Mark your calendar for July 7, 2008 from 2 to 4 or Rally on Louisiana Capitol Steps concerning legislative “pay raise veto” and “public accountability”.Date and time is for now tentative and will be finalized later today.Final details will follow.
When Bobby Jindal won the Louisiana Gubernatorial election and a mandate from the people of the state, we immediately felt that Louisiana had the smartest, most able individual taking the helm of state government.When he promised us that he would make Louisiana government the most transparent in its history, our hearts raced with pride with hope of a new day dawning where government would open up its doors and allow the citizens to take control of its own destiny.
However, something happened over the past five months that has put a dark shroud over the truth concerning an issue of significant importance to the Louisiana people.At some point in time, Governor Jindal’s administration made a deal with Louisiana legislature leaders pledging he would not oppose a pay raise for the legislators.When the people of Louisiana discovered that the raise would treble the salaries of the legislators the citizens rebelled.When they discovered that Jindal had also made a campaign promise that he would not allow the current crop of legislators to benefit from the raise, the people’s anger turned to outrage.
Thus, Pay Raise Gate, where the good work of the legislature has been obscured by the secretiveness of the leaders of Government and where who speak, know and hear no government openness.
Tens of thousands of average Louisiana citizens have wondered about the details of the “deal” made by the legislature and the Governor over the pay raise pledge.
When I asked Governor Jindal last Wednesday about that pledge to the legislature, he ignored my very detailed question, gave me a stock answer of why he would not break his pledge to the legislature.I wanted to know the specifics of the pledge such as when did it occur, who was there, why was it made since he had made a contrary pledge only months ago.
This was not the type of transparency in Government I had previously expected and I personally became substantially disappointed in the Governor that he would not reveal what so many of us wanted to know.
This weekend, I covered a political event in Baton Rouge and talked to a variety of legislators about their knowledge about the details of the pledge.None of them knew for certain what had transpired.Senate President Joel Chaisson was not present at the event which was an annual Democratic dinner.House Speaker, Jim Tucker, and Bobby Jindal are Republicans of course, were not there.
Yet, those legislators with whom I discussed this issue said they were in the dark and could only speculate over those details.They spun various theories but had no more actual knowledge about the events than any of us.
So, we have a Governor who won’t talk about these details of broken promises to the people and only a few legislators who might have been at a meeting or series of meetings or who might have been involved in communications have not revealed any details about what occurred behind closed doors.
Obviously, transparency has flown out of the windows of the capitol along with the remarkable good will of the Governor, legislative leaders and those who passed the controversial pay raise.
For some reason, those with knowledge are not talking and the citizens remain in the dark over details they feel are important to them so they can regain trust in Government.
Last Friday, out of frustration, I announced that I would initiate a rally at the Capitol to encourage Governor Jindal to honor his pledge to the Louisiana people.The purpose of the rally would be to symbolically take the government back from those who have hijacked it for their own personal purposes, to do whatever we could to convince Governor Jindal to honor his pledge to us, the people.
An organization is being formed for this rally and it appears the rally will be held July 7 at 2 to 4 p.m. so please save that date.A website has already been completed to help educate the public and that site will launch in the next few days.Details will follow.
Since making the rally announcement, I have been overwhelmed by the anger, the frustration, the deep-rooted outrage of the people who have emailed me wanting to help anyway they could to ensure that their “will be done”.
The enormous outpouring of support for the rally cannot be described in words.People want action, are deeply disappointed in Governor Jindal and in the leaders of Louisiana legislators for this stark unfortunate act of secrecy.
They are stunned that there was no public debate over legislation so important to them and that a deal was confected and finalized over which only a handful of people really have actual knowledge.
It boggles the mind that the Louisiana people and many legislators are so ignorant about details of a pledge that has caused many of the most staunch Jindal supporters to break ranks with their leader.
We probably will not know those details unless the Governor and the Speaker of the House or the Senate President reveal the circumstances of the quid pro quo that apparently occurred.The chance of that revelation occurring is very remote.
Meanwhile the rally at the Capitol will occur.Already a recall for House Speaker Jim Tucker is building momentum and according to organizers, “RecallPayraiseTucker.com now has committments from 113 volunteers to assist in collecting signatures and has received contact information from over 600 on it's sign up page”..
I personally am not advocating any recalls but do advocate Government openness.What the people want for their individual districts and their individual legislators are obviously up to them.
