What’s Wrong With Taco Bell?

Beekers — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 04:47:11 +0000

I was reading a recent article in the Economist about the efforts of Gov. Bobby Jindal. Gov. Jindal is the first governor of Indian-American decent. One of the first things he did was to call a special legislative session to address ethics standards in the state. Louisiana is well known for corrupt politicians who love a free meal. The session failed to pass laws that would strip pensions from lawmakers convicted of crimes and prevent cash contributions to political campaigns. They did however pass laws that prevent public officials from bidding for state contracts. Also lawmakers, except judges, who represent more than 5,000 people, must disclose all sources of income and legislators can’t accept meals from lobbyists that exceed $50. The article highlights the debate on limiting meal tabs, because a New Orleans legislator complained that limiting meal tabs to $50 would mean that they would only be able to eat at Taco Bell with lobbyists. Somehow I don’t believe for a second that you can’t find a place to eat for under $50 in New Orleans other than Taco Bell. According to the New York Times, it was the practice of the legislators to go look for lobbyists at the end of the day with the sole purpose of getting a free meal. All I could think when I read this, is who actually speaks up and argues this out loud before their peers and I would like to know what their constituents must think? So I went searching and discovered that the individual was Representative Charmaine L. Marchand. It turns out her constituents are those that live in the lower 9th Ward. I think Representative Marchand has a lot on her hands, so if you know of any great places to eat for under $50 a meal in the New Orleans area, please send her your recommendation. Her email address is: larep099@legis.state.la.us

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What’s Wrong With Taco Bell?