My daughter Maggie was working on a term paper, “A Political Tableau.” Reading it, I was intrigued and more than a little parent-proud. Her paper—which, naturally, I thought was very good—looked at the interaction of politics and Carnival. But it struck me with the idea that politics IS Carnival!

This isn’t a post-Katrina development … but the stakes are higher now. Slipping behind masks, costuming and tossing favors is great fun for Carnival. But it is more than a little frustrating in the real world when there is so much actual, roll-up-your-sleeves work to be done. (Pardonnez-moi, Mr. Brown.) The rebuilding is a daunting task, even with strong, clear-minded direction in place. We can’t just laugh off the frailties. We need to demand more.

More accountability, vigor, integrity and honesty. At all levels. We need real leadership.

The conduct of some of our elected officials has been exemplary, some humiliating. Give them a thumbs-up … or down … but let them know you are watching. When those who have disappointed us stand for re-election, I hope we remember how they played their part in the biggest political tableau of all.

p.s. Now that we’ve had a chance to catch our breath, I would love to see the business leaders of the region stand up taller and speak out more. The political krewe should not be the only voices we hear!