Louisiana Storm, Governor Jindal, Legislature and Pay Raise Fiasco

A major storm swept through Louisiana causing substantial damage, yet, nobody was hurt physically and no property was damaged. Still, in the storm’s wake, the carnage was spewed everywhere; It might have caused irreparable destruction.

This was no Hurricane. Unlike Katrina, this destruction was “man-made”. In the aftermath, we have witnessed the totally collapse of values among our legislators. We have seen Governor Bobby Jindal become the emperor without a backbone. The result is that both institutions will be colored with the green slime of greed and yellow cowardice until the next election days.

In short, this entire episode has been pathetic. However, it is not over.

Almost three years ago, Governor Blanco was reamed for appearing to be weak during the absolute worse natural disaster in modern history that changed the basic fabric of our society. Yet, she stood up to the most powerful man in the world yet received little credit for her strength. By contrast, our current Governor could not stand up to a bunch of selfish legislators although he clearly has enjoyed the citizen mandate strongly blowing behind his back.

Those who voted for a pay raise say they had an argument: Their pay has not increased in 28 years. Some did not anticipate the amount of time they would be spending on the legislative job. Yet, our legislators get perks, reverence and business opportunities. They are still able to remain powerful by filling their own campaign funds and to do essentially what they please. They walk up the hills of the elite, not down the bayous of the broke as do many of our citizens. Very few of them are hurting financially. The Speaker’s desire to bring in new legislative blood from among the poor and the disadvantaged--smacks with insincerity.

However, no matter how “right-sounding” be their arguments, the tenacious weather of the public cries were so obvious screeching-“NO, NO, NO SALARY INCREASE, NOT NOW”.

One asks: How could the majority of the legislators miss the voters’ overwhelming demands—“NO pay raise while the average citizen is still suffering so much post- Katrina?

Despite their tepid arguments, the legislators should have and still can just timely quit their positions if they really cannot perform their elected jobs at the current pay rate under which they ran for public office. If they cannot perform their public jobs, let them become a legislative refugee, become politically homeless without a House or a Senate.

By their votes, even considering the Friday compromise, the House majority proved they were deaf to the winds of change and even worse, public outrage. As a result, those who preferred their own self-interests will know the public will now hold them with the highest degree of disdain. It will take many “blue skies” of calm for public faith to return, if ever.

Through this episode, Governor Jindal’s actions were also inexcusable. He failed to take advantage of the deep-rooted populace emotions which would have supported his agenda despite of, and because of the legislator’s selfishness. By threatening to veto the legislation he could have swelled the citizens’ respect in his source of power and righteousness. Paradoxically, Jindal has gone to the four corners of the state reminding us to “get a plan” for the upcoming Hurricane season. Yet, when it came time for him to uphold his own political agenda over this highly emotional issue, he failed to take the case to the people and “caved”. He now walks among the weak.

How our Governor could not hear the roar and lead the charge is a great Louisiana mystery. Consequently, the average citizen now wonders what deal did he strike with the legislative leaders?

Which raises a separate but equally important issue: For weeks, I have urged that the Administration engage in the government transparency. Instead, Governor Jindal has been intent upon insulating the inner workings of his office. We can only guess his intentions. His recent press statement following the House vote indicates a legislative shut down in retaliation to a veto threat. This lack of information epitomizes the opposite of what he promised us during the campaign, his transition and his inauguration. Our Governor constantly forgets that he and the legislature are public servants and owe openness for the people.

Because of this lack of governmental silence, we are ignorant of the inner workings of our government and are forced to visualize the worse. Due to last week’s actions, we are compelled to equate our legislature motivated by the winds smothered by greed. We are forced to admit our Governor will slosh in the secretive and meek.

What is so incredible is that in a mere week, all of the good will of this new legislature and this new Administration has so pitifully crumbled. Now, over the next few hours or days, until the Senate acts, we wait as the eye of the storm passes. Once again we will likely feel the legislature’s insult and their total disregard to the public trust.

Although much damage has been wrought, we still hope that the legislature will either drop their pay raise proposals or pass the raise and then quit their jobs. It would be the “public family values” thing to do. We also still hope that Governor Jindal will somehow find his vertebrae and stop trying to be all things to all people.

Yet, behind every storm there is a silver lining. Never before has the public been so galvanized regardless of political party. We now know the legislature and Administration will totally disregard the people. We now know our Governor will speak “gobblygook” and will make empty promises. With this knowledge, we are stronger even if our elected officials are weaker since our expectations are so much less.

This pay raise has never been about money but doing the right thing. Our legislature and our Governor have simply gone down the wrong path in history.

Yes, a storm swept through Louisiana last week and rudely changed the political landscape. We thought we were protected. We now know we must get a plan to deal with avarice and cowardice. This political calamity has inflicted great destruction. We can only hope that when the second-half of the threat comes our way today or later this week with a vote on final passage, our elected officials will remember the gales of the people and detour into a different course. Our state deserves unselfish strong leaders who will stand up to the elements of sacrifice. Let’s hope our government ignores their own pocketbooks which brims with favoritism, perks, and advantages much more than the public will ever enjoy or can ever realize. If our government officials cannot appreciate what they have, those who insist on raising their own salaries should resign and admit being incapable. We will understand their evacuation and say good luck in the private sector where they obviously belong.

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