Elections Determine the Fate of the Future

My grandmother Irma Hall DeTiege was a huge advocate for voting because she grew up in an era where elections meant life or death for some Louisianans who were low on the totem pole. I have read many of her articles, and a common theme she often wrote about was political issues, encouraging people to get out and vote. Although she is no longer here, I now carry the torch, sharing the same desire to remind Monroe Dispatch readers of the importance of their vote. A sad truth we must face is although time has passed, positive change is still hard to come by, and we must galvanize to pressure those who are chosen to represent us to implement changes that we need to see. We still need to get out to vote with the same fervent zeal our ancestors had. This weekend is the official election day for the state of Louisiana Governor's race. Current Governor John Bel Edwards is facing off against Edward Rispone. Eddie Rispone is one of Louisiana’s wealthiest residents, with ISC Constructors, a construction business that allegedly makes about $350 million per year, which is worlds away from what he has said was a modest lower-class upbringing. Many close to Rispone knew about his aspirations to run for political office but didn’t take him seriously until he filed to run for Governor. This is his first time running for any political seat, so it surprised many that he set his sights on the highest position in the state. Before then, he’d donated money to many Republican candidates and political causes. Governor John Bel Edwards, known as the political long-shot, also came from humble beginnings growing up in Amite LA. Edwards attended the prestigious West Point Academy and then served in the US Army. After serving the country, he attended law school and practiced law before he decided to pursue political office as a Louisiana legislator. He was voted to serve in Louisiana. In 2015 he ran for Governor against Republican David Vitter. He defeated him and has served the state for the past four years. Throughout his past few years as Governor he has created a temporary one-cent sales tax to help fight the huge financial deficit left by Governor Bob Jindal’s two tumultuous terms, changed laws that protect LGBTQ community from wrongful termination or discrimination for sexual orientation, enacted a state Medicare expansion that helps to provide medical coverage for more Louisiana residents, petitioned and secured a pay raise for teachers and school support staff, along with many other positive changes for the state.

Aside from seeing dozens of commercials about who he is, I have not seen any concrete facts that support Mr. Rispone being the person he is portrayed. He made comments that sound good during the state’s political debate, but none of what he said was based on information that supported stats and numbers. Based on where we want to go as a society, I cannot support someone that does not have a solid plan for the state’s future. Louisiana has no more time for regression.

On Saturday, November 16, I am casting my ballot to re-election of Governor John Bel Edwards because he has proven himself, stayed true, and enacted many changes that help support a better Louisiana for everyone.

Let’s continue the progress - vote for John Bel Edwards.