Word: louisiana
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John Breaux of Louisiana touts himself as a "new type of Democrat." He voices strong concern for minorities, the environment and a balanced budget. But in one respect he is similar to a long line of Dixie Democrats: he is such a fan of the military that aides boast there is not a single major weapons system for which he did not vote money during his 14 years as a Congressman. Breaux, a smooth-talking, good-looking Cajun, is a campaigner of the old shoe- leather school. His election to replace retiring Democratic Senator Russell Long came after...
...field worker, Breaux entered politics as a staff aide to Edwin Edwards, now Governor, but took care to keep some distance from his scandal-tainted mentor during the campaign. One charge leveled by his Republican opponent, W. Henson Moore, whom Breaux overtook after trailing in Louisiana's open primary, was that he had one of the worst attendance records in Congress. Louisiana voters evidently paid little attention, giving Breaux a 53%-to-47% victory. They may have been more impressed by Breaux's reputation for brokering back-room deals and his straightforward promises to "put Louisiana first" as a Senator...
With a down-home story on his lips, a hand on someone's elbow and a deal in his vest pocket, Russell Long almost always got what he wanted during his 38 years in the Senate. The agile, garrulous Senator from Louisiana and longtime chairman of the powerful Finance Committee was the ultimate Senate insider who followed his own Golden Rule of politics: Do unto me, and I will do unto you. What Long usually wanted was quite specific: something for the state of Louisiana...
...knows the tax code," William Proxmire once said of Long, "as thoroughly as the Pope knows the Lord's Prayer." As head of the Finance Committee, Long defended tax laws beneficial to Louisiana's oil and gas industry, which no doubt also benefited him, as he inherited considerable oil and gas stock from his father. Although Long was not a frequent sponsor of legislation, he was proud of the bills he did initiate. These included the voluntary tax checkoff provision for presidential campaigns and an earned income tax credit which helps the working poor. Asked to define a tax loophole...
Courts often make a distinction, however, when the property in question is a home and when the residents are present. In recent years, Louisiana and Colorado have adopted laws broadening the right of homeowners to use deadly force against intruders. That approach too can have unforeseen consequences. The Colorado statute, dubbed the "make my day" law, has produced some cases that greatly stretch the home-under-siege scenario. In one instance, a suspected drug dealer shot an acquaintance who was after his stash, according to authorities, and in two others, jealous lovers killed rivals. "What it boils down...