There are a number of proposals in Congress about interest rates for student debt. This handy calculator shows the effects each proposal will have, given loan and monthly payment amounts: Link...

-- OneTahiti

This short, funny, and thought-provoking TED talk on Lesterland and reclaiming the Republic is worth watching: Link...

-- OneTahiti

The deficit "through the first seven months of fiscal 2013" is down 32% over last year, too. Read more: Link...

-- OneTahiti

The answer is not the loss of federal funds. Pam Strickland's column in the News-Sentinel has a succinct analysis: Link...

-- OneTahiti

Transparency in government... 3 local counties fail. Roane is NOT one of the failures.

Link...

RB

During the campaign, the new Road Super vowed to save taxpayer money by using new technologies. With the budget process in full swing, where will this department fall? I am hopeful they will live up to the promises of cost savings. Will the budget actually decrease?

Alternet has the article ("The Southern State Fast Becoming Ayn Rand's Vision of Paradise - Tennessee lawmakers have elevated hatred for government and disgust for poor people to an art form"): Link...

Our Tennessee legislators are not alone in putting forth wacky, ill-conceived bills. Here's one from North Carolina establishing the right to declare an official state religion: Link...

-- OneTahiti

Dicky was tricky even when not in office, before he became president. Read the story (from BBC via Slashdot) at: Link....

-- OneTahiti

Read it in the Tennessean: Link....

-- OneTahiti

Forbes has the analysis: Link...

-- OneTahiti

A coal ash pond has contaminated a NC drinking water source with high levels of arsenic. WCNC has the story, via Appalachian Voices: Link...

-- OneTahiti

If you are interested in supporting this resolution...

Link...

The Memphis blogger "vibinc" writes on our economy and the looming budget cuts: Link....

-- OneTahiti

If you know of an older veteran, you should read this informative NYTimes.com piece on these substantial benefits, then pass the news along: Link....

For more information, see this nonprofit site: Link....

We knew of two veterans who should qualify.

Update: Here's more information on the VA.gov site: Link....

-- OneTahiti

Until recently, I wanted wine to be sold in grocery stores. It seemed like the sensible thing to do. Then I read an article on British drinking and our alcohol industry, and thought again. The piece is worth a read: Link....

-- OneTahiti

Well, Jack lost the race. But I hope he won't stay away from future races.

On a personal level I agree with Jack on some things and I disagree with him on some things. But he ran a totally clean race. He ran an informative race - we all knew pretty clearly what Jack stands for and what we could expect out of him. He's a stable person who is a real servant - and this can be seen in the way he's lived his life, not just in what he says. I beleve he DOES care about people the way he says he does, and that's because actions speak louder than words; he's been directly involved in things that SHOW he cares.

I have rarely, if ever, initiated a post here that dealt purely with politics. But here goes.

This pisses me off. No other way to say it.
Link...

Sorry of most of it is behind the RCN's paywall. But Beth Harwell is talking about legislation that will keep people from being able to vote their choices.

David has an interesting lesson on public discourse. You can't write IN PUBLIC on PUBLIC FORA and expect people to not comment or not quote you. Of course, the one with the screwy expectations is pretty screwy himself. From KNS: Link...

RB

To determine your new districts after redistricting, see this new set of interactive maps: Link...

From CommonDreams.org today:

"Up to 240 million Americans will now lose protections against dangerous smog and soot pollution, following a decision by a US appeals court on Tuesday.

Link...

The new jobs figures are out. Only 80,000 were created in the month of June. Unemployment remains at 8.2%.

Those figures do not tell the whole story. Every month, we hear about job creation. What we do not see are the numbers of jobs lost. And we do not see the numbers of people who have searched for a job for so long, they just stopped looking. It doesn't really matter who's administration decided to report the jobs market in this fashion. What matters is "What are the real numbers"?

It's time we figured out that jobs need to be created on the state level. We need State Representatives, and State Senators who will actively seek out new business for the districts they represent. It should no longer be about meaningless laws passed in Nashville. It should no longer be about the "party" and their agendas against the other party.

I remember a time when a Republican could sit across the table with a Democrat. If one had a good idea, the other would shake his or her hand and say "That's a good idea. Let's get to work on it". And I will admit, today's GOP is not the real GOP. However, Democrats are to blame as well. It's that way on the state and federal levels.

We need to decide for ourselves this election. Do we stay with the status quo, or do we decide to send people to Nashville who will start talking? Do we recycle people who fall in line with their respected parties, or people who will think outside the box, and actually help people?

