Friday, March 26, 2010
Assholes and Their SUV's
The good news is that Mr. Weisiger, who was so offended by an Obama bumper sticker that he decided to ram into a car with a 10 yr old girl in it, has a good chance of being the recipient of Government Health Care via the Tennessee Penal System. WKRN via KnoxViews
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Analysis: AP Tries To Stoke The Fires To No Avail
According to the Associated Press, President Obama "risks alienating Jewish voters". The author, Tom Raum, says "Jewish voters, one of the most active political blocs in this country, have long expressed some misgivings with Obama, a nervousness that persists today."
Yes, so have black voters, gay voters, white voters, etc...sure, you can isolate any group and find enough people to write an article about how "group X is skeptical of person Y". But the dude won 78% of Jewish voters, that is only 1% less than Al Gore, who had a freakin' Jewish running mate.
Here's the deal. If Jewish Americans were so singularly focused on having a candidate who expressed a Likud-like view of the situation, they'd vote Republican. Fact is, they are a smart voting bloc, they know that Democrats generally take a more nuanced position on the Palestinian-Israeli situation than Republicans who reflexively defend and promote the Israeli state, regardless of the effect on the Palestinian peoples. Hell, you've got a good portion of the GOP base and leadership who want Israel to have even more land...granted, that's so Jesus can come back and lay waste to the heathens, including the Jews, but, you know, can't win all the time.
Ultimately, Obama risks losing more Jewish votes with this health care reform bill that is overwhelmingly opposed by senior citizens than he does by not playing patty-cake with Bibi on the evening news. So long as they see he's doing it for the purpose of negotiating peace, most Jewish American voters won't mind a little push back against a right-winger like Netanyahu.
Yes, so have black voters, gay voters, white voters, etc...sure, you can isolate any group and find enough people to write an article about how "group X is skeptical of person Y". But the dude won 78% of Jewish voters, that is only 1% less than Al Gore, who had a freakin' Jewish running mate.
Here's the deal. If Jewish Americans were so singularly focused on having a candidate who expressed a Likud-like view of the situation, they'd vote Republican. Fact is, they are a smart voting bloc, they know that Democrats generally take a more nuanced position on the Palestinian-Israeli situation than Republicans who reflexively defend and promote the Israeli state, regardless of the effect on the Palestinian peoples. Hell, you've got a good portion of the GOP base and leadership who want Israel to have even more land...granted, that's so Jesus can come back and lay waste to the heathens, including the Jews, but, you know, can't win all the time.
Ultimately, Obama risks losing more Jewish votes with this health care reform bill that is overwhelmingly opposed by senior citizens than he does by not playing patty-cake with Bibi on the evening news. So long as they see he's doing it for the purpose of negotiating peace, most Jewish American voters won't mind a little push back against a right-winger like Netanyahu.
Clear Your Schedules Folks...
Word on the street is that a certain GOP candidate, Bill Gibbons from Shelby County, will be making an announcement about the status of his race for Governor tomorrow. Not sure what it will be, but my guess is that it won't be to show the results of a new poll showing him surging ahead.
Stay tuned folks.
Stay tuned folks.
I Must've Missed That...
The AP on Health Care Reform:
Really? Great! Because here I thought that for the vast majority of people like myself who already had insurance through their employer, the only thing that would change is that the insurance company can't just drop us when we get sick.
I mean, I wanted the bill to impact employees...I would've loved for the bill to get rid of the employer purchased health insurance system in favor of giving us the money and tax breaks in order to purchase insurance on the exchange. But that didn't happen.
No Republican lawmakers voted for the overhaul, a sweeping package that will change how almost every American will receive and pay for medical treatment. Many in the GOP are predicting it will prove devastating in November for the Democrats who voted for it.
Really? Great! Because here I thought that for the vast majority of people like myself who already had insurance through their employer, the only thing that would change is that the insurance company can't just drop us when we get sick.
I mean, I wanted the bill to impact employees...I would've loved for the bill to get rid of the employer purchased health insurance system in favor of giving us the money and tax breaks in order to purchase insurance on the exchange. But that didn't happen.
You'll Drink His Product, But That's About It
The slogan the McWherter Camp doesn't want you to start repeating...
Neighbors To Run For Re-election
Vice Mayor Diane Neighbors has announced today that she will be a candidate for that office once more in 2011:
When you elected me in 2007, you gave me the opportunity to serve as Vice Mayor of Nashville and President of the Metropolitan Council. Recently some of you have inquired about my plans for the future, and so I am writing to tell you that I will soon seek that opportunity once again. I will run for Vice Mayor in 2011 and am writing to ask for your support.
$15,700,000
That is the dollar amount state revenues would increase if Red White and Food got their way and the Legislature passed a bill to allow wine to be sold in grocery stores.
That represents nearly 400 potential jobs saved.
That represents money that can go to improve our schools.
That represents money that can go to keep people from getting kicked off TennCare.
That represents money that can pay to sue the Federal Government if the legislature gets their way on the issue of Health Care.
However the money is spent, that represents real dollars for the State of Tennessee, not to mention millions more for local governments, all while increasing the choices for consumers.
The Governor of New York has folded in a wine and grocery stores measure into the proposed budget in order to shore up deficits, why hasn't ours?
That represents nearly 400 potential jobs saved.
That represents money that can go to improve our schools.
That represents money that can go to keep people from getting kicked off TennCare.
That represents money that can pay to sue the Federal Government if the legislature gets their way on the issue of Health Care.
However the money is spent, that represents real dollars for the State of Tennessee, not to mention millions more for local governments, all while increasing the choices for consumers.
The Governor of New York has folded in a wine and grocery stores measure into the proposed budget in order to shore up deficits, why hasn't ours?
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
I Got Mine, Screw Off
That's the message it appears our nation's senior citizens are sending the rest of the country. Recently Gallup took a poll on what the majority of the country thinks of the passage of the new health insurance reforms, and a plurality thought it was a good thing, 49-40. Look deeper in the numbers though, and you find that the biggest chunk of that 40% who think its a bad thing, already health insurance provided by the Government:
So for all the talk of socialism, "government takeovers" and what not...you have to wonder, what exactly about this bill do senior citizens loathe? Are they worried that their coverage will suffer under this package, or are they satisfied with the status-quo because they don't have to worry about going without insurance?
So for all the talk of socialism, "government takeovers" and what not...you have to wonder, what exactly about this bill do senior citizens loathe? Are they worried that their coverage will suffer under this package, or are they satisfied with the status-quo because they don't have to worry about going without insurance?
Beating a Dead Horse
The bill to outlaw the Medicare tax system in Tennessee has been rolled for one week in order to get the House version to conform to the recently passed Senate version. Jeff Woods notes some teabagger craziness, but says this about the bill:
What the bill says. "It is declared that the public policy of this state"...blathering..."that every person in within this state is and shall be free to choose or decline to choose any mode of securing health care services" defined as either direct payment, credit, trade or insurance "without penalty or threat of penalty" defined as tax, fine, or wage withholding "by the federal government".
What does MEDICARE do? It is a mode of securing health care after a certain age which is paid for via mandatory taxation.
