Anyone wanna dis on Governor Blanco at this point? (1 Viewer)

[MLU]

I was just watching the news and they said that a grand total of 26 people have their money. The money was put in I think last Dec. that is just wrong.

IIRC (and I could really be wrong here), but it was/is important to avoid the appearance of corruption. To do so means being accountable for every penny and distribution of a lot of the money given to LA from Washington required some sort of plan in which the money is to be spent. Many areas (including NOLA) still have no solid plan to date. Hopefully that's not what that money is for. Still, I'm sure it can't be given out too quickly...

I did see a blurb the other day where KBB "ordered" the process sped up to the tune of 1,000 claims filled/funded a week/day? I'll have to read up tomorrow and get my facts straight.

 

[jimwnola]

Same criticism here. Road home program is a joke. All of what you are discussing are proposals, and until anything actually happens, mean nothing. Meanwhile, the very important rebuilding that is suppose to be taking place in this State, is not.

 

[St. Widge]

IIRC (and I could really be wrong here), but it was/is important to avoid the appearance of corruption. To do so means being accountable for every penny and distribution of a lot of the money given to LA from Washington required some sort of plan in which the money is to be spent. Many areas (including NOLA) still have no solid plan to date. Hopefully that's not what that money is for. Still, I'm sure it can't be given out too quickly...

I did see a blurb the other day where KBB "ordered" the process sped up to the tune of 1,000 claims filled/funded a week/day? I'll have to read up tomorrow and get my facts straight.

I'm not sure the blame falls squarely on Blanco, but for at least two months now I have heard officials from the LRA on the Radio several times per week saying that the money is coming. IIRC, the first time I heard them 13 checks had been issued now, two months later, it's 26. I understand the need to avoid the appearance of impropriety, but I think that is ridiculous. The fact is once the grant has been approved and many, many more than 26 have, the checks should be cut. I have no idea why they have not.

Beyond that, I can't even begin the number of people you hear on the radio who had their applications lost and/or no action at all on those applications. I'm frustrated and I don't even qualify because I was fully insured.

IMO, you have every right to comment on the Katrina stuff. You're a LA resident and have a vested interest in what happens in New Orleans and what happens with the state funds being used to rebuild it. You may not have been as personally affected as some of us, but that doesn't mean you don't have a right to comment since you were affected in some ways and will continue to be affected by the aftermath.

I understand the horrible response was not all her fault, but she does have to take a good amount of blame. There is simply no reason the National Guard was not stationed near by with vehicles that could drive through water and/or boats so they could get in quickly with food, water, medical care and rescue equipment. In fact, I see no reason why they were not in the Dome and/or Convention Center. Instead, the Guard that stayed were stuck in the flood waters by Jackson Barracks like everyone else who stayed.

What it comes down to for me is I expect more than just the ability to go out trips and get business (assuming that happens) and that alone will not win my vote. Maybe no other governor in the country could have done better (I doubt that by the way), but that does not mean that we should settle for one of the ones who we know performed poorly. The thing is, another hurricane could hit anywhere in LA again or some other disaster could happen and I have no confidence that she would react better this time.

 

[St. Widge]

IIRC (and I could really be wrong here), but it was/is important to avoid the appearance of corruption. To do so means being accountable for every penny and distribution of a lot of the money given to LA from Washington required some sort of plan in which the money is to be spent. Many areas (including NOLA) still have no solid plan to date. Hopefully that's not what that money is for. Still, I'm sure it can't be given out too quickly...

[\quote]


Part of the blame for that stuff clearly has to fall on Mayor Wonka. But, I haven't seen any leadership coming from the Governor's office on those issue. There is money out there that we will not get because the deadlines are approaching and no one will put together the plans necessary. There are numerous other grants for things like small businesses that no one really knows about and those deadlines are approaching too. Both the Mayor and the Governor need to show some leadership, meet those deadlines and get that information out. The only reason I know about it is a guy I work with has taken up the torch and has been yelling about it to the City Council, the Mayor and the Governor and has gotten little to no response.

 

[jimwnola]

I could write a very long, detailed, boring discussion of what is exactly wrong with the road home program, but don't have the desire or the time to do so. Basically, there are numerous specific items that have made it take way too long, and numerous specific issues that have made it confused, misleading and disorganized. The overall effect of it is, whatever good it might eventually do, will be so late in the game that its impact will be much less than it should have been, and help far fewer people than it should have. In some cases, what was 1st said was so misleading of what will take place, that some people will actually be hurt by wasting their time, waiting and losing other opportunities while they waited.
Whereas Blanco can't be expected to be too personally involved, it is my impression that the people she put in charge are more a bunch of good old boys, than someone more like a Bobbie Jindal type.

 

[GrayMatter78]

Mississippi has been equally slow in it's deliverance of it's federal money as well. That is no excuse for what is happening in our state, but it does show that both states are making sure people are legit. Patience is wearing thin and the longer the money takes, the blame will fall on KBB whether she is in charge of it or not.

 

[RJ in Lafayette]

I do not wish to dis Blanco. But I will tell you the reasons I hope Jindal runs and, if he does, the reasons I will support him.

Blanco has not been a bad governor. Her economic development efforts have been much more extensive than those of Mike Foster, who was at best a mediocre governor and who did little to retard the state's economic decline during his two terms other than increase funding for higher education. I applaud Blanco's efforts to secure manufacturing jobs for the state.

My problem is that Blanco remains a status quo governor. Look at her legislative leadership. In terms of political culture, the perception of the nation, funding for and expectations for higher education, our tax structure, and most important a business model for Louisiana's economy, we need more a complete break from the past. Blanco is incapable of engineering the paradigm shift that Louisiana needs in its politics and economy.

