(From the “Someone Has to Stand Up and Say Something Department!”)
A.G. Crowe, Former Louisiana State Senator
People typically choose a political party based on the values and beliefs they identify with. Likewise, they usually vote for the candidates they believe best represent those same values.
Slidell is widely known as a conservative city with strong traditional values. The majority of its voters identify as Republicans because they believe the Republican Party more closely reflects those values and principles. Certainly, there are conservatives in other parties, but it is important to remember what many Republicans believe their party stands for and why those beliefs matter to them locally here in Slidell.
Key Issues
Many conservatives point to several national issues that directly impact Slidell.
- Border Security: What does that have to do with us here in Slidell? Republicans argue that Democratic border policies allowed millions of illegal immigrants into the country, creating concerns about public safety, a strain on our local resources, and future political influence or votes. Illegal immigrants are showing up at our local Slidell hospitals and are enrolled in our public schools, utilizing resources that are supposed to be reserved for citizens. We are paying for that. Is that fair? What party is responsible for this problem? Democrats and their open-border policy, disguised as the “humane thing to do,” but really designed to get more votes. Is that appropriate, especially when millions of people are legally in line waiting to come into the U.S. the right way? Many residents believe immigration enforcement should be strengthened, including cooperation between local law enforcement and federal agencies through programs such as 287(g). ICE work is still ongoing here locally. Will a Democrat elected in Slidell openly and consistently endorse 287(g), encouraging Slidell Police to work with ICE to remove violent illegal offenders, or will they be pressured by the party to do what party leaders demand?
- Support for Law Enforcement: Conservatives often criticize “defund the police” movements led by Democrats and believe law enforcement agencies should be fully supported, funded, and respected. Many voters deserve to know whether local elected officials will strongly support the Slidell Police Department and public safety initiatives.
- Government Shutdowns and Political Conflict: Many conservatives believe Democrats have used government funding battles and political gridlock as leverage against President Trump and Republican policies, creating disruptions that affect everyday people right here in Slidell. Remember the lines at the airport? We can thank the Democrats.
Political Violence
Democrats’ aggressive anti-Trump rhetoric is inspiring unstable individuals to commit acts of violence. Do we want to breathe life into the people who recently demonstrated at the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast right here in Slidell? Democrats fueled these conflicts all over the country and right here in Slidell. Political rhetoric spewed nationally is heard by lots of people every day right here in Slidell.
Every local election matters and party affiliation matters. Party labels are there for a reason. They exist to tell voters what you stand for. If you stand for the policies of the Democrat Party that believes in taking the lives of innocent babies, marriage other than one man and one woman, and racial gerrymandering for political gain, then vote for a Democrat.
Choosing a political party is a conscious decision. A candidate consciously chooses to identify with a party and the ideology that comes with it. Recently, a Democrat-appointed member of the library board voted against restricting age-inappropriate material in our Slidell library — material many parents believe could expose innocent children to pornographic content. Fortunately, enough conservative Republicans on the board voted in favor of restricting access to that material. It was a Democrat who did not want to protect our children.
And to those on the far left who have read this far: this is not about book banning or book burning. It is about protecting children from inappropriate content. Don’t use our innocent children to support your lies.
No one should be surprised
So why should anyone be surprised when elected officials act consistently with the party and ideology they chose to align themselves with? That, my friends, is a Democrat who will predictably function, at every opportunity, as a Democrat.
In today’s world, if you choose to be or vote for a Democrat, you are joining with the likes of Kamala Harris, Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Gavin Newsom, and Nancy Pelosi. Is that what we really want in our local leaders? Would the citizens and voters of Slidell elect someone who shares the policies and beliefs of these people? I think not.
If you are a Democrat and proclaim that you do not believe as your national party advocates, then change your party or openly denounce those policies. Millions of people all across our nation have already done so.
You can be the nicest, smartest, most popular, and most effective public servant on the planet, but these are not the reasons to vote for you. It is your party label — and its policies and platform — that identifies you, and the label you chose to proudly wear.
Local is the most important part of politics
Studies have consistently shown that local races can influence the direction, values, and priorities of the broader political system. Every elected office at any level counts.
No matter your political affiliation, study the issues carefully, ask candidates direct questions, and vote according to the values and principles you believe are best for Slidell, Louisiana, and the future of our country.
I will end with this pledge, since there is still time to vote.
“If you are a Democrat candidate seeking any office in St. Tammany Parish and will publicly denounce the policies and direction of today’s Democrat Party and will sign an agreement to change your party affiliation from Democrat, I will personally pay for a full-page advertisement in the Slidell Independent endorsing your campaign.”
An Important Message to the Citizens/Voters of Slidell
