forgotston.com

In the story in today’s Alexandria’s paper, Governor Blanco says regarding the average teacher pay in LA:

“We are now closer than ever to the SREB average.”

Wow! Great news! Finally something to brag about. We’re almost average among the Southern states which are below average for the nation.

In other words, we are approaching the average of the below average.

It only goes to prove that if one sets their goals low enough, they will come closer to achieving them than if they set their goals higher. As your children go to school, tell them to strive to be average among the below-average. That will help keep their self-esteem high.

Aim low and avoid disappointment.

C.B.

Uncategorized CB 8:20 am

I join with the Lafayette and Baton Rouge newspapers in giving kudos to Governor Blanco for her stance on gambling. The governor has rejected the suggestions from Attorney General Charlie Foti’s secret meetings with the casino operators to lower their taxes and eliminate some of their operating restrictions. Those requests are being made in light of competition from gambling interests in Mississippi.

Questions begged

Why so much attention is being given to the legalized gambling enterprises in the LA that produce only $700 Million of a $27 BILLION State Budget? What about those other entities, businesses and individuals who account for $26.3 BILLION of the state budget?

What about the uncompetitive taxes and government red tape that hamper existing businesses in LA from being able to grow and produce much needed good-paying jobs?

What about the high taxes on individuals in the form of the Stelly Plan? Those of us hit hard by the twin disasters of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are getting a break on our Federal Income Taxes, but none on our State Income Taxes thanks to Stelly.

What about our high insurance rates that are making it prohibitive for people to rebuild after the disasters?

What about the lack of healthcare in New Orleans and affordable healthcare and healthcare insurance statewide?

Business are closing and business opportunities are bypassing LA everyday. Individuals are out-migrating everyday for better financial futures and better quality of life for them and their families.

Point missed

The Attorney General nor any other of our elected officials are meeting with REAL businesses and individuals in LA to discuss their needs to have lower taxes and government red tape removed. When are elected officials going to focus on those who contribute 98% to the state budget and must compete not only with Mississippi, but all the other states and countries?

There’s something seriously wrong when our elected officials cannot see the 98% for the 2%. Maybe we need to start making some noise and let them know we are here — BEFORE WE AREN’T.

C.B.

Uncategorized CB 8:00 am

“Watchcat” Robert Scott, exposes another “in our faces” pork-barrel expenditure by our leges. Story here. When thousands of our citizens still don’t even have places to live, our hard-earned tax dollars are going to re-planting a PRIVATE golf course!

And we wonder why Congress doesn’t trust us with the tax dollars from the rest of the citizens in America.

Nothing against golfers, but if the state has a spare $500,000 lying around, aren’t there some higher priorities?

Yes, we can blame John Alario, but shouldn’t every member of the lege who voted for the budget be held responsible. How about Governor Blanco who could have vetoed the expenditure? What’s her excuse?

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!

Time to let the governor and our leges know how we feel about this. House vote. Senate vote.

Kudos to Robert Scott for doing what we all should be doing — asking questions about where our money is going.

C.B.

Uncategorized CB 8:00 am