| Current Poll |
Do you think the federal government should shut down offshore oil drilling in light of the Deepwater Horizon incident?
View Results
|
|
A Royal shakedown
 At one time, it could be argued that Royal Alexander had a future in politics.
Not anymore.
That much can be said in light of published reports in Louisiana's largest newspaper concerning Alexander's shenanigans in his floundering campaign for state Attorney General.
In case you missed it, The Times-Picayune in New Orleans enlightened us last week to an e-mail in which Alexander demanded a political contribution for his campaign in exchange for lobbying the federal government for industry-friendly standards that affect the Louisiana Association of Ambulatory Healthcare. The association is fighting the Feds over proposed cuts in payments to certain providers that serve Medicaid and Medicare patients.
On July 20, Alexander e-mailed Paul Broussard of Crowley and Lansing Kolb of Alexandria. Broussard is an executive for Southwest Ambulatory Behavioral Services Inc. Kolb is a nursing home owner who is an active supporter of Republican candidates; he was a Republican long ago when literally every Republican in Louisiana could squeeze into a phone booth.
"I am willing to reach out to my D.C. staffer friends very quickly," Alexander wrote to Broussard and Kolb. "However…I am very busy. So, in return for the precious time I am going to take away from my campaign for Attorney General to assist you, I am going to ask you to make a substantial financial contribution to my campaign."
Let's recall that Alexander is a former chief of staff for Congressman Rodney Alexander, R-Quitman. Royal Alexander, who is or was a darling child of the Christian Right, and the congressman are not related.
In his e-mail to Broussard and Kolb, Royal Alexander pointed out that he had been contacted by Rob Miller, an executive with Medical Management Options LLC in Baton Rouge. Miller sought Alexander's help with the proposed Medicaid and Medicare cuts.
When Alexander sent his e-mail to Broussard and Kolb, he copied the message to Miller, while specifically directing some of his comments toward Broussard and Kolb.
"Rob Miller has…asked me for any help I can provide in the face of the draconian CMS (Medicare/Medicaid) rate cuts that appear to be imminent…
"Lansing, you have hemmed and hawed for several months about helping me. No more excuses. Paul, you are also aware of the help I personally, after hours and on my own time, provided your industry because I believe in the great importance of the service you provide our citizens.
"Please consider making a $5,000 contribution…I can accept corporate contributions.
"If you don't help me as I help you (now for the second time) it is going to make me think you are not very serious about reducing or eliminating these drastic rate cuts…I don't have time to waste on projects for people who don't care about helping me…The money I will save you if we reduce or eliminate these cuts will more than offset your contribution…
"Please let me hear from you soon.
"Best. Royal."
That, my friends, is what we call a shakedown.
Or extortion.
Royal Alexander style.
Let's be clear on a couple of points, though.
Politicians, whether they serve on the local, state or federal level, are often asked to help individuals and/or businesses deal with a matter, or matters, involving the government. It happens daily.
Individuals and/or businesses that receive help from a politician know it's in their best interest to make a contribution to the politician who lent a hand during a time in need. That happens daily, too.
That's politics.
Most politicians, though, have enough sense to never overtly ask for a contribution in exchange for a favor.
Especially in an e-mail, which can easily be directed to someone who has no business in reading it.
Such as a newspaper reporter.
Obviously, Alexander skipped the class at candidate school that dealt with raising money in an ethical manner, or he would have known that his demand for money from Broussard and Kolb smacked of extortion.
At the very least, Alexander's e-mail in which he demanded a political contribution in exchange for his assistance in the public arena made clear that the young Republican has no business serving Louisiana as its Attorney General.
The Attorney General's office is no place for someone who utilizes threats and extortion for his or her political gain.
SAH
On a personal note, I know Lansing Kolb, the nursing home owner from Alexandria who was on the receiving end of Royal Alexander's diatribe demanding money for his campaign for Attorney General.
Kolb is a first-class gentleman.
I suspect he regrets ever exposing himself to the likes of Alexander.
|
|
|
E-mail Story
Print Story
