I just sent a relief donation, as we all should. But Hastert’s question about spending tax money to recreate the city is perfectly valid — but rather than focus on N.O. specifically, we should ask whether government-subsidized flood insurance should be discontinued altogether. If you want to build on land below sea level in the path of hurricanes, go ahead, so long as you bear the full economic risk. There’s obviously no question about spending whatever it takes to rescue people, but there are places people should not be encouraged to live.