Yesterday, New Orleans Rep. Walker Hines hit a real sore spot—politics and religion.
In criticizing Governor Bobby Jindal for vetoing his legislation that was supported by the clergy, high members of his administration, and others, Hines said, “Governor Jindal has continued to prey on the weakest and most vulnerable among us. His veto of HB 781, with almost 30 co-authors, is a devastating blow to the growing homeless population throughout the State. The Governor’s veto, in addition to his veto of an appropriation by the Legislature to keep the New OrleansAdolescentHospital open, clearly demonstrates his disregard for the poor and needy. Governor Jindal claims to espouse Catholic values, but his recent actions are the antithesis of Catholic teaching.
Today is a sad day for all Louisiana residents. HB 781 would have created a cost effective approach towards reducing homelessness by streamlining the delivery of homeless services, federal grants, and transitional housing. Moreover, the costs of administering the new Director of Homelessness was to be fully funded with federal grants provided by Congress through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Louisiana taxpayers didn’t have to pay a dime for the new Director and Homeless Council for at least the next two years. The costs thereafter were negligible.
The Governor will find few allies in cities throughout Louisiana, most of which are struggling to find temporary housing for the newly unemployed, working poor, and chronic homeless. This veto was completely unwarranted. There will continue to be a major void at the State level for the delivery of homeless services. I am appalled by the Governor’s lack of heart and mind."
Religion was a sore spot during the recent gubernatorial campaign and the mention of it by the Louisiana Democrats caused the Jindal campaign and the Louisiana GOP to claim the Democrats were hitting below the belt and engaging in rhetoric that was “off limits”.
On the Hines veto, Jindal says that his reason for his action was the cost--citing the fiscal note.Hines has told Bayoubuzz that the fiscal note claimed by the Governor would be about 45 percent of what the Governor stated and the state would not have to put up a penny until year three.Hines also said that if the state did not want to proceed with this centralized way of dealing with the homelessness which appears to likely to increase due to a continued poor economy, the legislature could abandon the program.
However, more importantly is the very touchy “religious issue”.
Governor Bobby Jindal was beaten by Kathleen Blanco because he was perceived as lacking feelings for the needy. His veto and his actions this session have only aggravated that perception.
For the sake of keeping in good stead for his national aspirations, he opposed good legislation that would have helped eliminate one of the scourges of our society, tobacco--which is causing each person in Louisiana hundreds of dollars in costs and is destroying the poor and our young.
The Governor has approved hundreds of millions in funding that might help Louisiana (such as funding rich businesses who are essentially bribing our state for dollars in the name of economic development) but the Governor is putting the slammer on a program that would provide a “safety net” for those who do not vote and do not have a voice.Unlike the “stimulus” unemployment refusal which could have caused small businesses an uptick in unemployment costs, this program would have not cost Louisiana a cent until two years from now.Louisiana would have had an opportunity to determine if the program worked.Now, services to the homeless are totally fragmented.
Some might think it was below the belt for Hines to link Jindal’s policy with Jindal’s religion, but, that is exactly what JIndal did in signing legislation that is strongly supported by his local and national base whose support he covets and who will cut him campaign checks.
Yesterday, Jindal signed legislation that protects doctors, nurses and pharmacists who refuse to provide health care on religious or moral grounds.Specifically, the Governor is protecting individuals with money who refuse to provide treatment for the “red meat” political religious issues such as abortion, various types of emergency contraceptions, and human embryonic stem cell research.
The combined veto of Hines legislation with the signing of the protection against providing treatment for religious or moral grounds wins him chips with the those people who put “political religious issues” over helping those who are dire need for necessary medical treatment, who are poor and helpless and those who are looking for scientific answers to cure diseases they have contracted at no fault of their own.
In the name of “political religion”, Jindal is favoring the rich over the poor.In the name of no taxes, he is willing to allow Louisiana citizens die rather than preventing people from becoming addicted to a drug--so he can continue his campaign for national office.
By his political actions, Governor Jindal is forgetting the very tenets of religion—helping those who cannot help themselves.He might be the darling of Rush, Hannity and bunch, but in being so, he is losing what matters the very most—his “non-political soul”.
