Posted on 04/21/2002 6:31:43 AM PDT by GailA
Almighty Don intervenes in Tennessee elections
By WATT CHILDRESS
In just seven months Tennessee citizens will give a new governor the chance to redefine leadership in Nashville. The reign of Governor Don Sundquist will end, but that fact hasn't stopped the lame-duck Republican from giving marching orders in state elections.
Sundquist recently told candidates for governor they should keep quiet about the state budget, for example. Then he urged voters not to re-elect lawmakers if they fail to collect more money for government. He also blasted conservatives for focusing criticism on a state legislator who leads the statewide campaign for a government-sponsored lottery.
Sundquist's first public intervention came when the gubernatorial race was discussed at a meeting of the House Finance Committee. Don's altar call for a state income tax has been rejected by both Republican Van Hilleary and Democrat Phil Bredesen. Both major candidates have assessed the state's financial situation, and they observe that our fiscal dilemma arises from poor management of existing resources and ill-advised spending priorities.
Other public figures have been raked across the coals by Sundquist for expressing such views, which he apparently considers blasphemy. He strikes a more cautionary pose with gubernatorial candidates, asking them to keep their mouths shut rather than hamper his last-ditch efforts to pass new taxes.
"I would ask the candidates don't say anything," said Sundquist. "They are going to have a miserable time if this isn't fixed when they come into office. … They ought to be helping or at least be quiet about it.''
No doubt Don's devotees consider it an act of divine benevolence for their tax grabbing champion to fix things up for his successor. And according to Sundquist's high priest, House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, both of the major candidates for governor know deep down in their hearts that the government needs more money from the public.
"They [Hilleary and Bredesen] are on their hands and knees every night praying we will pass tax reform before they get here," said Naifeh.
Before proceeding further in their run for office, must Hilleary and Bredesen lock themselves in their prayer closets and get right with Don?
The consequences of not doing so may be evidenced by Sundquist's wrath against lawmakers who fail to follow him in the quest for more revenues. Speaking at a recent event in East Tennessee, Sundquist told voters that if politicians fail to amass more money for government we should vote against them.
"I think they ought to throw them all out if that's what happens,'' said Sundquist.
This vengeful statement prompted mild rebuffs from legislators in both parties. Rep. Beth Harwell, chairwoman of the state Republican Party, explained that the governor was "expressing his frustration that his budget has not been adopted as of yet.'' She said legislators who oppose new taxes are representing their constituents.
Also disagreeing with Sundquist was Sen. Jo Ann Graves, D-Gallatin, who said the governor shared responsibility for the impasse over how to deal with the budget. "It takes a coordinated effort between the executive branch and legislative branch,'' Graves said. "It's a little bit of the pot calling the kettle black.''
Last week Don was at it again, aiming his ire at the Gambling Free Tennessee Alliance for focusing criticism on state Sen. Steve Cohen (a pro-income-tax Democrat who leads the statewide campaign for a government lottery). Sundquist publicly denounced the conservative organization for criticizing Cohen, who alleges that he is being targeted simply because he is Jewish.
"This group claims to oppose the lottery on the basis of morality,'' Sundquist told the press, "yet I see a lack of moral judgment in these people.''
Gambling Free Tennessee asserts that their focus on Sen. Cohen is based upon his politics, not his religion. Yet what of Sundquist's own charge of immorality against members of this anti-gambling group, especially those who are involved because of their Christian convictions?
Like a pillar of hot air, almighty Don is guiding his revenue-grabbing devotees into the promised land of big government. If citizens follow him there, we are led to believe, our children will inherit a future that is as secure as the incomes of some Tennessee road builders.
Pardon me for using Judeo-Christian metaphors, but doesn't that way lead us all back toward Pharaoh?
Watt Childress is a native Kingsport writer. E-mail him at wattchildress@yahoo.com.
Watt Childress is a native Kingsport writer. E-mail him at wattchildress@yahoo.com.
Imagine John McCain but with less integrity, character and honesty. (/sarcasm)
I am on my knees every night praying that crooked speakers of the house whose wives just happen to be the top lobbyist in the state will be booted out of office.
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