It may have been written in order to stop the "government takeover of health care" by the Federal Government, but it neglects to take into consideration that the Government took over health insurance for senior citizens 40 years ago. Its not optional, though I imagine you can decide to pay for all of your expenses out of pocket, you still get penalized to pay for the system via taxation.
he Senate adopted the legislation last month by a 26-1 vote. Of questionable constitutionality, it would allow any Tennessean to refuse to obey the new federal mandate to buy health insurance and compel the state attorney general to defend that person in court if necessary.
What the bill says. "It is declared that the public policy of this state"...blathering..."that every person in within this state is and shall be free to choose or decline to choose any mode of securing health care services" defined as either direct payment, credit, trade or insurance "without penalty or threat of penalty" defined as tax, fine, or wage withholding "by the federal government".
What does MEDICARE do? It is a mode of securing health care after a certain age which is paid for via mandatory taxation.
It may have been written in order to stop the "government takeover of health care" by the Federal Government, but it neglects to take into consideration that the Government took over health insurance for senior citizens 40 years ago. Its not optional, though I imagine you can decide to pay for all of your expenses out of pocket, you still get penalized to pay for the system via taxation.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The Freedoms We Lose
The Investors Business Daily has a list of the "freedoms" you and I will no longer enjoy. Such as #18, the freedom as stockholders in health insurance companies to vote for higher compensation packages for CEOs. Awful, isn't it?
The Post In Which I Defend The Republicans
I hate to do it, but someone has to...
Yesterday, Rep. Mike Turner felt that the Republicans were owning the field in terms of hyperbolic statements, and so he decided to make one of his own:
Now, lets be clear here...this statement is absolutely (almost) true. Now that we have a Black President, there are many (not everybody) people acting like something's wrong with our country. Whether they are doing it because of the fact that the President is black, would need to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Two, he's absolutely right that "some of the people" are against Obama just because he is black...though, the number I'm sure is rather small, because to be against him "just" because he's black, probably meant you were a centrist liberal before him, and I'm just not sure how many of those make up the teabagger movement.
Ultimately, most Conservatives hate any sort of Government interference in the right of corporations to screw you over. This has been the case for many years, and this health care debate is yet another example. Bringing up the fact that some of them are racist just moves us away from pointing out how historically entrenched the desire to see people screwed over is within the GOP.
On another note, Aunt B makes the statement: "If Tennessee Republicans are so free from racism, where are the black TNGOP politicians?"
There is one, her name is Chrystal Horne and she represents the 10th Senate District on the Tennessee Republican Executive Committee. Also, I don't think you can necessarily fault the GOP because black people don't like them. Its like blaming a pimple-faced D&D fanatic with halitosis for not dating a girl on the cheerleader squad.
Yesterday, Rep. Mike Turner felt that the Republicans were owning the field in terms of hyperbolic statements, and so he decided to make one of his own:
“We’ve got a lot of bills on states’ rights here, state sovereignty and all that,” he added. “We went through that fight once before. All of a sudden, we have a black man elected president and everybody wants to start acting like something’s wrong with our country. I didn’t agree with a lot of things George Bush did, but I wasn’t ready to secede from the union.”
Asked to elaborate afterward, Turner said, “I think some of the people who are against Obama are just against Obama because he’s African-American.”
Now, lets be clear here...this statement is absolutely (almost) true. Now that we have a Black President, there are many (not everybody) people acting like something's wrong with our country. Whether they are doing it because of the fact that the President is black, would need to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Two, he's absolutely right that "some of the people" are against Obama just because he is black...though, the number I'm sure is rather small, because to be against him "just" because he's black, probably meant you were a centrist liberal before him, and I'm just not sure how many of those make up the teabagger movement.
Ultimately, most Conservatives hate any sort of Government interference in the right of corporations to screw you over. This has been the case for many years, and this health care debate is yet another example. Bringing up the fact that some of them are racist just moves us away from pointing out how historically entrenched the desire to see people screwed over is within the GOP.
On another note, Aunt B makes the statement: "If Tennessee Republicans are so free from racism, where are the black TNGOP politicians?"
There is one, her name is Chrystal Horne and she represents the 10th Senate District on the Tennessee Republican Executive Committee. Also, I don't think you can necessarily fault the GOP because black people don't like them. Its like blaming a pimple-faced D&D fanatic with halitosis for not dating a girl on the cheerleader squad.
States Rights and You
So, the Southerners are getting their panties in a wad once again, though this time instead of dragging the nation into a costly and bloody war, so far they just seem to be threatening legal action (always preferable).
In 1860 South Carolina and others left the Union because they felt the Federal Government wasn't imposing their will on other states effectively enough. Yes, that's right. The "state's rights" argument made was not that a state had the right to do whatever it wanted, the South actually opposed that...they argued that Northern states should be compelled to return the South's "property" as per Federal law, and the failure to do that was a breach of contract between the States.
Now, fast forward 150 years, and the folks in the South think that the Federal Government is overstepping its bounds by signing into law various requirements, one of which is that individuals have health insurance...the failure to do so results in a $750 annual penalty (in about 6 years). In the bill, the Senate attempted to address the constitutional concerns by invoking the often used Commerce Clause:
Essentially, the penalty is a tax. Anyone who has insurance doesn't pay it, anyone who doesn't, has to pay it. In a sense, everyone's taxes have increased annually by $750 and there is a non-refundable tax credit of $750 for everyone who has insurance.
In 1860 South Carolina and others left the Union because they felt the Federal Government wasn't imposing their will on other states effectively enough. Yes, that's right. The "state's rights" argument made was not that a state had the right to do whatever it wanted, the South actually opposed that...they argued that Northern states should be compelled to return the South's "property" as per Federal law, and the failure to do that was a breach of contract between the States.
Now, fast forward 150 years, and the folks in the South think that the Federal Government is overstepping its bounds by signing into law various requirements, one of which is that individuals have health insurance...the failure to do so results in a $750 annual penalty (in about 6 years). In the bill, the Senate attempted to address the constitutional concerns by invoking the often used Commerce Clause:
IN GENERAL.—The individual responsibility requirement provided for in this section (in this sub-section referred to as the ‘‘requirement’’) is commercial and economic in nature, and substantially affects interstate commerce [snip] In United States 8 v. South-Eastern Underwriters Association (322 U.S. 533 (1944)), the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that insurance is interstate commerce subject to Federal regulation.
Essentially, the penalty is a tax. Anyone who has insurance doesn't pay it, anyone who doesn't, has to pay it. In a sense, everyone's taxes have increased annually by $750 and there is a non-refundable tax credit of $750 for everyone who has insurance.
Photo Of The Day
The hug is for Health Care reform passage...the smile is because he had to do it with a mandate.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Medicare Ban Up For Vote Wednesday
The State House is taking up a bill Wednesday to possibly outlaw Medicare in Tennessee.
Update:
Jeff Woods has an article up about the matter where he quotes Rep. Mike Turner saying its the Civil War all over again:
As racist as I think most Southern Conservatives are, I think they are just reflexively opposed to all government action, regardless of the color of the President.
Also, Woods describes the bill as requiring "Attorney General Bob Cooper to sue to overturn any federal mandate to buy insurance." Sort of, it actually requires AG Cooper to sue the Federal government over any law that forces Tennesseans to pay taxes into a "government-run health insurance program". In other words MEDICARE.
Update:
Jeff Woods has an article up about the matter where he quotes Rep. Mike Turner saying its the Civil War all over again:
Asked his view on the Health Freedom Act, which orders Attorney General Bob Cooper to sue to overturn any federal mandate to buy insurance, Turner said: “I have one thing to say about that: Appomattox.”