So, after the close of the legislative session occurs this afternoon, Governor Jindal will decide if he wants to pay raise law to go into effect as he has pledged, which pledge goes against the will of the people and his prior campaign promise.Meanwhile, the rally will occur hopefully to share our collective disappointments over the pay raise, the circumstances surrounding the pledge and to encourage Governor Jindal to change his mind.
Bayoubuzz will keep its readers informed about the details of the rally so the citizens can participate.Governor Jindal and key government officials will hear the voices of the disenfranchised and the faces of the outraged.He will see that Louisiana citizens are going to hold him and others accountable.
Louisiana citizens can make a difference and have control over their own destiny.While the legislature will enjoy a rest from their public duties after this afternoon, many people in Louisiana will not rest until they know justice has been done.How this justice is defined is in the minds and eyes of the individual citizens, but judging from the emails and communications I have received, the voices of the people will be heard even if the details of a secret pledge will be not..
Every Legislator should be required to disclose all their assets to the public with photos of their home or homes and vehicles so we can see how much they really need a pay raise at the expence of hard working Louisiana citizens. This raise is more than some families yearly income. GREED is the only word to describe this bill. Written by Legislative thieves
on 6/25/2008
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Boy i sure wish i could give myself a raise and double my salary. This issue should be voted on by the citizens of Louisiana by a public vote. Can anyone name me one Fortune 500 Company that allows their employees to give themselves a pay raise? Written by recall the whole bunch of rich hypocrites
on 6/25/2008
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Great point Bill, the biggest difference in New Orleans recovery as compared to the recent flooding in the mid west or Katrina's damage to the Mississippi gulf coast is the residents of these areas attitude is "we have to roll up our sleeves and fix this mess" as opposed to the NOLA attitude of "where's da gumment man wid da check?" What any particular individual politician or group of politicians do is not the "change" we need to progress in this city or state. If only our residents decided to behave as responsible adults then that would be.... Written by ... change I can believe in.
on 6/25/2008
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Oh, and you also seem to 'boggle' easy.... Take vitamins, and drink plenty of fresh orange juice, this is of course if you can afford it............ Written by ...............P.S...... [ad lib to your B.S.]....
on 6/24/2008
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No you can't.. So why don't you get a grip on yourself [or let go of yourself, which ever case is pertinent] and figure out something productive to do.... Seems to me if you wanted to Rant and Rave at the Capitol you should have appeared on the steps while the legislature was in session..... You were told what they were going to do..... And yes, those folks up in the Midwest are actually being rather low key about things and still getting the job done..... Written by
on 6/24/2008
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I hope the citizens’ rally gets a great turnout and helps to strike down this abominable pay rise. The arrogance it takes for legislators to propose such a pay rise - and for the governor to let it through - at this time in the state’s history just boggles the mind. It is no easier to fathom self-righteous whine-a-minute morons like you, Bill. Here’s your lesson for the day: http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1939618120080624?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews. Happy reading, you barking ignoramus. Written by YES WE CAN
on 6/24/2008
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I think the voters of Louisiana deserve to be heard when their political leaders
have lied to them. The idea that voters should just forget and suck it up that
Jindal is allowing them to be screwed is wrong. Jindal said he would fight for Louisiana and the first test he get`s , he sells Louisiana out for taking care of his very own hand picked speaker of the house. Stand up people because you have a right for your voice to be heard. Voters should not only count during election time, the voters should count everyday. Written by Diaperman
on 6/24/2008
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I know this is not related to this article, but I was wondering why Steven hasn't written anything about the floods in the mid-west. could it be that the people in the mid-west aren't complainers, whiners and addicted to government "entitlements." Perhaps the whiners in New Orleans can take a few lessons. Written by Bill
on 6/24/2008
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Rather than forgetting it and moving on, we need to make a stand. We need to demand that our elected representatives do exactly what they were elected to do and that's represent us. Don't forget about it and move on. Make a stand and make changes, then we can move on to bigger and better things. Written by Sid
on 6/24/2008
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While I do welcome the tolerance of peoples' differences the Democratic Party has in contrast to the Republican Party, I certainly do not feel "stupid" when I vote for a Republican (which I do not always do, BTW). "Anti-capitalist gun-grabber" is simply not an attractive moniker for any candidate I wish to vote for. The legislature's pay raise is "small potatoes" (is that the correct spelling Dan?) compared to the wasteful and unnecessary spending of our tax dollars by both our state and federal government. Forget it and move on. I would rather see our citizenry get "fired up" about becoming more informed with such issues as economics, our Constitutional limitations on those who govern, what the intention of Bill of Rights was, etc. than to focus on our politicians granting themselves a pay raise. If this incenses you then I suggest you look up how our "public servants" in D.C. granted themselves financial security during the 1990 session of congress. You will have plenty to be angry about - particularly since these tax increases were sold to George "read my lips - no new taxes" Bush as a means of fiscal responsibility by congress, not as a means of providing themselves substantial pay and pension increases. Written by kpf
on 6/24/2008
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Sannag, dear, are you a legislative page or something. Your remarks are indicative of a person who has not seen the political trash over decades and what has happened because of poor leadership, including that of Pi and his broken promises. We smelled the stench of politics and rhetoric from Pi and we voted for someone other than him or Little Moon. Too bad more citizens did not do the same. Written by RhettsWife
on 6/24/2008
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I love hearing how it is all the voters fault for believing Jindal and his
campaign promise. Jindal must think his voters are very stupid if he thinks he can tell them it was all their fault and they should just shut up. When he runs for another office will he tell the voters how stupid they were , are will he just keep making his phony campaign speech in hopes that they are stupid enough to follow him again. Tell me is the republican party really going along with telling the stupid voters to just shut up and live with things, because they were dumb enough to vote republican ? I think Jindal needs to grow up and take responsibility for his own and quit blaming his supporters for believing in him.
