Tennessee GOPsters Declare War on Workers & Teachers

Several Tennessee GOPsters have declared war on

teachers and workers. Shocking, I know.

Not even 30 days into the new year and several Tennessee GOPsters have laid out their plans for invigorating the state economy (wink, wink) by declaring war on the extravagant* rights of teachers and workers.

So much for freedom of speech and the free market.

First up: State Rep. Debra Maggart (R-Hendersonville) filed a bill — written by lobbyists — that would end the collective bargaining rights of teachers. Teachers often use their collective clout to fight for curriculum improvements, academic freedom and to fight for fair salaries.

If collective bargaining is taken from teachers, no one stands more to lose than the citizens of rural counties in Tennessee. These places already struggle to find quality educators. The number one reason is educator pay. Ending collective bargaining would further complicate the problem by driving down starting salaries and doing nothing to improve rural working conditions.

Here's what the state teacher's organization had to say about the proposed legislation (from the AP):

Tennessee Education Association lobbyist Jerry Winters on Monday called the proposal to do away with collective bargaining "an insult to every teacher in the state." ... "It's not a good way to get this new Legislature to begin its relationship with the teachers of this state," he said. "I think there are few people up there who are really almost intent on declaring war with the TEA."

And that's not all! Elsewhere GOPsters are on the hunt for workers' freedom of speech. 


Rep. Glen Casada (R-63) and Sen. Bill Ketron (R-13) filed HB0160/SB0139 which would make it a Class C misdemeanor for labor organizations to contribute to candidates.

In a more blatant attack on the rights of everyday Tennesseans, Casada and Ketron are trying to criminalize the freedom of speech enjoyed by worker labor unions. They want to use big government to enforce overreaching regulation that limits the free speech of average workers.

It's so ridiculous, I barely have words to complain about it.

Let me just ask this question: If you're criminalizing the political contributions of worker groups, which is just an organization of people, should you not criminalize the political contributions of every politically active organization that could be considered a group of people.

How about the contributions of businesses and corporations that don't have our best interests in mind -- only their profit margins? Should we criminalize their campaign contributions? How about Tennessee Right to Life? How about Club for Growth? American Crossroads? The Tea Party Express?

The bottom line is: Unions are the only free-market solution for workers to collectively address grievances with public and private sector management.

For Republicans, who routinely espouse their faith in the "free markets" and "limited government," this legislation should be considered an affront on both issues.

But true colors are shining through, and between the lines it's easy to read what they're saying: "We don't care if our actions contradict their very principles we claim to stand for — we're hypocrites. We're Republican."

*Ha!

Let's Maybe Plow Congress: The Attack on Health Care Reform

Armed with new business cards and a supposed mandate to repeal "ObamaCare," Tennessee's freshly minted GOP congressional delegation is ready to take on the Affordable Care Act.

Reps. Diane Black and Scott DesJarlais are gearing up for the big vote. But Eighth District Rep. Stephen Fincher is already tamping down his fervent base's expectations.

Channel 4 has the scoop:

"It's going to be hard to repeal it," said Rep.-elect Stephen Fincher. "We are going to move forward and do what we can, but we are only the House of Representatives."

That's not what he said on the campaign trail! I believe his words were: plow congress. He certainly never said, "We'll maybe plow congress."

I'm sure the "Awe shucks it's going to be harder than I ever imagined" explanation will please the anti-Obama zealots who elected him.

Other than Steve Fincher running the risk of sounding like a seasoned politician, there is a real danger to repealing the Affordable Care Act.

Before you pull the repeal lever, ask yourself these questions:

• Should we unplug the Medicare Part D supplement and force Tennessee's 85,000 senior citizens in the donut hole, maybe your grandmother, to pay even more out of pocket expenses for their prescription drugs?
• Should health insurance companies be allowed to drop me from my plan because I got sick?
• Should insurance companies be allowed to deny coverage to parents who have a child suffering with cancer?

There are many more reasons for Tennesseans to support the Affordable Care Act (small business tax credits, no lifetime limits on coverage, affordable coverage for Tennesseans with pre-existing conditions) but these three seem to drive home my point.

So instead of beating the drum for repeal that it turns out you don't want -- call your newly elected congressman or congresswoman and tell them.

Here's what you'll say: "Hey, I just read this amazing blog post that explained a few of the benefits of health care reform and we should keep ObamaCare! In fact, I think you should read up about this thing too because it doesn't sound like you know what you're talking about. Keep up the good work!"

In the comments, let me know what lines you've used or heard to get health care reform opponents to button their lips.

Reverse Robin Hood

Sen. Bob Corker has been driving all over Tennessee giving a PowerPoint presentation about America's debt problem and his ideas to fix it.

In his snake oil plan, Corker says, everything is on the table and "we all must make sacrifices."**

**Except The Rich, like Corker.

Senator Bob favors extending the Bush tax breaks for the wealthiest 2 percent.

How does he plan to offset those tax breaks and balance the budget? By taking from Medicare and Social Security.

Take from the poor and give to the rich.

From News Channel 9 (http://m.newschannel9.com/news/senator-996155-bob-corker.html):

"Senator Corker said he believes the country has to act within three years or face catastrophic economic consequences. He said that means cutting federal spending from defense to social security and medicare.

"I don't think there's anything in our budgets that should be off the table," Senator Corker said.

But a number of people at Friday's town hall meeting said the middle class and elderly are being told to make the sacrifices while the wealthiest people get tax breaks.

"I think a lot of this will hit the middle class and elderly and my concern is the Republican Party has gone against the idea of taxing the wealthy," Roger Meyer said.

When talk about cutting so-called "entitlements" began some people walked out of the meeting while others applauded Frank Pate's comments.

"I'm 66 years old, worked all my life and I resent with great fervor the fact that I'm considered being a burden on the country in the name of entitlements," Pate said.

There was also opposition to extending tax cuts for the rich, which Senator Corker said he supports, even from people in the top 2% income bracket.

Lesbians Elicit Reactionary Response

A school district in Northern Mississippi has decided to call off prom.

Why? Because a lesbian wanted to bring a date to the senior dance.

In this instance it would have been appropriate to ask, "Am I comfortable with this intelligent, young woman going on The View and blasting the sorry state of tolerance and acceptance in Northern Mississippi?"

Joy Behar's eyes light up! Elizabeth Hasselbeck tries to figure out what's going on. And Whoopi grows eyebrows!

This is exactly the story line equation that gets the morning shows and radio pundits all fired up. The controversy is built in! And to top it off the school wrecks prom for EVERYONE!

As my friends in Germany would say: Über bingo!

And now they've made the national news. Countdown to The View appearance in 3, 2, 1...