Insurance Companies Show Their True Colors

 Ida devastated our community causing suffering and pain for many of our residents.  The damage to homes that are no longer habitable is staggering.  Adding to this tragedy is the fact that “Like a Good Neighbor” and “You’re in Good Hands” were nothing more than catchy phrases throw at us for years by  large insurers which gleefully took our money, but whose actions when needed don’t in the slightest resemble either of their promised messages.

Adding to this atrocity is the failure to have elected a competent state insurance commissioner, our latest of which whose only claim to fame is that he hasn’t been criminally indicted like many of his predecessors.  And let’s not leave out our notorious state insurance commission who allowed many of the loopholes for non-payment of claims to be included in home owners’ policies.  The most egregious being a 2% to 5% deductible for a “named storm” calculated upon the insured value of the home.

For years many of us dutifully paid our insurance premiums, never filing a claim, and thinking that we would be treated fairly and respectfully when a need arose.  Many of these individuals bragged upon how long they had been with their insurance agent and how they had established a kindred relationship.  Many never bothered to read their policies or get other quotes to determine if they could have saved some money on premiums with better protection.  They forgot the fact that many of these beloved insurance agents are simply company employees receiving monetary compensation for every policy they write.  They have no authority over claim decisions made by the corporate office.  People just assumed they would be taken care of “Like a Good Neighbor,” or be “In Good Hands.”

Sadly, we now learn some of the larger insurance companies are not stepping up to make us whole as evidenced by the fact that there doesn’t even exist among the various companies a uniform definition of what is considered an “uninhabitable dwelling”.   And of course our esteemed legislators claim that this is something that needs to be standardized; as usual, always reactive, rather than proactive.  But in their defense, this is what the state insurance commissioner and insurance commission should be about, insuring clarity and uniformity in policy coverage

To make matters worse, some have reported that not only did they not receive adequate monetary assistance from their insurance company to make their dwelling whole again, but that they were also presented a laundry list of improvements that needed to be made to their dwelling at their expense before any renewal of the policy would occur.  Maybe our State Attorney General, Jeff Landry, who loves litigation will finally decide to use the courts to the actual benefit of the states’ residents and take on the ‘big boys.’ Let’s hope so.

Hopefully changes will come in the form of legislation to close some of the no-payment loopholes and lack of standardization among policy definitions.   It is also imperative that voters remember Ida when election time comes for state insurance commissioner.  But neither of these will provide solace for the ongoing suffering that is now.

 Stay strong, because Ida has shown us that, in fact, we do indeed have ‘some good neighbors’ in our communities and we should all be thankful for that.

Trust individuals to do the right thing?

 With all this protest over requiring one to mask up and get vaccinated for the Corona virus, it got me pondering about maybe it’s time to get rid of all laws. Phrases like, “We’re gonna trust people to do the right thing,” "Let individuals make their own decisions,” and the big one, “Mask and vaccine requirements are an infringement on one’s personal freedom,” fill the FOX News Media pundits’ Corona coverage nightly.

Heck, if we think about it, these same proclamations could be applied to almost any law we currently have on the books; so let’s just dump them all.

Let's review some of the biggies.  If you don’t feel like stopping at a red traffic light, or stop sign, because you don’t feel like it’s the right thing to do based upon your judgement of the surrounding circumstances, don’t stop.  Park your vehicle wherever you like, for no one has the right to infringe on your individual decisions.  And how about going whatever speed you desire in your vehicle. You have the right to make that decision based upon your judgement.  Want to abuse your pet or kid, go ahead, because based upon your decision, they deserved it, so you're doing the right thing.  You probably should protest getting a driver’s license or auto insurance, and carrying that documentation with you, because it's actually an infringement on your personal freedom, not only by requiring you to get that stuff, but also when you to have to show those documents when requested.  That's your personal business!

How about the discharging of a firearm?  You should be trusted to do the right thing when deciding where you should, or should not do that.  Just shoot up in the air whenever you're in a parking lot, if you feel like it.  It's your personal decision.

In a way, I’m glad all these “personal freedom” folks made me aware of how we have screwed up our country by making laws under the guise that we were creating them to protect each other. Apparently we were all duped.  I can’t thank these folks enough for this enlightened insight.  So pathetically sad.

Lack of Respect or Insecurity

In 1963, a federal law was passed known as The Equal Pay Act. It mandated that employers pay men and women equally for doing the same work; equal pay for equal work.  To successfully file a claim under this act, you must show that you and an employee of the opposite sex are working in the same place, doing equal work, and receiving unequal pay.  On the surface it’s simple enough, and seemly pretty clear in its intent.

However, like so much of our legislation it has been basically unenforced, and so many loop holes have been utilized to avoid compliance that little has changed for the plight of our country’s female work force.  As a matter of fact if an employer can show wage disparity has what is termed “a legitimate basis,” like more seniority or experience, claims can be denied.

