Russell Long Known for His Respectful Use of Power

Shreveport, LA, Times ^ | 05-11-03 | Hill, John

[Theodore R.]

BATON ROUGE - When people remember Russell Long, they remember the twinkle in his eye, his sense of humor - and his respectful use of power to benefit Louisiana.

Long, 84, died at his adopted home of Washington, D.C., Friday night, the last of a family dynasty that was one of Louisiana's most powerful for more than 50 years, from the time his father, the legendary Huey "Kingfish" Long, became governor in 1928 until Russell Long opted not to run for governor of Louisiana in 1987.

[Paleo Conservative]

Long is the man responsible for that check-off box on your federal income tax returns by which you can dedicate $1 of your taxes to go for the public financing of presidential campaigns, an effort to reduce the total dependence candidates had on special interest groups.

Another reason to detest him.

[Theodore R.]

Did you know that some 80 percent of taxpayers check "No" in the box on the 1040 forms? I guess they are voting against Russell Long's ideas every time they check "No," but of course no one hardly knows it was Long's idea to have these nuisance boxes.

Still, he did have ideas, and the people of LA adored this man and forever will do so.