Two Key Judgeships on Dec. 8 Ballot

Turnout in Central Could Decide Who Will Be Elected to La. Supreme Court

by Woody Jenkins, Editor

CENTRAL — As a result of Tuesday’s election,  Central voters will face two important runoff elections on Dec. 8.  In the runoff for a seat on the Louisiana Supreme Court, Judge John Michael Guidry, a Democrat, will face Judge Jeff Hughes, a Republican.

Guidry is a gentleman, a moderate, and a true public servant.  Likewise, Hughes is a man of character and personal accomplishment.  He has many years of distinguished service on the bench.  For conservatives, the choice is clear because Hughes is a movement conservative who would likely be the swing vote that leads the court in a decidedly more conservative direction for the first time in history.

For the Louisiana Court of Appeal, voters will face a runoff between Gideon Carter III, a civil rights lawyer and Democrat, and Judge Mike McDonald, a conservative Republican judge with a long history of accomplishment.

He is a student of the Constitution who understands the importance of keeping government within its lawful and constitutional bounds.

Judge McDonald has served with distinction for many years, and we would be well-served to reelect him to the Court of Appeals.

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My Reaction to Tuesday’s Presidential Election. Gov. Mitt Romney was an ideal candidate — a man of integrity, intelligence, and accomplishment who understands the free enterprise system, the Constitution, and the rightful limits on government.  He ran a very professional, well-financed campaign.

He ran against a candidate who has used every conceivable device to divide our country for his own personal political purposes.  He uses “class warfare,” envy, and the “something-for-nothing” appeal of political demagogues throughout history.

As Ben Franklin told us, “When the people find that they can vote themselves money out of the public treasury, that will herald the end of the republic.”

According to the polls, Gov. Romney led with voters interested in solving our nation’s economic problems, but President Obama led among voters who said they want a leader who “understands problems of people like me.”  Translation: I want someone who will keep the checks, benefits, and “free-bees” coming my way.

We have fashioned programs to help the elderly and disabled and found instead that half the country thinks that they are entitled to everything at the expense of those who work and pay taxes.

As Franklin said, “Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.”

Don’t think it’s over for our country.  It’s not.  Half the country may want a free ride, but half the country is unwilling to keep pulling the wagon.

No, it’s not over.  Actually, it’s just getting interesting.

We’ll find out what we’re made of and whether we have what it takes to preserve and pass on this freedom of ours to the next generation.

I’m still betting on reason, common sense, hard work, our American heritage, and the good Lord above.