It has been almost 3 weeks since the story broke that a state legislator secretly changed the language of Tennessee’s state budget just before it was sent to the Legislature for a vote. Despite it now being generally accepted the offending legislator is a prominent GOP Senator, he has not been named and no explanation for his actions has been given. This is true to such an extent that were you consider the public statements by members of the Legislature you would never know anything happened.
Bluntly, Ron Ramsey and the leadership of the Tennessee Senate appear to have no intention whatsoever of dealing with this issue. They appear to be adopting the attitude that if they will just wait long enough all of this will blow over.
There are several explanations for this; none of them good. The GOP caucus has: 1) taken its base for granted; 2) adopted a dismissive attitude toward representative government and transparency; 3) approved the “Don’t ask us about stuff. We’ll tell you what you need!” approach toward the people; 4) decided it doesn’t matter what character they reveal to us by their actions, or; 5) all of the above.
But citizens are outraged. At first it was that such a thing could happen at all. Now the outrage is with with how it is being handled.
They are telling me things like, I have lost faith in Ron Ramsey!”, “This has cost Ramsey my vote!” and “I am so disappointed in people I trusted!” Perhaps the actions of the caucus are good politics. But the base still longs for leaders who do what is right. Not because it fills campaign coffers and ballot boxes but because it is the right thing to do. When the secret Senator betrayed us by changing the state’s budget we waited for the rest of those we elected to do the right thing. It’s grown lonely at that particular altar …
The secret Senator defied the publicly stated intention of the GOP caucus to de-fund Planned Parenthood. Kent Williams defied the publicly stated intention of the GOP to elect Jason Mumpower Speaker. Williams became a pariah while the secret Senator enjoys the complete support and protection of the GOP caucus. Explain to me how I now trust any future appeal to principle from the GOP?
The secret Senator’s intentional deception means he put himself before the caucus and before the people. In the face of this, the caucus itself did nothing. Nor will they name him so Tennesseans might weigh in on the matter for themselves. This is not representative democracy. This is not the values of our national Republic being expressed at the state level. This is a king protecting one of his barons from the serfs.
I would hope Senate leaders are as angry as I am over the matter. How would I know since they won’t even admit anything has happened, let alone express an opinion on it. How does one respond to that? The actions of the secret Senator are a threat to all that has been promised. It exists in the midst of the caucus. Yet he is protected and honored rather than expelled and shamed. Am I expected to approve of this? Were this done in a company, he would be demoted at a minimum, more likely fired and prosecuted. Were it done in a family, divorce attorneys would be involved. That is the usual way betrayal, faithlessness and disregard for those one is to serve are usually dealt with. Here it is ignored and winked at.
I believed those who told me they shared my values and principles. I gave them time and money and lent them such value as might exist in my praise. That trust and support now seem to have been misplaced.
I have a choice. We all do. We can choose cynicism and wash our hands of the matter, returning to life as we lived it before we got involved. Or we can learn from our mistakes and continue searching for today’s version of the men who shaped and founded our nation. Men of integrity. Men of principle. Men we can believe in both today and in the midst of all the challenges tomorrow brings. Men of whom we can be proud and with whom we can be proud to associate.
I will not cry over failed attempts to find such men. I will not complain that it is a difficult search. I’ll just keep looking. The founder of Cynicism, Diogenes, searched for years for an honest man. The least I can do is hang on another election cycle or two. When the stakes are this high, there really isn’t any other option …
Related articles
- So, Is Secretly Changing the TN Budget Protected Behavior, a Crime, Unethical or What? (bluecollarmuse.com)
- Speaker and Lt Gov Release Statement Notable for What it Does Not Say (bluecollarmuse.com)
- Timeline of the Secret Altering of the Tennessee Budget (bluecollarmuse.com)
#1 by Steve in TN on 06/10/2011 - 11:40
This, the lack of action on 2nd Amendment rights, and the recent passage of an unconstitutional law prohibiting "offensive" pictures… Why did we get the GOP in charge, again?
#2 by Toni on 06/10/2011 - 12:36
Ken, I am with you all the way. I know you have always been one to try and give the benefit of the doubt to these GOP legislators. What this tells me is that the TN GOP Mafia and Pilot Oil are controlling our legislative process. That's how Harwell was elected Speaker, people were told if you DON'T vote for Harwell, the money will dry up. This of course, came from Haslam and Tom Ingram and the attached TN Mafia. I thought that Ramsey had a bit more spine but of course, that was incorrect. I never expected any different from Harwell. This week Sen. Jack Johnson posted something on his FB page regarding the successful legislative season and my only comment was for them to tell us who perpetrated this betrayal? I got crickets. Tells you volumes.
#3 by Tami Kilmarx on 06/10/2011 - 14:47
I would go along with option "5" above re: the GOP caucus. While I have been treated respectfully much of the time, much of the time I have been met with condescension by certain legislators….even lied to. One particular time 5 different explanations all in one sitting over one hot-button. (HC Compact)The feeling that washes over one when one is met with….territorialism, being blown off, yelled at, hostility, etc….yes, I have been met with multiple different behaviors. What is the truth? Would anyone know it if it revealed itself down there? You know, while much of the time you are told how glad they are to have you down there, not so true methinks….If they spoke at all, they would tell you anything to get you off their backs. Me? I ain't stopping. When will they ever learn?
