Political Horizons for Oct. 4, 2009

• By MARK BALLARD
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Oct 4, 2009

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State employees complained loudly about plans to cut their jobs in Alexandria last week. Shrimpers gathered on the State Capitol steps twice in past months. And, of course, there were all those vitriolic anti-health care reform rallies over the summer.

The issues differ. The behaviors vary. But the theme remains the same.

Louisiana voters, like Peter Finch’s character in the 1976 movie, “Network,” are flinging open windows and yelling that they’re not going to take it anymore.

State Sen. Jack Donahue, R-Mandeville, said this new-found insistence on being heard began two years ago with a public eruption over state legislators — with the governor’s initial acquiescence — tripling their own pay without significantly debating the issue in public.

“It’s the greatest thing I’ve seen in all my years,” said Donahue, who as chairman of the Streamlining Commission became the target frustration in Alexandria as state workers voiced concerned about talk to privatize many government services — read: eliminate their jobs.

“That’s what’s so great about the Louisiana people,” he said. “Every now and again they have a snoot full and they let you know about it.”

Perhaps a more applicable movie quote comes from Jack Nicholson’s character in “A Few Good Men.” When questioned in the 1992 courtroom drama about what his Marines were up to,  Col. Jessep responds angrily: “I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said, ‘thank you,’ and went on your way.”

What the Nicholson character missed, and apparently a good many politicians also fail to grasp, is that a government official can’t just throw down any old answer. He must explain himself in detail: what he’s doing and why he’s doing it.

Ask Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden, for instance, who spent a week demonizing reporters for asking critical questions about his bond proposal. On Monday last, he finally allowed his aides to start answering some of those queries.

Or ask state Rep. Rick Gallot, who along with House Speaker Jim Tucker, R-Terrytown, decided that an educational workshop for legislators on election redistricting would be held behind closed doors. Editorialists and good-government types blasted the Ruston Democrat for cavalierly closing the meeting to the public. Gallot eventually allowed public access.

Even as he discussed reversing the initial decision, Gallot expressed dismay at why anyone would care about a session aimed at introducing lawmakers to the Byzantine labyrinth that is election law.

Perhaps Gallot is paying for public skepticism to years of politicians who respond to voters’ questions with simple slogans and cheap name calling.

Though the target of ire in Alexandria, Donahue said he is excited that the public is taking an active interest.