Jeudi

One of this election year's local races has a bit of an independent streak.

When voters go to the ballot in November, they'll probably recognize incumbent Rep. Cedric Richmond's name from all the billboards around town. But this year there's a new name on the ballot in Louisiana's Second District. Caleb Trotter's views that don't quite coincide with traditional Louisiana politics, or the easy pigeonholes of left and right.

A Tulane graduate, Trotter is a libertarian who received his original inspiration to join the party from Representative Ron Paul. This year he was called into action after the libertarian party tried to run a candidate in all six districts of Louisiana. The party gathered candidates for five districts, putting forth more candidates than ever before. 

Caleb Trotter grew up in Tulsa, Okla., where he was raised Southern Baptist and even considered being a minister during his childhood. Instead, he did a 180 and decided to go to Tulane about 10 years ago to study business. Throughout Katrina, the time away from home and the bonding of the city had a profound effect on him. Trotter realized this was the only place for him and he would do whatever possible to make it a better place. He currently lives Uptown and says he can't imagine living anywhere else for the rest of his life.

Trotter told NOLA Defender that while he spent time away from New Orleans in the aftermath of the Federal Flood, he had the realization that he wouldn't live anywhere else for the rest of his life. He decided to come back permanently and begin making a difference in ways the most local politicians don't.

LIke many who share his party affiliation, Trotter is concerned about the rising national debt. He's upset with the way budget cuts have been implemented in Congress.

"The toughest decision is having someone who's actually going to put forward a real budget that in any way changes anything," said Trotter. "Any conversation that can't even begin to seriously contemplate cutting anything from the budget is not a serious plan".

He further argued that last year Congress only made cuts on future spending increases, rather than cutting back on current funding that may be unnecessary.

Trotter says the clouds of a fiscal storm are gathering over the country. Unless we start making preparations and attacking the issue head-on, we're all in for a serious change that could devastate the way of life for anyone under 50, he said.

He explained that a drastic change is going to be made whether we like it or not, and it's up to us if we want to do it on our own terms, citing the economic collapse of Greece as an example of a possible outcome.

"But if we actually plan ahead and work it out then we can control a good degree of it and make sure that for the people who truly need a safety net, that remains," he said.

He is for the legalization of marijuana on a federal level. While admitting that the initiative would have little ground to stand on in the state of Louisiana, he believes it should pass at a federal level and allow states to regulate it much like alcohol.

"I don't use marijuana and if it was legal I still wouldn't, but I don't think federal government should make that decision for other people", the candidate said. 

There is a rift being created between many citizens and some police forces. The primary cause is the over-militarization of said forces.

"Nobody is saying that we don't want our police force to be properly equipped to deal with crime", said Trotter, "but we have to look at it is as - these are community police forces that are here to serve and protect. We don't want them looking like an occupying force".

Specifically, he was referring to the issue of military surplus divisions that sell m-16s and heavy artillery to police forces in many rural areas of the country. His main concern is that when law enforcement begins to look more like a threat than protection, it can turn situations unnecessarily violent.

Decadence fanatics may also be pleased to hear that Trotter is in favor of legalizing same sex marriage. "I really think in 10 to 20 years were going to look back and view this issue as the under 40 generation's major civil rights moment," he told the Defender. Despite his religious upbringing and backlash from friends and family, he stands by his views on the issue because it "goes beyond politics or religion, it's a civil right."

Trotter is displeased with the fact that former Congressman Bill Jefferson and other politicians found guilty of corruption brought legal scandals and political neglect to the Second District in recent years.

"People should expect more from their representatives, certainly for national office," he said. People mock Louisiana politics nationally, the only way to change that is to expect more. That's why I threw my name into the hat; I think people can look at me and view me as someone with integrity as someone who will be honest with them."