So parts of Tennessee, excepting Nashville and Memphis, have the least government interference in peoples’ lives. Sounds good, but vast numbers of people are moving into the State, and they are likely to demand more dependency and interference in peoples’ lives. Maybe articles like this one will deter immigration of those who fear the self-reliance freedom requires.
Do the Big Cities dominate population and politics enough to dictate to the free parts of the State, as has happened in Virginia?
Excellent question, considering that's the trend all over the country. While Nashville/Davidson County (a unified Metro government) is deep Blue the State government in that capitol stays around 2/3 Republican.
Memphis is a failed African nation that somehow teleported to the right side of the Mississippi River, long ruled by dynastic families not too unlike Tudors and Plantagenets. The Democrat's iron grip has just been broken by favorable re-redistricting and Republican candidates have resumed running for offices with some chance for victory. Work in progress. President Trump's utilization of the National Guard has restored order there while Elon Musk is busy putting in a data center.
The East end city Knoxville remains sturdily conservative but liberal migration has created stress and tensions. South Eastern Chattanooga is about an even split, but has done wonders in the last few decades becoming a mecca for tourism.
The CNBC report utterly neglected to mention how we're a top automotive producer with thriving health care and I.T. industries, among others. If Tennessee can maintain the even keel it has it shouldn't worry overmuch about Democrat's uncanny ability to ruin everything. Did I mention the massive gun culture?