Don’t ram taxes down Tennessee’s throat
I just read Sunday’s editorial section. I am appalled! Is Steve Warner still working there? He is the only one I’ve seen at the paper that is so biased as to write such garbage.
The article I’m referring to is titled “Hilleary or Bredesen: which candidate has the least sense?” So, by referring to the candidates as “Tweedle Dumb” and “Tweedle Dumber” we are to suppose this is a qualified debater?
The candidates oppose a state income tax and this is referred to as “idiocy.” The author of the article goes on to accuse the candidates of being “blind men” … “living in Wonderland,” and that they propose no “plan” to avoid a state income tax. If the author is interested in Van Hilleary’s plan, why doesn’t he go to Van Hilleary’s web site?
Going along with a similar plan as Van Hilleary’s is Rep. Gary Odom, who sent a letter to his constituents that outlined a “plan.” The author of this article apparently is unaware, or maybe doesn’t want to be aware, of this “plan,” so I’m sending a copy.
Also, on March 28 of this year, the Office of Comptroller of Tennessee released a report that showed TennCare spent in excess of half a billion dollars inappropriately.
The author of Sunday’s editorial should be ashamed. He has totally neglected his responsibility. By ignoring the facts and resorting to childish name calling, he has completely destroyed his credibility. I’m including a couple of articles from Van Hilleary’s web site showing that he proposes similar action that Rep. Gary Odom has laid out.
If an average citizen can find this material, you would think a reporter could too. Van Hilleary’s web site is www.vanhilleary.com.
On a similar note, I don’t understand the mentality of our elected officials. In the editorial referred to above, there is a sentence that says “… and appeal to the most voters by speaking out against on income tax.” And in a previous issue, knowing full well of its unpopularity, County Commissioner Swanson Bennett put forth a proposal to send his support for a state income tax to the General Assembly.
When politicians are elected, it is in hopes our political views are reflected through them. Obviously this is not being done, because we have some politicians who don’t care what the voters want. Their foot is in the door and that is all they need.
In the words of Van Hilleary – “We need leaders who listen to the people. It is the height of arrogance to try and jam an income tax down Tennessee’s throat.”
Richard Gaines
3823 Pigeon Hill Road
McMinnville