Living in Jindalland

When I moved from Indiana to New Orleans, I was prepared for the changes that would bring.  Heat and humidity all year round, jazz funerals, Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, the Saints, you know the drill. Politically, I was moving from the heart of a Red State (which voted for Obama in 2008) to one of the reddest states in the land.  What I didn't really get was how I exchanged one conservative governor who, as W's budget director, helped lead us to our financial nightmare to a more conservative governor (depending on who he is talking to) who wants to take us even further down that road.  And why?  So he can be reelected.  Our Bobby Jindal personifies the 21st Century GOP:  party over nation, personal advancement over public service and a total unwillingness to understand the consequences of his actions. Jindal focuses on creationism, abortion restrictions, voter fraud and anything that will appeal to the ignorant and the frightened, while Louisiana needs education, jobs and leadership.  The only job Jindal is interested in his own, and, god-forbid, national office.  Where are the voices of reason and light? Not in Baton Rouge, that's for sure.