If I Were Governor, Part 1: Reclaiming the People’s Government

A Conservative Vision to Restore Accountability, Federalism, and Founding Principles in Louisiana

May 09, 2025

“When did we stop being the ones in charge?”

That question echoes across Louisiana—in coffee shops, barbershops, school board meetings, and kitchen tables. It’s the quiet frustration behind so many conversations. You can feel it in the way people talk about politics these days—not with passion, but with resignation.

We vote, but it doesn’t seem to matter. We speak up, but no one listens. Laws pass in back rooms. Executive orders override our representatives. Bureaucrats we’ve never heard of enforce rules we never approved. At some point, our government stopped looking like a servant and started acting like a master.

And here’s the truth that most politicians won’t admit:
Power has drifted away from the people—and the people know it.

It’s not just Washington, D.C. It’s happening right here in Louisiana. Our own state government has become bloated, unaccountable, and increasingly disconnected from everyday citizens. We have a state budget that no one fully understands, agencies with overlapping missions and no clear oversight, and political insiders who treat Louisiana like a private club. This isn’t a shot at Governor Jeff Landry or President Donald Trump by any means. This is just the situation we find ourselves in at the moment, both locally and nationally. To be totally honest, we at The Bayou Insider like both Gov. Landry & President Trump.

However, government is no longer about we the people. It’s about them—the political class, the permanent bureaucracy, the well-connected. And too often, even well-meaning leaders get swallowed by that system.

At The Bayou Insider, we believe it’s time to change that. Not with another slick campaign ad or vague promise—but with a bold, constitutional vision rooted in principle and practical reforms. A vision that asks not how the government can do more, but how we can return the government to its proper place?

That’s why we’re launching this series:
If I Were Governor.

It’s not about one person running for office—it’s about reclaiming the idea that government belongs to the people. It’s about returning Louisiana to the values that made it strong in the first place: faith, family, freedom, and local control.

Step One: Restore Constitutional Authority

One of the greatest threats to freedom today isn’t just what’s happening in Washington—it’s what’s happening right here at home. Over the past two decades, Louisiana’s executive branch has quietly gathered more and more power, often at the expense of the legislature and, by extension, the people.

Emergencies have become excuses. Whether it's a hurricane, a pandemic, or economic instability, our state leaders have learned to govern by executive order—sidelining the very lawmakers who were elected to represent us. What starts as a crisis response too often morphs into long-term control, and before you know it, the statehouse becomes a formality, not a check on power.

That’s not how our system was designed to function.

If I were governor, I would lead a direct return to constitutional balance. The executive branch was never meant to be the strongest—it was meant to be the most accountable. Its role is to execute the law, not create it.

Here’s what that would look like in practice:

Executive orders would be temporary, specific, and subject to legislative review. No more blank checks for indefinite action. Every emergency order should expire quickly unless renewed by the legislature—just as our founders intended.
Emergency powers would be reviewed, limited, or revoked. The sweeping authorities granted during public health crises or natural disasters need to be audited, revised, and, in many cases, rolled back entirely. The Constitution doesn’t disappear when something unexpected happens—it becomes more important.
State agencies would be reined in. No unelected bureaucrat should be crafting de facto law. Agencies must operate within clearly defined boundaries, under proper oversight, and with transparency to the public.
The legislature would be restored as the central lawmaking body in Louisiana, and I would work closely with them—not rule around them. Restoring balance between the branches isn’t just good governance—it’s essential to rebuilding trust.

Louisianans want a leader who respects the limits of their own office—not someone addicted to executive privilege. They want a governor who knows that real strength isn’t measured by how much power you grab, but how faithfully you steward what the people have entrusted to you.

Restoring constitutional authority isn’t just step one in a policy plan—it’s a philosophical shift. One that says loud and clear:
This is your state. This is your government. And I work for you.

Step Two: Reclaim States’ Rights and Federalism

The Constitution doesn’t begin with “We the Government.” It begins with “We the People.” And just as important: it places a firm boundary around federal power.

That boundary is called the 10th Amendment, which says that all powers not specifically granted to the federal government belong to the states and the people. It was the Founders’ way of protecting local control, resisting tyranny, and making sure the government closest to the people had the most influence over their lives.

But here’s the truth: that boundary has been ignored for far too long—and Louisiana has paid the price.