#4 by Grace on 06/10/2011 - 15:22
Voters … PAY ATTENTION to Amendment-gate! this is a Bellweather event on the issue of INTEGRITY among our Republican Senators and House Members, and it is THE litmus test of whether the Republicans possess even the barest, slightest bit more integrity than the Democrats did during all the years that the Democrats were in power in Tennessee, and so exhibited such an utter lack of integrity in governance or respect for the People of Tennessee. The Republicans in the Legislature are demonstrating for the entire world to see, that, as a UNIFIED GROUP, they are as lacking in integrity and accountability to the People as the Democrats that they so salivated all those years to replace. Are we, the Voters, going to support the Republicans the next time at the ballot box with our money, our grassroots time and energy and our votes? WHY BOTHER???? The Republican Leadership have patently demonstrated for the entire Tennessee populace to see that there is NO REAL DIFFERENCE between the two parties, and this event, and how it has been so utterly, arrogantly mishandled, brings that to the forefront in sharp relief. I think we understand now that no matter WHO is in power, it is all about back-room deals, carefully crafted, positioned and fiercely maintained public images that must be protected at ALL costs (including the cost of their Integrity)… but that belie the TRUTH … images that are artfully maintained to fool the average member of the public … all to retain their tenuous hold on power in a politically divided State … and to keep the dollars flowing … and absolutely NONE of it in the best interests of the people of Tennessee. And it is especially disgusting when it is couched in moral platitudes by people who are adept at passing themselves off as "Moral Conservatives" who "really do listen to the Grassroots Base" when, in fact, they do nothing of the kind. They are more than happy to take our Vote … but leave us in the dust when it comes to our principles of morality, integrity and public accountability. "Amendment-gate" clearly establishes that the Republicans now in power want to exploit the same "shadow system" of "unaccountable" governance that the Democrats so skillfully set up, maintained and exploited to their benefit for so many decades. The Republicans just want to hop behind the wheel and drive the same "machine". You can put a different driver behind the wheel of the same sick and twisted machine, and you're going to end up in the same societal ditch, and with the People of Tennessee in your back seat, and injured in the crash. And if the Republicans think that the Voter is "not really paying attention" to all of this … and is going to be "cooled" by the passage of time … and "fooled and bought off" by measures to improve the economy and "bring jobs" and will "forget about it all and show up at the ballot box and vote for them just as ususal the next time around", then the Republicans sell the integrity level of the voters in Tennessee WAY TOO SHORT … and insult them. Do the Republicans now in power really think that we will give a "pass" on integrity in our government … as long as our pocketbook improves? Do they think we are fooled by a "Republican" mask slapped over the face of the same corrupt and unaccountable Democratic machine? Who do they think WE ARE ??? How utterly, utterly INSULTING! In my opinion, the Republicans have royally FLUNKED the first first, most basic, and most fundamental test of Leadership that the people cry for … INTEGRITY. Their smug silence about Amendment-gate shouts volumes to the Voter about what they REALLY think about issues of character, integrity, and adherence to, and respect for, the law … as well as the LEGISLATIVE DUTY to maintain an integrous Legislative process that honors and respects the will of The People. And most tragically for the rest of us, it displays for all of us to see what they REALLY think about the PEOPLE of the State of Tennessee! Their attitude is, "The People be damned … WE own this place." Bottom line: they have displayed in blazing arrogance that they are accountable to NONE of us … because "they" have the power … and know what's "best". What an utter, pathetic failure to understand the concept of the stewardship of holding public office, much less the humility that is the foundation for that honor. Shame on the lot of them that are covering this up! They demonstrate utter, blatant contempt for the People of Tennessee!
#5 by Matt Collins on 06/11/2011 - 02:31
I TOLD you months ago that Ron Ramsey was a snake and was not a friend of conservatism or limited-government. Do you believe me now?
I sincerely hope that this incident helps you to remove the blinders and realize that being friends with these people doesn't work. You have to be willing to play hardball with them which sometimes means getting ugly and metaphorically in their face, even possibly working to get them unelected. It's the only tactic that will keep them in line. Just remember that if they don't fear you then they don't respect you!
After all, my tactics got that awful DNA bill killed now didn't it?
#6 by Matt Collins on 06/11/2011 - 08:45
Ken,
YIKES!
I went back and re-read my post and realize I didn't mean to come across with quite as harsh as a tone as I had. I guess it's what I get for rolling out of bed and onto the computer and responding to things too quickly.
Anyway, my apologies for that it really wasn't mean to be as abrasive as it came across.
I think my general point still stands and the concept is still valid – politicians are our enemy, not our friends, but I didn't mean to be quite so condescending in the post.
Again please accept my apologies on that.
#7 by Joe Kirkpatrick on 06/11/2011 - 06:45
Unfortunately, this is what happens in Conference Committee. This is the place where differences between house and senate versions are ironed out. There should be sunshine upon all legislative actions. This is no different than any other of the litany of grievances we should have with our legislators. Thanks for staying on this issue.
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#8 by kevin on 06/19/2011 - 11:33
when will we all learn, they think we are idiots, we keep electing dishonest people to represent us, they think we need them to think for us, we must keep voting them out again and again until we get real representation of our values and needs
#9 by Mary on 07/31/2011 - 17:42
To be honest, I only know little about politics and it is hard for me to tell right from wrong, and maybe there is no absolute wrong or right in politics. However, no matter what happens one point is obvious that people will always just support and vote for those who can really represent the general public.
#10 by letti in ferro battu on 08/10/2011 - 03:56
politics are all the same, worldwide it seems.