We find it discouraging that even members of the administration are pessimistic about the future of broader economic reform pushed earlier this year. US Treasury Snow, like many in Washington, is wary of pushing economic reform during such a sensitive time.

"It’s taken over the national agenda and I think it will for a while," Snow said of Katrina. "I think it will push to the back burner some issues that otherwise would have been on the agenda now -- the estate tax, tax (cut) permanency, GSEs and other things."

While we understand the seriousness of Hurricane Katrina, we also see the benefit of ensuring American prosperity continues in her wake. A more robust economy is better able to handle such massive blows as Katrina and move on more quickly

Over at NRO, Mallory Factor explains why a healthy economy is the best aid the government can provide:

We are now committed as a country to generously and compassionately rebuilding the hurricane zone and replacing what was lost. The price tag will be high, perhaps as high as $200 billion. That’s real money, and we need a healthy, growing U.S. economy to help pay for it. The high price of replacing what was lost makes it more vital than ever that we continue to fight for the free-enterprise agenda — a policy mix that has a proven track record of boosting economic growth, creating new jobs, and enhancing prosperity. With rapid economic growth, a price as high as $200 billion is more affordable — it would be less than the difference between 3 percent and 4 percent growth of GDP over the next two years.

Given these commonsense points, it seems strange that the Congressional Research Service came out today to say that the tax break package, put together by the House and Senate Tax writers, will do little to help the neediest victims; rather, only the rich will reap the benefits.

This is not a time for class warfare.

Rich and poor alike have been devastated by Katrina. The only way prosperity will return to the Gulf Coast is if businesses are able to reopen, workers are rehired, and communities are rebuilt. Devastated business owners (those are the rich-guys) need more of their money back in order to jump-start production and revitalize industry. Everyone benefits from this; not just the rich.

We hope members of Congress, and the rest of the country, realize how important tax incentives and pro-growth policy is for the Gulf Coast, not to mention the nation as a whole.

Otherwise, Katrina may rear her ugly head again, but this time in the form of an economic downturn of even greater proportions.