Come On ... Not Again!

I don't even know how to start this post...so maybe I'll ramble for a while. First, I set this blog up to write about positive things in New Orleans, to let everyone know some of the quirky oddities that they might enjoy, as I have. Second, I used to not discuss, or try not to discuss politics - first because I felt I wasn't knowledgeable enough to hold my own, and second, because these discussions almost always led to an argument, even if the parties involved agreed with eachother (there would always be some small point of contention). Anyway, here goes...

This site has an article that gives the gist behind my concerns, (if you ignore the racial rhetoric that follows it): The Bayou Buzz

I read a Times Picayune article reporting that approximately two dozen ministers were backing Senator Jefferson for re-election. I am shocked! Or, maybe not. I just hope that we (and, trust me, I'm speaking in generality, when I use the word "we" herein) are educated enough about the polilitical and life issues, unbiased enough about racial issues, and strong enough to not be mere followers in this election. We need to think hard about those who we feel have our best interests at heart.

Senator Jefferson, who is in a runoff against newcomer Helena Moreno, is accused of corruption (bribery, racketeering, fraud, money laundering and obstruction of justice). At first, I couldn't even believe that we voted him back into office, right after all of this mess started, after federal investigators claim they found $90K in his freezer. Then, in October 2008, enough of us voted for him that he could be in the runoff?!!! After the Katrina fiasco, and all of the other political corruption issues that we've gone through --- and this is not to say that this wasn't going on long before Katrina --- we're still willing to have politics as usual? Hasn't three years of still rebuilding, because of political shenanigans and red tape, or the lack of political clout, taught us anything? I don't even need to see newscasts, or read any articles, to know that we are the laughingstock of the U.S. --- I'm embarrassed enough without those reminders thrown in my face. When are we going to say enough is enough? When are we going to start thinking for ourselves, people?

We talk about keeping church and state separate. Well, this isn't it. I wish I could get some of these ministers' personal, or maybe "congregational" takes on the "whys" of these endorsements. Only two ministers were mentioned in the articles that I read, so I don't know who make up the "two dozen". I guess their congregations know who they are. And, I guess the ministers' two dozen, or more, congregations can ask them for their reasons, on can they? Who's brave enough? And BTW, what's going to become of these ministers' endorsements in regards to tax implications/consequences? Hmmmm?

And yes, I know about "innocent until proven guilty". I'm all for that, but even taking that into consideration, how much time and effort will it take for someone to fight for our issues, along with their own huge issues? You know, maybe that's why some of the ministers, or at least one, anyway, can relate to Jefferson, since at least one minister is dividing his time between two states. And, we've accepted that. Let Jefferson concentrate on his legal battle. Let us get someone new in, with new ideas, new energy. Let's get someone in who can bring a clean slate to some of the committees on which we desperately need representation. Because, even the most seasoned veteran has to have lost some credibility, if he's been stripped of his "powerful" committee post.

We're constantly hearing campaign slogans about "change", from the most highly publicized presidential election, to the most local neighborhood representative ones. Change takes faith, something I'm always hearing about in religious conversations. I say we step out here and now, on faith, and ask for change. Let's be brave, people, and try something/someone new.