi. May we all pray for a quick recovery!

My home in Long Beach, MS. is a slab now after Hurricane Katrina. I owned a duplex and rented the top portion out, furnished. So not only did I lose my home, the guy that leased the top portion lost his home. All the other homes on my block are slabs now, including some condos that were right on the beach. Other homes on my block were duplexes or had garage apartments. Think about it. This is one block near the Gulf. How many people do not have places to live just from that one block? We also have no electricity or water service so cannot put a FEMA trailer on the slab even if we wanted to. I am lucky enough to be able to live with a friend in Biloxi and have a well-paying job at the shipyard. Which is another issue. With all the devastation in New Orleans and very few places to live, the shipyard west of New Orleans can't get workers. And the employees they used to have with the right skills that do have a place to live are doing Katrina relief type work because it pays better. The contractors are paying referral bonuses just trying to get skilled workers. There are lots of jobs down here right now. The main issue is housing. And think about the emotional and psychological aspects of all this. I've been in two restaurants since the storm where people walked off of the job when I was there. Here at work, I've seen co-workers break down and cry because the strain of dealing with FEMA, insurance agencies, and building contractors was just too much. Do you really think that people are just being handed money by the government? Not! There are all kinds of hoops you have to jump through. It's not that easy. And to tell you the honest truth I don't think the bonuses at Burger King and Wendy's mean a whole lot to people down here who just want things back to normal.

Chuck, states are allowed to set a minimum wage higher than the federal rate. The minimum wage in LA is $5.50, as it states in the article.

I told co-workers as soon as the storm hit that there is a message in this storm that God wants us (United States) to get and from reading some of the above quite a few of us is not getting it. It's easy to say take what you can get and we have for so long. I agree for NOW take what you can get. Some of the poor that was working before the storm it would take years or a lifetime to reach lower income status. Yes, as AMERICAN we will only help them so long even though their situation will be for most an on going problem for years to come. Take what you can get for now but please America try to get the big picture "LOVE YOUR FELLOW MAN AS YOU DO YOURSELF". The bible says where your treasure is your heart is also;work so that you may help the least of us. A lot of us have these huge bank accounts, for what,TOMORROW? Your soul maybe demanded of you TODAY! Our hearts go out to a dog in need but not to our fellow man. It's a shame. Only in AMERICA.

For those of you who are commenting that the national minimum wage is $5.15.

This shows how little the government has actually looked at helping "their own" to survive. Would I be willing to pay double the price for a burger to help someone get employed and make ends meet? You betcha! I have been on the unemployed/low wage side and it is a trade off. Do I take care of a child who is sick and take them to the MD or do I get food to feed the entire family? Should the government ever make into law a fair wage, sure prices would go up but the welfare system would be less needed. I liked the way that Susan Sugrue stated things. This is a reality check! Thanks Susan!
May those of you that are saying "get off your butts and get a job" have a holiday with all the trimmings but be riddled with guilt while thinking about those that had everything and now have nothing!!

It's funny how some people are telling others to get a job- ON THE INTERNET. If you guys were thinking clearly, you would realize that a large number of the people that have lost their jobs, houses, cars, etc can't even afford to pay for such luxuries as computers, or even online access.

Also, anyone in their right mind who is in a situation that severe is NOT going to be spending their time on a website reading the comments of others. So quit being ignorant and either be a good samaritan or keep your out of line comments to yourself.

While there are probably quite a few people living off of FEMA right now, I know that a lot of people in our area are working hurricane cleanup from dawn to dusk making $10 an hour!! Why work for minimum wage when you can almost double that cleaning up hurricane damage? And this work will be going on for many more months.

Its not only in New Orleans, but everywhere, where you have jobs, some people just dont want to work and welcome Federal handouts. I just dont see where my state/Feds has to provide all these funds - when a diaster happen here we dont get much from New Orleans.

A major point many people are missing here is that the minimum wage is not meant to be a source of support for a family of four. The vast majority of employees earning this wage are students and tipped employees (who can earn substantially more in total.)