A recent sampling of some of the largest CEO salaries paid by large corporations to men vs. women serves as a stark example of just how blatant wage discrimination still exists today.  The list includes the following male CEOs:  Chad Richardson, Paycom Software, $211.1 million; Robert Kotick, Activision Blizzard, $154.6 million; Leonard S. Schleifer, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, $134.6 million; Larry Culp, General Electric, $72.7 million, and Shantanu Narayen, Adobe, $34.9 million.

Female CEOs highest salaries included:  Lisa T. Su, Advanced Micro Devices, $27.1 million; Mary T. Barra, General Motors, $23.2 million; Kathy J. Warren, Northrop Grumman, $19.7 million; Phebe N. Novakovic, General Dynamics, $18.9 million, and Gail K. Boudreaux, Anthem, $17.1 million.

Now some might use the “loophole” argument that these divergent gaps in salaries don’t take into account “seniority.”  Do you really think that all the seniority in the world could close the gap between the highest male salary of $211.1 million vs the highest female salary of $27.1 million?   I wager to guess, that even if the female CEO stayed in her job until she was 100 years old, she would never close the $184 million pay gap.

Sadly, we live in a state with one of the largest salary gaps in the nation.  In Louisiana women make about 74 cents for every dollar a male earns.  Equal pay legislation for private businesses has failed repeatedly in our state

In April of this year, Democrats tried to address this problem once again at the federal level by approving legislation that hey claimed would help close the gap between what men and women are paid in the workplace. The bill would make it easier to sue employers over pay discrimination, curb the ability of companies to retaliate against those that raised the issue, and beef up enforcement of existing laws, including a new requirement that large businesses submit detailed pay data to the federal government for use in policing pay discrimination laws.  It would also ban employers from prohibiting employees from discussing their salaries.

Republicans opposed this legislation citing laws (The Equal Pay Act) are already on the books outlawing pay discrimination. They also countered that the bill would largely be a boon to trial lawyers looking to sue companies while subjecting employers to burdensome new reporting requirements that would mandate them to submit detailed pay information to the federal government.  They refused to even negotiate or submit an amended version of the legislation.

One has to wonder how much longer “the boys club” in our Congress and state legislatures will continue to call the shots and keep the restrictive yokes in place to prevent women from being recognized as their equals in job abilities.  Guess this is just one more sign of the male insecurity and their fear of losing “societal control.”  God forbid we should ever have a majority of female legislators or worse a female president.

Legislators, like sheep, heed the insurance industry

In 2020, Louisiana politicians passed a bill which they touted as a major win for automobile drivers in our state, a promise of lower insurance rates.  Our Republican legislators duped the public into believing that our high auto insurance rates were due to the ridiculously high number of lawsuits filed against insurance companies by the overabundance of accident attorneys in our state.  In response, our esteemed legislators passed a bill that would limit damage suits by people injured in car wrecks. They claimed the bill would make the state’s auto insurance market more competitive and induce auto insurers to pass their cost savings from the bill to consumers.

Surprisingly, Democrats, such as Sen. Jay Luneau, from Alexandria, argued that the real reason for high insurance rates was not because of the numerous lawsuits, but instead due to the fact that insurance companies are allowed to set their rates based upon demographics such as a driver’s gender, age, marital status, or credit score.  He filed bills aimed to prohibit that practice, but they all died in committees.

Democrats in our legislature also raised concerns about the bill because there were no guarantees that insurance companies would actually lower their rates.  They wanted to include a mandate ordering auto insurance companies to lower the rates by 10% to 20%.  The insurance company lobbyists and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry would have none of that mandate, and so it failed to be included.  Besides, Stephen Waguespack, head of LABI, touted the original bill as the “most important bill of the Legislative session,” so how could our legislators refuse to pass it as originally proposed?  So goes LABI, so goes our legislators.

Additionally, Jim Donelon, our state Insurance Commissioner, who was up for re-election, gave the bill his blessing with promises at the time that it would reduce rates by at least 10% and possibly 25%.

Friday, State Farm, the state’s largest auto insurer, got approval from Donelon and his cronies to raise rates by 4.3% after coming off a banner year of profits due to the limited driving that occurred during the COVID 19 pandemic. Be assured, the other auto insurance companies will follow their lead.

Where are all our legislators now regarding their support of this deception which once again has impacted the wallets of their constituents?  Not a peep from one of the supporters of the bill.  And tragically voters keep re-electing these same folks to Baton Rouge, including the insurance commissioner, and never hold them accountable.  So as you write that increased check for your auto insurance remember who is really to blame, no one but you.

LABI, Louisiana "Good Ole Boys"

 Anyone familiar with Louisiana politics is aware of the fact that the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry has successfully corralled most of the male legislators in Baton Rouge, and can count on them to push LABI’s agenda when proposing and passing various legislative bills.   It’s no secret, that so goes LABI, so goes the legislature.

I guess that it came as no surprise that LABI decided to expand its legislative grip by bringing our female legislators into their fold.  On Tuesday, LABI had planned an event that was reminiscent of something one might expect 30 years ago, by offering a day of “female fellowship over breakfast and beauty.”

