“If it isn’t the most corrupt state in the United States, it’s certainly one hell of a competitor.” Those are the words of Robert Grant of the FBI in Chicago after he arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The governor, a Democrat, was allegedly caught on tape trying to sell the vacant U.S. Senate seat previously held by President-elect Barack Obama.
The state of Illinois is taking a beating in the press. The previous governor, Republican George Ryan, is serving a six-year term in jail for graft. Blagojevich was elected in 2002 as a reform governor to clean up the corruption. What a joke.
We Louisianans can all say, “We feel your pain,” to those folks in Illinois who now are the butt of late-night jokes and constant ridicule on the 24-hour cable news stations. We have been there, with our former governor in prison and an agriculture commissioner, a long list of insurance commissioners, legislators and a few council members also behind bars. Oops! I forgot: And one soon-to-be-FORMER congressman from New Orleans under indictment who may soon be headed to the pokey.
But let’s proclaim those days a part of our past history, and focus on Illinois’ trouble or the conviction of Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska. That’s what TV host Bill O’Reilly did last week. He was discussing the Illinois case and reading the quote above from Special Agent Grant, when his guest, a Chicago attorney, referring to the “competitors,” said, “... like Louisiana.”
O’Reilly, quickly coming to Louisiana’s defense, said, “That’s over now.”
How about them apples? Folks are taking notice of our governor, Bobby Jindal, and the ethics reform he has passed. Jindal has been on O’Reilly’s show and the host was impressed. Enough to defend us against being lumped in with Illinois. Nice.
The fact is, despite some “moon-faced” critics of Jindal’s travels, our governor has improved our state’s image and raised our stock in the eyes of the nation—including the media. With all the national attention Jindal has received, first as a possible running mate for Sen. John McCain and now as the potential Republican nominee for president in 2012 or 2016, the mention of Louisiana now conjures up the image of a bright, energetic and ethical governor who could potentially lead this nation. Quite a different picture from the past.
It was also quite refreshing to have New Orleans contribute to the improvement of Louisiana’s image with the recent defeat of indicted Congressman Bill Jefferson. Well done.
Illinois is welcome to have all the jokes, laughs and smirks that have dogged Louisiana for far too long. Having our state admired and respected for the caliber and character of our governor—and many states are even jealous—feels good. Real good.
No bailout for Big Three
It’s a waste of time and money—and simply a Democratic “payback” to the auto unions. But what is President Bush’s excuse? He’s lost his mind—and the support of conservatives. The Detroit model is broken. The Big Three will just be back again for more, and eventually they will collapse.
In 2007, Toyota reportedly sold 9.366 million units worldwide. GM announced it sold 9.369 million vehicles around the world last year, making the Detroit company the world’s best-selling automaker for the 77th consecutive year. So, why will GM go broke by the end of the month without a bailout, while Toyota is on sound financial ground? They are broken and built to fail—and will. [The Big Three remind me of another dinosaur, the public school system, also run—and ruined—by the unions. Notice something similar here? Focus on the customer and the outcomes ... and respond or else.]
Other automakers have changed and are doing just fine. Learn from their success, and save our taxpayer dollars. Enough with the bailouts!
Congratulations Dr. Cassidy
With the mess going on in Washington, we are fortunate to have a congressman like Dr. Bill Cassidy there to represent our 6th District. I want to congratulate Cassidy, his wife Laura and their family for their willingness to serve. It is public service and a sacrifice. I know Cassidy will serve with integrity and stand for the conservative principles and family values that epitomize our area. [And he’ll oppose the card check union bill.]
As for who will replace Cassidy in State Senate District 16, there have been a number of names tossed about but there seems to be only one candidate who has made a decision, organized his team and is off and running—local businessman, Lee Domingue. Domingue is cut from the same cloth as a Bill Cassidy or Bobby Jindal. I have known him for many years. He is an intelligent and successful entrepreneur, family man and coach, and someone who cares about others and his state. He doesn’t need a job, he wants to serve. That’s why he’s running—and why I am supporting him. Domingue is the kind of person we need more of in public service and leadership positions in our city and state. Check him out at lee4senate.com.