Wages are purely supply and demand driven. If there is no one willing to do a job at a given wage, the wage offered must be increased until such time as the workforce is accessible.

I started in the restaurant business at minimum wage, became a manager, went to college part-time, eventually earning an MBA, and am now at the executive level in the same business.

It's all in how you look at the opportunity. Is it a substandard job with no future or are you able to take what you can, learn as much as you can, and parlay that into a better opportunity?

The choice is not BK's, it's the employee's.

Danny, "we are not New Orleans"?, "don't lump us in" with them? New Orleans is just full of people looking for a handout, right? Your community is better, not deserving to be "lumped in" with us, the FEMA money, welfare grubbing, looking for a government handout deadbeats of the region. Hey man, thanks, we needed that!! We needed to be reminded that many folks out there in the "we're better than you" parts of the region are still out there somewhere. Best wishes to all of us, as we try to get back on our feet and survive this TOGETHER, by whatever means we can.

My GOD people, look at the work you would be doing at Burger King! In what world is flipping burgers worth more than $5.50? I think you should be paid for what you do. We have different pay for different jobs. Can you imagine putting someone who asks you "do you want fries with that" in the same pay scale as someone who operates on your child ???? What incentive would there be to get an education and not sit on your ever widening duff? Wake up and smell the coffee people, we as citizens are being abused by some (not all) of the Katrina survivors. Our Atlanta paper did a story on a few of them who said they are not looking for work, they just are taking the money until it runs out. Well Im glad my tax dollars are going to support people who dont care about helping themself, yup, makes me feel good. Oh and MERRY CHRISTMAS! Not happy holidays, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It is no surprise to me to see the large numbers of "victims" crying for more help from their government. New Orleans has been a welfare state long before Katrina and with generations of families never having to work for themselves before why should they lift a finger now? God Bless America where you can live free as long as the rest of work and pay taxes for your lazy asses.

Andy, if you google a few things you would know that the south is the most charitable of reigions in the US. - Unfortunately in this country we are drawn to point and fight,and to not help. The hurricane devistated people & the economy. Is it not right for the government to help people in need? Do we all pay taxes? If you want to gripe about a handout read up on the Fair Tax and ask your government why they continue to take out a witholding on your check.
As for you in MD, do you know of anyone receiving assistance with their gas or electric bill this winter, because I guess in your eyes they would be receiving a handout too.
I hope that you are able to enjoy your holiday season without having to be too concerned about all those people out there receiving those handouts. Hey lets gang up on the soup kitchens next-shut em down for using our tax dollars.

I understand that when you have been through a disaster, it is difficult to get back on your feet. However, let's remember WHY these people were still in LA when the hurricane hit. They all complained about not having the money to leave the area. Why would you not have money to leave? Because you mismanage your money by spending it on things like drugs, alcohol and $500 tennis shoes, and even then the money doesn't come from your hard work...it comes from MINE! If life was really that difficult for people in that area, they would figure out a way to help themselves. Therefore, I have contributed not one penny to these people who won't work even when there are jobs avaliable. Instead of complaining about how little you have, you really should be thanking the people who actually get up and go to work everyday to support you with our tax dollars. I'm sure a democrat will have a bleeding heart response to this. We workers are sick of hearing your excuses!

It's funny how so many people can't seem to understand that Katrina wipped out so many areas along the gulf coast. There are people still living in tents. I am not only proud that federal money is going to these families-but I also donate.I believe that no one should feel bad for taking money if it helps them to feed a child or find housing. How horrible are those people who are greedy and selfish. If you weren't trying to keep up with the Jones then maybe you would understand that some people have NOTHING.
Have you no compassion? Are you so self absorbed to believe that a man taking FEMA money is not going to get a job once his life has been rebuilt? Do you think that he will keep on taking money just so he doesn't have to work? Maybe you should visit the South to see who these people really are. They are hard working, tax paying Americans.
You're entitled to your opinion, but I think that you should really ask yourself-If it happened to me, would I take money to feed my family? To have a place to stay, to put clothes on my children? If the tables were turned, I'm sure that most would be standing with their hand out, ready to do whatever they could to make sure that they got help they need.
Try to remember that this holiday season. Try to be happy that people are getting the help that they need.