Not only did the planned event include coffee, and a smoothie bar packed with fresh vegetables and fruit, but also makeup stations where the ladies could get their makeup and hair done.  Obviously, as most male legislators know, and in particular our esteemed Attorney General, Jeff Landry, know, it is of paramount importance for our female state employees to look beautiful at all times, particularly our legislators

I will not even address the ethical red flags such an event raises, but the mind set of planning this one shows what LABI actually assumes is important to our female legislators.  Obviously, LABI is completely dismissive of the fact that they are presently deeply involved with a legislative committee investigating sexual assault atrocities at LSU. 

Sadly, I don’t recall any condemning statements LABI has made regarding this LSU situation.  And, by the way, the CEO of LABI, Mr. Waguespack, is certainly at no loss for words when it comes to commenting on other non-business related circumstances in our state, including LSU football games.

Guess all of us just need to face the reality that women in Louisiana are still thought of as second class citizens, who continue to make less wages than men in identical job positions, and, according to LABI and others, just need to cook the meals, clean the house, do the laundry, raise the kids, and, by all means, look pretty.

On a positive note, the event was cancelled due to a lack of interest, and condemnation by our female legislative representatives.  Kudos to them.  Maybe some of our male legislators can learn a thing or two from them.

No one is more important than LSU football

 

I always knew there were two football entities that you don’t mess with in Louisiana, Drew Brees and the LSU Tigers.  However, the two are very divergent in deserving one’s allegiance.  Brees’ accomplishments both on the field and off which include many humanitarian endeavors for the city of New Orleans speak volumes.  And while many of the LSU Tigers individual players deserve respect, those charged with providing their mentorship are a total disaster.

 

In previous commentaries I tried to point out the dangerous obsessiveness LSU demonstrates as it relates to football.  Everything was fine at LSU, in the eyes of its revelers, as long as the Tigers could win the big one coupled with trouncing Alabama even as the academic climate of LSU continued to be decimated by legislative fiscal cuts.

 

However, in my wildest imagination I never perceived that LSU football would trump the moral protection of its young female student body.  The scandal surrounding Les Miles and the ensuing cover ups which continue today as evidenced by the refusal of any of the higher ups to appear before a state legislative investigative committee are mind blowing.

 

It’s also mind blowing that other institutions, not directly connected with any of this mess, severed all connections with those involved in it, namely the firing of Les Miles at Kansas and F. King Alexander at Oregon.  These institutions simply didn’t want those type of individuals anywhere near their student bodies.

 

On the other hand, LSU seems to have no problems with the way sexual assault cases were mishandled by its staff which were directly involved, for it has terminated no one.

It is apparent that despite what LSU claims about the ‘new culture’ that now exits at its campus, its present stonewalling actions suggest otherwise.  In the long run, LSU will just continue to hide behind legal maneuverings biding its time until this just all fades away and once again we can get down to what really matters, LSU winning the big one coupled with trouncing Alabama even at the expense of their female student body.

 

 

Perpetual Divisiveness

 

With the election over and a new Commander-in-Chief one has to wonder what will become of the U.S.  If you’re expecting some great dramatic changes focused on realistically improving the societal climate in the U.S., you are probably in for a big disappointment. 

Over the past four years, the polarization that took place in our country accelerated at a far greater pace than at any other time in recent history.  Our country saw both a movement further to the Right coupled with one further to the Left.  Sadly, neither ideology represents what it will take to truly make American great again. 

During the past administration the predominant Right wing approach was that all legislation enacted by Democrats, and in particular by former President Obama, was ‘evil.’   Many executive orders were implemented, bypassing Congress, to undo this ‘evilness.’  Likewise, the code of ethics adopted by Democrats was that legislative actions enacted by President Trump and other Republicans was also ‘evil.’ 

Do you really think that everything that either side enacted was completely devoid of any benefit to our society?  Sadly, that was never a consideration.  All that mattered was which side proposed it.

Unfortunately, this polarization still rages with the obsession of the new Democratic president to undo the ‘evil’ of the previous Trump administration.  This is evidenced by the new plethora of executive orders rescinding Trump’s executive orders, again bypassing Congress, without any objective analysis of their possible benefits. 

What we now have in our country are over 74 million obsessive far Right loyalists and over 80 million obsessive far Left loyalists.  There appears to be no room for compromise anymore, and this is the only way for effective changes to occur. 

One only has to look at the recent divisive rhetoric of our Louisiana congressional and state representatives to see what is occurring now nationwide.   Instead of setting an example of unity to tackle the problems facing the state or nation, they continue to foster the hard Right or hard Left ideologies while not even remotely suggesting a coming together through compromise. 

Sadly, there appears to be no end in sight to this rampant polarization, and I am extremely pessimistic as to the future of our country.   I truly feel sorry for my kids and grandkids.

We need to get a grip and wake up as a nation and somehow come together.  However, in order to do that we would probably have to throw out most of our state and federal representatives which is not realistically possible.  On the other hand, we could lead by example and change our own divisive behaviors.  

Is that even possible?