Today, the state of Louisiana managed to do something I didn’t think possible — they found a new low. Once Jeff Landry, a far-right acolyte, was elected governor I knew the place was going to be in rough shape. The state legislature is hopeless, with veto-proof GOP supermajorities in both chambers. The state Supreme Court has a Republican majority as well. The Democratic Party in the state is absolutely struggling to remain relevant. It is a sad picture.
Yesterday, a committee in the state House decided that the ungrateful child peasants who work don’t deserve a lunch break. That’s right. Not only is child labor back in Louisiana (and other red states), the poor souls stuck doing the work don’t even get the privilege of lunch if the GOP has their way.
A Louisiana House committee voted Thursday to repeal a law requiring employers to give child workers lunch breaks and to cut unemployment benefits — part of a push by Republicans to remove constraints on employers and reduce aid for injured and unemployed workers.
The House Labor and Industrial Relations panel advanced the child labor legislation, House Bill 156, along with House Bill 119, which would slash the amount of time for which people can collect unemployment aid. A third bill the committee approved, House Bill 529, would change how workers' compensation wages are calculated in ways that could reduce benefits received by some injured laborers.
The bills, which head to the full House, are part of a broad effort by Republicans to weaken labor unions and strengthen employers' hands in Louisiana. They are aligned with steps other Republican-led legislatures have taken in recent years, and on Thursday, GOP lawmakers attributed the moves to Gov. Jeff Landry's directive to "reform" the business environment and remove bureaucratic red tape.
This immediately brought to mind A Christmas Carol, and Scrooge asking some very pointed questions:
“At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,” said the [one of the gentlemen], taking up a pen, “it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.”
“Are there no prisons?” asked Scrooge.
“Plenty of prisons,” said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.
“And the Union workhouses?” demanded Scrooge. “Are they still in operation?”
“They are. Still,” returned the gentleman, “I wish I could say they were not.”
“The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?” said Scrooge.
“Both very busy, sir.”
This is on top of the other “priorities” the fascists have in the state.
“An old speaker of the house -- Tip O’Neill -- used to say, ‘All politics is local.’ What we’ve seen over the past decade is that nationalization of politics, especially in a presidential year,” Sherman said. “So, I think the Louisiana governor and the Louisiana legislature are going to follow national trends, talking about school choice, gender issues, abortion, rather than issues that are exclusively unique to Louisiana.”
Among the expected measures to be considered this session are bills to further deregulate the insurance industry, to increase public stipends for private schooling, to expand the list of juvenile offenses that can be prosecuted in adult court, and to restrict classroom discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation.
This matters because the red states are the laboratories of autocracy in this nation. If the GOP gains a trifecta, they don’t care if their agenda is unpopular or unconstitutional. The GOP amasses power to themselves first and doesn’t worry about the repercussions until later, if at all. Especially if they can manipulate elections to the point where they can coast unchallenged — much like in Louisiana.
Now, I have not read Agenda47 or Project 2025. What little I’ve heard of it frightens the Hell out of me. If the GOP gets a trifecta with this Supreme Court, you can kiss the Constitution and your rights goodbye. There will be unfettered power much like the way it is in Louisiana right now.
That’s why it is imperative to do all you can to prevent this from occurring nationwide. Donate, volunteer, vote, write postcards, and do whatever you can. Don’t go down ignorant of the stakes and without a fight. Do what you can when you can. I’ll continue writing, which is the best way I can help. I highlight the key Congressional races every Sunday morning in Save the Majority.
I’ll also continue promoting the fundraising efforts that I’ve devised. I’m at nearly $27,000 raised for various Congressional incumbents and candidates. If you want to donate, this is a good place to start.
Save Our Senate!: This fund helps the 9 key Senate races for control of the upper chamber. I’ve raised over $10.7k so far, and I hope to raise a lot more with this fund.
Beatable16: These 16 House races are in Biden districts that still vote for GOP representatives. This fund just started, so it only has raised about $600 so far. I hope for 100 times that by November.
Save the Majority: These 23 House races are all about protecting our incumbents from the GOP. It is just as important to have a strong defense as it is to go on offense. I’ve raised nearly $5.8k so far.
Defeat the MAGA Dozen: These 14 races are tougher to win, but the challengers have proven themselves viable and can win. I’ve raised over $5.2k for this fund, and hope for more.
Re-elect Joe Biden: The head of the party needs funds too! He is locked in a close race with the Tangerine Terror and will need as many donations as possible. We’ve raised nearly $26.8k.
So, ask yourself what the HELL is going on in Louisiana, and don’t think for a second it cannot happen in your state too. All it takes is Cheeto Caligula winning, and this nightmare becomes reality.