It's funny how so many people can't seem to understand that Katrina wipped out so many areas along the gulf coast. There are people still living in tents. I am not only proud that federal money is going to these families-but I also donate.I believe that no one should feel bad for taking money if it helps them to feed a child or find housing. How horrible are those people who are greedy and selfish. If you weren't trying to keep up with the Jones then maybe you would understand that some people have NOTHING.
Have you no compassion? Are you so self absorbed to believe that a man taking FEMA money is not going to get a job once his life has been rebuilt? Do you think that he will keep on taking money just so he doesn't have to work? Maybe you should visit the South to see who these people really are. They are hard working, tax paying Americans.
You're entitled to your opinion, but I think that you should really ask yourself-If it happened to me, would I take money to feed my family? To have a place to stay, to put clothes on my children? If the tables were turned, I'm sure that most would be standing with their hand out, ready to do whatever they could to make sure that they got help they need.
Try to remember that this holiday season. Try to be happy that people are getting the help that they need.

I have heard a lot of you mention that it would be impossible to live on $11,000 year. My husband ex has supported her family - herself, spouse, and three kids on less than $11,000 year for the past six years. So nothing is impossible.

I'm a Republican, Thank You. But I will not spew asinine comments generalizing the population. GA are you speeking from experience or are you as ignorant as that?
I was wondering if you were born with a golden spoon in your mouth or if you've had every opportunity handed to you.
I think that maybe you should go down there and see for yourself the devistation. Maybe you would like to sleep on a cot, just to see how comfortable it is. Shame on you for your ignorant attitude. God help this country from people like you.

I think that people touched by a disaster such as the Katrina disaster deserve some type of federal aid. I also feel, though, that is should be limited and that if work is now available, the people of the community should be eagerly accepting those jobs if they can live off the salary provided. I'm disappointed that it appears that many of the people of New Orleans are not willing work to get themselves back on their feet. They obviously don't understand that accepting work not only helps them but helps the city recover as well. I refuse to assume that ALL people receiving aid are deadbeats, though. Many are, and some are not. Think about the decision-making process you would have to go through if you were receiving aid - prior to Katrina you were making $35,000 per year and now the only thing available is a wage of $5.50 per hour. I think quite a few people are in the process now of deciding if they even want to come back to New Orleans at all. In the meantime, how are they supposed to live. I'm not a bleeding heart. I just try to imagine all circumstances before I start casting stones. I've been out of work before and have had short periods where I received assistance and I have accepted jobs that paid much less than the previous one. I wasn't happy about it but I did it. And there were months that went by where I initially avoided those low-paying jobs because I thought I could do better. Just stay in your shoes and imagine how you would react. Imagine your life the way it is and then your city is destroyed. Now, your job no longer exists. Your company folds. You're trying to decide if your going to stay in your city. You're having a hard time finding comparable work. Think hard and long before you say you would take a job at Burger King for $5.50 an hour. My point: some of these people are low-lives taking advantage of the system and some of them are just like you and me. Finally, I've been educated by many of these comments, but I'm also disturbed by how much anger and hatred there is out there.

Let's not forget that in order for you to work, you have to provide valid identification, social security card, and/or other forms of I.D. Some of these people don't have that, and if you have you ever been down to your local social security office to request a replacement card or to DMV to get a license or ID re-issued, then you are aware that it can take a while--and this is when you have all the documentation they ask for.

Let's cut the people some slack. Not every body is taking advantage of the system. People are trying to survive. I hope that I never have to go through any thing remotely close to something like this.

Note to Mr. Garber!

I'm sending you a ticket to Gulfport so you can come down here and fix all our problems. Obviously you have all the answers!

maybe instead of a signing bonus bk could provide transportation to its employees. a bus to pick up employees who have no way to get to these jobs.

