Odom’s dealings causes alarm

Dear Editor,

Like it or not, we all know it’s true: Louisiana politicians have created a bad reputation for our state.

For years, we’ve allowed the likes of Huey Long and Edwin Edwards to color our politics and define our state. Those looking at the portrait of our “colorful” politics see a scene of smoke-filled rooms, cash-filled freezers, back-door deals and arrogant politicians acting with no regard for the well-being of the people they represent.

To this day, there is one statewide elected official that continues to paint the state’s political portrait in a negative light: Agriculture Commissioner Bob Odom.

In the next few weeks we will hear more about Odom’s problems with the law, which will further impair Louisiana’s reputation. A legal battle persists in Baton Rouge as he continues to face charges of bribery, racketeering, and money laundering among others.

Like his good friend and political ally Congressman “Dollar Bill” Jefferson in New Orleans, Odom will continue to deny everything. If we have learned anything from the recent indictment of Congressman Jefferson, it is that we cannot keep electing people who have ethical problems and simply hope they go away.

If the corruption charges weren’t enough, he has stooped to threaten other elected officials. In his latest tirade he was credited with saying he would whip Treasurer Kennedy’s ass (politically speaking). When asked about his comment Odom did not deny making it.

Odom is not only the ring-leader of those fighting to keep the corrupt status quo, he also led the battle to build a tax payer financed syrup mill. When independent studies showed that a syrup mill would be a financial disaster, he and his allies decided to keep pushing for it anyway.

With horrible decisions like this being made in the Agriculture Department it is no wonder why we are always at the bottom of the good lists and at the top of the bad.

Odom is one example of the abundant problems Louisiana is faced with, and a replacement is necessary. A new leader will bring new a new face, new ideas and new policies to the state of Louisiana after almost three decades of failure.

The upcoming elections offer Louisiana a blank canvas. We must elect people who will paint a new portrait of Louisiana. Bob Odom represents the worst in Louisiana politics; the time for change is now.

James Quinn

Executive Director, Republican Party of Louisiana