“We’ve got a lot of bills on states’ rights here, state sovereignty and all that,” he added. “We went through that fight once before. All of a sudden, we have a black man elected president and everybody wants to start acting like something’s wrong with our country. I didn’t agree with a lot of things George Bush did, but I wasn’t ready to secede from the union.”
As racist as I think most Southern Conservatives are, I think they are just reflexively opposed to all government action, regardless of the color of the President.
Also, Woods describes the bill as requiring "Attorney General Bob Cooper to sue to overturn any federal mandate to buy insurance." Sort of, it actually requires AG Cooper to sue the Federal government over any law that forces Tennesseans to pay taxes into a "government-run health insurance program". In other words MEDICARE.
Fighting The Waste
Generally when some politician talks of fighting waste, its of the monetary variety, in this case, its a little more toxic:
Hrmm, personally, I'm not sure we ought to ban it outright, maybe just tax the crap out of it so that if it does happen, we can use the money to help lower our shortfall.
A Tennessee senator wants to stop foreign nuclear waste from potentially being stranded in the state.
State Senator Andy Berke is filing a bill targeting a Utah Company.
Energy Solution Incorporated is considering a deal to import 20,000 tons of nuclear waste from Italy to process at Oak Ridge.
Hrmm, personally, I'm not sure we ought to ban it outright, maybe just tax the crap out of it so that if it does happen, we can use the money to help lower our shortfall.
Vic Will Be Vic
Joey Garrison takes an in depth look at our Juvenile Clerk and the race for his seat coming up on May 4th:
First of all, I will say that the fact that this is an elected position, and a partisan one at that, is a serious flaw in the system. I know the legislature is busy with crafting constitutional amendments guaranteeing the right to kill animals and making super-duper sure an income tax is banned in the state, but perhaps they can devote a little time to considering reforming the way administrative positions are chosen.
Having said that, they are elected positions, and so it makes it difficult to decide who to vote for. Vic Lineweaver, despite bad press and some bad blood with some judges and lawyers, is the only one who has done the job. So, from a qualification stand point, I'm not sure there is someone else running who knows more about the system than he does.
So, what then, leadership? How am I supposed to decide who is a better leader...based on a 1 or 2 minute speech at whatever Democratic event they happen to be attending?
Is it personal relationship? If so, I've got nothing against Vic Lineweaver, as a Democrat, he's been a fairly reliable supporter of the Young Dems and he's been nothing but nice to me.
So, while the conventional wisdom seems to be that Vic Lineweaver needs to go...nobody as of yet has been able to convince me they are going to do a better job, and I'm disinclined to vote for someone else just because they happen to have gotten more signs plastered up around the city than the next person. Show me a 10 point plan as to what new technology you'd like to implement it, where you'd find the funds to do it, and how it would improve the current system, then perhaps I'd be open to voting for you.
If history is an indicator, voter turnout for May’s Juvenile Court Clerk race will likely be low, as only 29,938 Davidson County citizens voted in the 2006 race. And this time, unlike the last, voters must choose between both a Democratic and a Republican primary; hence, the electorate for Lineweaver’s race should shrink even more.
The crowded field of candidates has perhaps given Lineweaver a significant boost in defending his seat. After all, despite his tribulations, Lineweaver has longtime friends and backers throughout Nashville and could rely on fewer of them to eke out a victory. “It helps some,” Lineweaver agreed.
Though it’s virtually impossible to forecast a race with so many candidates and so few voters, some observers believe the greatest challenge to Lineweaver may come from David Smith, a General Sessions Court officer currently on a leave of absence, who has been running for the seat for more than two years. Smith has raised the most money and has backing from some big names in Nashville’s legal community. Smith, a Democrat who served in former Mayor Bill Boner’s administration, comes from an old political family. His father Mack Smith, a Goodlettsville liquor store owner, played a role in the old East Nashville political scene during the 1970s and ’80s.
First of all, I will say that the fact that this is an elected position, and a partisan one at that, is a serious flaw in the system. I know the legislature is busy with crafting constitutional amendments guaranteeing the right to kill animals and making super-duper sure an income tax is banned in the state, but perhaps they can devote a little time to considering reforming the way administrative positions are chosen.
Having said that, they are elected positions, and so it makes it difficult to decide who to vote for. Vic Lineweaver, despite bad press and some bad blood with some judges and lawyers, is the only one who has done the job. So, from a qualification stand point, I'm not sure there is someone else running who knows more about the system than he does.
So, what then, leadership? How am I supposed to decide who is a better leader...based on a 1 or 2 minute speech at whatever Democratic event they happen to be attending?
Is it personal relationship? If so, I've got nothing against Vic Lineweaver, as a Democrat, he's been a fairly reliable supporter of the Young Dems and he's been nothing but nice to me.
So, while the conventional wisdom seems to be that Vic Lineweaver needs to go...nobody as of yet has been able to convince me they are going to do a better job, and I'm disinclined to vote for someone else just because they happen to have gotten more signs plastered up around the city than the next person. Show me a 10 point plan as to what new technology you'd like to implement it, where you'd find the funds to do it, and how it would improve the current system, then perhaps I'd be open to voting for you.
To The Democrats Who Flinched
The right-winger movement still ain't got no love for you:
Yes, from this moment on while you are spending the next 6 months explaining why your district should elect a Democrat whilst maintaining opposition to the Democratic platform, just understand that the GOP will come after you harder and faster because of your no vote.
For a general peak into the conservative movement's collective meltdown over a bill that expands the private health insurance industry, check out all the NRO rants.
Maybe the GOP will be able to sustain unhappiness with "the bill" over the next 6 months, but eventually they are going to have to get more specific than repeating ad naseum the words "government takeover of health care". Which aspects do they want to see gone, which aspects are they willing to keep? Because if they were to get control of the Congress and White House again, they wouldn't simply be retroactively repealing a bill, they'd be pro-actively changing the laws to allow insurers to drop you when you get sick, kicking young adults off their parents coverage, telling those with pre-existing conditions to suck it up and pay out of pocket, and increasing taxes for people who just obtained insurance.
As for the Democrats who joined the Republicans in voting against the Obama-Pelosi health bill, their “no” votes should give them no immunity in November. This is not a time for sentimentality. We should target the Democratic “no” voters for defeat no less vigorously than we will be targeting the “yes” voters.
Yes, from this moment on while you are spending the next 6 months explaining why your district should elect a Democrat whilst maintaining opposition to the Democratic platform, just understand that the GOP will come after you harder and faster because of your no vote.
For a general peak into the conservative movement's collective meltdown over a bill that expands the private health insurance industry, check out all the NRO rants.
Maybe the GOP will be able to sustain unhappiness with "the bill" over the next 6 months, but eventually they are going to have to get more specific than repeating ad naseum the words "government takeover of health care". Which aspects do they want to see gone, which aspects are they willing to keep? Because if they were to get control of the Congress and White House again, they wouldn't simply be retroactively repealing a bill, they'd be pro-actively changing the laws to allow insurers to drop you when you get sick, kicking young adults off their parents coverage, telling those with pre-existing conditions to suck it up and pay out of pocket, and increasing taxes for people who just obtained insurance.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Speaker Ramsey Trumpets Ban on Medicare
Speaker of the Senate Ron Ramsey is using the bully-pulpit of that position to angle for the teabagger vote in the GOP primary this August. Ramsey is touting a bill (SB3498) before the State Senate that would effectively make Medicare illegal in Tennessee, as he notes in his email:
Medicare is compulsory...the taxes to pay for it are automatically taken out of your paycheck. Therefore, under this bill, it would be illegal. I've gone over it before, but here are the basics.