Where the two parties differ, one (whatever one's viewpoint) has hope. However, where the two parties agree, there is no hope. Both parties agree on (that is, have no debate about...): not having tariffs that used to protect our manufacturing industries; stationing our troops overseas in huge numbers; engaging in undeclared military conflicts (our last declared "war" was WWII); allowing the Federal Reserve to "control" our economy by printing money which devalues our savings and pensions; deficit spending which is taking care of today's problems with tomorrow's generations' money; the "War on Drugs"; spending billions on Foreign Aid; bailing out the financial institutions; accepting campaign contributions from those same financial institutions (which - of course - has n-o-t-h-i-n-g w-h-a-t-s-o-e-v-e-r to do with the bailouts); unrestricted (for all practical purposes) illegal immigration (with all the attendant strain that places on our medical and educational systems). So "hope" away, just understand that Big Money has its a$$ kissed by both political parties. Written by kpf
on 7/19/2009
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As a political force, the hard-line right is still quite potent. The GOP itself is currently having some problems, however the loyal audience is still out there for the Limbaugh's, Lou Dobbs's, Ann Coulter's and whatever vileness or yahoo-ism that they care to spew. While there are a few staunch left wing types here and there in this world whatever potency that they have as a political force is microscopic by comparison. The political center of gravity of the country as a whole is still somewhere to the right of center on the liberal left to conservative right spectrum and there's no doubt that Obama is quite well aware of that. As an example Sarah Palin still has her loyal following in spite of all her craziness while someone just as much on the fringe on the other side, Dennis Kucinich, has exactly what kind of a following? The right wing types have little to worry about. Obama has has been bending over backward to reach out to the conservatives even when the numbers of Democrats in both houses of Congress would seemingly allow him to do get everything he would want without dealing at all with the other side of the aisle (he probably does foresee that Republicans could make gains in Congress in 2010). The stimulus package that Congress passed was still heavily laden percentage-wise with tax cuts in spite of the fact that tax cuts really don't accomplish much to stimulate the economy (it really needed to have had fewer tax cuts and more infrastructure-related items but what came out was what the whole political process was capable of producing) and whatever health care reform that Congress is also probably going to be some kind of negotiated compromise package. Obama's pick for the Supreme Court obviously worked hard to make herself presentable to the conservatives. Finally, one cannot ignore that the Republican Party itself has thoroughly pushed its moderate wing that at one time was fairly significant out of the tent (it's very doubtful that someone like Nixon or Ford could get the GOP nomination today). Written by speak truth to right wing propaganda
on 7/18/2009
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I have no idea what "C-Street" may be. I am against all tax shelters. I believe every single person should pay a flat percentage of their income (or sales tax) - period. No different rates of taxation, no one who pays no taxes. Everyone pays an equal share. All will then care about fiscal responsibility, there will be no need to lobby congress for "tax favors" either. Fringe elements exist on both sides of the political spectrum. Those on the right are no more exemplified by the far right fringe than you are by the far left fringe. Typical that only the far right fringe is visible to you or a concern to you. That doesn't make you a "bad person" - just typically blind to the "warts" on your side of the political spectrum. I do not define politics by the fringe elements, rather by issues. I refuse to be blinded by personalities, perversions of our politicians or statements made by fringe elements. Issues are too important for "National Enquirer" type nonsense to be a distraction. Written by kpf
on 7/17/2009
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So, kpf, "C-Street" is okay with you?.. Tax Shelters and all?... and before you say religion does not dictate policy--- Watch the video of the C-Street Preacher(Google it).... of course, you don't know-- it's been a very well kept secret. …Republican underground tax shelters with scary religious doctrine- swearing its U.S. Congressional members to secrecy..... Oh yes- expose it... And, the Republican Smut too on the Conservative blogs about our President's daughter...(buncha rednecks,... probably listen to Rush on AM radio by day) .... Bring it all out in the open.. right?... C-Street, Conservative Hate Blogs,.. sad GOP. Written by KjunLady
on 7/13/2009
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It is the free spending war mongers who dictate policy and control both parties, not religious organizations. Written by kpf
on 7/13/2009
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"Many churches' ministers in New Orleans - in case you didn't notice (Democratic wrongdoing blinders I suppose) - are quite vocal on matters politic.".... Nobody's blind to churches dictating political races and governmental matters here in New Orleeenz, or the rest of Looziana, for that matter...... But, in the heart of our nation's capital? Republican Senators and Representatives secretly belonging to a Religious "underground" organization-- which collects beaucoup bucks-- to defend these Conservative politicians in their legal scandals--- like $98,000 given to Ensign's "honey", (saying it’s a “gift” from Ensign's Mama and Daddy!). … A RED BUILDING in downtown Washington D.C., “C Street “…offering low rent ONLY to Conservative cult members, who are also members of US Congress.... C-Street preachers who drill, “Jesus first, government next, ‘then’ family”……KPF-- you think Churches are dictating policy only here in backwoods La?... you'll be reading a lot more about "The C Street" organization.... (The secret brotherhood of the Reverse-Illuminati.)... and it's been operating for years..... (Lord!) Written by KjunLady
on 7/13/2009
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If we have "separation of church and state" - then why should any religious institutions be tax exempt? Many churches' ministers in New Orleans - in case you didn't notice (Democratic wrongdoing blinders I suppose) - are quite vocal on matters politic. Fine, "free speech" and all that, but their political advocacy should disallow any tax exempt status. Written by kpf