Real job creation has to be accomplished on the state levels. As I said before, we need Legislators that will actively seek out business for their district. We can no longer depend on Washington to send jobs to Tennessee. The only thing we can depend on Washington for is more of the same; nothing getting done, and one side blaming the other for it.

It is a critical time for Tennessee and the 32nd district. Your vote could help decide which way we turn. No matter what party you are affiliated with, it's time to take a look at all the candidates.

Personally, I have decided to send Kent Calfee to Nashville to represent me. He will listen and actually take good advice to heart. He is not supported by the Tea Party. And he has common sense, and a mind of his own.

Early voting starts July 13. I urge everyone to take advantage of the early voting days. Please, choose a candidate that you think will support the 32nd district and Roane County. Then take a few minutes out of your day, and go vote. We have to do this. The future of out district, and our state depend on us.

Say what you want about the Tea Party, but they have been smart. Those who align themselves with the Tea Party can be proud of that. Locally, they went into the Republican Party meetings, filled the place with supporters, and systematically took over the GOP; nationally. Yes, they developed a plan, then carried it out with perfection (or almost). Then, they set up candidates to run for office, and got them elected.

The GOP office holders looked at all of this and made the decision to go along with the Tea Party. I believe that was a mistake.

I have talked with local Tea Party and national Tea Party members. I get about the same answers from all of them. Basically, they tell me the Tea Party wants to bring back the policies that our founders had intended. I find that amusing. Our founding father's owned slaves, and women were denied the right to vote. We still have a Constitution, and a Bill of Rights. If they and the rest of Congress would just follow those documents, we would still be what they want us to be.

Yes, I am a Republican. I am central conservative. However. all I see from the Tea Party is "it's our way or the highway". I believe in compromise. They refuse to compromise if there is a D before the other office holder's name. I am from a party of inclusion who welcomes everyone that can bring something to the table, not excluding other parties, race, religion, or bank account. I am a Republican who will reach out to shake hands with someone and tell them they have done a good job regardless of party.

I am going to offend a lot of Tea Party members with this. However, I do not view you as a political party. I look at you more as wanting to be dictators. You want to make all of the decisions, hold all the offices, and give people what you want them to have and nothing else. You want to take away from those who need it most. You refuse to even talk about ideas from a Democrat, and most times those who consider themselves REAL Republicans.

Yes, the way the Tea party did things was very smart. Can you imagine what could happen if those who "occupied Wall Street" really did organize, try to take over a political party, then get their candidates elected? It would be more productive than just CAMPING OUT.

We can like or dislike any party we want. We can complain about how bad things are. But, most never get the real facts. They do not educate themselves on the issues. They watch a certain news organization, or listen to some nut on the radio. That's how they decide who to vote for. What is happening now is our fault. It's easy to sit back and blame Washington or Nashville. However, we keep sending the same ones to represent us. I personally believe term limits would take care of that.

OK, until the GOP decides to take back and take control of their party, the Tea Party is here to stay. I just wish they would stop calling themselves Republicans.

... who seem to have a penchant for making big legislative issues out of non-essential trivia.

The folks in the TN General Assembly have earned some fair criticism for legislating on lots of things besides bringing jobs, fixing the economy, etc. As I said, fair criticism.

But California (surprised with that state being brought up, huh?) has at least equaled Tennessee in asininity.

Link...

PERIOD, THE END.

All over campaign signs is the reason for the statement from Rep Hurley on her facebook page, a page which she had previously stated she does not follow much (interview with Damon Lawrence regarding 'keep roane county together fb page').

While perusing varied political facebook pages of candidates, I stumbled upon another questionable post by our current State Representative Julia Hurley which makes me wonder: Aren't there some ethical issues with stating a party is guilty of a crime before the filing of a police report, and how curious to be communicated by an elected official, a current State Representative?

It seems inappropriate of our current State Rep to accuse a person of a crime before the American system has taken its course of action.

From the fb page of TN State Representative Julia Hurley...

"TN State Representative Julia C Hurley One sign ripped down by one Amy Ferrell of Rockwood. Yes, I am filing a police report. Dirty and ugly politics ate not tolerated in my campaigns.
21 hours ago via mobile"

Isn't there some ethical issues with stating a party is guilty of a crime before the filing of a police report, especially coming from a current State Representative?

It seems inappropriate of our current State Rep to accuse a person of a crime before the American system has taken its course of action. What is the evidence? What is the charge? Why would a candidate name a resident name instead of letting the police and legal system handle the claim?

Here is food for thought and a nice chart: Link...

-- OneTahiti

I have received numerous calls from the Roane County News asking pointed questions about my candidacy. The reporter had been corresponding with Teresa Kirkham and already had her input.

