Businesses are stealing Thanksgiving
The outcome of the special election in the 5th District Congressional District sent an emphatic message to the political establishment. Political newcomer Vance McAllister, R-Monroe, defeated state Sen. Neil Riser, R-Columbia, 60-40 percent, in what was considered a huge upset, given the fact Riser had the backing of the national and state Republican parties.
In addition, Riser was supported by GOP members of the U.S. House delegation; outgoing U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander, who represented the district for 10 years; and his campaign was run by Timmy Teepell, Gov. Bobby Jindal’s righthand man. While Jindal did not openly endorse Riser, it was known that his political machine was behind him and had concocted a back-room deal to get Riser elected.
So it appears voters are not so gullible after all. McAllister’s anti- Washington and anti-establishment message played well in the 24-parish district, which is mostly poor and rural. He was bold enough to support the federal expansion of Medicaid in the state, which Jindal has steadfastly refused to do, and he even said Republicans need to stop trying to defund Obamacare and offer constructive ideas to fix its problems.
When all is said and done, it will likely show Riser spent a million dollars or more, all of it coming from contributors and Political Action Committees. McAllister, on the other hand, basically financed his own campaign, which means he owes nothing to the PACs and special interest groups which have such a firm grip on most incumbent members of Congress these days.
But let’s not forget a key factor in the election. It was the support of the Robertson family, the stars of the nationally popular television reality show, “Duck Dynasty.” They openly supported McAllister and did a television spot for him. Some pundits put it this way: “Duck Dynasty” trumped the Tea Party, the Jindal political machine and the NRA. All endorsed Riser.
The big question is whether the political establishment got the message the voters sent. Likely not. There will be many made-up reasons given for McAllister’s victory by conservative talking heads. Be that as it may. But voters are apparently tired of the same old politicians singing the same old song, locked in partisan philosophies and refusing to seek common sense compromise. It’s about time.
Shame on Retailers
Call me an old curmudgeon, but I think it is an outright shame that bigbox stores and other businesses are stealing Thanksgiving from families. It was bad enough when they opened at midnight on Thanksgiving. Now they are opening early on Thanksgiving Day.
And shame on the customers who participate in this sham. I wonder if these stores mark items up and then advertise them at a sale price, and also advertise an item at a ridiculously low price, only to have a few of them in the store. No matter. Gullible customers line up to rush into the stores as soon as they open, often fighting with others to get the item they want. The thought process is that once they get a customer in the store, he or she will surely buy something.
One can only wonder who in the world would spend the night, sometimes in the cold and rain, out in front of a store just to be in line when the store opens. What is wrong with these people? There are sales all year long that are just as good as the ones they will get on Black Friday, which has now become Black Thanksgiving.
Of course, it is a person’s choice to be a party to the plot of the money-hungry retailers. The ones who really suffer are those who work in retail, many at minimum wage and are forced to work on what should be a family holiday. One thing is for sure. You will not see me at any of the stores that are destroying Thanksgiving. I will be more than happy to spend 20 percent more to buy what I want on another day – or order it online.
The Governor’s Wife
Former Gov. Edwin Edwards and his wife, Trina, must be wondering why their reality show, “The Governor’s Wife,” did not grab an audience and become as popular as “Duck Dynasty,” which originates out of Ouachita Parish. The A&E television network has canceled the show, which followed Trina, Edwin, and members of the Edwards family as they faced their daily travails.
The Edwards reality show lasted for only six episodes. After the first two, which aired prime time on Sunday night, the network ran four in a row on a Sunday morning without any advance notice. The whole situation has to be a bit embarrassing for the former governor, who is still held in high esteem by many Louisianians. Yes, I know. He is also held in disdain by many, as well.
Final Advice
I am always befuddled – and aggravated – by drivers who have to stop within 2 inches of your back bumper. Why? If they get rear-ended, then they rear-end you. The proper thing to do is to leave at least a half-car length between you and the vehicle in front of you. And remember to use your turn signals and get into the left lane at an intersection so others can turn right on red.
Lou Gehrig Burnett, an award-winning journalist, has been involved with politics for 44 years and was a congressional aide in Washington, D.C., for 27 years. He also served as executive assistant to former Shreveport Mayor Bo Williams. Burnett is the publisher of the weekly “FaxNet Update” and can be reached at 861-0552 or louburnett@comcast.net.