on 7/13/2009
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"Put religion aside, put belief and faith first, then one can come to grips with ones constitution or 'religion'."... Anybody "here" reading up on the "C Street" story?... You know- the underground Republican "religion", decreeing "God first, THEN government, THEN family"............Jesus H.Chrisse....... A RED BLDG in Wash.D.C.... claiming huge tax deductions as a "religious institution"--- and giving greatly reduced rents to Republican Senators and Congressmen.....like Ensign (R), Nevada-- who's lived there 6 yrs... and Gov.Sanford (R)-- who leaned to "C-Street" for his latest sex-dilemna................. We've only hit the tip of the iceburg on this one..... (an MSNBC scoop) Written by KjunLady
on 7/12/2009
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John Kenneth Galbraith, wasn't he the guy who wanted government to intervene and prohibit the Detroit automakers from having fins on their cars in the fifties? Yeah, that's the same guy. Written by "One must consider the source of criticism." - duh
on 7/11/2009
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Good evening ladies and gentlemen........ I will not bore you by dwelling on uncommon management methodologies and future regional factors tonight. Instead, I am compelled to address the more pressing differential bottom line roll back experienced during our recent manipulated statistical slow down.... Our concurrent master plans can no longer support a true creative regional methodology. They do, however, lend credence to rumors of pending commercial divisions. The unique supply side analysis of this effective administrative trajectory, clearly reflects the transience of the current pseudo-vertical environment..... We will not return to the regional cost effectiveness of the past unless a truly effective exchange centricity creates an environment suitable for a heterogeneous real world up turn..... Some would say that these manipulated growth oriented conclusions, while based on a homogeneous home based centricity, bear a diverse management carry over.... My hypothesis, however, is that a theoretical trial carry over can only result in a proven area-wide opportunity. We would then be safe from further bottom line under runs until such time as a negative industrial support climate triggers additional self fulfilling geo-political down turns....... In our marginally concurrent structure, a logical trial commonality will certainly breed further overall technical failures in major markets.... Given the absence of a proven commercial analysis, a creative, group rated framework of logical fiscal factors must become the rule rather than the exception..... By combining local requirements in a differential rate adjusted environment, we can finally assure a return to stability and prosperity.... Thank you.
Written by
on 7/10/2009
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Steve, the homeless are on the street because they can't afford their drug habits, but they still do drugs or drink booze every chance they get; so how is raising the price of cigarettes going to help smokers. Answer, it won't. Their addicts also, they have to really, really want to quit. Continuing to raise taxes on tabacco only makes their lives harder. You talk compassion, but funding a government program with money that's raised only out of the pockets of smokers, talk about unfair. Well, I guess if you screw them enough maybe they will become homeless too and then Walker Hines and company will try to fund their homelessness by writing a larger bill and then say that their trying to help smokers.
Written by Stew
on 7/9/2009
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There is no such thing as a self-sufficient liberal. Written by
on 7/9/2009
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The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.
--John Kenneth Galbraith Written by John Kenneth Galbraith
on 7/9/2009
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Cuius testiculos habeas, habeas cardia et cerebellum. Written by
on 7/9/2009
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The question should be does creating a government agency to combat or help something actually do what is intended? Jimmy Carter created the Dept of Education at the Federal level, however education has not improved by any measure. It is simply a liberal "feel good" (or perhaps a political payback for the campaign contributions of the teachers' unions?) initiative that wastes money without accomplishing a damn thing. May as well have a government department of wife beating to stop that, or perhaps a department of unhappiness to eliminate unhappiness. Liberals love to throw money at something and they STOP right there - the correct thing to do is make a change then MEASURE whether that change has made any difference or not. Of course if growing government is the objective, then effectiveness is not important. Written by kpf
on 7/9/2009
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There's no such thing as a compassionate conserative. Written by David Quidd
on 7/8/2009
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Nothing funny about this. Why don't we cut the taxes for fire and police protection and let those opposed to taxes buy their own fire and police protection, starting with big business and The New Orleans Saints. When the tax payers support them(property taxes, sales taxes, etc.) it is ok and not Socialism. When the tax payers support the poor and those down due to the selfishness of the Corporate Big Wheels(cheap labor, illegal aliens, sending jobs overseas to save a buck), it is Socialism. Maybe if the Capitalists would not be so greedy, there might not be a need for big government and taxes. Why are handouts to those who already milked the middle class ok, and not ok for those who really need help. Written by Strange
on 7/8/2009
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If we fail to raise taxes people will die - thanks - best laugh I had all day. Written by kpf
on 7/8/2009
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Put religion aside, put belief and faith first, then one can come to grips with ones constitution or 'religion'...... Written by
on 7/8/2009
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The Gov is showing he is heartless. He needs more than a heart. He needs a brain considering his recent vetoes. He also needs a member of the clergy to help him put the real essence of religion first and politics second. Written by Johnny Q
on 7/8/2009
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Yesterday, New Orleans Rep. Walker Hines hit a real sore spot—politics and religion.
