Louisiana

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==Politics==
 
==Politics==
Louisiana is legendarily corrupt, but has improved in recent years. Their Senate delegation is [[David Vitter]] a [[Republican]] and [[Mary Landrieu]], a [[conservative]] [[democrat]]. All but 1 of its 7 representatives are Republicans. The other is a conservative Democrat. The Governor is a Republican. The State Senate is controlled by Democrats, while the state House has equal numbers of both, meaning the balance of power is held by the three Independents, meaning that it actually requires compromise.
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Louisiana is legendarily corrupt, but has improved in recent years. Their Senate delegation is [[David Vitter]] a [[Republican]] and [[Mary Landrieu]], a [[conservative]] [[democrat]]. All but 1 of its 7 representatives are Republicans. The other is a conservative Democrat. The Governor is a Republican. The State Senate is controlled by Democrats, while the state House has equal numbers of both, meaning the balance of power is held by the three Independents, meaning that it actually requires compromise. Note that Louisiana Democrats are much more conservative than usual, occasionally to the right of Republicans, meaning that each party tries to "out-conservative" the other.
 
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Note that Louisiana Democrats are much more conservative than usual, occasionally to the right of Republicans.
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===Jungle primary===
 
===Jungle primary===

Revision as of 21:41, 16 August 2011

Look how big it was!

Cockfighting capital of the world!

Louisiana is a state in the United States that is the sole remnant of what was once a glorious territory extending as far north as (and into) what is now Canada. President Thomas Jefferson bought this chunk of prime real estate from Napoleon when Nappy was desperate to pay off some war debts. Ironically, this purchase ran counter to Jefferson's philosophy and visions for what the U.S. would become. But it was too good a deal to pass up.

The Louisiana Territory was explored by Lewis, Clark, and Sacawagea on a presidential commission.

After all the "carving up", the remaining chunk that became the state is between Mississippi and Texas, on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. While its western border with Mississippi runs along the river of the same name, at the southern terminus Louisiana gets both sides, encompassing the large delta formed by this huge river. New Orleans, also known as the "Big Easy," or since April 2010 as the "Big Greasy," in located on this delta, and almost got washed away in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina.

Louisiana is the only U.S. state to have a legal system based on civil law, rather than Anglo-American common law.

Louisiana is the state where Billy and "Captain America" Wyatt didn't make it past the parish line, but at least they got to enjoy an LSD trip with some prostitutes before their untimely demise.

Due to Gov. Jindal's refusal to increase the budget, the universities are the ones having their budgets cut, including the only synchrotron facility in the South. Thanks a lot man.

Louisiana has a very good scholarship program for people who achieved reasonably well in high school that pays for their undergraduate schooling. The program keeps the youth from reverse-carpetbagging. As the program is under fire, the state may expect another exodus, this time of its college age youth.


Contents

Stelly Plan and current budget crisis

Occasionally, in LA politics, you will hear of the Stelly Plan. This was a very narrowly(51-49) approved tax plan that reduced sales taxes on food and utilities, and increased income taxes to compensate. For reasons still guessed at(Reaganomics), the income tax increase was repealed in 2009, by a semi-protesting Bobby Jindal. Followed by 5 more tax cuts. Needless to say, Louisiana is now deep in debt, fighting for its life by ripping the budget to pieces. Initially restricted to higher ed and healthcare, every part of the budget faces impending annihilation. Oddly enough, this has set well with a surprising number of Louisiana voters, who say that the cuts need to be more, so as to eliminate the state income tax. This was championed by state GOP chairman Rob Villere in his Tea Party backed run for Lt. Governor. While he did lose, and taxes aren't part of that job anyway, people still support this position.

Politics

Louisiana is legendarily corrupt, but has improved in recent years. Their Senate delegation is David Vitter a Republican and Mary Landrieu, a conservative democrat. All but 1 of its 7 representatives are Republicans. The other is a conservative Democrat. The Governor is a Republican. The State Senate is controlled by Democrats, while the state House has equal numbers of both, meaning the balance of power is held by the three Independents, meaning that it actually requires compromise. Note that Louisiana Democrats are much more conservative than usual, occasionally to the right of Republicans, meaning that each party tries to "out-conservative" the other.

Jungle primary

Louisiana has a rather odd primary system. All the candidates from all the parties compete in the same primary, and the two the receive the most votes go to the election proper, provided nobody gets more than 50% of the votes.[1] This often means that an "election" will consist of two Republicans trying to outdo each other, or two Democrats trying to show that the other is a liberal. Third party and independent candidates are simply screwed.

Religion

Being part of the Bible Belt, Louisiana is quite religious. 90% of the population is Christian, the two largest denominations are evangelical protestant, and Roman Catholic(due to historical French and Spanish influence). 8% are atheist or agnostic.

Fun

Louisiana road sign: "Trash Is Not Bayou-Degradable"

You can tell when you enter Mississippi, because the roads there are better.

Louisiana is the only state where half-human hybrids are illegal, meaning your dreams of Mardi-Gras on Bourbon Street with some cat-girls will not come true.

In a stunning move of legislative foresight, it is against the law to shoot lasers at police officers.

Some of us have to live here. The food is good. That is all there is to recommend it really.

See Also

Footnotes

  1. If this happens they are the winner
The Bible Belt
Bible belt.PNG Alabama - Arkansas - Florida - Georgia
Kansas - Kentucky - Louisiana - Mississippi
Missouri - North Carolina - Oklahoma - South Carolina
Tennessee - Texas - Virginia - West Virginia - Jesusland
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