The big races are back
Kudos to Lanny Lewis and Gary Carter of the State Capitol Raceway. The track across the river used to have national races [like the Cajun Nationals], and it was a goal of new owner Lanny Lewis to bring them back. He has done it after investing $1 million in the facility.
In March, the International Hot Rod Association will use State Capitol Raceway as its Southern hub to host its first event of the season. With an expected crowd of 30,000 people, the IHRA estimates an economic impact of $7 million. The races will be televised in the spring on the Speed Channel.
Twice as good
About 10 years ago this company stepped out on the cutting edge with Daily Report. We were the first business journal to launch an e-newsletter. [Did you have e-mail 10 years ago?] Now, Daily Report has become wildly successful and a staple in folks’ daily news diet. They’re hungry and want more. They want the business news when it happens, not later tonight or tomorrow morning. As you know, today’s news doesn’t stop with your morning cup of coffee—it happens all day long. So in keeping with our innovative spirit and our desire to offer Baton Rouge the latest, we are announcing that the Capital City will have two dailies starting Jan. 12, 2009: Daily Report AM and Daily Report PM.
We will send the AM news out at 10 a.m. and the PM edition at 3 p.m.
Everyone who currently gets Daily Report will get both. If you don’t currently get this free news service, go to BusinessReport.com or daily-report.com and sign up.
Important reminders
As the end of 2008 approaches, there is still time to finish strong. Here are a few opportunities to take action and make your mark:
1) United Way says there is still time for your company to join in and conduct a campaign or donate—or you can make a contribution as an individual or retiree. Call Robin Keller at 382-3556 or donate online at TheWayToHelp.com. Please help.
2) The 27th Annual Business Awards & Hall of Fame banquet will be held April 23, 2009, and is presented by Business Report and Junior Achievement. For information on categories and to nominate, go online to http://batonrouge.ja.org or call 928-7008. Deadline is Dec. 31, 2008.
Comments
Posted by pmccarron on December 16, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Agree... No More Bailouts.
Auto Bailout = Union Bailout.
The Auto Center of the United States is no longer Detroit Michigan, it's North Alabama.
Alabama = Mercedes, Hyunda & Honda
Kentucky = Ford, GM, Toyota
Georgia = Kia & GM
Mississippi = Nissan & Toyota
South Carolina = BMW, Michelin Tire, Freightliner
Tennessee = Peterbuilt, Nissan, Saturn
Posted by Bozzman on December 17, 2008 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Detriot is broken. The Unions have bankrupted the auto industry. The average wage of the auto worker is out of control. Their cost structure can't even compete with HONDA or Toyota not to mention the quality of the vehicles they produce. I think Louisiana needs to go after a HONDA or a Toyota plant for the Baton Rouge area.
Posted by fourx5 on December 18, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Illinois is the joke now"
Shorter Rolfe MCollister: "I know you are, but what am I? Neener, neeener!!!!!"
Posted by Being_Stupid on December 19, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Blagojevich - something about that governor's hair just doesn't look right. Is it me? Or do other people think that guy has got some set of hair on his head?
Posted by fourx5 on December 23, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"I think Louisiana needs to go after a HONDA or a Toyota plant for the Baton Rouge area."
You realize that Toyota has just idled its truck plants, they're going to declare a loss for the first time in 70 years, and after trying to pursue GM and Ford's success in the light truck and SUV market, they've dug themselves a billion dollar hole of their own? The only difference is that Toyota's smaller home market cars, high-profit Lexus division, and investment in hybrid technology has allowed them to take the blow more softly than Detroit, which relied far too long on profit-rich truck and SUV sales.
This isn't just about unions, as much as the right would love an excuse to bust up the UAW. The fact is that American consumers fed at the cheap gasoline trough for years, buying bigger trucks and SUVs than they needed simply because they could - and now the chickens have come home to roost. Trucks and SUVs have a far higher profit margin than any other products Detroit makes, and no one is buying them anymore.
Unions didn't kill Detroit, but trucks and SUVs might. Getting rid of unions isn't going to fix the fact that GM killed their electric car program and research division early this decade so they could focus on building Tahoes for soccer moms.
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