Tennessee should exit Stone Age
In response to “Transgender bathroom bill passes Tennessee House panel,” it is unfortunate Tennessee is so far behind in protecting the constitutional rights of minority groups. This bill would be extraordinarily discriminatory to transgendered people and would be a massive retreat on civil rights. If Tennessee can segregate students based on gender, it is not much further to racial segregation. Where will the discriminatory policies end?
We have to do better than this. With this bill and the recent success of Donald Trump in the Tennessee primary election, it is clear Tennessee is stuck in reactionary and regressive politics. It is time for this state to exit the Stone Age.
Austin Tillman
Collegedale, Tenn.
Sanders, Jesus: much in common
It is fitting that Bernie Sanders, a Jew, brings hope to the poor and middle class while threatening our corrupt political system, just as Jesus Christ, a Jew, threatened the political establishment and brought hope to the people of his day: Feed the hungry, heal the sick, establish peace by loving one another. In this presidential election, voters can cast their vote to feed the 50 million Americans unable to buy sufficient food to sustain health, can vote to provide health care to the 37 million uninsured Americans, can vote to challenge the GOP agenda of an America perpetually at war, sacrificing lives and resources at the military/industrial complex altar. Government today serves corporations, not individuals.
Not only do corporations fund our elections, but Congress signs into law bills that are actually written by lobbyists.
Radical change in our thinking, expectations and voting is necessary to restore government of the people, by the people and for the people. It is estimated a senator must raise on average $15,000 a day to stay in office. Easy corporate money makes senators forget that their oath of office concerns the constitutional rights of persons, not corporations.
Faye Walter
Sewanee, Tenn.
TFP article lacked key fact
How could a Times Free Press reporter write a multiple-column, Business section front page article about the new assisted living facility on Lookout Mountain without including the cost of living there? Was it an advertisement or a news article?
Or is he just so young the question of how much it would cost for him to live there never entered his mind?
Bill Hayes
Hixson