Miscellaneous

Since today is Election Day, I thought I?d revealing my votes and the reasons for them. Here goes:

1. For U.S. senator, I voted for the Democrat. I think his name was Melancon. Why? Two reasons: (1) he?s not a Republican; and more important, (2) he?s not David Vitter.
2. For U.S. representative, 1st Congressional District, I voted for the Democrat. I think his name was Katz. Why? Although the incumbent, Republican Steve Scalise, is not David Vitter, he?s still a Republican.
3. For lieutenant governor, I voted for the Democrat. I think her name was Fayard. Why? Because when (not if) our Republican governor, Bobby Jindal, abandons the governorship to pursue his national ambitions, he?ll have to do so knowing that a Democrat will succeed him.
4. For the dozen or so state constitutional amendments, I had a simple system:
   1. Read the misleading 1-paragraph blurb on the ballot.
   2. Vote against the amendment if any of the following is true:
      1. I disagreed with the amendment, or
      2. After reading the blurb, I had no earthly idea what the writer was talking about.
   3. In the rare event that I understood and agreed with the amendment, I voted for it.
5. Special millage for a ?security district? in my neighborhood: Against. If I?m going to pay higher property taxes for safety, it will be to make the whole city safe, not to create the illusion of safety by creating a little enclave in my neighborhood. So yes to beefing up the NOPD, but a big no to private security patrols paid for by property taxes.

I realize that some of my reasons may be a bit partisan. So I offer this non-partisan approach to voting: When in doubt, vote for the probable loser. Whatever happens after, your conscience will be clear, because when you vote for the loser, your vote does no harm.