Football, Guns, God and the Perfect Storm for Higher Education (Shreveport: 2015, homes)

[BeenThereDunThat]

This Op-Ed piece in the Shreveport Times pretty much nails it as far as what's happening to higher education in our fair state. Millions for college football, allowances for gun-auctions on college campuses and the governor's prayer meeting priority instead of actually leading La. out of a financial mess...and more.

Read on: La. has it all: football, guns, God

[Mwahfromtheheart]

His recent turn to woo the extreme nut-so right wing of this state (ahem, country ...) is just embarrassing. But I guess LSU football is more important than retaining the younger population.

[BeenThereDunThat]

I see Jindal's public career morphing into a regular guest spot on The 700 Club. Maybe he's bucking for Bennie Hinn's job?

[annie_himself]

It's crazy because if he would have done things a bit differently, he would be a viable candidate I think.

[BeenThereDunThat]

Well Jindal's history has been one of Cut...Cut... Cut...with little or no regard for the systemic impact that would follow. His whole philosophy has been to slash and burn and you better not disagree or you'll be next. Think back when Gov. Mike Foster hired him to head up Dept. of Health & Hospitals... what was the first thing Jindal did? Cut spending / reimbursement on nursing homes and regional health clinics...effectively shutting them down and leaving rural parts of Louisiana without elder-care resources and clinics. His reasoning is that sick people could travel to the regional State Hospitals instead. But we all know that real life doesn't work quite like that if you're elderly and poor and have few to no transportation resources or relatives living to take you. And if you're really sick...how can you muster enough gumption to put up with the headache that is the waiting room / admission area of a state hospital. Anyone ever been through one of those? It's no picnic for those with decent vitals let alone a nagging illness.

As governor... same story, different verse.... cut...cut...cut.... privatize.... cut...and cut some more. Now higher ed is proposing to put more of the cost on tuition which has gone up 60% or more. Kids are struggling as it is to pay it. Some are forgoing college and others a simply moving out of state to qualify for better tuition rates and programs. Anyone think they'll be coming back has a wake up call waiting. Fiscal responsibility is one thing but Gov. Jindal has been throwing the baby out with the bath with his governing.

Nope... Jindal panders to those who react on an emotional level by preaching Gospel and the politics of fear. People are more concerned with a politician's religious beliefs than their ability to actually accomplish something. This is how marginal politicians get elected to office. Focus on emotional issues rather than practical ones. The art of politics is compromise and Boy-Jindal hasn't learned that. We know what he's against....but not what he's for except for prayer meetings and the politics of fear and suspicion. We are entering a dark age of politics instead of the enlightenment of reason.

[annie_himself]

I can't rep you again.

[Mwahfromtheheart]

He's truly a hallmark of what conservative failure is. When he gets up to the podium and makes a bid for presidency, somebody is gonna say "Louisiana sucked on every level before your term in office, and now it sucks with a massive deficit despite your massive government cuts!!"

BenThereDunThat you totally nailed it. I just want to know when people are going to ask how he improved the overall situation of this state.

Did education improve? No. Louisiana ranks poorly in national education assessment

Did healthcare improve? No. The States With the Worst Healthcare Systems - The Atlantic

Did poverty improve? No. Louisiana

But maybe we should be praising the heavens that gays can't get married and kissing Hollywood and Shale Oils feet for making us such a wonderful state apart from what Blanco had us at, right? ... lol

[hdwell]

^what has ultra conservativism done for La? Nothing. Just kept it on the bottom rung along with Ms Al and Ar. Yet the state citizens keep on votin and believin that way. But take a good look La. How has it helpr d? Can you answer me that?