Jindals staff is only trying to remove all blame from Jindal and they want to make the voters responsible for Jindals own problems. Written by Diaperman
on 6/23/2008
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What do these numbers represent?
699,275
76
Give up!
How many votes did Jindal get for governor? Right, 699,275.
How many votes did the pay raise get? Right again, 76.
Jindal says he can't back off his agreement with the 76 Legislative hogs.
So he tells the 699,275 voters of Louisiana to go screw themselves, that was only a campaign promise. Written by Mike
on 6/23/2008
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Louisianans need to move on from this issue. Jindal took the position he took because he is smart he knows if he took though stand on this small cost ($5.8 million) increase state will be ripped off the opportunity to pass many good bills. Jindal is rational where as Stephen you are making an emotional argument. Louisiana got a good and smart governor after long time and he will need all the support we can give him. Stephen you are making an irrational argument, I don’t understand why you are not calling rally against legislators after all they are the one who are getting the raise.
No outside or hurricane has to destroy Louisiana, we a capable of doing it our self by focusing on wrong issues and people like Stephen will lead the charge.
Written by sannag
on 6/23/2008
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When Louisiana becomes top in what is good and bottom in what is bad,the legislators should get a raise. Written by
on 6/23/2008
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Don't waste your time on this rally. No one is going to rmember "Pay raise gate" in 2 to 3 years from now. Written by Amplesample
on 6/23/2008
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I suggest that everyone who goes brings a pen... this way he has no excuse for refusing to sign/veto 90+ bills into law and, instead, just letting them pass. Written by Dan
on 6/23/2008
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Who wantsw to bet that Jindal will absent himself from the Capitol when the rally takes place? Written by James S
on 6/23/2008
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Please get off this one topic and move on.Not going to make an iota of difference in anyone's life whether they keep the pay raise or it gets vetoed. Written by Bored
on 6/23/2008
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Time to belly up to the bar, people. Mark your calendars and let the voters rally. Time for the recall of the guy who is the consummate politician and the guy who lacks the guts to govern. Written by RhettsWife
on 6/23/2008
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Steve, Re July 7. What a waste of time. Written by CL
on 6/23/2008
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Do they even HAVE 9000 registered voters in District 86????? It has fewer streets than Bayou Vista, Louisiana....... Sid, do you know Rabbitt by any chance from MSP? Written by
on 6/23/2008
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The press will see the up in arms public, and the legislators will see it on the news. And the Governor might get to see it on TV if his Nanny Tucker lets him. On July 7th, a Chamber of Commerce meeting in Morgan City will be held with our local lege's to discuss the session. We're going to see if Senator Butch "Gouge Em" Gautreaux will show up and defend his arrogant vote and comments on the pay raise. Can't wait. Did the "noose law" go into effect because we could bring nooses to reflect our hopes of wild west justice if Mr. Jindal does not do the right thing and veto this bill. Written by Sid
on 6/23/2008
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Steve, all in all this is yet another boring Monday on the Buzz Boards...... Written by
on 6/23/2008
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Oh, I get it....... You don't care if Legislators see you, you want the Guv to see you.......... Well what makes you think that the Guv won't be off and about in Hollywood or Orlando Florida or somewhere else on the 7th???? What makes you think he will even be at the 'office' on that day? Perhaps the Guv's Mansion is the place to hold this rally, after all, it does belong to the taxpayers doesn't it????? Oh, I know, you don't want one of those "Texas" things to happen.... Written by Those TEXANS, now they have style!!!!!
