Many of you have heard the famous quote, “All that is necessary for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.”

Some attribute the quote to Irish statesman Edmund Burke back in the 1770’s. While others may disagree, saying it was actually penned in the 1860’s by English philosopher John Stuart Mill. Regardless of who may take credit, let’s contemplate the wording of this infamous passage.

All that is necessary for evil to prevail, is for good men to do nothing.

Now, let’s apply that to modern day politics. Take for example the Louisiana veto override session. It was argued, quite convincingly, that Governor Edwards’ veto of controversial House Bill 648 would have caused irreversible harm to our children. But the majority of our lawmakers stood strong this week, in both the House and the Senate, and voted to override his veto and protect our children.

Unfortunately, there were other very good bills for which our legislators didn’t stand quite so strong. Opportunities were missed to make solid, conservative policy most Louisianans want. And that’s a shame. Doing nothing caused harm, and in those cases evil did prevail – at least for now.

The same infamous passage can also apply to individual House and Senate Races coming up.

I have been perplexed by statements from people I know and respect saying, “Well, I don’t know who I am going to vote for in the October Elections, because I am friends with so and so, who’s running against so and so.”

Wake up, Louisiana! You’re hiring people to do a job, not to go out to dinner or watch a ball game with. Please do not cast your vote based on friendship.

Do your homework and do some research. Look at the candidates voting records, campaign donations, public statements and other evidence of who they are and what kind of politician they would be at the state capitol. Pay close attention to whom they align themselves with. Do they follow your morals and beliefs? Do they understand the implications of policy on the public?

These things are a lot more important than a friendly face. We’re last in virtually everything and national publications are telling businesses to run, don’t walk, out of our state. Backslapping and baby-kissing will not get us out of the predicament we’re in.

Selecting someone to run our state and create policies should take work and effort on your part. As a registered voter, you’ve got to do your due diligence and help make a positive change in state government. Never make a hasty decision based on something untrue. This is why we are living in an upside-down world where wrong is right and right is wrong.

Sometimes it is better to stand alone, if it means simply standing up for what is right. Get your facts.

A passage from Philippians Chapter 4 in the Good Book states…”Let your minds be filled with everything that is true, everything that is honorable, everything that is upright and pure, everything that we love and admire with everything that is good and praiseworthy.”

So, keep in mind when you head to the polls this October…for evil to prevail, good men (and women) do nothing! We can’t be those idle good men and women. Stand up for what and for whom will be right for Louisiana!

Kellee Hennessy is a former Baton Rouge TV broadcaster and current Republican candidate for Louisiana House District 64 in Livingston Parish.