1, the bill states: "It is declared that the public policy of this state, consistent with our constitutionally recognized and inalienable rights of liberty, is that every person within this state is and shall be free to choose or decline to choose any mode of
securing health care services without penalty or threat of penalty by the federal government of the United States of America."
2, "penalty" is defined as "any civil or criminal fine, tax, salary or wage withholding, surcharge, fee or any other imposed consequence, established by law"
Can anyone explain to me how this does not in fact make Medicare illegal?
The legislation would still allow individuals the option to participate in a federal program. The bill, set to be heard Wednesday in the House Industrial Impact subcommittee, acknowledges the right of Tennesseans to refuse to participate in a government-run health insurance program. It also calls on the state’s Attorney General to take action in the defense or prosecution of rights protected under the legislation.
Medicare is compulsory...the taxes to pay for it are automatically taken out of your paycheck. Therefore, under this bill, it would be illegal. I've gone over it before, but here are the basics.
1, the bill states: "It is declared that the public policy of this state, consistent with our constitutionally recognized and inalienable rights of liberty, is that every person within this state is and shall be free to choose or decline to choose any mode of
securing health care services without penalty or threat of penalty by the federal government of the United States of America."
2, "penalty" is defined as "any civil or criminal fine, tax, salary or wage withholding, surcharge, fee or any other imposed consequence, established by law"
Can anyone explain to me how this does not in fact make Medicare illegal?
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Chief Killjoy Gets Pushed Around
Phil Williams, lead investigator for News Channel 5, got pushed out of a Davidson County Clerk's breakroom which had [Gasp!] Irish themed slot machines on St. Patrick's Day. Apparently Williams thinks that from the moment they enter the building to the moment they leave, municipal employees should have no time to relax.
Oh, the horror of it all. I understand if the County Clerk's office were running an illegal casino out of a backroom how that might be an issue...but if someone brought in a couple of slot machines for people to have fun during their break, is that really the worst thing in the world?
Oh, the horror of it all. I understand if the County Clerk's office were running an illegal casino out of a backroom how that might be an issue...but if someone brought in a couple of slot machines for people to have fun during their break, is that really the worst thing in the world?
On Doing The Right Thing
Marjorie Margolies, a former House member from Pennsylvania, has penned an op-ed in the Washington Post in which she rehashes a vote for the Clinton budget in 1994 that many credit with the demise of her political career (she was a Freshman at the time).
Damn skippy. Ultimately one has to decide if running and winning elected office is a means or an end. If its a means towards improving the lives of your constituents, then you should look closely at whether this bill is ultimately in their best interest or not. If its an end in and of itself, well, then you are a dick politician and I hope you get kicked out of office.
Yes, its possible to vote against this bill for "the right reasons". Being scared you are going to lose re-election is not one of those (neither is voting it down because its not perfect, because no legislation ever is). Otherwise, since the Supreme Court thinks companies are people too, we might as well elect polling firms to represent a district...why make a decision when an ill-informed public can do that for you?
In the run-up to the vote on the Clinton budget, rhetoric reached a fever pitch. The legislation would, alternately, destroy the free market; thrust our economy into the next Great Depression; spell the end of the United States as the leader of the free world. Based on the clips, one might think passage of the Clinton budget made Armageddon look like a walk in the park. [snip]
Is it possible that, while 55 percent of my reliably Republican district opposed the Clinton budget, a vote in favor of that budget was, in fact, in the best interest of my district? Can a member of the House of Representatives ever vote with a minority of her district and still be voting in the district's best interest? Is it possible that a majority of your constituents could be -- dare I say it? -- wrong?
Of course -- and that's why you're there. Otherwise, we'd vote everything by referendum.
Damn skippy. Ultimately one has to decide if running and winning elected office is a means or an end. If its a means towards improving the lives of your constituents, then you should look closely at whether this bill is ultimately in their best interest or not. If its an end in and of itself, well, then you are a dick politician and I hope you get kicked out of office.
Yes, its possible to vote against this bill for "the right reasons". Being scared you are going to lose re-election is not one of those (neither is voting it down because its not perfect, because no legislation ever is). Otherwise, since the Supreme Court thinks companies are people too, we might as well elect polling firms to represent a district...why make a decision when an ill-informed public can do that for you?
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
In Case You Were Wondering...
The Herron campaign wants you to know that he will be a fervent representative of Republican interests now, and once in Washington:
For a minute there, when Herron was running for Governor, it seemed like he might get a bit beyond the good ol' boy Conservative shtick...but now that he's running for Congress, it looks like he's going full-bore in that direction.
Roy Herron will cast his fifth vote against a state income tax tomorrow when legislation to constitutionally ban an income tax is before the State Senate.
Every time a state income tax proposal has come before Herron, he has voted against it. And he has repeatedly opposed increases in the state sales tax rate.
Herron said, "I am fiscally conservative and so are most people I represent. They may not be as tight as I am and drive trucks with 375,000 miles, but they want government to live within its means-and they do not want an income tax."
For a minute there, when Herron was running for Governor, it seemed like he might get a bit beyond the good ol' boy Conservative shtick...but now that he's running for Congress, it looks like he's going full-bore in that direction.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
SEIU Finds Unlikely Allies in Fight with School Board
While the topic of Israel can bring together the most liberal and conservative pols...the topic of MNPS meetings and budget cuts seems to be bringing together some of the more conservative and liberal elements of the Metro Council.
The other day the school board held a meeting on their budget which seeks to outsource the janitorial staff (a move that essentially keeps most janitors employed, but cuts their salary and benefits while lining the pockets of a shell company). Its a fairly common move these days for many schools across the country, whether it be janitorial or culinary staff. One wonders when some schools will start outsourcing their teachers?
Anywho...what I find interesting is the people who seem to have come together on this. Eric Crafton and Michael Craddock (two of the three co-sponsors to a resolution calling for MNPS to hold a new budget hearing on the matter with cameras) just so happen to be running for county-wide (highly paid and probably unnecessary) offices as a Republican and "Democrat" respectively. One has to wonder whether their solidarity with the SEIU is an effort to seek their support for office, or do they really just oppose this move?
Marc Naccarato provided me with a copy of the resolution which calls on the School Board to hold a new meeting with adequate space and Metro 3 to be present, whereas the introductory clause seems to be firmly in opposition to the move by the Council to outsource these union jobs.
Council Resolution on MNPS Hearing
The other day the school board held a meeting on their budget which seeks to outsource the janitorial staff (a move that essentially keeps most janitors employed, but cuts their salary and benefits while lining the pockets of a shell company). Its a fairly common move these days for many schools across the country, whether it be janitorial or culinary staff. One wonders when some schools will start outsourcing their teachers?
Anywho...what I find interesting is the people who seem to have come together on this. Eric Crafton and Michael Craddock (two of the three co-sponsors to a resolution calling for MNPS to hold a new budget hearing on the matter with cameras) just so happen to be running for county-wide (highly paid and probably unnecessary) offices as a Republican and "Democrat" respectively. One has to wonder whether their solidarity with the SEIU is an effort to seek their support for office, or do they really just oppose this move?
