The Marketing Technology Blog

With every terrible event, good can come of it. I honestly believe that. What good could come out of Katrina?

• More attention and government subsidies should be given to public transportation, hybrid technology costs, alternative fuels, etc. Oil production in the United States is 5.4 million barrels per day. So a $5 increase in the cost of a barrel costs us $9.8 billion per year (someone correct me if I’m wrong). The average cost of a barrel is over $70 and it’s said that producing that $70 barrel costs $4 on the average. That’s a tidy profit. Though Katrina will affect the cost of production and transporting that oil… the oil itself is as cheap to pull out of the ground yesterday as it is today. With our government (all parties included) in bed with the Oil industry, I’m doubtful we’ll see that $9.8 billion spent on alternatives. It’s money out of the economy that is literally just being given to folks who don’t need it!
• A requirement for our Government to stop ’spending’ and start ‘investing’. The ‘expense’ in a flawed levy system has been totally wasted with a single natural disaster. Someone made the decision that a complex dyke system like the Dutch have was too costly. That single decision may cripple the economy in this country and has caused the needless deaths of thousands of folks.
• A push for our citizens to be charitable. The fact is, the wealthy and middle class either left the region before the hurricane, or have the insurance and wealth to do so now. The victims of this hurricane are truly our most needy. They are the poor, the elderly, and the disabled. As the wealthiest country in the world, we must dig deeper in our own pockets to pull these folks out of the trenches they are in. These people did not have the option to leave. Many did not have transportation, funds for transportation, or anywhere to go to. They can not afford insurance and have lost what little they have.
• A closer appreciation for a higher power along with a lot of prayer. I don’t believe this country is moving away from God, I honestly believe we are moving towards Him. But make no mistake, no matter how strong we are we will not be able to overcome the pain of loss nor the incredible devastation by simply applying resources. It’s time to get on your knees and say a prayer!
• I would challenge both the Democratic and Republican National Parties to roll every dollar they currently have from political donations to help assist with this disaster. I’m not holding my breath on this one, but they have millions of dollars at the ready that could be used to help this country in a far better manner than throwing an ad on television.

God bless the folks down there in the path of destruction. Please help them now by donating money to the American Red Cross.