on 6/23/2008
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Oooppssss, my bad, that was the 2007 session schedule, THIS YEAR IT IS JUNE 23RD!!!! Imagine that!!! Pay raises, and having to work 5 days less....!!!!!! Smart!!!!!!!!!!! Written by
on 6/23/2008
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If it isn't fluoridation it is crack, and if it isn't crack, well then, it is usually something else...... Yes folks...... It is a good thing to make this meeting if the high price of gasoline doesn't prohibit you from doing so and let the jackasses know you are very dissapointed.... Only problem is, this legislative session adjorns at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 28, 2007............. So WHO IN THE HELL IS GOING TO BE THERE TO SEE YOUR ANGER ON JULY 7TH??????????? STEVE, WAS THIS YOUR BRAINCHILD OF AN IDEA??????? Written by Watching the headless chickens scramble...
on 6/23/2008
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People need to ask Jindal to veto the fluoridation mandate bill that just passed
Senator Katz seemed confused about the fluoridation bill she successfully urged the House members to pass yesterday, June 22.
Katz said the bill simply requires that natural fluoride levels of water supplies be measured. However, water companies are already EPA-required to measure fluoride as a contaminant in water supplies. The fluoride content of all LA water supplies are on the Center for Disease Control's website here: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/MWF/Index.asp . This makes the fluoridation law redundant the way Katz explained it.
Katz said don't worry, this isn't a mandate because there's no money for fluoridation. But it is a mandate when funds are available. And the Louisiana Dental Association (LDA), who originated this bill, is already working on that angle, according to their Spring 2008 Journal.
What really needed to be done is to measure the fluoride level in a sampling of Louisiana children's diet to find out if they are fluoride-deficient. All foods and beverages have a fluoride-content. Unsuspecting sources such as chicken baby food and grape juice provide so much fluoride, children risk dental fluorosis (discolored teeth) from ingesting those foods daily.You would have found that no Louisiana child or adult is, or ever was, fluoride-deficient.
In fact, the CDC, which Katz cited, reports that up to 48% of US school children are fluoride-overdosed and sport dental fluorosis - white spotted, yellow, brown and/or pitted teeth. We can't see what fluoride is doing to their bones.
However, Louisianans are dentist-deficient. Read about Louisiana's own country dentist here: http://tinyurl.com/2jglxd
The politically savvy Louisiana Dental Association was able to use well-meaning legislators to further the LDA's agenda.
Since 80% of dentists refuse Medicaid patients and 108 million Americans lack dental insurance, dentists need to be mandated to treat more low income Americans than they do because Americans are dying from lack of dental care.
However, there's no special interest group pushing that agenda.
Fluoridation gives the illusion that organized dentistry is trying to fix the dental health crisis that has occurred on their water. Deamonte Driver, who lived in a fluoridated area, died after about a dozen dentists refused to treat him because he was on Medicaid.
Katz also said meetings and hearings would be held before any community fluoridated; but told members to ignore all the email they were getting to reject the bill. This contradictory advice is exactly what can and will happen on the local level as it did on the state level. Dentists will approach local legislators stealthily with money to fluoridate.
This bill, if passed into law, does not require local governing bodies to tell their constituents they intend to fluoridate or that hearings be held or that they have the right to petition for a referendum. You know the LDA isn't going to tell them. And obviously the state legislators not only didn't think it was important enough to get input from constituents but they deleted fluoridation emails without even reading them.
Katz should know better. Her district, Monroe, fought off fluoridation already. Now they will have to do it all over again.
The LDA calls fluoridation a "battle" to win. In the "Art of War" it says effective strategy includes deceiving not just the enemy but one's own troops as well, making them follow orders without full knowledge of their leader's true intentions."
It appears the Louisiana legislators are unwitting foot soldiers in organized dentistry's fluoridation battle
Read the NY Times article about the power of the NYS Dental Society.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/23/nyregion/23dentist.html?em&ex=1214366400&en=dfa6ec883a68e36e&ei=5087%0A Written by nyscof
on 6/23/2008
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Mark your calendar for July 7, 2008 from 2 to 4 or Rally on Louisiana Capitol Steps concerning legislative “pay raise veto” and “public accountability”.
