The political scene across our county and our country is dizzying.
We are puzzled that some City Council members want the district attorney to give special treatment to specific cases. (Think if that scenario was spun 180 degrees and a government agency was asking the D.A. to ignore other cases. Council folks, you council. Let the district attorney worry about prosecution. Side question: Have council members looked at ways to fund more manpower or overtime to attack these VRI cases? The main reasons these politicos are wringing their hands is because the gang violence remains front-page news.)
We are spinning in a political holding pattern in which a county commission that vows to be fiscally conservative continues to make less than conservative decisions with our money, be those choices personal discretionary funds or opening Pandora’s box of pension positioning with the sheriff’s bridge plan. We are 100 percent in support of the guys and gals in blue and are grateful for their service and sacrifice, but what’s next on the pension funding plan? Why not firemen, or parking attendants or you name it among our civil servants?
We also are wondering what the real story is behind those “fiscal conservatives” trying to find ways to vote themselves a pay raise.
In a lot of ways, this continues to provide the narrative behind the unstoppable force that is the Donald Trump campaign.
Think about these statements, and ask yourself if this was something you believed possible:
Trump is a bigger favorite to win the Republic nomination than the Golden State Warriors are to win their conference. (If you are wondering about the Warriors, know this: They are on pace to set the NBA record for most wins in a season. And Trump is a bigger favorite to win than arguably the best regular-season team in NBA history.)
Trump is going against a slew of folks – and already has toppled a handful of others – with super political action committees funding their campaigns. Trump’s biggest campaign expense is not advertising or travel or consultants. Nope, Trump’s biggest expense is hats.
Trump has energized a voting public that is turning out record numbers at the polls. And for the most part, that voting block has become an unstoppable force. They are punching the ballot with one hand, and in most cases doing it with their middle finger, at least figuratively.
A lot of us may have believed that Trump was a sideshow, simply a distraction that was part “Saturday Night Live” skit and part social media-age commentary that put a face on the frustration of the American people.
We were wrong.
We were wrong because Trump has connected with the Homer Simpsons and the Archie Bunkers across our country. That connection in a lot of ways has transcended party divides – heck, Trump is more like Bernie Sanders than Ted Cruz if you look at their positions.
All of this craziness lowers expectations to a point in which we expect the worst.
Maybe that’s why the news that the Chattanooga Housing Authority made a solid decision is so refreshing.
The CHA voted unanimously that people in the Upward Mobility housing program must show proof of having a job, being in some sort of training or school, or volunteering 30 hours a week or face eviction.
Wow, the only negative thought about that is why was it not in place sooner?
“What we have seen are instances where people won’t do what they’re supposed to do and continue to live at the site,” CHA executive director Betsy McCright said Tuesday. “They say the worse that will happen is that they will be moved to another site, so they don’t do anything.”
McCright was referencing some of the people in the program who openly object to contributing to society.
As we wrestle with the unbelievable from our political leaders, let’s not forget to congratulate those who deserve it when they make sound decisions.
Take a bow, Mrs. McCright and the CHA board. Well done.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com. His “Right to the Point” column runs on A2 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.