Marc Naccarato provided me with a copy of the resolution which calls on the School Board to hold a new meeting with adequate space and Metro 3 to be present, whereas the introductory clause seems to be firmly in opposition to the move by the Council to outsource these union jobs.
Council Resolution on MNPS Hearing
United States of Israel
What issue can bring together the likes of Sarah Palin and Anthony Weiner? Why, the desire to treat a nation smaller than the Commonwealth of Virginia both in size and population as our most important ally in the world and beyond reproach...that's what.
What horrible, outrageous, and hurtful statement did the White House make regarding the Israeli decision to slap Biden in the face during his visit? Robert Gibbs:
Oh...my...God. Who did Gibbs train under, Joeseph Goebbels?
What horrible, outrageous, and hurtful statement did the White House make regarding the Israeli decision to slap Biden in the face during his visit? Robert Gibbs:
Well, again, we enjoy a strong relationship with the country and the people. We are committed to their security in a very important and dangerous...region of the world. I think the Vice President, though, could not have been clearer on, as I said and as the Vice President said, on both the timing and the substance of the announcement that was made during his trip, that we have asked each side to refrain from the type of announcements that would shake the trust needed to sit down together and make some decisions on moving forward on a peace process.
Oh...my...God. Who did Gibbs train under, Joeseph Goebbels?
Meet and Greet for Steve Turner
For those who live in District 58 and you haven't had a chance to meet Steven Turner yet, the Belmont and Travecca Democrats (yes, they do exist) are hosting an event at Pie in the Sky next Tuesday from 5:30-730PM.
Gotta Love Nancy
If ever there was a display of the kind of testicular fortitude found wanting in the Senate...it is with Speaker Pelosi:
To hell with whipping up votes, just say its done and it will be done...kinda like when God spoke and boom, there was the Earth.
Of course, as Rep. Bart Gordon points out, its not like voters are going to care whether someone's name shows up on a roll call vote or not:
Hey, but if it can convince some of the Conservadems who eat up all the party's financial resources and give little to nothing back to its supporters in return...I'm all for it.
After laying the groundwork for a decisive vote this week on the Senate's health-care bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested Monday that she might attempt to pass the measure without having members vote on it.
Instead, Pelosi (D-Calif.) would rely on a procedural sleight of hand: The House would vote on a more popular package of fixes to the Senate bill; under the House rule for that vote, passage would signify that lawmakers "deem" the health-care bill to be passed.
To hell with whipping up votes, just say its done and it will be done...kinda like when God spoke and boom, there was the Earth.
Of course, as Rep. Bart Gordon points out, its not like voters are going to care whether someone's name shows up on a roll call vote or not:
Undecided Democrats appeared unconcerned by the flap. Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.), a retiring lawmaker who opposed the original House bill and is undecided on the new package, mocked Republican criticism of the process. Ultimately, he said, voters will hold lawmakers responsible for any changes in law.
"I don't think anybody's going to say that we didn't vote for the bill," he said.
Hey, but if it can convince some of the Conservadems who eat up all the party's financial resources and give little to nothing back to its supporters in return...I'm all for it.
Monday, March 15, 2010
TNDP and Teabaggers Stand United
TNDP spokesman Keith Talley seeks to find common cause with the Angry White Man movement sweeping the nation after Citizens United endorsed Steven Fincher, a GOP candidate for the 8th district:
"Lots of people have different positions about how we should finance campaigns but it's only the fringe like Steve Fincher that believe foreign companies and Wall Street banks should be able to buy elections," said Keith Talley, spokesman for the Tennessee Democratic Party. "In Steve Fincher's world, companies that get federal bailouts like AIG or oil companies with dangerous foreign ties could elect members of Congress. Fincher must think Congress hasn't done enough for Wall Street and wants them to have even more influence."
Talley continued, "Because Steve Fincher's campaign is about doing what Washington wants, not what's good for the people of Middle and West Tennessee, it comes as no surprise that he probably supports the position of those Washington and Wall Street special interests."
Democrats are not alone in opposing the unlimited corporate campaign spending brought about by the Citizens United decision. Grassroots Republican and Independent activists associated with the Tea Party movement across the country have criticized corporate influence in campaigns and the Citizens United effort that supports Fincher.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Briley Gunning For Chip
David Briley, former Councilman At-large and Mayoral candidate, is getting back into the political game, albeit on a bit of a smaller scale. Briley is running for the District 20 Male Committeeman for the Tennessee Democratic Executive Committee...a seat held by the current Chairman, Chip Forrester.
Briley says it isn't about Chip, though I'd have a hard time imagining there is no connection...especially considering Briley works at Bone McAllester, the law-firm of Charles Robert Bone, the candidate who was bested by Mr. Forrester back in early 2009. Bone recently announced he was trying to start a PAC to work separately from the party, though many assume he is trying to create a shadow party (primarily Jeff Woods' "un-named political insiders").
All things considered, you have to wonder if Forrester would really even want to run for re-election to the Executive Committee. After being top-dog, why would he want to go back down to be one amongst 66? And if he were somehow successful at helping to pull off a Democratic upset in 2010, he could just as easily run for re-election as Chairman without being a member of the committee.
(h/t ACK)
Briley says it isn't about Chip, though I'd have a hard time imagining there is no connection...especially considering Briley works at Bone McAllester, the law-firm of Charles Robert Bone, the candidate who was bested by Mr. Forrester back in early 2009. Bone recently announced he was trying to start a PAC to work separately from the party, though many assume he is trying to create a shadow party (primarily Jeff Woods' "un-named political insiders").
All things considered, you have to wonder if Forrester would really even want to run for re-election to the Executive Committee. After being top-dog, why would he want to go back down to be one amongst 66? And if he were somehow successful at helping to pull off a Democratic upset in 2010, he could just as easily run for re-election as Chairman without being a member of the committee.
(h/t ACK)
Because It Worked So Well In 2006
Jeff Woods breaks down the Governor's race and sees a glimmer of hope for Democrats now that McWherter is being viewed by some as the de facto nominee:
I hear this theory all the time, that a contested primary weakens the candidate, but where is the evidence? I heard it in 2008, and yet Obama won with more votes than any candidate in history. In 2006, a wealthy moderate conservative mayor from East Tennessee won with a plurality in a primary against a couple of teabaggers before teabagging was cool. He then went on to face a Democrat without a primary challenger who was neck-and-neck in fundraising up until October when Richie Rich put in $4 million of his own money. How is this dynamic different? Other than of course the fact that McWherter raised 1/5th the amount the GOP front-runner did in the last six months of 2009?
Yes, money may not be the be all and end all of politics, but when you are staring down the barrel of a 450% fundraising advantage for your opponent, who is running a general election style campaign during his primary, going statewide with ads when you could probably barely afford a statewide mail campaign, it kinda puts the odds in the favor of Republicans taking back the Governor's house this year.
Republicans in the race have outraised Democrats by a 5-to-1 margin so far. McWherter now can save his campaign cash for the general election. He also avoids the difficult primary fight that likely will weaken the eventual Republican nominee.