 

[JimEverett]

For a good read on Road Home from John Maginnis:

http://www.businessreport.com/newsDetail.cfm?aid=9826

Mr. Maginnis seems to disagree with the perception of Louisiana's program.

Interesting article.
Perhaps Louisiana was doing its due diligence all those months it seemed nothing was happening.

 

[MLU]

I do not wish to dis Blanco. But I will tell you the reasons I hope Jindal runs and, if he does, the reasons I will support him.

Blanco has not been a bad governor. Her economic development efforts have been much more extensive than those of Mike Foster, who was at best a mediocre governor and who did little to retard the state's economic decline during his two terms other than increase funding for higher education. I applaud Blanco's efforts to secure manufacturing jobs for the state.

My problem is that Blanco remains a status quo governor. Look at her legislative leadership. In terms of political culture, the perception of the nation, funding for and expectations for higher education, our tax structure, and most important a business model for Louisiana's economy, we need more a complete break from the past. Blanco is incapable of engineering the paradigm shift that Louisiana needs in its politics and economy.

Not to pick a fight, but you're talking about electing someone in Bush's circle of influence instead of Blanco because "we need more a complete break from the past" and we need someone capable of "engineering the paradigm shift that Louisiana needs in its politics and economy"? Have you listened to this kid's politics? His loyalties?

:hookline:

I like Jindal and may end up voting for him (again), but I'm not going to try and try to talk myself into or out of voting for or against someone. Jindal panders as shamelessly as Nagin did his second term and has all of Mike Foster's political connections in the state. That's my biggest strike against Jindal. I don't want those people anywhere near Baton Rouge unless Jindal weilds sufficient backbone to ward them off. We know he's better behind a podium, but how is he interpersonally? What has he done in New Orleans so far? I can't think of anything significant, but I'm sure he's done something worthy of re-election other than being a Republican in Metarie.

He is certainly worthy of the vote, but I don't expect many (if any) changes in our state's current path should he be elected.

 

[threexcharm]

Got a link for the Road Home thing? I don't want to comment until I know more. I hear it a lot, but I am still kinda ignorant.

Has that stopped you before?

While you are studying, read the first amendment.

Joe

 

[TPS]

>>Has that stopped you before?
>>While you are studying, read the first amendment.

Pretty cocky post against a good poster IMHO.

TPS

 

[MLU]

Has that stopped you before?

While you are studying, read the first amendment.

Joe

Yes, it has stopped me many times before. Thanks for your concern... :0007:

BTW, is that really the best follow-up you have to your previous uber-lame post?

She has to pay back her boys at the Shaw Group.

She is gonna need more campaign contributions.

Joe

 

[St. Widge]

I can't think of anything significant, but I'm sure he's done something worthy of re-election other than being a Republican in Metarie.

Wait, that's not enough?

I agree with your concern about Jindal, at least in regard to his allegiance to Bush. Realistically, he hasn't done a whole lot in Washington, but very few freshman Congressmen do or can do much. He has at least tried to push the oil revenue sharing bill. But, I guess that's why I would prefer him as a governor. As Governor, what I consider to be his backward and antiquated views on social policy and civil rights won't make much difference. A Governor is more of a mid-level manager. It requires leadership and being smart enough to identify specific problems and find solutions. IMO, Jindal is brilliant and a leader. He can identify the problems and find solutions. Of course, there is the question of if he will act on those things because of the issue you mentioned above, but isn't that really an issue for any politician?

Anyway, I'll wait until I find out who else is running and until the debates to make a decision on who to vote for. KBB still has a shot with me, if she really can bring in some of those jobs, but she still have to overcome what in my mind is a show of monumental incompetence in her short and long term response to Katrina.

 

[TPS]

>>He has at least tried to push the oil revenue sharing bill. But, I guess that's why I would prefer him as a governor

And continued pushing it when it was obvious that the house version was doomed. Charlie Romero tried to bash Melancon with failing to stand with Jindal on his bill, but what would have been the point?

However, you mention freshman congressmen can't get much done, but Rep. Melancon did a pretty good job parlaying his moderate views into making him the 265th most influential in 2 years time.

Blame me, I did vote for Jindal.

TPS

 

[St. Widge]

>>He has at least tried to push the oil revenue sharing bill. But, I guess that's why I would prefer him as a governor

And continued pushing it when it was obvious that the house version was doomed. Charlie Romero tried to bash Melancon with failing to stand with Jindal on his bill, but what would have been the point?

However, you mention freshman congressmen can't get much done, but Rep. Melancon did a pretty good job parlaying his moderate views into making him the 265th most influential in 2 years time.

Blame me, I did vote for Jindal.

TPS

No doubt Jindal has fallen too much into national party politics on the oil revenue bill, but it's really how the game is played up there. And, like I said, that's why I would rather him as Governor. We do need to get behind the Senate bill and Mary Landrieu on this issue. I was actually surprised that Mary Landrieu getting the New York Times Editorial Board to change their mind about the Oil Revenue Sharing Bill didn't get more publicity in the local media or on this board.

Charlie Melancon has done a good job, especially for a freshman Congressman, but I do think it had a little bit to do with the Democrats helping him out so they can keep a seat that has been in the hands of Republicans for years. No such motivation exists for the Republicans with Jindal. They know they own that seat in Metairie.

But, Melancon is to be complimented for the job he has done and I was very happy to see him beat Craig Romero after the typical I support Family Values, but I'm not above running a smear campaign that was run by Craig Romero. It also didn't help Romero's cause in my mind that I got recorded calls from Newt Gingrich, Bobby Jindal, David Vitter and George Bush asking me to vote for Romero. Also, the adds paid for by the National Republican party where the announcer could not properly pronounce "Melancon" (They pronounced it Mel-a-con) didn't help.