Blanco's Declaration

[fubar]

I guess all of us knew it was coming. Some on this list have been very hard on Kathleen. I have know here for quite some time and consider her to be honest and honorable. Unfortunately those qualities were not enough during Katrina and Rita. Considering what might replace her as governor, we might all be thinking in a few years that we did not know what we had with her in office as there can be (and has been) a lot worse. Only time will tell.

[coolboy]

I know she did her best to serve the people of Louisiana, but the hurricanes did her in. Plus when you add Bill Jefferson and Ray Nagin there is no way the guys in the beltway will give funds to New Orleans. We need to go in a different direction and there was no way Blanco would've been re-elected. The Democratic party of Louisiana knew this, which is why they went after Breaux.

[zoe10850]

I agree that she did her best, and I sincerely believe that she is as honest as many of our past governors. That being said, once it was apparent to everyone that she was incapable of handling the post-Katrina, post-Rita crisis, an honorable person would have resigned and allowed a more competent individual to step forward. The Road Home Recovery plan is a disaster, and people are suffering today. The president gave La $3.1 billion towards the recovery and the only people getting money is the firm that our own Gov Blanco hired. The firm cannot handle the program, that is evident and even the feds have said so. Why hire an incompetent Virginia firm when we have perfectly capable incompetent people right here ? At least the money would stay in Louisiana.

As for the Democratic Party going for Breaux, where else can they go ? Breaux would have done a better job than Blanco if for no other reason than he gets along with people and is not divisive like Blanco was. Of course, he is not a change for Louisiana. No sane human would give up a million dollar per year job for an $85,000 per year job unless ...need I say it ?
Same reason Nick Saban left Miami - guaranteed $32 million. Who wouldn't have done it ?

I think the only candidates that represent change are Jindal and Boasso. Louisiana (and Lafayette) need candidates whose first concern is not re-election but progress no matter whose toes get stepped on.

[TBEAR]

Thats it, Breaux represents the same old system and if he had really cared for Louisiana he would have built his house here and lived out his years back in his mother state. Thats what annoys me, he abandoned Louisiana.

[SeleR]

I notice that virtually all congressmen/Senators remain in Washington after their political careers end.

The only way to cure the influence peddling (how do you think all these people get paid $1,000,000 a year) is to ELIMINATE the congressional retirement and let them join social security like the rest of us. Then, ban any lobbying by congressmen or immediate family members for 10 years after their last service. They will have lost all influence by then. Two things will happen: they will come home and get involved in local politics and the social security system will be repaired.

Public service, especially at the national level, was never intended to be a career. That is why Washington and Jefferson were anxious to go home;political office was a duty and obligation, not a career. We voters must stop this before our once great country goes the way of Athens and Rome, the only successful democratic republics before us.

[coolboy]

Had Breaux remained in Louisiana, I would have figured him to have a good chance against Jindal. However, you know the GOP in Louisiana will point out the fact that he was in DC and completely forgot about Louisiana. Where was Breaux after the hurricanes hit? He wasn't in the forefront of anything.

It would be hard for him to get my vote.

[noze]

The people of La. need to use their own minds and get rid of all these lying crooks and find someone that cares about the people of La. not the Politicians. As long as they come on TV and say looks like so and so is going to be our next Governor people think thats it, he or she wins. Go out and VOTE. We do not need their favors or their money to vote just go out and VOTE for a change. We need new leadership, not the GOOD OLL BOYZ. This state will never get ahead as long as the BIG LANDOWNERS AND BIG OIL BOYZ AND BIG TIMBER GUYS run this state. people go out and VOTE.

[zoe10850]

I think the media controls the minds of the public and feeds what information it wants, and selectively withholds other pertinent data.

Blankstare was pressured out by the media, who (on tv 10) then went on to say about her that she and Edwards were the only 2 to have never lost. Yes, is true but had she run this time...Now there is room for Breaux or Landrieu to run as the great hope of the Democrats.

The local media has portrayed Durel as popular and unbeatable. No one that I talk to feels this way.

Politicians are "unbeatable" if no one challenges them. The simple fact is that due to our apathy, we keep getting mediocre and non-responsive politicians in office. 30-40% of our people control elections. Time to get friends out to vote responsibly.

[guest]

John Breaux in not crazy. If John runs and perhaps wins, he is looking at a VP spot in 2008. Period.

He can not save La from itself. For all his years in Congress what did he bring home? Not much. Neither R Long or Johnston either.

[April]

I for one would have preferred that Governor Blanco had run, and run badly. It would be uplifting to me, and I am certain many others who have been hurt directly or indirectly by her actions (or lack thereof). We have lost a chance to state our displeasure.

I will watch intently as our legislators find new and creative ways to spend the huge surplus (perhaps $2 billion) rather than doing the proper thing; Fix the roads, build some bridges, fix the schools, or maybe even give the taxpayers their money back !