Instead of fending off Democratic attacks, McWherter is free to throw knives directly at the Republicans. He did just that last week, blithely ignoring McMillan at a Tennessee Chamber of Commerce forum to call out Bill Haslam for refusing to disclose all his income or to agree to put his Pilot Corp. holdings into a blind trust if he's elected governor.
I hear this theory all the time, that a contested primary weakens the candidate, but where is the evidence? I heard it in 2008, and yet Obama won with more votes than any candidate in history. In 2006, a wealthy moderate conservative mayor from East Tennessee won with a plurality in a primary against a couple of teabaggers before teabagging was cool. He then went on to face a Democrat without a primary challenger who was neck-and-neck in fundraising up until October when Richie Rich put in $4 million of his own money. How is this dynamic different? Other than of course the fact that McWherter raised 1/5th the amount the GOP front-runner did in the last six months of 2009?
Yes, money may not be the be all and end all of politics, but when you are staring down the barrel of a 450% fundraising advantage for your opponent, who is running a general election style campaign during his primary, going statewide with ads when you could probably barely afford a statewide mail campaign, it kinda puts the odds in the favor of Republicans taking back the Governor's house this year.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Michelle Bachmann Literally Needs a Dictionary
It appears that Michelle Bachmann and Joe Biden had the same English teacher when it came to the word "literally":
Yes, your freedom to get dropped by your insurance company at a moment's notice is imperiled...BE AFRAID! Of course, if the GOP had their way, your freedom to sue for medical malpractice would be next to non-existent, but that's a good loss of freedom, because...umm...we say so.
"That's why with everything within us we need to start literally banging garbage lids together, to create enough noise so that our neighbors and our co-workers realize where the time clock is at this point, because the second hand is literally banging up against 11:59 on the clock on freedom when it comes to health care."
Yes, your freedom to get dropped by your insurance company at a moment's notice is imperiled...BE AFRAID! Of course, if the GOP had their way, your freedom to sue for medical malpractice would be next to non-existent, but that's a good loss of freedom, because...umm...we say so.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Vegan Friendly?
Question: Would cheese that is made from a human be considered Vegan? After all, it is voluntary and humane...luckily, our legislature is on top of the ball in making sure Tennesseans won't have to make that distinction.
Cammack Endorsement 2.0
Ward Cammack, after having endorsed Jim Kyle just weeks before that candidate left the race, has decided to throw his weight behind perceived underdog Kim McMillan in her race for the Democratic nomination to be the next Governor.
Cry Me a Freakin' River
The battle for wine in grocery stores is hitting the editorial pages of the Tennessean, with a couple of guests exclaiming the virtues of Tennessee's segregated retail system. A Baptist Preacher out in Mt. Juliet shares his thoughts:
Oh, gee, I never thought of it that way. Said another way...
Many of our neighbors battle an addiction to beer...are we willing to sacrifice their well being for the convenience to purchase beer with our groceries?
Many of our neighbors battle an addiction to nicotine....are we willing to sacrifice their well being for the convenience to purchase cigarettes with our groceries?
Many of our neighbors suffer from diabetes...are we willing to sacrifice their well being by selling sugary substances with our groceries.
I think you get the drift. Also, this movement to label wine as "high-proof" alcohol is an abuse of the term. Yes, wine has a higher proof than most beers, typically by a factor of two. Its also got about a third or less the amount of alcohol of a typical spirit (which is generally 40% alcohol by volume, compared to about 12.5% for wine). Not to mention, wine isn't sold like beer.
A typical wine bottle contains 750 ml of the good stuff, or about 25 fl oz. Beer is generally sold in a six pack or more, a typical six pack contains about 72 fl oz. So, in effect, that $6 six pack contains more alcohol than that $8-$10 bottle of wine.
The logic against selling wine in grocery stores simply isn't there beyond the general fear of putting "mom and pop" liquor stores out of business. I'm not oblivious to that concern...I am sure that if this movement were to materialize, there would be some liquor stores that could no longer compete. But that is the free market people. It sucks, but hundreds of restaurants, liquor stores and boutiques go out of business...we shouldn't create laws that force consumers to patronize them simply so they can keep their doors open.
(h/t ACK)
Tennesseans from every walk of life depend on grocery stores as their source for the staples of life. Some of our neighbors battle addiction to alcohol every day. Will we choose convenience over compassion for these individuals by forcing them to be confronted by the source of their personal struggle every time they buy a loaf of bread? Will we make high-proof alcohol more accessible to those who make irresponsible decisions related to driving a vehicle after drinking?
Oh, gee, I never thought of it that way. Said another way...
Many of our neighbors battle an addiction to beer...are we willing to sacrifice their well being for the convenience to purchase beer with our groceries?
Many of our neighbors battle an addiction to nicotine....are we willing to sacrifice their well being for the convenience to purchase cigarettes with our groceries?
Many of our neighbors suffer from diabetes...are we willing to sacrifice their well being by selling sugary substances with our groceries.
I think you get the drift. Also, this movement to label wine as "high-proof" alcohol is an abuse of the term. Yes, wine has a higher proof than most beers, typically by a factor of two. Its also got about a third or less the amount of alcohol of a typical spirit (which is generally 40% alcohol by volume, compared to about 12.5% for wine). Not to mention, wine isn't sold like beer.
A typical wine bottle contains 750 ml of the good stuff, or about 25 fl oz. Beer is generally sold in a six pack or more, a typical six pack contains about 72 fl oz. So, in effect, that $6 six pack contains more alcohol than that $8-$10 bottle of wine.
The logic against selling wine in grocery stores simply isn't there beyond the general fear of putting "mom and pop" liquor stores out of business. I'm not oblivious to that concern...I am sure that if this movement were to materialize, there would be some liquor stores that could no longer compete. But that is the free market people. It sucks, but hundreds of restaurants, liquor stores and boutiques go out of business...we shouldn't create laws that force consumers to patronize them simply so they can keep their doors open.
(h/t ACK)
Breaking The Fed
It appears that we are on the precipice of something rarely seen in Washington these days...a bi-partisan consensus on something. I know, I know, its shocking...breathe slowly, but apparently upwards of one Republican has been willing to work with Democrats in good faith on a piece of legislation...and that Republican is Bob Corker of Tennessee no less.
Of course, as soon as the legislation comes closer to fruition, a handful of Republicans such as Dick Shelby are slowly backing away from their previous demagoguery of the Fed and Bernanke, but that's to be expected.
Several high-ranking members of the Senate Banking Committee have reached a tentative consensus on a plan that would strip the Federal Reserve of regulatory powers over all but the very largest banks, those with more than $100 billion in assets, people briefed on the negotiations said on Monday night. [snip]
Three people briefed on the Senate negotiations said that Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut, the Democratic chairman of the Banking Committee, and two other senators, Mark Warner, Democrat of Virginia, and Bob Corker, Republican of Tennessee, supported the plan.
Of course, as soon as the legislation comes closer to fruition, a handful of Republicans such as Dick Shelby are slowly backing away from their previous demagoguery of the Fed and Bernanke, but that's to be expected.
How To Ruin Your Life In Ten Days or Less
Walt Baker is writing the book on it...
Quite amazing isn't it? This guy manages to alienate friends and see his business collapse in a matter of days all because he was careless with the list of people he forwarded a chain email to. I almost feel sorry for the guy...then again, I hope this is a lesson to conservatives that what you deem to be funny usually isn't to many of us.
