With 36 years of experience in the Public Relations business in the City of New Orleans, Bright Moments has had its share of high profile political successes (LaToya Cantrell’s election as the first female Mayor of New Orleans / John Bel Edward’s election as Governor of Louisiana in a largely Republican state / Ray Nagin’s election to Mayor following Hurricane Katrina when large sums of money were spent to elect his opponent. / Governor Edwin Edward’s victory over David Duke 1994 / Several Dorothy Taylor wins and many others). We have also had our share of failures. I’m sure those who won will be happy to tell you about those
With that said, I must admit that I hate political campaigns! Over the last 2 decades, New Orleans’ political campaigns have devolved into personal attacks on people’s character and way too much attention on things unrelated to policy issues and bread and butter matters that directly impact people’s lives and well-being. For some, it is more important to win and destroy the opponent’s character than to engage in civil discourse on how to best govern and meet people’s needs.
Over the years, as a company, we have tried to work with candidates in whom we believed would champion policies that improved people’s lives, advocated for laws that would enhance just and moral principles, and people who would provide leadership in times of crisis. In most instances, we have seen many good things in how those people governed and some not so good. But, at the end of the day, we do politics to change policy and enhance the lives of our people.
At the national level, the November 3rd election is the most consequential in our nation’s history. The United States is on the verge of dismantling the democratic republic that was established in 1776 and instituting a divisive dictatorship of the worst traits of the American character (white supremacy – the hoarding of wealth – the disdain of immigrants). Although African-Americans were only considered as three- fifths of humans to be counted when the constitution was established, the basic principles of that document allowed for the development of a more just and humane society over time. Today, all American citizens have the right to vote and choose who should represent them. Those principles of fairness and justice are at stake in this election. We strongly urge every living, breathing human being to VOTE! Who we elect as President and who we send to the U. S. Senate will have huge consequences!
