| Aight ... it's time for some endorsements.
Governor: This is too easy. We've got a Fundamentalist Blowhard in Jindal, a rich businessman who thinks he can buy the Governor's chair in Georges, a DINO in Boasso, and a true progressive fighter in Campbell.
I appreciate that many folks are unconvinced by Campbell's tax plan, going so far as to say that Galveston and Mobile will take a lot of business away from Louisiana, but where's their proof? All of our nation's oil refineries are operating at 95% capacity. There's only so much the oil barons can divert to other refineries.
Here's what gets Campbell my vote, and my endorsement: He's been fighting for all Louisianans for the past 30 years. Here's just a sample of what he's done:
In the mid-1980s he created the Bossier Educational Excellence Fund for Bossier Parish schools from Louisiana Downs racetrack revenues; the BEEF now contains $12 million raised from racetrack and casino revenues. Using BEEF as a model, he created the $1-billion Louisiana Educational Excellence Fund for local schools from the state Tobacco Settlement.
In 2001 he coauthored the "Do Not Call" legislation protecting consumers from sales calls at home.
At the PSC Campbell has pushed to make utility companies and the commission more accountable to the people. He has led efforts to restrict entertainment of commissioners and staff by utilities. He hosts public meetings in each parish in his district each year, and persuaded the full commission to move its monthly meetings around the state.
In 2004 he made national and international news by leading the effort to provide telephone service for the Mink and Shaw communities, the last areas of Louisiana to receive telephones.
In 2005 he persuaded the Federal Communications Commission to set aside $39 million to provide free cellular phones to Hurricane Katrina evacuees. He has championed job-creation by utilities, efforts to make bill-paying more convenient and the use of renewable energy.
Lt. Governor: There's no question on this one - it's Mitch. He's done a great job for our state, and he deserves to be re-elected.
Attorney General: I'm tired of Foti. Royal's a Republican good ole boy. I'm backing Buddy Caldwell.
SD 14: I don't like how DeCuir's mail sounds like "Bobby's." Dorsey's another Cleo in the making, I think. And Schilling was put in the race to take votes from DeCuir. I'm still not sure who back in this one.
HD 67: I LOVE what I've heard and seen from David Brown - he's an environmental lawyer, and he'll bring some good progressive views into the State Senate. But I've watched Pat Smith on the School Board, and she's done some mighty fine work supporting the unionizing of teachers. I know Lorri Burgess is a City Councilmember that has done much to piss off many folks by the way she approaches her job. She definitely DOES NOT have my endorsement or vote. DKF supports both David Brown and Pat Smith. |
