Posted on 06/21/2008 9:24:57 PM PDT by thelejunes
June 21, 2008
Over the past several days, I have gone through several emotions, confusion, disgust, disappointment, and finally anger. At first my confusion and disgust were aimed at the arrogance of our State Legislature. Now, I find anger has overtaken my disappointment for my Governor, Bobby Jindal. My anger also extends to the national media, which includes the press and conservative radio talk show host that have long touted the savior of the Republican partys future.
Since Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana has made the national news and exposed the corrupt and inept leadership in Baton Rouge. The impression the rest of the country had of Louisiana was skewed as a result. In actuality, Louisiana can be broken into three regions, New Orleans, the people that occupy the State Capitol building, and the rest of the state. Unfortunately, the majority of the state falls into the latter category. But, its that part of the state that stood up in October of 2007 and demanded our reputation be redeemed. The rest of Louisiana voted for reform. Bobby Jindal promised that reform.
When we elected Bobby Jindal, we knew he had national political aspirations. We also knew he was going to use the Governors office to achieve those aspirations. But, we actually thought he would use the office of Governor to prove that he could be, as Rush Limbaugh says, the next Ronald Reagan.
For some reason, Rush, Newt Gingrich, and many people looking for the next Ronald Reagan continue to tout Bobby Jindal as the second coming. Unfortunately, they arent looking at his actions. Ronald Reagan knew how to use a veto pen. Ronald Reagan knew what his conservative base wanted, mainly because it was what he wanted.
The people of Louisiana have overwhelmingly told Bobby Jindal to veto the legislative pay raise. He can repeat his three talking points as many times as he chooses. They can stop answering the phone, which they have. By the way Governor Jindal, a recorded message is so impersonal.
Finally, Governor Jindal may take the voters of Louisiana for granted. He may think the national press will not see his actual record. And he probably is right. Louisianas newspapers have gotten this story right. As a people who really want reform, we must make sure the national press gets it right.
Seems to me that instead of a citizen legislature, you have an aristocracy.
~~~
Sad but true,,,
Same Sh!t Different Day...
I have never been to Louisiana. All I knew about Jindal was what I heard in the media, and of course, Rush and conservative forums. Everything I heard has been positive so I was taken aback when I brought his name up to the gentleman I met from Louisiana. He was very upset with him about the pay issue. We had talked about a lot of other issues before that so I already knew how conservative he was. Jindal appears to have let his supporters down.
How do you feel about the lifetime medical and large pay raises? There may be a legit reason for some anger here.
p.s. what does GTF mean? I hope you are more polite than to make Freepers think the F word.
Title say ZOT, but the troll still lives.
With all due respect, how do you really know? This whole pay raise issue seems to be the first time in his political career that Jindal has had to make a tough decision, and how he handles is will be very telling. It appears from all accounts that he is not going to do what he promised and veto it. So what's going to happen the next time he gets called on a promise he made?
I believe the F stands for the very work you think it does.
Very valid point, and you could well be right. However, politics is the art of the possible, and he might have had to give a little to get a little.
After all, the voters may well decide to recall some of their pols and/or vote them out next election cycle over this. Also Jindal may learn from this episode. If he doesn’t, THEN toss his assets out. I just hate to hear that the best people we get into office in a generation aren’t cut the slightest bit of slack - especially since we have already seen what we could have gotten more of: typical LA politicians - the best that money can buy.
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Ah!! The MODS left him so the Kitties could play for a bit!! :^D
One post ... and he runs off!
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:thelejunes/index?tab=comments;brevity=full;options=no-change
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I think a LOT of folks feel that same way. I do.
Judging from the reaction of the Louisiana electorate, this is giving a lot. He's going back on a public promise made to veto the increase. And he's doing so right out of the box. If he folds this early on then the people of Louisiana, and those in the rest of the country watching his performance as Louisiana's governor, have to wonder what he'll fold on next?
Jindal has gotten where he is without having really accomplished a lot other than accumulting an impressive-sounding resume. His time as governor will be his first real challenge, the first time he actually has to practice what he preaches. While the jury is still out, let's just say this first test appears to be a disappointment.
You shouldn't be. This "I'm better than you" mentality has been pervasive for a few years now.
For the life of me, I can't figure out what the sign up date has to do with the ability to form an opinion. It's seems a tad arrogant to suggest no one is able to think without the help of Free Republic. I dare say, all the nastiness has more to do with the posters inability to express their own opinions than anything else.
LOL, the least important thing of all.
I noticed that too. Troll SOP again.
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