forgotston.com

Jason Dore

Last week in LSU’s, The Daily Reveille, Jason Dore does an excellent job of pointing out how deceptive and growing is vote switching by the members of the LA House. See column here.

While this situation has existed in the LA House for as long as I can remember, it is suddenly become more prevalent. My uneducated guess for the reason for this increase in vote-switching and deception is that the leges voting records have become more accessible via the Internet. As a result, some of the leges fear being held accountable.

The leges wouldn’t have to deceive their constituents if they just voted in the best interests of their constituents, the first time around. Saying one thing and doing another is slowly catching up with our elected representatives.

Little wonder that the leges are not working harder to stop our “best and brightest” from leaving LA. Those like Jason are making them uncomfortable.

C.B.

Uncategorized CB 8:00 am

A gathering of “Internet Kooks”
L-R: Greg Peters, me, John Copes

When it first hit the Internet, John Hill sent an email suggesting that I look at the Deductbox.com. Though I had never met John Copes, from the first moment I was hooked. Copes had a unique combination of great intellect and a keen sense of humor. He would read a news story and find points that were hidden from those of us not blessed with his abilities. He could point out a missed point or an error with sharp wit. The Deductbox.com was particularly influential on the traditional media because he came from them.

It is a great personal loss for me. Copes was a friend and a mentor. Shortly after he began posting the Deductbox.com I asked to meet with him. We had many long lunches at his favorite restaurants on the Northshore. Even after he was diagnosed with cancer and despite his painful treatments, he always found time for our lunches. Until a few weeks ago, Copes continued to send emails offering support and encouragement for my lame efforts to emulate his efforts.

Copes left a legacy on politics and government in our state by showing us how and encouraging others to take advantage of the power of the Internet to exercise our First Amendment Rights. It is a tribute to him that those of us who post our writings on the Internet were recently referred to in the Baton Rouge paper as “modern pamphleteers.” Quite a compliment to Copes to be compared to Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, John Adams and Alexander Hamilton among others.

Rest in peace my friend.

C.B.

Uncategorized CB 8:00 am

In Monday’s Monroe paper was a story about another major blow to our state. Another manufacturing plant is closing and 800 souls will lose their jobs. Several thousand more will lose their jobs in related businesses in the Monroe area.

October 24 - 27, 2006 Governor Blanco and her economic Guru Mike Olivier will travel to New York City to meet with members of the investment banking community and national business and trade media to discuss investment opportunities across the state.

Every economist that I’ve ever heard speak on the issue says that 85% of all job growth comes from the existing businesses. Any business person will tell you that it is easier to keep an existing customer than to get a new one.

So why is the governor going to New York City while major EXISTING businesses are closing? Why does she want a special lege session to “to approve [financial] incentives for the [possible] new plant”?

Simple solution

There’s a simple answer to saving and expanding our EXISTING businesses. LA has too high taxes, too high insurance premiums, too high utility costs and too much government red tape which only serve to exacerbate the closing of existing businesses and out-migration of jobs along with our best and brightest citizens.

Just lower the taxes and the cost of doing business in LA. The only downside is that government will not grow as fast. It will still grow. It means that government will grow only in relation to the state’s economy as opposed to current situation government growth despite the economy. Reduce the government red tape. The reduction of red tape means less demand for government.

There’s a song entitled “Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places.” Governor, you and Mike are looking for business in all the wrong places. It’s right here in LA. Come on home!

C.B.

Uncategorized CB 8:00 am