9 minute read
From the Northshore to the Nation
by Karen Gibbs
YA GOTTA LOVE Louisiana’s Senator John Kennedy. For starters, he’s one of us. He, wife Becky, and son Preston live right down the road in Madisonville where they are founding members of North Cross United Methodist Church. Next, as a conservative eye in the center of a liberal hurricane in Washington, he supports issues that many Louisianians hold dear.
Despite being in the U.S. Senate for only five years, Senator Kennedy is considered by his conservative colleagues as one of their most effective voices. He has introduced or co-sponsored more than 8,040 pieces of legislation. His common-sense bills would help end sanctuary cities; secure the border; limit the number of Supreme Court justices; support Keystone XL pipeline construction; combat the fentanyl crisis; prohibit the blocking of lawful internet content; encourage lower flood insurance premiums and accountability for contractors; fund projects that reduce destruction from floods; expose Chinese Communist-funded institutes on university campuses; and oppose Pres. Biden’s proposed ban on gun braces, which could lead to the largest executive branch-initiated gun registration and confiscation program.
To those who are sick and tired of political doubletalk, Sen. Kennedy’s right-hand-on-theBible honesty is a breath of fresh air. Fast becoming a media darling, he’s a modern-day David taking on political Goliaths—not with rocks and a slingshot, but with homespun one-liners that echo for weeks in newspapers, online posts and talk shows.
“Louisiana has shaped my views on every issue, and all I do is offer my honest assessments of some of the ridiculous stuff coming out of Washington,” says Senator Kennedy. “If the managerial elite think the truth hurts, maybe it’s reality they actually need to wrestle with. I just call it like I see it, and people seem to appreciate that.”
Indeed we do! In a recent email interview with Inside Northside, Senator Kennedy candidly voiced his opinion on several issues concerning our country today. We are pleased to share his responses below, as well as a sampling of his trademark down-home wit.
IN: What legislation are you proudest of when it comes to helping Louisiana residents and why?
Sen. Kennedy: “As you know, Louisiana
Senator-Elect Kennedy hugs Becky at 2016 election watch party. gets hit hard by storms. One of my top priorities is making sure that Louisianians have access to the flood insurance they need. To make that happen, I’ve passed legislation to extend the National Flood Insurance Program several times so that it stays affordable in the long run. President Trump signed my legislation to extend the program into law, and I’m still fighting for flood insurance rates to stay reasonable for families who depend on them to protect their homes.”
IN: What legislation are you proudest of when it comes to helping the USA and why?
Sen. Kennedy: “More than ever, foreign competition demands we protect Louisiana and American jobs by keeping the U.S. competitive in global industry. I introduced the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act to help manufacturers here at home create thousands of jobs, save billions of dollars, and safeguard the environment. (This act) became law last December, and is expected to create 150,000 U.S. jobs and save many Louisiana jobs from becoming obsolete.”
I should also add that Louisianians love their families, including their pets. Becky and I feel that way about our two dogs, Charlie and Jack. We were pretty upset to learn a few years ago that a French bulldog died when the dog’s owner was forced to place the pet in an overhead baggage compartment during a flight. I never wanted to see that happen again, so I introduced legislation making it illegal for airlines to endanger animals by placing them in overhead bins. Now that the Welfare of Our Furry Friends (WOOFF) Act is law, it’s safer for families to travel with all their members, including the ones with four legs.”
IN: Many people feel powerless and believe the country is being overrun by special interests. What can they do to voice their displeasure most effectively?
Sen. Kennedy: “Citizens who don’t like the leftist path our country is taking should make their voices heard and should exercise the right all citizens have to vote—in local, state and national elections. Louisianians and all Americans have the right to make their voices heard at the ballot box and by sharing their hopes and concerns with neighbors in their communities.
“School meetings, town hall meetings, local organizations, and even letters to the hometown newspaper editor give people important opportunities to discuss the values they want their community to reflect. I think that the more we talk with our neighbors, the more we’ll discover
common ground and find practical ways to shape our communities for the better. It’s the American way.”
IN: When and why did you begin working as a substitute teacher?
Sen. Kennedy: “Next to parents, teachers have the hardest job in the world. Kids are our future. Almost 20 years ago, I started substitute teaching in Louisiana public schools to get firsthand insight into the challenges that students and teachers face each day. The Senate even passed my resolution, S.Res 356, asking all members of Congress to spend at least one day a year substitute teaching.”
IN: Louisiana ranked at the bottom of desirable places to live, citing crime, opportunity and environment. What can we do to improve our state? What can you do to help us improve?
