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Christmas is a time of giving, and it is “more blessed to give than receive.” But while I certainly don’t want to be a Scrooge, I do get suspicious when politicians start giving away things—and the TV cameras are rolling. I had always heard about Sen. Cleo Fields giving away 500 frozen turkeys at Christmas, but last week at the Leadership Academy, he gave away 1,000 smoked turkeys and envelopes with $200 cash to each recipient. He said an “anonymous donor couple” provided $250,000 cash to make it possible.

OK, I confess to being a little cynical. But why does the couple not give the money to a church, the United Way, the Salvation Army or the Food Bank to distribute? They might know better how to distribute and who is most in need. Why let a politician dole it out? Why does anyone need the credit? Fields is term-limited and leaving office as of Jan. 14, so one could believe this was an act of kindness with no political benefit to him at all. That’s what I want to believe.

But if I find out that Fields has plans to run for another office in the next year, and the folks who received free turkeys and $200 cash are in the district, then I would have to think what happened is some type of violation of the ethics code or the campaign finance law—or it should be. Or did any of these recipients work for the Fields machine on the Nov. 17th Election Day? Did they get tipped off to be there for the giveaway in order to be sure and get the $200 cash—which would not have had to be reported as “election day spending”? I’m just asking.

No one is allowed to donate $250,000 to a politician. The limit is $5,000 per person. The donors might argue their good deed was a donation to the Leadership Academy, Fields’ nonprofit, and not to his campaign. But Fields got to hand it out and clearly receives the benefit, and that violates the spirit of the law in my mind. This just seems like a loophole.

This same thing happens with other nonprofits set up by legislators and funded by the “slush funds” you so often read about. They give away school supplies and dole out your tax dollars to help with folks’ personal bills—and the politicians get the credit as if it is their money. It certainly helps them around election time when they remind folks about all they have done for them—with your tax dollars.

If Sen. Cleo Fields swears that there is no political race in his future and his turkey-cash giveaway to 1,000 people was just his way of helping others, I say, “Thank you and the donors for your tremendous act of generosity, and may God bless you.” But if there is an election in the near future, then handing out cash, whether it be at Christmas or on Election Day, smells funny and should be addressed in the new ethics code for state officials and the Legislature.

A reason for ethics reform

A friend gave me a Christmas gift: The Little Book of Louisiana Political Quotes 2, compiled by Brent Barksdale. It is filled with quotes from former and current elected officials and intended to amuse. It is said that “many a truth is spoken in jest,” and I can see that here.

If you wonder why Louisiana has a negative national image when it comes to politics—and is in dire need of ethics reform—you just need to read a few of the cavalier quotes below from our most infamous governor, Edwin Edwards, who was elected four times and now is sitting in federal prison.

He said:

• “In Louisiana we don’t bet on football games. … We bet on whether a politician is going to be indicted or not.”

• “I vetoed it? I thought I signed it. I remember in the back of my mind saying, ‘Well, I won’t be governor anymore, I don’t give a damn one way or the other.’ ”

• “There’s a big difference between what’s illegal and what causes you people to raise your eyebrows.”

• “I only steal from Louisiana, not from Texas” [to a Texas reporter].

• “I’m tired of people thinking I’m going to quit living while I am governor. I can’t live off the governor’s salary.”

And if you want to know how Edwards could justify his attitude and actions, you just need to read the words of his daughter, Vicki: “And so maybe he has done a few things for himself, but in the interim, he did a lot of good for everyone else.”

Close call for children

Our community and our government-run public schools dodged a bullet when the school board decided not to approve collective bargaining in a 6-6 vote. Kudos to Jerry Arbour, Bill Black, Jill Dyason, Noel Hammatt, Randy Lamana and Derrick Spell.

Also, hats off to Stephen Moret, CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, which was the only group to speak against the collective bargaining and provided research to support its position. BRAC’s leadership in this battle shows the importance of a strong and active chamber in the development of our community.

Public support of our government-run schools is already very low, and the business support is hanging by a thread. It seemed that many on the board don’t get that and only cared to play to the constituency of union members who filled the room.

The unions saw it differently, and chastised board members in The Advocate after the vote. “They have demonstrated they are cowards in not standing up to the pressure from the business community,” said Carol White, president of the East Baton Rouge Parish Association of Educators.

Another union rep said, “Their kids don’t attend our schools. Their kids attend private and parochial schools.” Well, Mr. Union Rep, “their” tax dollars—personal and business—pay most of the cost for your schools.

Vereta Lee, who voted for collective bargaining, said, “The people elected me, the chamber of commerce didn’t.” Trust me, the chamber wants no credit for the election of Lee, who was suspended by our school board from teaching years ago.

Most disappointing were the votes of board members Jay Augustine and Greg Baldwin. I endorsed both of these candidates during the past election with great expectations—and now I am beginning to have second thoughts. While I can respect each of them as an individual and their right to a different position from my own, I will think long and hard before offering my support again to either in future elections.

Job well done

In December, Andrea Clesi, the talented anchorwoman for WBRZ-TV, appeared in her last newscast after 30 years on the air. She has had an illustrious career and contributed much to our community. At her young age, I know she is not done yet. We congratulate her on all her accomplishments and the mark she made in the news business. We wish her the very best.

Happy New Year!

2007 was a good year—but I predict that 2008 will be great! We start the year with a new look but the same commitment to excellence—and to bringing you the best coverage of business news and people. Send our editors your tips, ideas and feedback at editors@businessreport.com.