I think it is relatively unknown to many how severe poverty was in the early 1920s in Louisiana and the lack of basic services that were available to all of its citizens, e.g. schools, roads, bridges, hospitals, health care. Enter Huey P. Long.
Gov. and Sen. Long was responsible for so many great things that happened to Louisiana when he was in office. It is remarkable he accomplished so much. He was a genius. Say what you will about his motives, clothes, speaking manner, roots, whatever, this man changed it all in favor of the Louisiana citizen.
In my opinion, the criticism he received in the waning years of his life and career was over the top and generated by the wealthy and powerful that feared him. He was not a socialist, nor a fascist as some portray him to be. What he accomplished was within the bounds of a state and federal democracy. When his opponents could not defeat him at the polls or on the floor of the state capitol or the Senate, they verbally maligned him and finally killed him.
What would he have been and where would he have gone on a state and national level we will never know. One thing we do know is that Louisiana is a much better, more educated, healthier state than it could have ever been without the KINGFISH. When you watch the DVD biography of Huey P. Long by Ken Burns, keep in mind who the people are who are criticizing Mr. Long and examine their motives, from those residing in Louisiana to FDR. Watch this DVD, think for yourself, look around you, study Louisiana history, and decide for yourself. Louisiana folks should always revere the great Huey P. Long.
Dr. Dan Gremillion, Nashville, TN (native of Ferriday, LA)
