Rebuilding New Orleans: Halliburton vs local contractors

[Poiuyt]

I would think that priority for the rebuilding contracts would be given to local contractors but I see that Halliburton has been given a no-bid contract to do the work. Aside from putting more money in Cheney's pockets, is there a reason for this? Seriously, are there some tasks that only Halliburton is qualified to do?

[liberal N proud]

1. One would logically think that it would be the best way to rebuild

the local economy but you must remember there is a two fold agenda that can be achieved from this disaster.
1. It made a lot of low and middle income people that much poorer
2. There is a wealth of funding to be had for the bu$h base.

[whistle]

2. Yes, billing for services....only Halliburton can do that....

....everyone else who will do the actual work will have to bid contracts with Halliburton, who will pick the lowest price bids, shutting all others out, even if qualified and can do the work better. Halliburton will get a management fee and keep all profits between what they were awarded from the Federal government and what they will pay out. It's called political graft, corruption and cronyism.

[MaineDem]

3. I brought this up the other day

There are many minority companies and companies that employ those evacuated fromt hese areas. I firmly believe they should be given these contracts.

Remember, though, Bush has already allowed companies to hire at below prevailing wages. That sucks.

But, I agree with you. These contracts should go to local companies able to do the work.

[OneGrassRoot]

4. I'm hoping this will be given more attention..........

I recall right after Bush lifted the Davis-Bacon Act lowering the prevailing wage which can be paid, I saw Blanco give a speech and in it she said something to the effect that Louisiana citizens will rebuild their state and get back on their feet by doing so. The Gulf State governors should band together to make sure local contractors get in there.

[OneBlueSky]

5. look to Iraq for the model they'll be employing . . .

if we were serious about rebuilding the Iraqi economy, the rebuilding contracts would have gone to Iraqi firms employing Iraqi labor at reasonable rates . . .

but no-o-o-o-o-o! . . .

instead, we brought in the Halliburtons and Bechtels of the world, gave them no-bid contracts, allowed them to employ imported labor at obscene rates (our tax dollars, btw), and totally ignored the indigenous contractors and workers . . .

welcome to New Orleans . . . same movie, different location . . .