Is the tide turning, we might ask here in Louisiana these days? Could it be that the accepting
masses are taking a different route, perhaps? Look at the facts. Only a few months ago, Senator
Vitter was given a free pass from the Louisiana constituents for his indiscretions which technically
shed a light on the lawmaker Senator Vitter’s disregard for the law and his own personal morals. Be
that as it may, the people of Louisiana went on to deal with the next flurry of reverberating political
shocks that seems to be turning the tide of the mindset of Louisiana constituents and what they are
willing to tolerate post Katrina.
One has to wonder if all of the continuing assaults from the storm and its’ aftermath have reached
personal tilt levels within the hearts and souls of the local Louisiana constituents. Let’s not forget
the increase in insurance and property taxes on damaged homes. The latest insults are the cameras
at traffic lights. In New Orleans, there are now sensors in the street to gauge vehicle speeds which
extrapolates into cordial invitations for the last remaining inhabitants of New Orleans to leave town,
don't look back and never return again. And never to think twice about ever returning with such
continuing assaults to one’s psyche post storm.
Today, we seem to be seeing a change from the traditional laissez faire attitude of the people of Louisiana.
No more live and let live, no more refusals to stand up for our rights and respect. We have become a state
with a backbone while the good old boys are attempting their best to continue with business as usual by
working for and protecting their own personal interests and not the interests of those who elected them.
First we see a public outrage, a groundswell like no other in the history of Louisiana regarding the double
pay raise which was slipped in quietly in the session. One wonders if the repeal of the Stelly plan was
intended to be an appeasement in order to soften the double pay scenario upon the revelation of its’ ugly face.
The fact is that the people of Louisiana didn’t get anything with the repeal of the Stelly Plan but a return to the
past while the legislators were indeed getting something out of the double pay for themselves. Duplicate pay.
Not to mention, the perks of their positions are very financially rewarding, in and of itself. Let's not forget that
the bill was introduced as a triple pay bill.
We have observed the requests for recalls of legislators and the governor in this outrage as our governor and Mr. Hide refused to budge to abide by the wishes of his constituents and those who voted him into office. Then the cart tumbled and many who didn’t vote for the pay raise said they’d accept the pay raise, some who voted for the pay raise said they wouldn’t accept it and even others said they’d accept it but would turn it over to charity which would be a tax deduction. How clever the latter option was! Having one’s cake and eating it too routine.
The people persisted, they didn’t forget, while the political analysts surmised this all too would blow over as with all other past assaults against the people of Louisiana. On the contrary, this did not blow over. The fact that the governor refused to veto the bill thereby ignoring the wishes of the people only seemed to add fuel to the fire. Suddenly, at the 11th hour, Mr. Hide chose to veto the bill but only after the incident was published in the New York Times. The veto clearly had nothing to do with the wishes of the people but with Mr. Hide’s personal goals and fear of not reaching those personal goals. Yet, the people spoke and spoke and spoke. Sadly, it took publication of this outrage in another state’s paper for our governor to abide by the wishes of his constituents. What does that say about our governor?
Then recently, there has been a local scenario concerning the mayor of Mandeville regarding driving and drinking issues. This situation has now ruined many lives via firings, resignations and such. There has been no publicly stated remorse for how so many lives have been ruined. It has also turned a community upside down, a quiet small community that is outraged that this is happening. We are hearing calls for the mayor's resignation, a full explanation and investigation. The latter is in the works. Sadly, Mayor Price said he doesn’t want to resign nor relinquish his vehicle. One wonders if the people of Mandeville will also take up their moral sword and demand the right thing of their elected official. In the old days, this would have been swept under the rug and the elected official would have been given the go ahead to keep on trucking on, perhaps being rewarded with a driver to avoid any future issues a la Louisiana laissez faire fashion.
One has to wonder if the people of Louisiana have turned a corner and are now going the long haul for justice for all. Could it perhaps be one of the few shining tokens that we have been blessed with after the storm? A firm will to demand justice and accountability of our elected officials who are still functioning with pre-storm values. Could it possibly be a new day with a turning tide for Louisiana? Let’s just hope so.
In ancient China doctors would only receive fees if the patient stayed in good health. Sometimes if the patients health became too bad, the doctor had to pay them.
Written by .....So when is 'high tide'?.........
on 7/8/2008
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Caution, there is a new scam going on in New Orleans. . It appears to be a new rendetion of the "I'll bet you $20 I know where you got your shoes at" Scam.....