Wowie, everyone does have an answer! Here is one I haven't seen:
from personal experience, as a high school janitor, my father made only about 25000 a year, living in Alaska, the cost of living is VERY high, even with his salary, we lived in State housing, which was about 1100-1200 monthly rent which was mirrored upon his salary, couple that with electricity, water, car, gas, and feeding a family of seven *two parents, five kids* that much money does not go far. Don't forget to factor in medical emergencies as well, don't forget prescriptions are expensive.

I ended up moving out my parents home, because working full time at Burger King netted an extra 11,000 in income, because I lived there, my parent's rent would have gone up another 350 a month. Do the math.

I ended up with an apt. with a roomate, that only ran me 100 a month. Factor in utilities, I was able to get by, save for college *yuppers, college does mean more when you pay for it yourself, and even though we are financially well off now, you bet my children will find their own way for college, how else will they learn the value?*
and still help my parents with their bills.

Even in highschool, I helped pay for my parents rent, even if only 100 a month, we were struggling as is, they deserved any help from any of us children. One acquaintance said that they are supposed to take of me and not need anything. I suppose that person had a wake up call and realized parents aren't around forever. Maybe they found out that by social security disability for a bad back they won't ever have to work again, yet my father had a stroke, still has motion issues from it, and he still works as a janitor struggling to provide for him and my mother. Do I still help them out? You betcha. House and all.

Katrina may be the blessing in disguise to show what one really needs in life, and maybe they can learn to find it and reach it.

Should we think that this is like childbirth, 40 weeks to birth a new town?

Being a "bleeding heart Democrat", I feel obligated to respond to these comments. I found myself chuckling to myself as I read these passionate comments. It reminded me of the alleged "Welfare Queens" who would pull up to the grocery store in their Cadillacs and whom everyone was positive they had encountered. Take a moment to study the facts before making judgements. While I'm sure there are some people who are expecting to be given a handout, why should the thousands of people who have lost their world--their possesions, their homes, their families--be criticized for accepting relief from an entity into which they have contributed? Why do people lump one or two bad eggs into the entire picture? Should I lump the arrogant, vocal Republicans into the stereotypical version of the cold-hearted buffoon who blissfully enjoys his/her myopic view of the world? Governmental programs such as Welfare, Unemployment insurance, and FEMA exist to help the people who have been supporting it. I applaud corporations for attempting to entice workers to come to this region but the amount BK is offering (and this is not limited to BK; I live in a NO suburb and this is typical of shops and restaurants here) is not enough to sustain a competent workforce. It's merely an appetizer when we are all starving.

More than likely, a lot of families will not move back due to the devastation. Quite a few have started their lives over elsewhere.

Further more, we pay taxes so that as a country we can help ourselves out of messes such as this. Instead we should ask ourselves why our country gives monetary aid to foreign countries but can not help our own citizens.

I live in Tennessee and just spent a weekend helping with cleanup in Waveland, Mississippi right next door to Bay St. Louis. Unless you live in the area, or have gone there and seen it for yourself, you have no idea what you're talking about. The situation is unbelievable and the locals deserve all the help they can get. Until recently there wasn't even a place to eat (fast food or otherwise) in the area.
Out of 300 families in the church congregation I went to help, only 13 still have homes to live in and all 13 have some damage. FEMA won't send you a trailer unless you have a proper place to park it with water, sewer and electricity. Then if you're lucky enough to get one, think about how much fun it will be to live in a 20 foot long travel trailer with a family of 4 or 5 for months on end. Also remember they are still having to pay mortages on homes that don't exist anymore.

