Gardenhire disregards his constituents
The fact that Todd Gardenhire had his adult son enrolled on his taxpayer-supported health insurance but twice voted against health coverage to poor people raises troubling issues. First, his adamant denial that he had a child covered by his taxpayer-supported health insurance raises questions about competence or integrity. It is incomprehensible that a licensed Morgan Stanley insurance agent and financial adviser was unaware that his son was on his taxpayer-supported health insurance. Alternatively, he was well aware that his son was on his taxpayer-supported health insurance but nonetheless chose to misrepresent that fact. Perhaps Mr. Gardenhire is not the “sharpest knife in the drawer” or perhaps Mr. Gardenhire has integrity issues. Stupidity, perhaps, can be overlooked. Breaches of integrity cannot. Do you want this man representing our interests in the Tennessee General Assmbly? The more egregious offense, however, is the callous disregard for the needs of the constituency he represents and the hypocrisy inherent in a part-time employee and his family benefiting from taxpayer-supported health insurance while denying coverage to his constituents.
T. William Alexander
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Abortion law helps no one
Just as opponents of Amendment 1 predicted, the signing of House Bill 977 into law does nothing to protect Tennessee women. Research shows that abortion is more than 99 percent safe, and Tennessee providers have a strong safety record. Instituting a 48-hour waiting period just presents another obstacle to those seeking abortion care, on the basis of politicians’ personal ideologies. Amendment 1 passed with incredibly low voter turnout. There is no reason to assume these politicians’ agendas represent the values of Tennesseans. Tennessee families ought to be able to make these personal decisions without interference from legislators or Gov. Haslam.
Tara Rose
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HES needs full funding
Please fully fund the Humane Educational Society budget. The Humane Educational Society is a very devoted, overworked, dedicated group of people who work so hard to take care of animals that some irresponsible people in our county carelessly toss or those of responsible people who can no longer properly care for them. Dogs and cats enrich human lives beyond measure. The measure of a good society is how it takes care of the people and animals and the environment that can’t defend or take care of itself.
Lynn Seeger
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Republicans wrong on almost all issues
Many Republicans believe Obama is sending the military to invade Texas by July 15. Republicans were wrong about WMD and the Iraq war being necessary, cheap and quick. Were conservatives right about global climate change? Absolutely not. Were Republicans right about President Obama being a radical Muslim, socialist, communist who was born in Kenya? Wrong again. The truth is since 2009 yearly deficits are down by half, unemployment is down by almost half, General Motors was saved, the stock market has more than doubled, Bin Laden is dead, the Iraq war is over and 16 million people now have Obamacare. What major issue have Republicans gotten right this century? Republicans support guns, wars, tax cuts, slanderous propaganda and oppose most everything else. Jesus Christ taught us to love God, love others, help the poor, heal the sick and be peacemakers. Which political party does that?
Randall Price
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HES animals need commissioner votes
I would like to request that all county commissioners support the funding increase that was requested by the Humane Society. I understand it is a large increase, but the amount is still under the total amount provided to the McKamey Animal Center. As you well know, quality care for animals is not cheap. I would like to see our county continue in our progression of caring for our four-legged friends! Thank you for your consideration of this worthy program.
Kristin Allen, Signal Mountain