If I were governor, I would unapologetically reclaim the powers that belong to this state and its people. Federalism isn’t just a constitutional idea—it’s a shield of protection against centralized control.

Here’s what it would mean in action:

1. Push Back on Federal Overreach in Education

Washington has no business telling Louisiana families how to educate their children. And yet, federal agencies try to dictate:

What our children are taught about gender, race, and American history
What standards our teachers must follow
What ideological frameworks must be included to receive funding

Under my leadership, Louisiana would refuse federal dollars that come with political strings attached and empower local school boards to make decisions that reflect the values of their communities—not the ideology of bureaucrats in D.C.

2. Defend Our Energy Sector from Environmental Extremism

Louisiana’s energy economy has been under siege by radical climate policies and ESG mandates. The EPA, DOE, and SEC now work hand-in-glove with unelected global actors to choke off oil and gas development, shut down pipelines, and punish companies that don’t follow “green” orthodoxy.

But Louisiana is an energy-producing powerhouse—and we should act like it.

As governor, I would:

Fight back against ESG-based restrictions and carbon credits that undermine our industries
Promote oil, natural gas, and even nuclear development within our borders
Defend private landowners from federal interference on energy and mineral rights

3. Reassert State Control Over Healthcare and Public Health

The COVID-19 years proved just how dangerous centralized control can be. From mask mandates and vaccine coercion to CDC-driven lockdowns and school closures, the federal government ignored local voices and steamrolled public input.

That can’t happen again.

I would work to:

Establish Louisiana-led public health guidelines, not CDC mandates
Audit all federally funded health programs to ensure they serve the people, not the system
Protect doctors and patients from federal overreach in how medicine is practiced

4. Protect Louisiana’s Land, Water, and Resources

Federal agencies increasingly use environmental regulations to seize or restrict state land, declare wetlands off-limits, and interfere in local zoning. I would reassert our state’s authority over land and water rights—preserving our right to manage Louisiana’s rich natural resources.

Federalism isn’t about picking fights—it’s about protecting freedom. It's about saying:

“Washington may be powerful, but it is not sovereign over this state.”

If I were governor, I would treat the 10th Amendment not as a suggestion—but as a mandate. Louisiana isn’t a branch office of the federal government. We’re a sovereign state, with our own constitution, our own people, and our own future.

And it’s time we started acting like it.

Step Three: Make Government Transparent and Accountable Again

If government is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people, then the people have every right to see exactly how it operates. Unfortunately, that’s not how things work in Louisiana today.

Too often, our state government behaves like a private club—with deals struck behind closed doors, contracts handed out to political insiders, and budgets so bloated and complex that even seasoned watchdogs struggle to follow the money. It’s no wonder trust in government is at an all-time low.

But let’s be clear: transparency isn’t just a political buzzword—it’s a moral obligation.

If I were governor, I would lead a top-down overhaul to ensure that every Louisianan knows exactly how their tax dollars are being spent, what regulations are being passed, and who is benefiting from state contracts.

Here’s what that would look like:

1. Sunset Every Regulation

Every rule, every mandate, every agency guideline should have an expiration date. If a regulation is necessary, let it be renewed by elected representatives with public input. If not, it should disappear. No more regulations that linger for decades simply because no one remembered to take them off the books.

Sunset laws force government to justify its existence, not assume it.

2. Launch a Real-Time, Public Budget Dashboard

If you can check your bank balance from your phone, you should be able to check where every dollar of the state budget is going.

I would create a user-friendly, online dashboard showing:

Revenue sources (taxes, federal aid, fees)
Real-time spending across every agency
Contractor and vendor payments
Capital projects and infrastructure costs

Transparency breeds accountability. When citizens can follow the money, waste becomes harder to hide.

3. End Backroom Deals and Political Kickbacks

Louisiana’s history of “who-you-know” politics has made too many people wealthy at the public’s expense. If I were governor, I would:

Ban no-bid contracts over a reasonable threshold
Require all large contracts to go through a competitive, public bidding process
Publish contract recipients and project results in plain sight
Enforce strict ethics laws to keep family members, friends, and former campaign donors from using government as a personal ATM

Let’s be honest—people aren’t asking for miracles. They’re asking for honesty, fairness, and a level playing field.