$5.50 an hour is the problem. THATS ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS OF THIS COUNTRY BUT NOBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT IT. Before you flame me, let me tell you that I make considerably more than $15.00 an hour and still barely make ends meet. I worked and continue to work my but off to make that. I still have yet to realize the "American dream" of owning my own house. TO ALL THE CORPORATIONS OUT THERE, TAKE CARE OF YOUR EMPLOYEES AND MAYBE YOUR BOTTOM LINE WILL IMPROVE!!!!! IF YOU DONT, YOU WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A REVOLVING DOOR IN YOUR HR DEPARTMENT. There goes Joe with 10 yrs experience, there goes Sue with 15 yrs experience, there goes Sally with 5 yrs experience, who’s left that know what they're doing? There goes the business.
$5.50 IS A VERY VERY BAD JOKE!!!!!!! Why would someone give up their welfare for a job that pays less, I know I wouldn't. Thats another problem. if they take a job that ultimitly pays them less than the welfare they are on, they loose all of their welfare bennifits. What message is that sending to them? I'll tell you. It says don't bother finding a job because i'll give you more money to sit at home and breed. And if you do find a job then I'm taking it all away(no help for you!). How ironic that a person trying to help themself gets s#*$ on and the ones who don't care get more help than they know what to do with!

Wow, after reading the article and all the responses, my heart goes out to all of you. Last time I checked we were all human and not one of us was better than the other. I will definitely keep everyone in prayer. If you were not a resident on the gulf coast at the time of Katrina then you have no idea what our fellow americans are going through. God bless!!

I am sorely dissappointed in how so many of us lack compassion for our fellow human beings. I can only hope that those without compassion will not have to learn compassion the hard way.

Every one seems pretty mad at Mr. Garber, but really, if you are looking for free Gov. money, come to Tucson. There is a large population of generational families of all colors who have been supported by local, state and federal governments. Apparently being able to breed does pay if you know how to work the system. Unfortunatley, I am not one of those people as I married the father of my children and we both work to support them. Believe me, it's a novel idea to some who live here.

WOW... I am amazed at the number of people who are so quick to judge. Many of the Katrina victims lost everything. Try for just one minute to imagine losing EVERYTHING. All of a sudden you have no home, no job, no transportation and worse than that... no hope. It's so overwhelming that you are nearly frozen with panic... not knowing what to deal with first. If you have children, your first priority is to keep them safe... then worry about how to feed and shelter them (on a regular basis). WHERE IS YOUR COMPASSION! Yes, of course there will be SOME people who will take advantage of a "freebie" situation... however, most of the people who have lost everything just want a helping hand to get back on their feet. I truly believe that what goes around - comes around... so those of you who are so quick to say get off your butts and get to work... I sure hope the rest of your life goes well because you never know when your whole life can turn upside down. God Bless all of the people who have suffered through this horrible tragedy. I pray that your life gets better soon.

Susan-

Thank you! Finally someone intelligent!

You're "The Woman"! It amazes me everyday, the number of ignorant people there are in world. People JUST DON'T THINK ANYTHING OUT BEFORE THEY OPEN THEIR MOUTH anymore! I just don't think people like Willian "get it". He needs to drive the Mississippi coast to understand.

"There's nothing there William"! As in gone, zero, eliminated? You get up each morning from your pop up tent and walk to BK and work for $5.50/hour and hope your tent is still there when you come home"!

Thanks for the very well thought out and calculated information Susan. Some people just don't know what it's like to live off CASH and not CREDIT. They don't know what it really takes.

There is opportunity for everyone in this world willing to invest their time in themselves. Everyone else will invest in the "blame" game- which includes citing politics, geography, education and otherwise. Your political party and your educational levels are all your own responsibility- regardless to whatever mommy, daddy, and your school told you. The fact that anyone can use a political standing as a foundation for reason is just symbolic of being a ignorant, and is just as bad as blaming your past for your future. Too bad- life isn't fair- we all start somewhere- yet everyone ends up somewhere else. Rich people starting out dont always end up fortunate, in fact its usually vice-versa- the poor end up wealthy. Get back to work NOW. Income earned today gives you the room to consider the opportunities for tomorrow.

1 year working BK $5.50/hr + signing bonus = approx $18,000 to apply to getting back on your feet.

