Columns

Turnaround Time in America

Like him or not — and I can argue it both ways — established constitutional processes have hoisted Donald J. Trump atop the presidential plinth, where he stands now, getting ready to run things, insofar as anybody runs anything anymore.

Keystone pipeline: Louisiana’s economic savior?

One of the new president’s first actions announced this week is to support the building of the Keystone XL pipeline that the Obama administration had disapproved. Both Louisiana senators hailed the decision and talked about all the new jobs that will come to the Bayou State.

An amendment could solve budget woes

We hear from the national news that the country has become polarized over the election of Donald Trump. But if you want to see real division in government, just take a gander down South to the Bayou State. Republicans have been trying to pull the political rug out from Gov.

Which U.S. does Trump intend to govern?

On Friday, at noon, Donald J. Trump will put his hand on a Bible, recite the oath of office administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, and in just three minutes’ time, will become the 45th president of the United States. But what country does Trump intend to govern?

Politics and other basic irrelevancies

A new presidency looms — U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia notwithstanding. (Question: Was Lewis, in denying, in heralded fashion, the legitimacy of Donald Trump’s Nov. 8 victory, applying for a thank-you note from Trump Tower? Was he startled not to get one?

New gimmick to raise taxes in Louisiana

You would think that in the New Year, following a year when the Louisiana Legislature raised taxes by over $1 billion, lawmakers would sense the public’s anti-tax fervor and would be averse to mining every nook and cranny for more taxes. But now Gov.

State’s tax, budget debate opens

The election is over, and it is time to get to work. Well, sort of. Now that we have a new U.S. senator, two new congressmen and a few new local officials, some special elections will need to be held to replace those winners vacating other offices.

Present opportunities, dangers

We are now in a kind of political no-man’s-land between an administration on its way out and a new administration taking shape. Predictions are always risky — and nowhere more so than in times like these.

In defense of Ben Carson’s appointment

How do we know Dr. Ben Carson is unqualified to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development? Because House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said so, calling him “disturbingly unqualified.”  “There is no evidence that Dr.

The left rolls the dice for you

Sometimes life forces us to make decisions, even when we don’t have enough information to know how the decision will turn out. The risks may be even greater when people make decisions for other people.