The lessons of Nov. 7

The stunning Nov. 7 election results should serve as a wake-up call for Louisiana’s elected officials and its voters.

Just when Louisiana’s Republicans were poised to benefit from their position in their party, sweeping public dissatisfaction with the war in Iraq and corruption at home threw the party out of the driver’s seat, and with it, the clout of a few of our Congressmen who were due to assume key chairmanships.

More than just a loss of power of our Congressmen, such as U.S. Rep. Richard Baker, the election also may be a harbinger of things to come in Louisiana in 2007.

Polls have shown Louisiana voters are fed up with delays in rebuilding New Orleans, and they hold our own Legislature in low regard. Either our lawmakers at home will take the hint from the November elections, buckle down and work together more effectively to improve public schools and public hospitals, not to mention help rebuild New Orleans, or they may face the same kind of election that stunned Republicans across the nation.

Voters are tired of partisan politics and want results now. When they don’t get them, you get a stunning election like we just had.

We wish our lawmakers well. Should they fail, we’ll be among the first to say they received ample warning Nov. 7.