At some point, aren't we all going to have to stop looking upon New Orleans' residents as perpetual victims of a natural disaster that occurred over four years ago? So far, the US has spent billions of dollars in aid and committed significant resources to the crescent city. It is becoming a bottomless pit. A rabbit hole.

In stark contrast, observe how the thousands of eastern Iowa flood victims have handled their own natural disaster since 2006. You do not hear about Iowa because most Iowans are not culturally inclined to assuming the role of lifelong victims. The indigenous population of New Orleans, on the other hand, seems both intent and destined to remain forever wards of the state.

At some point, New Orleans constituents will need to look inward and ask themselves whether they have any responsibility in their own recovery.