My New Year's Resolutions for Other People

Despite extraordinary improvements in the quality of life in Louisiana during the past decades, Louisiana still ranks high on lists that are better not to be on and low on lists that are good to be high on. Living here over the years, I have made some observations and have some ideas that I think would be helpful. Of course, they involve other people, not myself (smile). Here are some actions that I think others could take to make Louisiana a better place in 2002 and the rest of this still new century.

Ideas for Wealthier People and Business Owners

Louisiana has one of the highest income differences between rich and poor in the United States. In other words we have a small middle class compared to many other states. This fact is not good. I personally compare this reality to plantation days and in my mind call our economy the "plantation economy."

I would like to see the wages of many working persons raised. So many times I have heard business owners say that they are barely making it. On the other hand, I see them build extravagant homes, own luxury cars and send their children to private colleges while most of their business's employees make minimum wage or a few cents more. It looks like their employees are paying the price for the comfortable lives of the business owners. I would like to see this extraordinary difference in lifestyles between the working and business owner class ended. Could someone resolve to increase employee salaries???

If you are a business owner who pays minimum wage and you need more convincing, please calculate the take-home pay of your average worker and try to support your family for a week.

Litter Bugs

This is a problem in Louisiana. We want tourism, but what must visitors think of us with trash along our highways. Most of the trash I see is drink cups, cans, and bottles. Could a lot of people please resolve to keep their empty drink containers in their cars until their next stop??? Would that really be too much trouble???

Glass containers are a particular hazard. They are often broken by mowing machines, and the glass shards are a danger to the tires of cars that must be pulled over, and to the feet of pedestrians. Remember the glass bottle that you throw out might be the cause of your next flat tire.

For the Children

Louisiana still ranks low on many educational achievement lists. More testing is not the answer. More education is. Could more parents resolve to help their children be achievers???

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