A new study by LSU finds that residents of Louisiana are much happier with the response provided by churches and synagogues in the wake of Katrina and Rita than they are with any level of government. The levels of satisfaction are as follows (on a scale of one to ten):

Religious groups — 8.1

Federal Government — 5.1

New Orleans Government — 4.6

A specific figure was not provided for the state government, but the article stated that the satisfaction level was lower than that for the federal government. The study did find that only 19% of Louisiana voters favor reelection for Governor Blanco, and that number falls to 10% among New Orleans voters.

Those who continue to frown upon faith-based initiatives should see this study as an example of the great effects to be had when religious organizations are allowed to get involved. Without the corruption and red tape that is chronic in the government (not to say that religious groups are free of such problems), people are served and progress is made. And … taxpayer money is not wasted (can you account for it all, Mayor Nagin?!