Louisiana Rally: People Power For Gov. Jindal Veto

Pay Raise Gate has gone from the ridiculous to the sublime.

Yesterday’s news conference in New Orleans underscored more than anytime else how important it is for there to be transparency in Government and in the Administration.

Specific questions were asked by reporters and Governor Jindal ignored the questions, went into his three-part speech about how the legislature was going down the wrong track, that there was still time for them to turn from the astray, that he is strongly against the pay raises and “yada, yada, yada”.

He repeated the answer to questions such as whether he was being threatened.

He refused to tell me details about his so-called pledge.

So, this once hopeful shiny city on the hill of transparency and honesty has lost its sheen and has turned pitched dark.

Bobby Jindal who once epitomized character in government has become a Louisiana character.

It is a tremendous pity because we all had such high hopes for him and for the new legislature.

He says if he were to veto the legislation his reforms would be undermined yet he won’t “call out” or name those who have made such a threat. He remains mute and he must think we are dumb for buying into his rhetoric without providing us any facts to support his claim.

So, as the clock ticks to the end of the legislative session, as we see a Governor become significantly weaker because he won’t use his inherent strength of line item vetoes and manning the soap box and naming names and details of legislative threats, we are left with one burning question—why won’t Bobby Jindal veto this legislation that has gripped the emotions of hundreds of thousands of Louisiana citizens over the past week? What is the real reason that he made that pledge which undermined his campaign pledge and has made him look so foolish in the process?

Unfortunately, because he has really gone mute, he has left us to engage in rank speculation regarding his real motives.

For instance, one person told me recently that the legislature was upset that Jindal’s own staff was receiving such high pay and they threatened to deny the salaries of Stephen Moret the new LED head who could be making more money than any public official in the South. This person believes that was the pressure point that made Jindal cave.

Since Governor Jindal refused to answer the specific question I posed to him about his pledge to the legislators, that theory makes as much sense as any other. Frankly, we just don’t know his real reasons for sitting on his veto pen and won’t know until someone squeals.

Last Friday, Bayoubuzz columnist Jeff Crouere penned a editorial saying Let The Revolution Begin. That column was written before the secretive talks, and the House without any debate. That was written before the Senate concurred without their public debate.

Based upon statements from House Speaker, Jim Tucker, changing the course on the legislative vote is not going to happen prior to the end of the session. So, if that is the case, there would be no other way for Louisiana to control its own destiny but to put pressure on Bobby Jindal to veto the legislation.

He needs to know that his agenda is in jeopardy not by the legislators but because the people want more from their elected officials and demand openness from his own administration. This is our state, not his. This is our state, not the legislators’. They serve us. We do not serve them.

He has promised that he would not veto the legislation but will let it become law. Thus, whether that is the case or not, he should hear directly from the people. They all need to know loud and clear that our memories are long and we demand accountability.

I realize that there are important issues facing the state such as poor roads, poor education, few good jobs and we want to help Governor Jindal transform this state as he promised. However, the entire “Pay Raise Gate” has come down to the Governor’s and the legislature’s own credibility of lack thereof.

Governor Jindal must veto the Pay Raise and challenge the legislature to “Make His Day” with a veto override.

In turn, Louisiana must engage in citizen action, so let the revolution begin, and let our collective voices be heard.

Therefore, Bayoubuzz will initiate a peaceful rally on the Capitol steps prior to the day the bill becomes law. It is the democratic way to let the people know that we mean business and we want this legislation vetoed. The Governor needs to see live bodies demanding change, not simply emails and phone calls. We will need the help of organizations, of individuals and yes, you--who feel left out in the cold by our Governor and by the legislature. It is time for Louisiana to take our state back from the power brokers seeking power for their own person gain while the people go broke. If you want to help in a large or small way, contact me and let us begin to become Citizen Can. As Jeff Crouere has said, it is time to Let the Revolution Begin. We need your help since our Government has gone AWOL and in a closet.

We need Bobby Jindal to tear down that wall of secrecy. He needs to hear our voices, our presence, our united way. Only then can we hope that Louisiana can return from the dread. Only then can Louisiana become that great shiny state on the hill. But, it is going to require a thousand points of light--to light a fire that will burn bright emphasizing that Louisiana citizens will not be taken lightly or for granted any more.

Email me at steve@bayoubuzz.com or call at 504-339-3254 and let’s show the government power brokers that the people own this beautiful state, not our politicians. Tell me how you can help, we need you.

See Governor Bobby Jindal not answer specific questions posed to him about his pledge to the legislature: Gov. Jindal Talks Louisiana Legislative Pay Raise Issue

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