Sundquist preparing emergency funding plan (for Tennessee)

A business and sales tax plan by two middle Tennessee lawmakers advanced out of a state House committee yesterday, while Gov. Don Sundquist said he is assembling a ''state of emergency'' plan to keep government running in case legislators fail to approve a state budget by a midnight Sunday deadline.

The pro-income tax crowd are still using the phrase "tax reform" when what they really mean is an income tax. That's what they want and that's the only thing they want. Anything else falls short in their opinion. Anything else but an income tax will be criticized as "not doing enough".

It's time for Naifeh and Sundquist to admit they've failed and step aside to let real leaders take charge. There should be no controversy on this. The people of Tennessee have made it clear as can be... cut spending. Cut it a lot. But by their insistence on an income tax, one that violates both the constitution and the will of the people, Sundquist and Naifeh expose themselves for what they are - dictatorial tyrants.

Yes, they are tyrants. That's not just rhetoric. Elected leaders understand and respect that legitimate government derives its powers from the people. They respect the will of the people. Tyrants find ways to circumvent the will of the people and impose their own will by force, fraud, or whatever means necessary.

We've already seen force in the state troopers ringing the capitol everytime tax protesters are present. We've seen fraud in Jimmy Naifeh's unprecedented vote-that-wasn't-really-a-vote on the income tax on May 22nd.

As June 30th gets closer, I fully expect we're going to see the pro-IT forces attempting some of the most underhanded, bad faith, and fraudulent maneuvers this state has ever seen. It will be a definite low point in our state's governmental history. But it would be even lower if they manage to prevail and actually impose an income tax.

It's time for Naifeh and Sundquist to admit they've failed and step aside to let real leaders take charge

It goes way deeper than comrad Naifeh and comrad Sundquist. The Legislature created this "crisis" (more aptly named a circus). There are few in the Legislature I would call "leaders". Very few indeed.

including more than $350 million from cities and counties.

Here's where they're going to get us no matter what. They will cut what the state sends BACK to the counties and the counties will raise property taxes to make up the difference. We are scr__ed either way IMHO and until something REALLY drastic happens, we are likely to stay that way.

How do I get on your Tennessee "ping" list?

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