Since the time of Huey Long, Louisiana has been burdened by its own form of socio-economic populism. This is populism highlighted by policies that ensconce the power of the few by promising to defend the hapless people from the imaginary dangers of American capitalism and political philosophy, even though they have led to prosperity elsewhere. Countless political leaders have ridden to great power on its coattails, perhaps the most well-known being the corrupt Edwin Edwards, a governor of great potential, who instead chose to enrich the few at the expense of the whole, resulting in retarding our state even as the rest of the south moved ahead.

The outcomes of our folly are in clear contrast between our very poor, socially weak Louisiana surrounded by the growing prosperity of the New South. This is even more striking when comparing the decline of our urban centers over the past decades, even as other southern cities blossomed. Despite being perhaps, the richest southern state in natural and geographic assets, we are today one of the poorest states in economic and societal outcome metrics.

The good news is that there have been changes that bode well. The people have demonstrated a rejection of the liberal repository of much of the old Louisiana Way by electing a solid majority of Republicans to state government. These new leaders bring with them much of the same attitude toward economic and governance philosophy that decades ago had inspired competing southern states to their own growth.

Education was long recognized as the long-term fix for bad state outcomes, and through decades of battle with the “Status Quo” crowd reformers have finally gotten the upper hand. Results are positive and educated citizens are able to see through the false promises of those who defend discredited Louisiana populism. Only educated people are able to compete for 21st century prosperity and they will accept nothing less.

As a result of the catastrophic detriments of the growing imposition of socialist policies and tax burdens by the Democrats who control their local and state governments, prosperity creating businesses are finding themselves forced to move. If we act prudently, this migration away from Blue states and cities will create a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to regain much of the economic prowess we once had.

These are strong underpinnings of a promising future, but there is much to do. The siren song of Louisiana populism could easily turn into a retrenchment against political and education reforms. Our urban areas, even though once the heartbeat of the economy, are still strongholds of anti-growth political philosophy and leadership. Our state has a terrible reputational problem; the rest of the nation has seen how we have rejected the tenets of the New South and to some extent still do by failing to create a competitive tax (and spending) structure and by refusing to undertake strong civil justice reform. In effect we still depend far too much on crony capitalism by refusing to create a pro-growth economic climate.

These problems are surmountable, as long as we recognize the potential and have the courage to take the steps that we must take to realize that potential we will be in a great place. The future is bright if we maintain our course away from Louisiana Populism by adopting the same social, fiscal, and political philosophies that have, especially over the last few years, made our neighbors so successful.