Political Horizons for Sept. 27, 2009

• By MARK BALLARD
• Advocate Capitol news bureau editor
• Published: Sep 27, 2009

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I admit to tuning in local talk radio to hear the area’s perfect drivers address the failings of all other motorists.

Apparently, the only callers allowed to participate in the show are those capable of choosing — regardless of the situation — the correct speeds, lane usages and other functions.

Those callers willing to trash their neighbors with exceptionally harsh words are awarded with that most sought-after accolade from the show’s host: “Greeeaaaat call!”

Elite drivers, like me, make withering judgments, usually from a slow speed in the left lane while talking on my cell phone.

This sentiment of “let me explain in great detail what changes you need to make to correct your failings,” was the theme for a parade of department heads appearing last week before the Commission on Streamlining Government.

Agency heads basically agreed that making state government more sensible and efficient by reducing the number of workers is a great idea — for other departments.

To single out one example, State Treasurer John N. Kennedy, who a few weeks ago recommended whacking 15,000 state jobs over three years through attrition, testified Tuesday that his operation of 63 employees and three vehicles is trim and fit.

In looking at where to reduce the number of state employees, state Rep. Brett Geymann, R-Lake Charles, asked where Kennedy could find jobs to cut.

“Are you heavy on administration? Or is there somewhere else where you might be able to?”

Kennedy interrupted, “I’m biased but, I don’t think I am.”

“No one else has either, really,” Geymann responded.

Back in January 1969 then-Sen. Jules Mollere, of New Orleans, interrupted a similar hearing of one of today’s streamlining commission’s many, many predecessors.

“You can’t blame any department head for trying to make his department more important,” Mollere is reported to have said. “If we make this just by using department heads, we might as well quit right now.”