Liberty and Justice for All!

Steve Scalise and Tim Burns are going to face each other in an April runoff for the Republican nomination while Gilda Reed gets two months to bring her message to the voters.

When it comes to the issues, there is not much difference between the two gay hating embryo lovers. Both irresponsibly support keeping the Bush tax cuts. Both would sell out the American worker by reauthorizing NAFTA. Both would shield telecoms who violate the law.

The only real difference I can see is that Tim Burns may support the troops more than Steve Scalise. See, Burns would vote to support a bill that would mandate rest periods for the troops, which would prevent our President from overworking our brave men and women in uniform. Scalise sees such a protection for our troops as micromanaging military operations. Protecting our troops is not micromanaging them. However, I am sure that Burns and Scalise agree on most other issues with the military. And the way that this administration has abused their authority and abused the men and women who so bravely serve our country is disgusting and pathetic. We need a representative in Congress who will fight for our troops, not the misguided policy of the Bush Administration. We need a representative in Congress who will stand up and fight for the working men and women in America, not one who will open up unfair “free trade” treaties with countries that do not have equitable labor laws. We need a Congressional representative who will not blindly support cells in a petri dish over finding modern cures for those people who are sick and need the help that comes from scientific advancements. In short, We Need Reed!

I proudly endorse Gilda Reed for LA01. If the rest of LA01 was smart, it would realize that extremist conservative Republicans like Burns and Scalise will not get anything done for LA01 in a Congress controlled by Democrats. It would also realize that the Republican party is NOT the party that supports the troops, all it does is blindly support the failed Iraq policy of this failed administration. I call on the rest of the New Orleans Blogosphere to unite behind Gilda and help propel her to an election that will make history. Gilda Reed not only needs our help, but she deserves it as well. Let’s buck the political trend and make a difference in LA01 this time.

These are my personal endorsements for the elections tomorrow. I do suggest that everybody research the candidates for themselves and make their own decisions. I hope my suggestions help.   

Elections I can vote in:

Attorney General: James D. “Buddy” Caldwell, Democrat, Ballot # 23

I voted for Caldwell in the primary and I will do so again in the runoff. Royal Alexander just does not impress me at all and if he was a quality candidate, one would think that the Republican Party would get behind him a little more than they are already doing.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff: Newell D. Normand, Republican, Ballot # 82

I know people on the JPSO and this is who they want as their boss. They feel that he will bring the crimefighting abilities of Harry Lee without the questionable decisions. Their opinion is good enough for me.

Kenner Propositions 1-3: Yes to all.

I sat on the charter committee and these are some of the items that are needed. The text of the changes can be found here. On the first amendment, unlike the T-P, we felt that eliminating the residency requirement for department heads would unbind the hands of the Mayor in choosing quality people to work for the city. The T-P reasoning is just plain silly.

The current residency requirement provides an added incentive for key managers in the administration to do their best work.

Say what? The incentive for key managers to do their best work is for them to keep their jobs! I think they pump something into the air system at the T-P offices. On the second amendment, the section is no longer needed so the amendment remvoes it. The third amendment clarifies a situation that could occur now that the council president can come from a district seat. A vote no on the third amendment would keep the charter vague.

Elections I cant vote for:

State Representative, 92nd Representative District: Michael McMyne, Republican, Ballot # 55

Michael McMyne made fighting corruption in Kenner City Hall a top priority during his tenure as interim District 2 Councilman. He acted under the idea that doing the right thing is not always the popular thing. He helped to expose the actions of the Capitano administration and was one of the reasons that Phil Capitano lost in 2006. Tom Wilmont flat out lied to me when he stated that he would be running as a Democrat. His last minute switch was typical of Louisiana politics. I also fear that he might be getting support from what I have called “Capitano Light”. If so, and if he willingly accepts this help, then I have to question the ethics he will bring to his seat.

State Representative, 94th Representative District: Deborah Langhoff, Democrat, Ballot # 54

Deborah is a community leader who brings a passion for doing what is right. The passion for doing what is right is something that is sorely needed in the legislature. She narrowly missed the runoff in the special election earlier this year because of other Democrats pulling votes away from her and because of smear tactics from the LCRM. In this election, the incumbent states that his being the only candidate in this election to support Blueprint Louisiana qualifies him to support Bobby Jindal and his claims to support ethics reform. While Langoff did not sign Blueprint Louisiana (because she felt the plan was missing some important issues) Bobby Jindal did not sign Blueprint Louisiana either. And with the conflicts of interest that have been raised  about her opponant with the insurance industry, I firmly believe that Deborah Langoff is the only candidate that can bring true ethics reform. Deborah has also stated that she will bring campaign finance reform to ethics reform, which is worth 14 plusses is my book.