Conservatives Split Vote in Republican Primary

I haven't read today's news, but I suppose the Wamp camp is blaming the Ramsey camp for not bowing out of the Tennessee governor's race and the Ramsey camp is blaming the Wamp camp for the same. In any event, it is sad that Tennessee will have to choose between a Democrat and a so-called Republican who has supported red light cameras and who has associated himself with groups who want to curtail gun rights.

People who know Bill Haslam best vote for Ron Ramsey

I just talked to a friend of mine in Knoxville. Not only are he and his wife voting for Ron Ramsey, his wife's parents are voting for Ramsey as well. They say they have had enough of Bill Haslam.

I couldn't agree more. I've already voted for Ron Ramsey and the primary reasons I voted for him over Bill Haslam are:

1. I like Ron Ramsey's voting record. It is simply rock solid.
2. Bill Haslam was involved in Bloomberg's anti-gun mayor group and opposed allowing law-abiding citizens with carry permits to be able to carry in parks.
3. Haslam has not denied supporting global warming hypocrite, Al Gore. That probably should be number one.
4. Haslam has been a big proponent of red light cameras in Knoxville.

To me, his position on guns and red light cameras speaks volumes about his views on government. Basically, he seems to believe that you have few or no rights that the government cannot take away at will. He has already tossed the 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th amendments out the window when it suited his convenience. Which amendments will be next?

Ramsey Coming Up Short in Local "Poll"

Kleinheider has the results. Well, first, it is an online poll, so it is unscientific. Second, it should come as no surprise that a liberal paper is mostly read by people who do not like Ron Ramsey. I can't say that I am on the Ramsey bandwagon, but so far I see no compelling reason to support one of the other candidates over him.

Ron Ramsey and Jason Mumpower Notably Absent

It seems that Ron Ramsey and Jason Mumpower are fine with the unconstitutional Tennessee plan for (s)electing judges. This does not make me happy with my legislators.

Ron Ramsey Has a Chance to Take a Stand

Terry Frank takes Ron Ramsey to task on the Tennessee plan for electing selecting judges. She points out how this is an opportunity for Ramsey to separate himself from the political class by taking a stand for "the people."

When you’re team isn’t getting it done, take the reins.

Let me tell you as a conservative who likes you—you AIN’T gettin’ it done.

Who are you trying to make happy? The judges? The lawyers?

Read the whole thing.

Ron Ramsey Flip-Flops

I like Ron Ramsey. I like him better than anyone else considering running for Governor. I would like to knock on doors for him, make calls for him and donate money to his campaign. However, it is difficult to do that if he continues to flip-flop. While I have made note of it several times, I am glad to see that I am not the only one. I fear that he will lose a lot of willing supporters if he becomes all about "compromise." Conservatives and libertarians have "compromised" way too much already.

Ron Ramsey to "compromise" again?

Terry Frank says that Ron Ramsey is about to flip-flop on his previous position with respect to whether Tennessee's judges should be elected by the people as provided in our Constitution or whether they should be appointed by special interest groups and then "retained" by the people. Of course, the judges and lawyers groups want to maintain the status quo. They say it is in our best interest. Now, even the road builders are saying it. Wonder why?

Get to work and call someone. These guys are about to railroad the people once again.

In case any legislator reads this post, here is a link to the Tennessee Constitution. (See Article VI Section 3). It says that "The judges of the Supreme Court shall be elected by the qualified voters of the state." A retention vote is only an election in the eyes of those who will lose power. The voters of the State of Tennessee voted down a Constitutional amendment that would have allowed the current system. When the pols didn't get their way on the amendment vote, they just did what they wanted to do anyway and ignored the vote of the people.

Ron Ramsey continues to signal surrender on FONCE issue

Ron Ramsey knows full well that the repeal of this exemption will hurt struggling businesses. Yet, he continues to signal that he is willing to "compromise" on the issue by going along with the tax-hungry Democrats in Nashville. Ron, we don't need compromise; we need leadership. How can you expect to garner support for a governor's race if you can't be a leader when it comes to fighting tax increases?

Hey Ron, a compromise on a tax increase is still a tax increase

Ron Ramsey expects that there will be a compromise that will not tax income from smaller FONCEs. There should be no compromises when it comes to ceding more power to the government. Unlike Phil Bredesen, Ramsey at least understands that money is fungible.

Bredesen spends his money before he gets it

As is typical for tax-and-spend types, Phil Bredesen has decided to spend his money before he gets it. Specifically, in presenting his budget, he is relying on expected proceeds from the repeal of the family owned non-corporate entity franchise & excise tax exemption (FONCE). Bredesen has already earmarked the money he wants to get from raising taxes on family-owned businesses. While I believe that the positive tax impact will be far less than what Bredesen expects, it is telling that he has already spent the money. It is reminiscent of the lottery winner who fantasizes about what he will do with the winnings and then goes out and blows a wad on some frivolity.

Now it sounds like Ron Ramsey and Jason Mumpower are about to cave to this pressure. Here's an idea - cut spending. When you have cut it until it hurts, cut some more. Don't cave in to Bredesen's bullying tactics.