What we will likely see is raises given to teachers (50,000+ in teacher unions) who already make above the average wage in this state, to police officers as supplemental pay, to judges, and other officials. I am not saying the raises are all unjustified, but let's face it, higher teacher pay will do nothing to resolve our poor educational system; higher pay will not lower crime rates, or get us more competent judges.

Our system is bad, and needs to be overhauled from top to bottom. Why is Texas a good business environment and Louisiana a bad one ? We must make this a good place to live, and that requires more than fiber cable.

[noze]

I agree, so lets not let the news media tell us who to vote for, or who is the strong one to beat, lets once and for all get rid of all these crooks and vote for some new blood. I wonder how these bast----- would like if they were like the common people and had to work by the hour for a living. Let me add that they are barely worth minimum wages! Lets get rid of this trash and start over with real honest people not the same ol crooks.

[Dorothy]

I to was looking to cast a vote against our own incompetent Ms Blanco. I think the voters would at least agree that she may well be honest and a nice person, she was a disaster as governor.

I would like to see the Advertiser do an exploration of her world travels compared to other governors of this, and other states. I noticed that she has seen a lot of the world at our expense, and we have little to show for it. Go to the Netherlands to see how they protect against the sea; shouldn't they have come here ? Are we that stupid ? Please do not answer.

Now, let us voters see what your solutions are Mr Jindal, or Mr Breaux, Mr Boasso, Mr Campbell etc. I am not voting for a nice person, but a competent one this time.

[TBEAR]

good decision dorothy, nice people are not always competent

[noze]

Thats the kind of responce I like to hear. Lets all unite and rid of them all. WE need to change and we are the only ones who can do it. Remember we pay their salary. Lets go for it no matter what they say. Find a leader who wants to help the state not all their FRIENDS!

[zoe10850]

Interesting twist on Breaux's qualifying in paper today. He cannot qualify for a resident hunting or fishing license, and he has "2" homestead exemptions on houses up north. Let's see how Foti spins this one.....

I do not care if he runs. He will not get my vote based upon his congressional track record. What did he do for our state while he was so popular as a dealmaker ? I hope we are wiser than New Yorkers.

[noze]

One more evil investment that he hides behind is the electric hydro plant at Simsport which controls all of the WATER that enters the Atchfalalaya Basin. It is what is crippling our swamps and our fisheries. So remember when you go fishing and do not catch anything, that is the reson why. This is where they give us all that sand also. So if you want he is yours.

[LisaS]

I to am somewhat brokenhearted that I will be unable to cast a vote against the Blanco administration, or really, the lack of an administration when one was so sorely needed.

I also think John Breaux should be allowed to run; let the voters decide, not the court. I believe he would do a good job because he hopes to use the governor's office as a springboard to a national ticket as vice-president. To make the leap, he would have to show progress in Louisiana, which would not be hard because there are signs of failure and lack of focus everywhere.

Now that the Blanco's are leaving, I would like to hear concrete plans for recovery from all of the candidates. The only concrete thing I have heard is Foster Campbell proposing phase out of income tax, which I favor. Texas and Florida seem to do fine without that tax source, and they have roads, schools, and property taxes seem similar to ours.

[fubar]

Sorry but the Texas property taxes are nothing like ours. The ISD (Independent School District) and full valuation are enough to make property taxes in Texas 4 to 5 times as much as most of Louisiana. Might or might not be worth the swap for income taxes.

[SeleR]

I doubt seriously that their taxes are 4-5 times higher than ours because the average homeowner would be paying $5 to $25 thousand per year. Wage scales are not that high in Texas. I do not want to get into an argument, because the point as I see it is that Texas has roads, schools, law enforcement and fire protection; the basics of most government, and our services seems to be lagging far behind those of our neighbors.

Why is our gas tax higher, and roads worse ?
Where does the income tax money go in this state ?

All I am suggesting is that we should look at other states and see how they are able to do what this state, which is rich in resources, cannot do. What do states without oil do ?

What is the expression: Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. We need to radically change the way we do business here. I saw an editorial in the paper I think Sunday, where some guy was trying to get a permit to apply for a business, and the state was giving him the run around to even get an application. This is not business friendly. Look at our casino fiasco. A former governor is in jail because our system invites corruption. We should let each parish decide for or against gambling and then let as many as want to go in the business. Who cares if a casino goes broke ? That is the law of supply and demand, not exclusiveness by govt regulation, which invites corruption. And only the Indians are getting rich.

[coolboy]

It seems the Louisiana Dems can't field a worthy candidate for anything. Mike Stagg didn't create a dent in Boustany's armor. Every Democrat's running from, instead of running for, the office of governor. It appears that none of them want to put in the hard work. I just don't like the way Democrats are conceding everything in this state.

Look at Jindal. No one gave him a shot to ever become elected, but he fought his way to the top. Sure he lost in 2004, but he is now the frontrunner for the highest seat in the state. John Breaux was too lazy and wanted to be handed the title of governor. He is pulling big bucks in Maryland, so leave him where he is.

My beef is that we need some variety in elections. Democrats are already seen as spineless...it may be true in this case.