Governor Jindal Stirring Unrest among Louisiana Conservatives

American Thinker ^ | 11/01/2011 | Pat Austin

[SeekAndFind]

Even though Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal just won re-election in a landslide victory, there is a growing rumbling of discontent statewide among conservatives. While Jindal is being touted nationwide as the next great hope for the Republican Party, there are folks in Louisiana who would beg to differ. How can that be with such an overwhelming mandate? In last week's election, Jindal carried all 64 of Louisiana's parishes. What could be wrong?

Conservative discontent with Jindal centers around several issues including his bungled handling of a legislative pay raise in 2008; his sham ethics reform; and now his alignment with 37-year Democrat (and recent Republican) John Alario, whom Jindal has endorsed for President of the State Senate, to name a few.

When Bobby Jindal ran for his first term in 2007, he issued this promise:

Prohibit Legislators from giving themselves pay raises that take effect before the subsequent elections.

Any increase in salary approved by the Legislature should take effect after the next election so the public can decide who deserves that compensation.

That promise quickly crumbled in 2008, when the Louisiana legislature voted itself a huge pay raise from $16,800 a year to $37,500. The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana called the pay raise "absurd":

The $34,000 proposed pay raise for legislators is absurd. The increase would bring Louisiana legislators' compensation to $70,000, which is 198 percent of the average pay for part-time legislatures across the nation and 102 percent of the average pay for full-time legislatures - including per diem amounts and expense allowances.

Not bad money for a part-time job. The Louisiana legislature meets for only about three months a year. To make matters worse, the bill would grant automatic pay raises in the future without legislative or voter approval.

[PGalt]

Thanks for posting. Thanks for the link (#48).

[abb]

I still get mad thinking about that thread. There was no call for anyone trying to get me zotted and calling me names for what I posted.

Imagine FReepers resorting to tactics that the Marxists use.

[Scotsman will be Free]

I seriously doubt that any conservatives are upset over cuts to higher ed or that pubic scrools haven’t had any raises in spending the last three years.

[rogue yam]

I don’t think I am being obtuse. The Governor of Louisiana has to obey the law.

[Psalm 144]

“Just following orders” is not a defense.

That was his golden opportunity. He did not seize it, and is unlikely to have another one. He is not a leader. He is by nature a subordinate, and is effective in that role.

[rogue yam]

Not orders, the law.

[Psalm 144]

Prohibitions are orders and are law.

They may or may not be proper.

[Psalm 144]

His best shot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDceU8_iz5I&feature=fvst

Defeated by the functionaries.

[DryProng]

Louisiana has an extremely powerful executive. Whatever the governor wants, he gets no matter if the governor is Kathleen Blanco, Edward Wilson Edwards, Bobby Jindal or someone’s aged and senile great grandmother. Part of that power comes from the constitution and part from a very long (300 years long) tradition of powerful governors beginning with the very first French governor, Bienville. In addition, for very good historical reasons we have a deep distrust of the legislative branch. Someone said “Some places tolerate corruption; Louisiana demands it.” If conservatives in Louisiana express disappointment with Bobby, I think they like me, view his administration as missed opportunities for:
1) Changing our pitiful education system of spending more while getting less
2) Stopping the practice of bribing companies to move here to provide photo ribbon cutting moments for Bobby
3) Streamlining regulations, reducing taxation, improving business climate
4) Reducing the number of state employees
5) Reversing our decline in population relative to our neighbors.

This is only a start. One only has to look at how our neighbors Texas and Florida, manage their affairs to understand what is to be done. Bobby talks a good game but when it comes to doing, well, that seems to be a different matter. I like Bobby. He is honest and ethical. He was a breath of fresh air compared to recent governors. He is popular. I voted for him when he first ran.

However, the breath of air is getting stale. It is high time for Bobby to quit talking and starting doing. He has the power. The voters trust him to do the right things. I am waiting for him to start.