Ten Commandments could help lawmakers
Since one of the greatest trends sweeping Tennessee is the push to post the Ten Commandments, the Standard thought it would be fitting to do a Ten Commandment rendition of our own.
This is in no way intended to demean the historical significance of the Ten Commandments or make light of its moral value. Rather, it’s keeping in touch with the times.
Instead of posting the Ten Commandments at our courthouse, we need to pray our state legislators do the right thing in terms of Tennessee’s state budget. It is with the utmost optimism we hope lawmakers see the light and pass a budget that won’t cripple state services we have all come to enjoy – and often take for granted.
It’s with that in mind, we bring you our version of the Ten Commandments directed to our state leaders on Capitol Hill.
1) Thou shall not bankrupt the state.
By even the most gracious estimates, Tennessee will be $450 million in the hole at the end of this fiscal year. Other estimates have the estimates closer to $500 million.
After paying that astronomical deficit, the state’s reserve funds will be depleted. That’s not promising news considering the state needs to find a way to generate $800 million to make ends meet on next year’s budget.
2) Thou shall not lie (important to remember around election time).
It’s easy to promise no new taxes around election time (i.e. “Read my lips. No new taxes.”) but that’s often a hard deal to deliver.
3) Thou shall not bow down to lobbyists.
We all know lobbyists, with their big expense accounts and handsome campaign contributions, have their influence. They also don’t have the best interest of Tennesseans in mind. Instead, they represent the wishes of a specific group.
4) Thou shall not kick little, old ladies off TennCare.
TennCare is far from a perfect organization. It does have its many flaws. But the answer to fixing TennCare is not to boot off thousands of people just to make budget numbers work.
5) Thou shall not listen to talk radio hosts.
Grasping to grab ratings, talk show hosts say some absurd things. Thank goodness they’re not running the state.
6) Thou shall not sacrifice education.
The latest bumper sticker is amusing, but sadly true. It says: Tennessee, the Edukacion State.
7) Thou shall honor and respect the people of Tennessee.
Doing the best for Tennesseans doesn’t mean doing whatever it takes to be re-elected. Legislators are our voice in democracy. To you we have given our trust.
8) Thou shall not make each county compensate for your lack of courage.
If you don’t do something on the state level, property taxes will skyrocket. And our need for tax reform will still remain.
9) Thou shall not pretend to be God.
Don’t cater to your own self-serving needs under the guise you are working for the people.
10) Thou shall keep God first.
Do this and the rest will take care of itself.