Sen. Kennedy: “Louisiana is an incredible place to live and work, even if the coastal elites choose not to acknowledge that, and we have room to grow. I’m convinced that the future of Louisiana and of our country is education. It’s not the unemployment rate. It’s not who the president is. It’s education. I appreciate all of the educators who have helped get our kids back in their classrooms and ready to tackle the future. “Investing in Louisiana’s present and our future means investing in education and jobs. At the end of the day, education makes our workforce stronger, and that helps bring job creators to Louisiana.
Senator Kennedy is sworn in by Joe Biden.
“We have some other challenges, too. Louisianians are tough as pine knots because we get hit by a lot of natural disasters but always come back stronger. At the same time, Louisianians pay a lot of taxes to the federal government. As the only member of Louisiana’s congressional delegation who sits on the Appropriations Committee, I do my best to make sure Louisiana gets its fair share of federal resources to help us recover from the challenges life throws our way, through no fault of our own.
Kennedy Speaks
Senator Kennedy speaks out on some hotbutton issues:
On de-funding the police: “Defunding the police is foolish. It makes no sense. We need to re-fund the police and respect law enforcement officers.”
On cancel culture: “Our First Amendment has to be honored. People have a right in America to express their opinion, but you don’t have the right to cancel others with whom you disagree. You’re not free if you can’t say what you think. You’re just not.”
On critical race theory: “In my judgment, critical race theory is neo-Marxist, cynical, ahistorical, and dumb as a bag of hair. America is not perfect, but we’re good. Most Americans think a whole lot more about character than they do about race. And most Americans understand that, to a bear, we all taste like chicken.”
On the right to life: “Every life has value, whether it’s 82-years-old or 82-seconds-old, both born and unborn. We have a solemn duty to protect all lives, especially the most innocent and vulnerable among us, and I’ll always be proud to stand with the millions of Americans who fight every day for unborn children.”
Celebrating Preston’s college graduation.
On the border crisis: “I went to the border recently. People who tell you that the border is closed probably also want you believe that Jimmy Hoffa died of natural causes. American families and children deserve to know their leaders aren’t turning a blind eye to lawbreakers who know they can make their way onto U.S. soil without consequences.” >>
On getting paid not to work: “Unfortunately for the Louisiana and U.S. economies, what the Biden administration is doing right now is hurting our recovery. There are so many jobs available right now, and the Biden administration’s unemployment policy is preventing those jobs from being filled. The best cure for poverty is a good job. It’s as simple as that.”
On government overspending: “Some rules of economics haven’t changed. Inflation is rising faster than wages, and that’s what happens when Washington spends massive amounts of money we don’t have. When the price of gas and groceries shoot up, that’s a tax on families and workers today. And it’s happening because the Biden administration thinks crippling debt is the secret to success. He’s wrong, and Americans are already paying the price.”
On the lack of patriotism: “Too many people have contempt for America these days. They should have gratitude. The American people are not perfect, but they are good.”
Kennedy’s Wit
On Washington, D. C.: “I think most Americans are wondering how some folks up here made it through the birth canal.”
On gun control: “There are a whole host of people here in Washington [who] would be happy to confiscate America’s guns. And if you don’t believe that, then you probably also still believe in Bigfoot.”
“We do not need more gun control. We need more idiot control.”
“I am petrified of giving the power to confiscate guns and ask questions later to public officials. ... If you trust government, you obviously failed >>
history class.”
“I think the American people, with some justification, think that most politicians live in la-la land.”
On Washington partisanship and gridlock: “That’s why the aliens won’t talk to us. They look at all of this stuff, and they go, ‘These people … they’re 13-year-olds.’”
“Sometimes the majority just means that most of the fools are on the same side.” “Economic forecasting around this place … in the last eight years makes those psychic hotlines look reputable.”
“I would remind you the lesser of two socialists is still a socialist.”
“The Bill of Rights is not an à la carte menu.”
“Let me state the obvious. Illegal immigration is illegal, duh.” “If you believe that tax policy has nothing to do with the economy, then you’re pretty much like a rock, only dumber.”
“The Woke-a-ristas really do believe that when a cop shoots a criminal, it is always, every single time, the cop’s fault, but when a criminal shoots a cop, it’s always, every single time, the gun’s fault.”
“Facebook is a great company, but it’s no longer a company; it’s a country. That’s how powerful it is. And its behavior lately has kind of been getting into the foothills of creepy.”
As a United States Senator, Mr. Kennedy represents the entire state of Louisiana. To share your feedback with him, his office can be reached at (202) 224-4623 or through his website: www.kennedy.senate.gov.