Quite amazing isn't it? This guy manages to alienate friends and see his business collapse in a matter of days all because he was careless with the list of people he forwarded a chain email to. I almost feel sorry for the guy...then again, I hope this is a lesson to conservatives that what you deem to be funny usually isn't to many of us.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Rules to Live By
If a conservative thinks "something is funny," chances are, its offensive to someone.
Booming and Busting All Over This Place
Probably the best rap video on economics since It's All About The Benjamins:
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Sign of the Times
Speaking of memorializing resolutions...seems we are giving them out for just about anything these days. The other day the State Senate passed a resolution introduced by Jason Mumpower to honor not a person, but rather a sign. HJR855 - "Memorials, Recognition - City of Bristol sign, 100th anniversary".
Dept of Really Really Dumb Ideas
Gail Kerr is heading it up:
That's a great idea...if of course you ignore every fucking thing a street gang is about. Why do you think they graffiti walls? Why do you think they wear certain colors? Why do you think they get tattoos of the name of their gang? BECAUSE THEY WANT YOU TO KNOW THE GANG IS THERE!
Perhaps Kerr has seen one too many mob movies where the gangsters try and pretend to be upstanding members of the community whilst carrying on illicit activities...but street gangs are not like that. If you get a tattoo on your neck claiming MS-13, chances are you kind of want people to know you are in MS-13. In fact, if you deny your affiliation with your gang, that might be a ticket to a nice beating (or worse) from your fellow members.
As for alerting the general public, the people who live in high gang areas typically know the signs of a gang member. They don't need to be told about the effects on their community. What they need is for politicians to focus on reforming the justice system so that we focus the vast majority of our policing efforts on protecting people from violent criminals, rather than protecting us from ourselves.
Every time a gang member commits a crime, put that in a press release. Tell us what color bandanna they were wearing and the gang they belong to. Create an accessible registry of convicted gang members. Make posters and plaster neighborhoods with them.
That's a great idea...if of course you ignore every fucking thing a street gang is about. Why do you think they graffiti walls? Why do you think they wear certain colors? Why do you think they get tattoos of the name of their gang? BECAUSE THEY WANT YOU TO KNOW THE GANG IS THERE!
Perhaps Kerr has seen one too many mob movies where the gangsters try and pretend to be upstanding members of the community whilst carrying on illicit activities...but street gangs are not like that. If you get a tattoo on your neck claiming MS-13, chances are you kind of want people to know you are in MS-13. In fact, if you deny your affiliation with your gang, that might be a ticket to a nice beating (or worse) from your fellow members.
As for alerting the general public, the people who live in high gang areas typically know the signs of a gang member. They don't need to be told about the effects on their community. What they need is for politicians to focus on reforming the justice system so that we focus the vast majority of our policing efforts on protecting people from violent criminals, rather than protecting us from ourselves.
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Multi-millionaire Willing to Forgo Social Security for 5 Years
Harold Ford Jr. just loves this country so stinking much. First, he was willing to sacrifice his time to consider running for Senate in New York...ultimately he decided it was within the best interest of New York not to have a bruising primary against a candidate he continues to belittle.
Now, Harold Ford Jr., a Wall Street Executive and television personality, is willing to make a different sacrifice, namely, he'll voluntarily forgo collecting social security benefits for a couple of years, and he wants you to do the same:
Yes because I want to pay the same percentage of taxes for social security as my peers, only to count on their altruistic sensibilities not to collect on that investment before I do.
Look, I have absolutely no problem with raising the social security age limit...I think we should. But making it voluntary? What kind of retarded cop-out is that? Tax deduction and tax credits are voluntary too...I wonder if Ford claimed any of those?
Now, Harold Ford Jr., a Wall Street Executive and television personality, is willing to make a different sacrifice, namely, he'll voluntarily forgo collecting social security benefits for a couple of years, and he wants you to do the same:
I will volunteer, as I think many in my generation would, the government holding my social security check payments until I'm 70 - if the good Lord allows me to see that age. All Americans under 45, should be asked to sign a national pledge forfeiting their social security payments until age 70. The President should ask those of us, who are the most blessed generation of Americans, to serve our country that way - he would be pleasantly surprised at how many of us would say yes I believe.
He could call the pledge "America First," and allow a breaking of the pledge only for those who face severe economic hardship at age 66.
Yes because I want to pay the same percentage of taxes for social security as my peers, only to count on their altruistic sensibilities not to collect on that investment before I do.
Look, I have absolutely no problem with raising the social security age limit...I think we should. But making it voluntary? What kind of retarded cop-out is that? Tax deduction and tax credits are voluntary too...I wonder if Ford claimed any of those?
Is Snookie Running?
You know there is a Governor's race afoot, I know a Governor's race is going on...but the good people of Tennessee don't know, or simply don't care, about who the next person to run our state will be.
A new MTSU poll is out today which finds that an overwhelming majority of Tennesseans couldn't name a single candidate running for Governor. Of those who have been paying a modicum of attention, Bill Haslam leads the pack with a whopping 19% of Tennesseans knowing who the hell he is.
In other news, Tennesseans aren't so swell on the President...about the same percentage of people who voted for him in 2008 continue to approve of the job he's doing today (42-49).
A new MTSU poll is out today which finds that an overwhelming majority of Tennesseans couldn't name a single candidate running for Governor. Of those who have been paying a modicum of attention, Bill Haslam leads the pack with a whopping 19% of Tennesseans knowing who the hell he is.
In other news, Tennesseans aren't so swell on the President...about the same percentage of people who voted for him in 2008 continue to approve of the job he's doing today (42-49).
Legislative Love Letters
News Channel 5 investigative reporter Phil Williams is investigating some low-lying fruit in the legislature, namely, honoring resolutions. In doing so, he's found himself a champion, Rep. Donna Rowland, who has come to loathe the little buggers due to their perceived cost to taxpayers:
While I imagine that calculating the costs of these measures assumes the time involved to process them...and getting rid of them altogether wouldn't necessarily mean actual dollars are being saved, I too think these resolutions are rather pointless and ultimately unnecessary. One person in particular seems to disagree...Rep. Donna Rowland.
In 2007 voters apparently were more forgiving in the misuse of their tax dollars, and so Rowland played along with the legislative game. She introduced a resolution to honor a fine upstanding member of the community and explained her reasoning in the resolving clause stating:
Well, a finer argument in favor of memorializing resolutions I've never seen. Of course, that all depends on who the legislature happens to be honoring, and in this case, Rep. Rowland knew full well the caliber of person she was honoring, after all, it was her boyfriend, Ronnie Barrett.
Yes, the person she felt deserving of your hard earned tax money was none other than her new lover, Ronnie Barrett. But, if you are worried about some level of impropriety, fear not...they "weren't dating at the time" because they were "both married" [apparently Woods picked up on this a year before me...]
Here's a little bit of video with Ronnie Barrett standing next to his soon to be ex-wife and his soon-to-be official lady friend on the floor of the State House:
"It is not where we should be spending taxpayer dollars," said Rep. Donna Rowland, a Murfreesboro Republican.
By Rowland's calculation, $800 dollars of your money go into each resolution. More conservative estimates put it at about $300.
Added up, that's at least half a million dollars a year.
"That is not what my constituents want me spending their money on," Rowland added. "They had rather me place it on the departments that need it."