1 year moaning about minumum wage job + no work = nothing.

You get out what you put in. We don't expect people to work there forever, but you gotta start somewhere till the rest of the area recovers. No one is going to hand out six-figure incomes next week.

i hate to interrupt this contentious free for all, but i agree with Ralph Kulas (Ridgecrest, CA): these "signing bonuses" are a crock and i'll bet that most who sign on because of the 6K won't see a penny, or will be strung along so the bonus is metered out over a long period of time. there'll be some way to make the bonus difficult to receive. i find the lack of compassion and righteous judgment in these comments unbelievable. for all the bible reading and thumping that goes on in the south and midwest, it sure doesn't show in these comments. are you people illiterate? why do you condemn people in situations you know nothing about, except what you get fed on FOX? what if it were you? would you like to be judged as harshly as you are doing to others? or are you so smug to think you'll never have to go through what these people have endured? how about some mercy and loving kindness? drop your stones, try not to condemn others when you don't know what they must go through. pray for them! it will do more good than the volcanic anger you are spewing.

There are always people who take advantage of the system. That will never change. However, I think that some of the people who are commenting on people taking handouts don't realize the extremity of the situation. This money is needed and that is what it is there for. Please understand that not everyone is abusing this system. I had to evacuate for three different hurricanes and I had to pay for hotels, gas, food etc. every time. I did not receive assistance from FEMA at all. So before you pass judgement, think before you make insensitive comments that have no basis because you do not live here or anywhere near Katrina stricken towns.

for all you people harping on paying everyone more than $5.50 an hour, are you willing to pay $6.00 for the hamburger you pay $1.99 for today??

Andy from Baltimore said "we don't get much from New Orleans after a disaster" - well buddy I was there helping your neighbors after Fell's Point flooded just a few year ago - and I'm from New Orleans and visit Baltimore quarterly, I know its people are more gracious than you. AND I think Baltimore should be very grateful for Louisiana ever since you over-fished the Chesepeake and a moratorium was placed on crabbing forcing the city of Baltimore to rely on Louisiana blue crabs to keep its crab-cake based tourism industry alive. I even was turned away from a restaurant one time that didn't have any crabs, "because FedEx doesn't deliver on Sundays." Go ahead and bite your nose off to spite your face, Andy. We all rely on each others welfare to survive.

Paying a bonus to get workers is one thing, waiting and crying around about lack of work is another. Pay the people what they are worth, and that goes both ways!Bpnuses are a good incentive to offset the high cost of living, now if they would just start that practice in MT and Wy.

My message is for Hugh. When you talk about who is to blame for the levees, first and formost the responsibility has to lie with the local New Orleans government, then with the state of Louisiana and after that the federal government. The distribution of all federal money given to the state of Louisiana is controlled by the corrupt politicians in the state of Louisiana and city of New Orleans. I believe the money that has been sent to them over the years has mostly gone to line the pockets of corrupt mayors and governers for far too long. In that respect, maybe the federal government is to blame for allowing it to happen. I have been to New Orleans many times and I have also seen my share of Hurricanes here in Florida. (I live 1 mile from the Gulf) We have always been very well prepared at the local and state level and I believe if New Orleans was as prepared as we have been the rescue efforts and deaths would not have been nearly as big a problem as it was.

Hey Georgia, people who left New Orleans lost everything too. They also had jobs and worked just as hard as you. Maybe the others didn't leave because they were too old or did not have a car, not because they were drunk or high. If you had any idea of the level of destruction in New Orleans, you might begin to understand this is bigger than bleading heart liberals and red neck conservatives. I'm working and so are my mother and sister. As far as living off FEMA checks, it is pretty hard to live off of $2000 from September to December. Who needs Burger King anyway? I wish everyone happy holidays from the Big not so Easy.

