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Wed
14
Oct

Plenty of Good News in Manufacturing

By Stephen Waguespack
 
Ready for some good news? In a world dominated by gloomy economic projections, combative political storylines, and unsettling international developments, it is helpful to periodically focus on some good news. The hard-fought resurgence of American manufacturing is one of those stories.
 
Wed
07
Oct

DIGGIN’ IN DESOTO

By John Blanchard
 
Country boys have more fun when not working, than anyone. There’s a real sport called corncob war when a wet cob is on the end of a limber switch and thrown at the other team. They hurt when you are the victim. Meanwhile there is a “bag swing” and the platform is raised about fifteen high from which to jump. A visitor swung over the cow pond and lost his new hat and he left the bag and jumped for his new headpiece and into the pond.
 
Wed
07
Oct

A Visit to DC

By Stephen Waguespack
 
Ready for some good news? In a world dominated by gloomy economic projections, combative political storylines, and unsettling international developments, it is helpful to periodically focus on some good news. The hard-fought resurgence of American manufacturing is one of those stories. The country is celebrating National Manufacturing Day on October 2. Throughout this week our team at the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) will be personally visiting many of our manufacturing members to highlight their work, the high-paying jobs they offer, and their contributions to the community and our state.
 
Wed
30
Sep

DIGGIN’ IN DESOTO

By John Blanchard
 
Wed
30
Sep

A Visit to DC

by Stephen Waguespack
 
A visit to the nation’s capital can be inspiring and discouraging at the same time. Last week, more than twenty members of the LABI Board of Directors traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with our Congressional delegation, as well as with policy and political experts from groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Tax Foundation and the Heritage Foundation. This was our second annual D.C. Fly-in, a new initiative we started at LABI to respond to the growing concerns our members have with the escalating, intrusive regulatory approach of the federal government.
 
Wed
23
Sep

DIGGIN’ IN DESOTO

By John Blanchard

 

The Great Depression (1930s) taught us we must live, have faith, cooperate and help others, near the 10 Commandments, and it was not easy since there was no lesson to follow only a strong will to survive. Joe Cur Leggett was our day hand, laborer and near one of our family since he lived in a small house behind ours and ate the three hot meals as did we. Joe had epilepsy, the serious kind.

 

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Wed
23
Sep

The Ultimate Goal

By Stephen Waguespack

 

Sometimes we can lose sight of the ultimate goal, especially when we are in the thick of the fight. The current political debate in Louisiana on government budgets and economic growth is a good example of this common mistake. These days, it is very much en vogue to wail away about the budgetary challenges of state government and promise to bear hug any option thrown around to address it.

 

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Wed
16
Sep

DIGGIN’ IN DESOTO

By John Blanchard
 
Politics make strange bedfellows’’
It is true throughout the land and less a fact in southern communities like ours when three of our important parish officials got home free, that is, without opposition. Jeremy Evans, serving his first term of clerk of court, drew no opponent (he is the son of district attorney Gary Evans and nephew of the coroner Dr. Jeffery Evans who drew no opposition). Anne Gannon, tax assessor, will go into another four-year term without drawing an opponent.
 
Wed
16
Sep

Standing Guard for 40 Years

By Stephen Waguespack
 
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) turned 40 years old on Friday, Sept. 4. LABI was created in 1975 by the merging of the Louisiana Manufacturers Association, the Louisiana State Chamber of Commerce and the Louisiana Political Education Council. This alignment of horsepower ensured the organization was ready to take on a huge political challenge, a successful fight that would turn out to be one of the most important victories for the Louisiana economy in modern history.
Wed
09
Sep

DIGGIN’ IN DESOTO

By John Blanchard

 

Boys will be boys and sometimes we are disruptive with our pranks. Stealing watermelons is not too bad, but plugging them to see if they are ripe is not too gentlemanly and one could hear a shotgun on the second trial in the watermelon patch. Entering the sugarcane field is expected, but the noise gives the thieves away and there is a race to see who gets away from there unscathed.
 

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