If you hosted Meet the Press . . . by: Daren Thu Feb 19, 2009 at 22:04:36 PM CST (Pertinent question ... though I really wonder how many Louisianans will tune in during Mardi Gras Weekend.  Unfortunately, this will be the only post on the Kingfish this weekend, since my computer will not arrive until Monday. Until then, have a happy and safe Mardi Gras weekend! - promoted by ryan)  . . . what do you think you would ask Gov. Jindal?  Well, it is going to happen as David Gregory has announced that the Louisiana governor will be a guest on MTP this Sunday. One of the hot topics that Gov. Jindal and his co-guest, Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida will be facing is whether to accept all, part or none of the funds coming to their states through President Obama's economic recovery and stimulus package. But beyond questions relating to that topic, if you were sitting in Gregory's chair, what would you like to ask Gov. Jindal? I can't wait to read your questions.  I am sure there will be some good ones. Daren :: If you hosted Meet the Press . . . Tags: Jindal, Crist, David Gregory, President Obama, Meet The Press, stimulus, (All Tags) Print Friendly View Send As Email If you hosted Meet the Press . . . | 4 comments by: you @ soon To post this comment click here: Otherwise click cancel. You must enter a subject for your comment If I were David Gregory... (0.00 / 0) I'd be sure to have slides from CABL's 2008 Fact Book ready for airing. (Download here: http://www.cabl.org/pdfs/2009_... And I'd ask: Governor, you've repeatedly stated that Louisiana is a "rich state," but according to the non-partisan group Council for a Better Louisiana: 1. Louisiana is ranked 46th in the nation in the Milken Institute's State Technology and Science Index. Yet you've signed into law the Louisiana Science Education Act, which many believe undercuts science education by promoting unscientific and quasi-religious alternatives to evolution. The same study ranked Louisiana dead-last in the nation in Technology Concentration and Dynamism.   2. Louisiana ranks fourth worst in the nation in the percentage of people who receive their health care from their employer. Given this, how do your proposed health care reforms specifically tackle this problem? 3. Louisiana is ranked 48th out of 50 in households with Internet access and households with computers. Considering the nation's transition into a knowledge-based economy, how can Louisiana compete when its citizens lack such basic resources? 4. In 2007, Louisiana had the highest per capita murder rate in the nation, the fourth highest violent crime rate, and the highest incarceration rate. Aside from going after child predators, which is a worthy goal, what steps are you taking to decrease murders and violent crimes and lower your prison population? 5. Louisiana has the third highest birth rate for unwed mothers in the country. Do you believe this poses a problem for Louisiana's future? If so, how can you reduce that number, keeping in mind, of course, that educational programming requires money? 6. Louisiana has the highest "age adjusted" death rate for diabetes, the second highest for HIV/AIDS, and the second highest for cancer. Should your State increase funding for health care? 7. The report card reads as follows: - 49th in the nation in health care, both in 2007 and 2008. - 49th in the nation in "best State to do business." - An "F" in Business Development, and an "F" in Development Capacity. - The best grade your State receives on educational benchmarks is a C minus. You received two Fs, one D plus, two Cs, and an incomplete. - And finally, Louisiana is ranked 45th in Quality of Life. 8. The real question many of your citizens and people across the nation have is: How can Louisiana afford NOT to participate in the stimulus? Your State's budget is facing a shortfall of between $1.5 billion to $2.0 billion, yet you've remained a vocal opponent of the President's agenda and the need for a stimulus. To me, your response to the stimulus, however much it may play in the national media, is out of synch with your State, its needs, and its real problems. How do you reconcile your national ambitions and national political dynamics with the realities on the ground? How do you look a single mother, with no health insurance and with children attending failing schools, directly in the eyes and tell her that Louisiana doesn't need the money?   by: CenLamar @ Sat Feb 21, 2009 at 00:58:23 AM UTC by: you @ soon To post this comment click here: Otherwise click cancel. You must enter a subject for your comment Clarifying... (0.00 / 0) No doubt he's taking the money for transportation projects, though even this money appears to have become politicized by a very small group of Louisiana State Senators. (Way to go, "public servants"!) But he IS rejecting nearly $100 million for unemployment compensation because- gasp- we'd have to fork over $12M and make a change in a provision in a law. Jindal claims this would increase taxes on businesses. How? And why? And which businesses? H/t to http://blog.lj4a.com/2009/02/2... How does this posturing help the good people of Louisiana? What other funds will he reject? Does he believe Louisiana doesn't have a problem with unemployment? What happens when unemployment compensation claims (continue to) increase and, instead of having $96 million federal tax dollars (which are OUR tax dollars as well), we're left footing the bill on our own?   by: CenLamar @ Sat Feb 21, 2009 at 01:34:41 AM UTC [ Parent ] by: you @ soon To post this comment click here: Otherwise click cancel. You must enter a subject for your comment Meet the Press video (0.00 / 0) In case you missed it, here is Gov. Jindal on Meet the Press from this morning. by: Daren @ Sun Feb 22, 2009 at 19:54:09 PM UTC by: you @ soon To post this comment click here: Otherwise click cancel. You must enter a subject for your comment If you hosted Meet the Press . . . | 4 comments

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