Local governments come to our aid

Louisiana is demonstrating how local governments can do more for their people than the federal government can. The current Gulf of Mexico oil spill is a case in point.

Our state and parish governments have been hard at work since the moment the crisis arose. They determined what could and should be done about it and then went ahead and did it.

President Barack Obama also became concerned and certainly brought it to the attention of federal agencies. We thank him for that. But we still have not seen any effective action on their part.

Meanwhile, state and parish plans in Louisiana have been put into operation. Local fishermen and volunteers have gone out to try and keep the oil away from our very important wetlands where it could do its most damage.

The oil producer responsible for the spill seemingly is also doing what it can to recap the spewing well and capture the escaping oil that is  hurting our landscape and could do much more damage in the future. At the present time, it seems that it has a chance of being successful.

We realize the federal government is being responsible at this point in doing what it can to prevent tragedy. But it is difficult for a federal bureaucracy as large as ours to be responsible to the people in an effective manner when such an emergency occurs on a local scene.

In the future, we must remember that local governments and people nearby the scene should be given the resources and authority automatically to take necessary action to prevent catastrophe. Plans should be made by the federal government in advance for such occurences.