This new scam is being pulled mainly on older men. What happens is that when you stop for a red light a young, nude woman comes up and pretends to be washing your windshield. While she is doing this another person opens your back door and steals anything in the car. They are very good at this.
They got me 7 times Friday and 5 times Saturday. I wasn't able to find them on Sunday.
Written by Jo-Jo Dugas
on 7/7/2008
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Perhaps you're right. Perhaps this is a permanent turn to Democratic Party dominance in our state. Then again, it could be a continuation of the ebb and flow of our two parties' fortunes. It seems I have heard "The <opposition> Party is dead!" proclaimed more than once by both parties in the past. Proclaimed with much enthusiasm and certainty, nevertheless incorrectly. I think it more likely that the political fortunes of either of our two major parties is more akin to a pendulum than a patient on their deathbed. Personally I like to see both parties lose their power, as I believe they merely masquerade as representatives of the people while in truth they are beholden to their major monetary contributors. Written by kpf
on 7/7/2008
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2007 was the high tide mark for the Louisiana GOP. The tide has been receding ever since. Written by David Quidd
on 7/5/2008
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Hate to say so but Piyush Jindal is an opportunist down to his bones and I kinda doubt that it was local public pressure that directly led him to do this as much as the story about his reluctance to veto the measure "leaking out" to out-of-state media. His track record shows an ambitious politico whose number one concern is how he looks with regard to a decision or policy, i.e. he can't afford to look bad in the eyes of non-Louisianians but he does have to look good. Does he really give a care about the state and Louisianians? That's doubtful. He forgot about his campaign promise. Principles? What principles? What matters most is his career moving ahead and looking good to the national GOP. Written by Richard P.
on 7/4/2008
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I may be overly optimistic but I feel that the veto will go down as one of the more important moments in Louisiana history. It took a tremendous insult from our legislature and governor and yet they did not realize this represented the straw that broke the camels back. The blowback from the public was incredible and overwhelming and I would like to believe this ultimately led Jindal to veto the bill. Granted that publication in an out of state newspaper and appearance on CNN influenced his decision but there would have been no story if not for the vocal outrage of the citizens. But there is no time to rest on our laurels and I'm concerned that so many have been quick to drop their recall efforts. With the exception of the governor these people are still guilty of voting for their own outrageous pay increase. It's kinda like being convicted of a crime and then having your sentenced pardoned - you are still guilty! In Baton Rouge the recall of rookie representative Franklin Foil is still on despite his mealy mouthed statement of joy after the veto was announced. Emails from him after the vote show his true colors and you can bet every other leg feels the same. I hope that someone in Duplessis' district sees fit to throw her out and maybe then she'll realize that the people have spoken and not someone "over the moon." Hopefully the tide has begun to turn. Attention State Government: we are watching you. Have a wonderful Independence Day! Written by Wantabefree
on 7/4/2008
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I sure hope the tide is turning...Mayor Price seems to be "getting his." But, David Vitter's legal fees are being paid by Republican contributions? Haa!
GREAT article!
Written by KjunLady
on 7/4/2008
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I thought that the tide had turned when Buddy Roemer won and Edwards bowed out in 1987. Sadly in the long term that one event has not turned to be that meaningful. I do NOT view Piyush Jindal as the great savior. If anything he's worse than Roemer was at governing. People simply have to accept that Democrats have no monopoly on corrupt acts and also that Republicans have no monopoly on being honest, efficient and competent. If anything, Republicans are less competent at actually governing for the reason that they hold a fundamental distrust of government. Edwards had greater competence, for all his faults, and actually accomplished more and for the benefit of more people of the state than all of the GOP governors since 1979 put together -- although I give Roemer credit for being sincere and also for being on the right track with what he had proposed. Jindal, by contrast, strikes me as highly insincere; he cares mainly about his own career and promoting his own self. Written by Richard P.
on 7/4/2008
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JS, dear, we believe that the change has begun and the citizens will stand strong. It is no longer the city or state that care forgot but the city and state in which the citizens will dare to care and dare to unite. It is something we have been discussing since the failure of the levees in New Orleans and elsewhere. We will not forget, like we did after Betsy, we will survive and this nation must remember that the city of New Orleans and the citizens of this state will unite and will demand a "Gold Standard" of leadership. We still have a long way to go but we will do so. Today we celebrate the nation's birth - today we celebrate the birth of a determined citizenship of Louisiana. May it give birth to determined citizenship of our nation, a citizenship that revolted to form a nation and a citizenship that wants a return of that same determination and unity. Written by RhettsWife
on 7/4/2008
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