Louisiana Governor Speaks in Grand Rapids

By: Nicholas Kowalski

On Tuesday, November 17, the Michigan Republican Party (MRP) hosted a fundraiser at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids with featured speaker, Governor Bobby Jindal (R-LA).

The event was held in Grand Rapids to generate revenue for the 2010 GOP gubernatorial candidate, who will be decided by a primary this summer. A bulk of those in attendance were business professionals, politicians, and students from the area. Lunch was served after a few introductory remarks at around 12:30 pm.

MRP Chairman Ron Weiser welcomed the packed Pantlind Ballroom.

“In a year, voters will decide the next chapter in Michigan,” Weiser said.

Weiser stated that the recent election results in New Jersey and Virginia – two mid-Atlantic states that were won by republican candidates for governor – are a sign that the party is back.

College Republican activists from MSU, Hope College, and GRCC composed a large share of the audience. In reference to the substantial number of students, Weiser explained that the “prospect for the future” is the reason for the GOP’s strong response to the massive sums of money being spent and proposed by President Obama and the Democratic Congress.

Next, Peter Secchia, former Vice Chairman of the Republican National Committee, briefly addressed the eager body.

In welcoming the up-and-coming politician from Cajun country, the former U. S. Marine and MSU graduate (’63) made it clear that Governor Jindal views Louisiana State University a bit differently than Michiganders. Secchia explained that Nick Saban, former MSU head football coach (’95-’99), chose to leave East Lansing for Baton Rouge mid-season.

Bobby Jindal, the first Governor of Asian Indian descent, began his speech with a response to Secchia’s playful remark: “[LSU is] fortunate to have another great coach from Michigan in Les Miles.”

On a more serious note, the 38-year-old politician said that Louisiana is similar to Michigan, in a negative way.

“We are both losing our greatest assets now: our sons and daughters,” Jindal said.

The Brown- and Oxford-educated Governor then shared a few interesting facts concerning Louisiana’s economic turnaround. Jindal cited two studies, one by Forbes and another by the Better Government Association – both ranked the Pelican State’s economic standing in 2006 as “poor.” Since Jindal took office in 2008, the economic situation in Louisiana has rebounded, despite the recessionary label of the national economy. In fact, U. S. News and World Report has named Shreveport, Louisiana, as one of the “Best Places to Find a Job” in 2009.

In a laughing manner, Jindal claimed he once told a joke on national television in saying that at any time half of the Bayou State’s politicians are under indictment. The presumable reference is to William “Cash” Jefferson, former U. S. Congressman from New Orleans, who was sentenced to 13 years in jail on 11 counts of corruption for bribery earlier this year.

Having served as U. S. House Majority Whip from 2004-2006, Jindal reminded the body of his commitment to lower taxes. He cited a campaign promise to veto all tax-increase bills – a promise that he has kept. Jindal also noted that the Louisiana state budget for fiscal year 2008 is much lower than it was under former Governor Kathleen Blanco (D) in 2007. For example, Jindal said the state combined two half-filled schools in Baton Rouge in order to save tax-payer revenue, which thus lowered the state budget.

“Unlike the federal government, we can’t create money or borrow from China, so we cut spending,” Jindal said.

The theme of ‘protecting the future’ resurfaced. Jindal said the nation’s top priority should not be oil, gas, or automobiles, but our people, the future workforce.

“Across America, only three-fourths of all kids finish high school. In Louisiana, it is only two-thirds,” Jindal said.

He argued the studies on educational performance prove the point that reform measures are a must for success. For instance, under Jindal, $500 million was allocated for community and technical college programs in Louisiana. Jindal has also increased the number of charter schools in the state, primarily in New Orleans, from 42 to 100 – an act that even garnered praise from President Obama.

It is apparent that Louisiana is “reinvesting and revamping” its workforce through common sense education reform.

Jindal stated that the best perk of being Governor is the opportunity to personally and sincerely thank our troops for their service, saying that he attends every return and departure that he can.

“I have actually held three babies before their fathers have. You hear some truly amazing stories on the job,” Jindal said.

Consequently, the hardest part of the job, says Jindal, is having to call the parents and spouses to inform them that their loved one will not be coming back.

The former Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Planning and Evaluation (2001-2003) spoke of two ways that our nation can get back on track: stop addiction to debt and invest in the future.

A prime example of such methodology would be to decrease the taxes levied against health insurance plans, says Jindal.

“We’re spending our children’s and grandchildren’s money. Our parents knew this was wrong, but, for some reason, we have not followed suit,” Jindal said.

He continued by defending the traditional principle of ‘if you can’t pay for it, don’t buy it,’ indicating that his father, Amar, would negotiate with the family’s doctor, shaking his hand and promising to pay what he could, when he could.

Next, an enthused Jindal told a story about his son’s behavioral performance in kindergarten and related it to what the federal government should be doing: working hard (i.e. reduced spending) to achieve a goal (i.e. a balanced budget).

“My son, Shaan, once brought home a ‘purple’ card, signaling that he had not behaved in school,” Jindal said.

Jindal further explained that he asked his son what he thought he needed to do in order to earn a ‘green’ card for good behavior. Shaan replied that he needed to “work harder.”

Jindal concluded his mid-day oration by firmly warning the audience of today’s leaders and the leaders of tomorrow. He noted that the strong disapproval shown by the people in response to the outrageous, unnecessary government spending by Obama, is fueled by fear for future generations.

“We must continue to pressure [the government] so to preserve the privileges for our children and their children,” Jindal said.

The biggest applause of the luncheon came at the expense of intolerable governing by liberal democrats in Louisiana and Michigan.

“We’ve had poor leadership, but we’re not a poor state,” Jindal said.