Happy anniversary and drop dead

The failed House Katrina anniversary resolution would have stressed "the importance of the Gulf Coast region to the national economy," confirmed "support for all those affected by these terrible natural disasters one year later," and reaffirmed the government's "commitment to rebuilding the Gulf Coast region and improving the quality of life for all residents."

It didn't stand a chance. Some say there was little interest because the resolution was presented by Louisiana Rep. William Jefferson, the man with the cold, hard cash. Others say the word "commitment" killed the resolution. Majority leader John Boehner guessed it got "bogged down in discussion." A spokesman for the Republican Study Committee says he has never even heard of the resolution.

I'm going with the fear of "commitment" reason. Why would Congress want to improve the quality of life for its citizens when there is money to be made from selling weapons and pharmaceuticals and rebuilding places we bomb to smithereens?