Ray in New Orleans

now i have to go find my copy of 21 Singles and play it repeatedly. almost forgot how awesome they were.

Wow, JMC are a band that I REALLY hadn't thought about in ages. Thanks for the reminder.

And don't work so hard.

I hadn't thought about this song being about speed, but imagine my shock when I realized "Another Girl, Another Planet" by The Only Ones was actually not an achingly sweet love song but was, in fact, about heroin.

"space shuttles in my blood ..."

That sounds like the beach boys playing in front of a malfunctioning jet engine.

And I mean that in a good way!

He's baaaacckkk. LOL How has everyone been. First thank all of you for your support during my run for office. Moving on, just wanted to share these comments I posted in a NOLA.com forum

So....I'm finally not running for office or endorsing any candidates. I don't have a state contract or state job...so I hope my words can come across even more genuinely.

When I did run for office - there was this big deal about ethics reform and financial disclosure. Having fully investigated these issues for a number of years, I took a different, FARRR less traveled road of openly opposing the reforms that were being presented. Not that I was against good government, but because I was against false "fixes".

First: REALITY CHECK - We are electing public servants - but don't forget that while they are elected and earn your tax dollars - THIS IS THEIR JOB...and here's the job description - Part Time Job with Double Full Time demands, You are expected to hold an outside full-time job while being available numerous weeks out of the year for legislative sessions, attending numerous meetings, attending every public event in your representative area, and putting yourself and family up for huge public inspection. Although Louisiana's economy is small, you are not allowed to do business with the state; you will receive a handsome subsidy of (for legislators) under $20,000. Even if the person is your aunt, you are not allowed to receive gifts from lobbyist (even wedding presents are out).

REALITY CHECK 2: We need to be more reasonable...look at your own lives, your own jobs - do you not have perks, reasonable expectations/compensation? I understand the concept of public service - but I wonder if people realize these elected officials aren't just doing community service on Saturday's? And we wonder why one after another they are being removed from office due to ethics/public trust violations.

Just like with our school system - we set unreasonable expectations and then get disappointing results.

2. If you thought I wasn't good for your daughter and then I bought you some dinner - would you then be ok with me giving her the ring?

Are you serious? Do you really think a dinner or tickets to some event are going to really put unfair influence on someone? Secondly it's not these petty cash expenditures that make the difference. It's the excessive campaign contributions, the effective fundraising efforts these lobbyist do for candidates, the get around the ethics laws practices that make the difference.

REALITY CHECK 3: No laws will prevent someone with ill intentions from carrying out those ill intentions - and 9 times out of 10 when a reform law has been written - the ways around it have already been figured out.

THE SOLUTION 1: Either pay better and continue demanding excellence, or continue paying 16,500 / year and get what you pay for

THE SOLUTION 2: Don't get mad at lobbyist influence, organize and lobby for your efforts...the best thing is you have a vote - the lobbyist don't! You don't have to buy lunch or give tickets to get their time.

THE SOLUTION 3: Elect individuals who will do the right thing in office - and when and if they don't - get rid of them. You can't legislate respect, dignity, and sincerity.

I can't think of any organization or entity that doesn't provide perks for it's leadership. It's like we get mad that people are getting something in return for their hard work. Granted if we saw more work - we'd be better at understanding, but let's be a bit more realistic.

BY THE WAY - WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THAT BIG UNA ANDERSON INDICTMENT THAT SOMEONE FORETOLD ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE TIMES PICAYUNE RIGHT BEFORE THE ELECTION????

Percy, I do think that some people can be swayed by things like Hannah Montana tickets, or LSU football tickets. That being said, you're spot on with the rest. When legislators, public officials, are making a pittance, and the C. Quietts of the world are getting over $100k a year, there's something very wrong.

Yeah, what's up with that Una indictment? What a load.

I would agree, Percy, that it is campaign funding that remains the biggest hurdle to clean governance.

And you're right. Those are full time jobs that should compensate accordingly.