[StBernard] Storms Changed Boasso's Politics

[Westley Annis]

Storms Changed Boasso's Politics
 
"Once you see dead bodies floating down the streets and people hanging on
for help. ... And then you look at where you are years later, it's hard to
believe you live in America."
- Walter Boasso, Louisiana gubernatorial candidate

Louisiana gubernatorial candidate Walter Boasso (D) explains how hurricanes
Katrina and Rita shaped his political outlook in today's meeting with The
Times' editorial and community boards. He says newspapers have called him a
maverick Republican because he votes his conscience. He chose to leave the
Republican Party, saying, "My party left me seven days in the water with
nobody... My party lied to me."

Boasso chose to label himself a Democrat "because an independent cannot win
in Louisiana." Listen to the audio stream.
<http://shreveporttimes.com/assets/wma/D983909828.ASX>

Some points Boasso made during the meeting:
-- Wants a constitutional convention to restructure state government. Among
other things, he favors three strong independent branches instead of the
somewhat imperial governorship we have now.
-- Wants to pull government apart to look for waste, putting is back
together in a more efficient form.
-- Asks: "Why does a teacher have to come every four years and beg for
raise?"
-- Sees a hybrid health-care program in our future to provide a safety net
(public and private dollars).
-- Wants to mesh technical and community colleges with high schools to
provide vocational training and job prep. 
-- Wants a different type of accountability in schools. Doesn't like No
Child Left Behind and will put all of the "rules on the side" looking at
education reform.
-- Doesn't see getting rid of income tax as a reality.
-- Believes everyone in elected office should have "glass pockets" to
address ethics and corruption.
-- Confronts capital outlay system for funding local projects, sort of.
-- Describes how creating a better barrier system is an immediate plan to
protect the shorelines. Would use navy surplus to create reefs.
-- Agrees with major problems dealing with the aftermath of the hurricane.
Believes it is the biggest "man-made" disaster ever.
-- What would he say to President Bush? "George, I hope you go home and look
in the mirror."
-- Prioritizes focus as education, health care and jobs.

Boasso has a vision to plug Asian trade into the Mississippi River: "You are
going to light Louisiana up like a Christmas tree (48:03 in the audio
stream).
<http://shreveporttimes.com/assets/wma/D983909828.ASX>