Jackson Jambalaya

I realize it's standard protocol, but, who gives a rat's ass what Haley Barbour suggests for how the state ought to proceed and how those coming into office ought to conduct business moving into 2012?

Today's Clarion announced that Barbour has a contractual arrangement to get paid for talking to some group in Florida the day after his term ends. That's his focus and always has been ~ how do I make my next buck?

Happy Trails Haley. Did you intend to include some sort of footnote praising the CCC?

He will be at loss of what to do, I think. He has to retire from state politics and he is a true believer. He cannot just go back to Yazoo and be a grandfather. He will not be active in the statehouse. I think he should write something since he is so passionate about public affairs. He could do like Governor Winter and park himself at the Miss. Dept. of Archives & History forever.

Having hindsight of a number of governors from a number of states, I have to say Haley Barbour is the best I've ever had the opportunity to observe while living in the state one governs.

I have a feeling he will be very active, probably more active than most assume, in areas that will surprise you.

Did you intend to include some sort of footnote praising the CCC?

I heard the Bugle is looking for "baiters" like you.

please take those nephews with you!!

He will be at loss of what to do, I think. He has to retire from state politics and he is a true believer. He cannot just go back to Yazoo and be a grandfather. He will not be active in the statehouse. I think he should write something since he is so passionate about public affairs.

Your comment does more to demonstrate ignorance than anyone here including the Shadowropesander could ever illuminate. I suggest some stimulation over at the Bugle. It is much more satisfying in the company of kindred spirits.

Will you please stop it with the evidence-based posts Kingfish? Haven't you learned anything from Donna and the iTodd?

I'm at a loss to understand why no governor has recommended zero based budgeting.

Every year end, retailers, particularly those in the office supply business , have a flood of bureaucrats from state agencies come in to buy unneeded items to spend any excess in their budgets.

As long as new budgets are based on last year's budget plus a requested increase rather than actual costs, we will have waste in government.

As long as proposals for needed new projects are poorly estimated with " ball park" figures rather than nailed down, there will be waste in government.

It is not difficult in a computer age to keep track of actual costs or forecast actual costs based on facts rather than intuition.

It has been explained to me that heads of agencies fear if they spend less, their budgets will be cut the excess + plus across board cuts so rather than be rewarded for fiscal responsibility, they feel they would be punished.

And, how employees receive pay increases needs revisiting. Across the board increases and decreases are not productive. We lose critical employees and positions and jobs are " created" for the " cousin bubba" of powerful legislators or deep pocket contributors.Position requirements need to fit the task, not a person someone wants to hire.


This is ridiculous and dysfunctional government political gamesmanship that has to stop.

Even though we've had some awful governors, I'd be for line item veto as well. At least, we'd have someone who can be held accountable.

Budgeting at its best is stumbling around in a dark room looking for the light switch. Whether you start at zero or with what you think you're going to have to spend, it's still guesswork because no one knows what the revenue numbers will actually be. We can make some guesses, and most of the time we'll get close, but the real numbers aren't available until the money comes in. Why not try to spend as little as you can and see what's left over at the end of the year? BB

Its true Haley has been a great governor. He has wonderful political & administrative skills that could be useful to say, Ole Miss. I have the idea that he is more intellectual (and passionate about the state's legacy than his own) so I recommend that he intellectualize his feelings. I have no personal knowledge of the man, but I know he has deep historical roots in this state. He gave a powerful speech in the Old Capitol a couple of years ago on Statehood Day that showed a deep understanding of our history. We were lucky to have him as leader.

We are lucky his term is over! I agree with former posts, take your nephews with you! He fed his family sooo much business while in office , they are as fat as he is! Eating high off the hog! The Barbours took advantage of having Haley in office from his children , nephews and let's not forget Rosemary and her scam of FEMA! Goodbye
Barbours and good riddance! Nepotism is what your platform symbolized!

He had some cool vehicles with dark windows and some mighty snappy dressers driving him around at 85 MPH. I'm envious. If he'd only bought those spinners he so admired and maybe a plastic chain around the tag so the black delegation would have liked him more. And he could have learned so much from the Obama ~ Chavez brother-handshakes. If only....

I gotta say though, in all honesty, the Larry Gatlin thing at the coliseum at the coronation was mighty fine. For sure!

Speaking of 'baiters' Kang, I learned early on that you're the master.

Happy Holidays and may you have a warm solstice.

Bill, number crunching, if done honestly, is far more reliable than in times past. And, you can account for worst case scenario " short falls" rather accurately as well since the historic data is so easily available.

Fast computers should have erased most all of the tired excuses. Indeed, all of the ones that immediately come to mind.

Happy Holidays to you to Shadowfax, sniff, sniff, (wipes tear from eyes) - see you in the New Year or if I get into the Scotch maybe on a thread here or there before then.

;)