SHORT STORY - I live on a farm, we have the "welfare cats" who stand at the back door squalling for food and we have the barn cats that hunt for their food. The Welfare Cats don't mind how many times they get kicked off the porch or how many of them get ran over from hiding under the cars just as long as they get fed...they would truly die without hand-outs, their kittens learn to get food from begging at the back door and the cycle keep repeating until we have to "humanely" eliminate them with bullets or they would eat us out of house and home. The barn cats, on the other hand, hunt for their food, they teach their babies to hunt for food, which helps the farmer in eliminating pests such as mice, rats, snakes, etc. and they wouldn't be caught dead lowering themselves to being screamed at or kicked at for begging underfoot of those who have more than them. The Bible teaches that the Lord will help those who help themselves...so if one of the barn cats get sick or injured, I'm all for helping them. But if one of the "welfare" cats get sick or injured, they're humanely euthanized as they served no real purpose in life as it is and they're just a liability, not as asset. Feeding and Breeding isn't a self supporting occupation, unless you're livestock, in which case you can be sold and slaughtered for whatever goods you may provide.

I agree that $5.50 isn't enough to live on, but every little bit helps and you got to start somewhere.

Moral of my story - IF YOU DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION, YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM.

Thank you and good luck to those who are trying to do for themselves, you're the ones who deserve it.

Missouri Farmer

I think that it says somewhere in the Bible that there is room for concern for both animals and humans. Don't get all worked up because some people feel pity for helpless dogs/cats. I think that there is plenty of concern to go around. ONLY in America do we have freedom of this nature and many other countries don't!

you people think that 5.50/hr is such a bad thing you people think money grows on trees I put myself through college to get a double B.S. Degree in Engineering while working for 5.50/hr and I didn't get any FED money to help out it was all out of my pocket.. you can live on that amount you just can't drive nice cars or go shopping and own a bunch of material things .. all you need is a place to live and food and clothes and on 5.50/hr it is possible... so quit saying the Federal government needs to help to increase min. wage people just need to manage money and live like humans not like people on MTV... I agree with all of those to say go get a job ..... one last thing great saying -> keep working because the people on welfare are counting on you =)

oh my oh my oh my
what a battle going on looks like half of you don't to help past a ponit and god love the rest of you who have a brain and knows that life isn't simple and that when you get dumped on you cannot always stand up shake your head of dust and pick up where you last left off...most of you need to lose your home, car, job,parts of your family, your life, your past and then tell me that that after a few month s that you can work fipping bugars while raise a few kids on 5.50 on hour come on you pathtic insentative morans

Based on a lot of these comments, I would venture to say people are mistaking the "Gulf Coast" with "New Orleans". There was so much media coverage that was based on New Orleans, that people are forgetting about the other areas that were hit. Based on the media coverage, my first thought was the same as Mr. Garbers. There are always people who will take complete advantage of a situation, and there are always those who work their tails off. I am sure there is a mix of both types of people on the Gulf Coast, and unfortunately the ones who are working hard are having their reputations tainted by those who don't. If you are doing what you can for yourself, kudos - the negative comments don't apply to you. The rest of the people need to do what they can for themselves - and get rid of the "They owe me something" attitude. Nobody owes you anything! You owe it to yourself and family to be working and contributing to society in a positive manner.

My wife and I are not from Bay St. Louis but volunteered two weeks after the huricane for a week and return this past week to have Christmas with several friends we developed in the area. FEMA letters were sent to all that there property had insufficient damage and their case was being closed. Yeah - right - there homes were no longer on the slab and had anywhere from 11 to 20 feet of water and in once case was three blocks away. Insurance companies have not ponied up and all had flood and hurricane insurance. Eventually, there will be work for construction but we had to wait over 4 hours to get a flat fixed because there are only two shops in town that have electricity or could re-open after Katrina. Business insurance isn't being paid, either.
There is no housing for workers coming into the area and little work because no one has received there insurance money.
So, think before you talk (or blog). If you haven't walked in their shoes you don't know what the conditions are. The Bay St. Louis/Waveland area natives and implants are basically blue collar, hard working, ethical people. The day after Katrina they wer