In an effort to keep this race focused on the real issues, I provide the following up front as clarification to the issues my opponent apparently wants to make into issues:

Yes, I was pulled over for speeding in 2007. I had received a call from a family member that was experiencing a personal and medical emergency. I drove at a high rate of speed in order to get to them and provide aid. I also had my hazard lights flashing the whole time. Upon noticing the police officer behind me, I attempted to motion the officer to follow me to the family member's house in order to provide assistance. The testimonies in court confirmed my story. The charges were dropped with costs to the state of Tennessee. As this situation was dropped, I still have a clean record. In this case my family responsibilities were my primary concern. In retrospect, I should have notified the proper authorities before I left my house.

Yes, I experienced a personal injury that predicated a suit for personal damages. The case has been in process for several years (since 2006). The damages to my health will be lifelong and have already impacted my life. However, these injuries will not impact my ability to perform the duties of the Property Assessor. The suit is filed against one company for their inability to maintain the necessary physical environment. Prior to the injury, numerous requests were made to correct the situation by myself and others.

It is clear that I have the proven experience to manage people, budgets, and properties. This is what it takes to be a successful Property Assessor for Roane County. Those qualifications must be making my opponent nervous.

Teresa Kirkham apparently doesn't want this race to be about voter issues or her performance; instead she wants it to be about gutter politics. I believe that's crazy; the people deserve better. I will defend myself and my supporters in Roane County - but I will not let her pull me into ugly gutter politics.

Thank you,

David Morgan
Candidate for Roane County Property Assessor
fairpropertyassessments.com

Term limits is not a new idea, but it is an idea that should be brought to the public eye, now more then ever. What we have now in Nashville and Washington is a collection of professional politicians. If you asked them what a gallon of milk costs, most would give you a low price, then be surprised when you told them what the real price was. Our state and federal elected officials are just out of touch with the people they represent.

Before I continue, let me say that I am a registered Republican. However, I am rapidly becoming an Independent. I am disgusted when I see a Senator on television telling me that the Republican agenda this year is to make sure President Obama is defeated, which would make it easier to push this country closer to the "Republican values". Then I hear somebody who deeply supports the Tea Party tell me their goal is to get us back to the country our Founding Fathers had envisioned. Just a note here. Those "Founding Fathers" had slaves. A little hint here. Your agenda should be what is best for the people of this country.
But, let's not let the Democratic Party off the hook here either. Their interest isn't the people this year either. There agenda is to make sure President Obama is re-elected, and hoping they can take back the House and keep the Senate. And why? So they can do their best to pass the Democratic values and agenda. I can already see some responses to this. "The Republicans keep blocking anything the Democrats want." And they do. However, the Democrats had control of the House and Senate for the first two years of the Obama administration.
If you can just step back from your party for a moment and look at things objectively, you might just get the realization that neither party is going to allow anything to get done. If there is a good idea from one political party, the other side of the isle tells us how bad it is. So let me get back to the topic of the forum

The President has term limits. The Governor has term limits. But, we stop short on making our candidates for Senator or Representative get involved, knowing they would have the same rules. Time and money will turn almost all of those newly elected people (who might have had good intentions) into professional politicians, in most cases.
Now for the argument side. Republicans always say we already have term limits. It's called the election. And if the people don't want you in there, they can vote you out. Sorry, but that doesn't fly. I go back to the time and money; the longer someone is there, the more money they can raise to remain there. But there is something else that nobody factors in. It's voter apathy. If somebody has been in office for years, and does nothing, the voter stops voting because they think their vote no longer matters.
Again, I won't let the Democrats off the hook here either. Yes, most of the time it is a Democrat that brings the subject of term limits to the surface. But, they already know it will be shot down by the other party. It only allows them to tell us they tried. Hey! Try harder! Most of them don't want term limits either. Yes, there are career politicians on both sides. If they are in favor of term limits, why don't they make it a priority every election year? Why aren't they on the floors of the House and Senate arguing the benefits of having term limits.

I agree that term limits are not the fix all solution. But I have said this many times. If we keep recycling politicians over and over, then we are the cause of our problems. Term limits would afford us with different people with new ideas; ideas that represent those who elected them. Someone who runs for office would know, going in, they only have a certain amount of time to present those ideas, and get something accomplished.

Let's face it. As it is now, we are basically stuck with career politicians on both sides of the isle who refuse to change with the times or circumstances. They have the money, raised over time, to continue to remain in an office that has passed them by.

I am sure this topic has made some of you mad. I am sure that many will disagree. But, if we make the leader of the free world have term limits, then shouldn't we make everyone?