While I imagine that calculating the costs of these measures assumes the time involved to process them...and getting rid of them altogether wouldn't necessarily mean actual dollars are being saved, I too think these resolutions are rather pointless and ultimately unnecessary. One person in particular seems to disagree...Rep. Donna Rowland.
In 2007 voters apparently were more forgiving in the misuse of their tax dollars, and so Rowland played along with the legislative game. She introduced a resolution to honor a fine upstanding member of the community and explained her reasoning in the resolving clause stating:
WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should salute those citizens, who through their extraordinary efforts have distinguished themselves as community leaders and innovators of whom we can all be proud
Well, a finer argument in favor of memorializing resolutions I've never seen. Of course, that all depends on who the legislature happens to be honoring, and in this case, Rep. Rowland knew full well the caliber of person she was honoring, after all, it was her boyfriend, Ronnie Barrett.
Yes, the person she felt deserving of your hard earned tax money was none other than her new lover, Ronnie Barrett. But, if you are worried about some level of impropriety, fear not...they "weren't dating at the time" because they were "both married" [apparently Woods picked up on this a year before me...]
Here's a little bit of video with Ronnie Barrett standing next to his soon to be ex-wife and his soon-to-be official lady friend on the floor of the State House:
Bells Bend Community Willing to Compromise
Evil Jack May is continuing his fight to convert his pristine patch of dirt up in Bells Bend into something a bit more profitable...but so far, the opponents of the project still aren't seeing his vision. May, the owner of lots of dirt in the rural West Nashville community, tried in vain last year to gain approval of the Metro Council to have a four billion dollar privately funded mixed-use development to be named May Town. While the developer of that project decided it wasn't worth the hassle, May is stubbornly sticking to the plan of turning the sleepy Bells Bend community into a thriving mini-metropolis.
To wit, May is in talks with the Council about reducing the size of his project by half, so that fewer municipal infrastructure changes will need to be made...but that still doesn't sit well with members of his community. Bells Benderites, represented by East Nashvillian and former Mayoral candidate David Briley, think a reduced plan is in some ways worse than the previous May Town proposal:
Well, the first porridge was too hot, and this porridge is too cold...does Jack May have any porridge the Bells Benders can eat? Luckily, one member of the community has a vision for Jack May's property:
Oh, thank the heavens. Not only is she so gracious as to allow Mr. May the opportunity to build a single home at every 2,178,000 sq ft increment, she'd also go so far as to allow him to build a quaint little bed and breakfast, or even an outdoor concert arena which in the summer can attract dirty hippies from around the region to come in and admire the pristine nature of the area along with the soon to arrive antique and organic soap stores.
Perhaps May should spend a little more time focusing on the wants and desires of people who don't own his property, rather than selfishly trying to maximize the return on his investment.
To wit, May is in talks with the Council about reducing the size of his project by half, so that fewer municipal infrastructure changes will need to be made...but that still doesn't sit well with members of his community. Bells Benderites, represented by East Nashvillian and former Mayoral candidate David Briley, think a reduced plan is in some ways worse than the previous May Town proposal:
Attorney David Briley, also a May Town critic, said reducing the size of May Town so that it would only require one bridge would undermine the rationale of economic development attached to the project by its backers from the outset.
“It actually makes it less of a viable project,” Briley said. “It’s probably even more objectionable in some sense because you’re giving up more in exchange for less. I don’t think it’s something I can support even if they reduce the scope radically.”
Well, the first porridge was too hot, and this porridge is too cold...does Jack May have any porridge the Bells Benders can eat? Luckily, one member of the community has a vision for Jack May's property:
The Mays' land is already zoned to allow more than 500 homes, each built on a two-acre lot. Dr. Ellen Jacobson, who lives in Bells Bend, has other visions for the property.
Jacobson said she could live with one house per 50 acres, an outdoor music center or a bed and breakfast.
Oh, thank the heavens. Not only is she so gracious as to allow Mr. May the opportunity to build a single home at every 2,178,000 sq ft increment, she'd also go so far as to allow him to build a quaint little bed and breakfast, or even an outdoor concert arena which in the summer can attract dirty hippies from around the region to come in and admire the pristine nature of the area along with the soon to arrive antique and organic soap stores.
Perhaps May should spend a little more time focusing on the wants and desires of people who don't own his property, rather than selfishly trying to maximize the return on his investment.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Republican Siege on Nashville
Not since the War of Northern Aggression have so many Republicans had the audacity to think they could defeat Democrats within the borders of Davidson County. All over our fine city, Republicans are itching for a fight in districts which for decades had seemed to be owned by the Democratic party.
In district 60, Ben West Jr.'s soon to be vacated seat offers Republicans their best shot adding a Nashville district to their ever expanding repertoire of legislative seats. Councilman Jim Gotto seems to be the odds on favorite for the GOP nomination, though he could face a primary battle if past GOP candidate Juan Borges jumps in to the race (which he indicated to me that he was mulling over the idea). The district is a mixture of African-Americans/Hispanics in Antioch which lean to the left, and a more Mt. Juliet-esque constituency in the Hermitage area. The key for this race is going to be turnout, and all indications around the country seem to point to a rather energized angry white male vote and a less enthusiastic Democratic vote.
In district 59, Rep. Sherry Jones is being challenged by another Councilman, Duane Dominy. This race is much more of a longshot for the GOP. In the past 10 years Jones has been challenged twice by a Republican, and both times she won with 70% of the vote. Her challenger this time around has "loaned" his campaign $6,000, but its not clear yet if that was simply to pad the reporting figures or if he actually intends to spend that money on the race. So far, his only real expenditure has been to his company, Dominy & Associates, which lists itself as a graphic design firm. Judging by the quality of his website, I understand his desire to seek a new day job.
Both Gary Odom and Mike Turner have challengers as well, but there are no indications as of yet that they pose a serious threat to their incumbency. What the GOP might be hoping for is to keep Davidson County legislators busy with their own challenges to deflect resources away other contests around the state.
(h/t ACK)
In district 60, Ben West Jr.'s soon to be vacated seat offers Republicans their best shot adding a Nashville district to their ever expanding repertoire of legislative seats. Councilman Jim Gotto seems to be the odds on favorite for the GOP nomination, though he could face a primary battle if past GOP candidate Juan Borges jumps in to the race (which he indicated to me that he was mulling over the idea). The district is a mixture of African-Americans/Hispanics in Antioch which lean to the left, and a more Mt. Juliet-esque constituency in the Hermitage area. The key for this race is going to be turnout, and all indications around the country seem to point to a rather energized angry white male vote and a less enthusiastic Democratic vote.
In district 59, Rep. Sherry Jones is being challenged by another Councilman, Duane Dominy. This race is much more of a longshot for the GOP. In the past 10 years Jones has been challenged twice by a Republican, and both times she won with 70% of the vote. Her challenger this time around has "loaned" his campaign $6,000, but its not clear yet if that was simply to pad the reporting figures or if he actually intends to spend that money on the race. So far, his only real expenditure has been to his company, Dominy & Associates, which lists itself as a graphic design firm. Judging by the quality of his website, I understand his desire to seek a new day job.
Both Gary Odom and Mike Turner have challengers as well, but there are no indications as of yet that they pose a serious threat to their incumbency. What the GOP might be hoping for is to keep Davidson County legislators busy with their own challenges to deflect resources away other contests around the state.
(h/t ACK)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)