What Is Up With This World?

On July 27, 2009, a newly created ten member panel will meet to discuss looking into ways to cut Louisiana state government and to eliminate some state programs. Democratic Senator Joel Chaisson, II will call the first meeting of the commission created by Senate Bill 261; the bill became effective this past Friday when Governor Jindal signed it.

The new law calls for the panel to make its initial report to lawmakers and the governor no later than December 15, 2009. I have some suggestions and I wish for one moment, I could take over Senator Chaisson’s persona. I chuckle at just the thought of shaking those clowns up, if just for the afternoon.

Let’s assume for a moment that I was in charge of the “commission”. If such were the case, I would make the following suggestions:

• First & foremost, the governor of this great state should remain here to perform his job duties. He (or she) should not be trekking all over the country for political gain (to be used when he runs for some other position).
• Government officials should not be in line for raises at a time like this. It takes a lot of nerve to even begin to consider asking for a raise when there are a large number of people in this state who literally do not know if they will be able to pay their utility bills, rent/mortgage or other necessary expenses. Plain and simple, they should not even daydream about such an idea. Do your part to get it right and while you’re at it, rally support for that idea among your colleagues. Until then, if you don’t like the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
• Stop cutting healthcare and education and then wondering why your jails and prisons are filled to capacity. Just for a moment, stop focusing on locking up petty street level drug dealers and focus on prosecuting white collar criminals to the fullest. Teach them a hard lesson and make an example out of them. The rest may follow suit.
• Cut out ridiculous programs and stop running off small to medium sized businesses. Our state needs all of the productive, tax paying businesses we can possibly have – stop catering to large corporations that leave the state the first chance they can. Stop thinking because you picked up USA Today and saw an article about an idea working in another state, that you can introduce it here and it will go over like gangbusters. Thanks for having new, fresh ideas, but you should first consider where you are and how your idea is going to go over here or even how it will make a positive difference. The key word here is "think", a concept that is rare in Louisiana politics. As they say, "It ain't where you're from; it's where y'at." You are in Louisiana. Google it. Check out the map feature while you are there. Walk into any store and ask someone a question. It shouldn't be long before those geography and civics lessons from oh so long ago kick in. YOU ARE IN LOUISIANA. That rules in or out a whole lot of things; it's your job to figure out which and what and to act accordingly. Until you realize and accept that, you can forget about making a positive change.
• Stop letting special interests and lobbyists put you in their back pockets. You are public servants and if you do not like making a nominal salary, get a real job. You knew what you signed up for when you ran for office. You just let those political ambitions overtake your common sense because the only thing you saw was dollar signs. Stop trying to further your agenda and do something on a large scale basis to help your constituents. Not only is that the right thing to do, but that is your job. Once you accept that, do what you can to make that contagious. Give a care about your state and do what you can to make it happen.

The ideas above are just the beginning of real reform. Once we, as responsible citizens, decide to demand higher standards and make an example out of a select number of politicians, they will get the picture. If they do not, then we need to persevere until they do get it. We need to remember that WE RUN THIS. Until that happens, things will continue status quo. Are you comfortable with what goes on in this state? I’m not . . .