The example you gave about Florida is actually very old, and is summed up in the "parable of the broken window": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_bro

The example you gave about Florida is actually very old, and is summed up in the "parable of the broken window": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_broken_window http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_broken_window As you can see in the Wikipedia article, there are actually many different interpretations and views on whether or not that rebuilding adds value to the economy.