4. Create Citizen Oversight Boards

Every major agency—especially those dealing with spending, licensing, education, and infrastructure—should have citizen-led advisory boards. These aren’t ceremonial committees; they’re watchdogs with teeth.

We need everyday Louisianans in the room where it happens—not just lobbyists and insiders.

At the end of the day, this step is about restoring trust.

Trust is earned when people feel seen, heard, and respected. It’s earned when government doesn’t act like it has something to hide. It’s earned when leaders lead with humility—not entitlement.

“Good government doesn’t hide behind closed doors—it welcomes sunlight.”

If I were governor, I wouldn’t expect trust—I’d work for it.

Leadership Is Stewardship, Not Control

If I were governor, I wouldn’t try to be a celebrity, a savior, or the smartest person in the room.

I would be a steward—nothing more, nothing less.

Public office isn’t a platform for personal ambition. It’s a trust, handed down by the people, to be used for their good and never for self-gain. The longer you serve in leadership, the more you should feel the weight of that responsibility—not the thrill of authority.

That’s the kind of leadership our state desperately needs: not more control, but more character.

We need men and women in power who:

Know they are accountable to the people—and to God.
Understand that every tax dollar spent was first earned by a hardworking citizen.
See their role not as ruling over people, but standing in the gap to serve and protect them.

The greatest leaders in history didn’t cling to power. They were the ones willing to lay it down for something greater than themselves. Moses didn’t want the job. Washington gave up power—twice. Christ Himself, the ultimate example of leadership, washed the feet of those He came to serve.

Louisiana doesn’t need more smooth talkers, power brokers, or political climbers.
It needs governors who tremble at the responsibility they’ve been given.

So if I were governor, I’d make one thing clear from day one:
This office doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to you.

My job would be to listen more than I speak.
To lead with clarity, not confusion.
To honor your hard work, your values, your voice.
To protect your rights—even when it’s unpopular.
And to leave this state stronger, freer, and more united than I found it.

Because in the end, power fades. Legacy doesn’t. And the only legacy worth leaving is one where the people of Louisiana are freer than they were before you took office.

That’s the standard. That’s the calling.
And that’s the kind of leadership this state deserves.

What’s Next in the Series

Over the next several weeks, we’ll explore what bold, principle-driven leadership could look like across every major area of Louisiana life.

Each article will build on the foundation laid here—reclaiming the people’s government—and offer clear, unapologetic reforms rooted in timeless truths. We’ll tackle tough questions and offer serious solutions for a state that’s ready to rise.

Here’s a glimpse at what’s ahead:

Culture & Faith in the Public Square – how Louisiana can protect religious liberty, restore moral clarity, and partner with the institutions that hold our communities together.
Education Reform – returning schools to local control, empowering parents, and reviving classical education and civics.
Economic Revival – flattening taxes, cutting waste, ending corporate favoritism, and unleashing job creators.
Law & Order – restoring safety while preserving liberty, and protecting Second Amendment rights.
State Sovereignty & Border Security – resisting federal intrusion and keeping Louisiana safe from illegal immigration and fraud.
Medical Freedom & Human Dignity – defending life, banning mandates, and supporting adoption, foster care, and health choice.
Infrastructure & Innovation – fixing roads without kickbacks, expanding broadband, and revitalizing rural communities.
Cultural Revival – defending Louisiana’s history and traditions while building a future our grandchildren will be proud to inherit.

This series isn’t about politics. It’s about purpose. It’s about who we are as a people—and where we want to go together.

Your Voice Matters

This series may be called If I Were Governor, but the truth is we don’t need one person with power—we need millions with courage.

Courage to speak up.
Courage to hope again.
Courage to get involved in building the kind of Louisiana we want to leave behind.

So we want to hear from you.

What would you do if you were governor?
What values do you think Louisiana leaders have forgotten?
What kind of future do you want your kids and grandkids to inherit?

Reply to this article. Share it. Start the conversation in your home, your church, your neighborhood. And if you believe in what we’re building here at The Bayou Insider, help us grow this movement by inviting others to join.

Next up: Part 2 – Culture & Faith in the Public Square
We'll look at how faith, morality, and community partnerships could once again become the heart of public life in Louisiana.

Because this isn’t just about reclaiming a government—it’s about restoring a culture.

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