I'd like to think we can get Kim McMillan in the governor's seat and Haslam or any of the Repub's won't be an issue.

That $136k has to be a misprint.

Could be.

However, he did report a lot less income in 2008 ($2,857,116) compared to 2007 ($10,354,468) and 2006 ($7,395,493). When caluculating using the same method as 2008, he paid 12-13% taxes in 2007 and 16-18% in 2006.

Jeez, $10,000,000 in passive income (presumably, since he has a full time job as Mayor) for 2007 not counting Pilot means he must in the neighborhood of $100 million or more in principle?

Haslam doesn't receive a Mayor's salary does he?

Yes, the principle must be sky high. Maybe that is why he will not release the figures?

I'm a pragmatist.

You mean that you can see the liberal underneath the conservative clothing? That's being observant, not pragmatic.

Socially, you'll find many of Tennessee's federal and state Republicans are liberal. Until you get them to a town hall meeting or on Fox.

Of course the ones that are not, are either "Family" members or want to be.

I fear the latter the most.

Oh, Ramsey & Wamp are going to go after the hard right vote, and they're going to wind up splitting it.  Haslam wins the primary in a walk.

The puritans will stay home or write in their favorite whackaloon.

And honestly, I think that if the best that the Democratic Party will offer is the Ned Ray legacy, this thing is over before it starts.

____________________________

Calling to the underworld. Come out of the cupboard, you boys and girls.

 Bill, bless your yallerdawg heart, Ned Ray's big old coattails ain't strong enough to carry that loser of a son any further than he's already drug him. 

Why in the world would I, should I,  support Mike McWherter for anything?

The fact Cammack could not get Party support says more about the party structure than it does Democrats. It sure reeks of "next".

Just wanted to repeat that. All the pragmatists were counting votes and critiquing party loyalties instead of spreading the message that Tennessee has long held the potential to be a world class economic powerhouse.

So far, what we're looking at in the next Tennessee legislative session (via email from Harry Brooks yesterday):

There are several issues to be considered during the 2010 session including but not limited to : Juvenile Sex Offender Registry; Mandate Resolution; Secret Ballot Protection Act; Proof of Citizenship to Vote; Photo ID to Vote; Restaurant Menus; Closing the gun carry permit database; Streamlining government processes; Worker’s Compensation; DUI Interlock; and Wine in Grocery Stores. I would like to get your input at the Town Hall meeting and look forward to seeing you there!

TN School for the Deaf Saturday Jan. 23         10:00am
^{2725 Island Home Blvd. Knoxville, TN 37920}
Carter Community Library Saturday Jan. 23       2:00pm
^{9036 Asheville Hwy. Knoxville, TN 37924}
Powell Rural Metro Saturday Jan. 30             10:00am
^{1706 Emory Rd. Powell, TN 37849}
Corryton Community Center Saturday Jan. 30      2:00pm
^{9331 Davis Dr. Corryton, TN 37721}

There's not a lot in the above topics that do anything to promote agriculture, industry or commerce, so where do we start? Local currency in Perry County? We might not be that desperate or industrious, but the idea of a state bank like North Dakota's deserves more consideration than a "that's cute." Is there anything in the 2010 legislative agenda to help 8th grade Tennesseeans do a better job of pointing to Tennessee on a map? Are there any plans in there to not push the demand for gasoline up to five dollars per gallon next summer? Do we need to depend on federal lawmakers to provide globally competitive health care to our citizens because we tried and failed as a state? Will we take it to the Supreme Court if they try to interfere with that failure? Will you potluck some Christmas leftovers to the drunk people at Manhattan's Friday Night Christmas and maybe take one of them home? I will not be cooking for you unless the Mayor of Fountain City brings me a duck or two from the lake up there.

Doesn't matter to me if his income is 10 million or 10 billion, he's wealthy now, ok?

Don't care how much he makes. Do want to know how to get by with paying 5-13% income tax.

I agree. Bill Haslam is a really decent, caring guy. I supported Madeleine Rogero in the first mayoral election, and will again, but Haslam has earned my respect by delivering. I also know some personal anecdotes that raise my respect for him considerably (one at my own expense).

Some of us may also want to consider that he probably took some major losses against his income in 2008. It was a pretty bad year, remember? Besides, according to the national accountants organization, the AVERAGE income tax paid by Americans last year was only 9%. That's not the same as the marginal rate, remember, just an average. Anyone who thinks Americans pay too much in taxes is simply ignorant of the reality.

If Tennessee doesn't have an income tax within a few years, we are going to be even further down toward the bottom of the list of states overall. We can't adequately pay for our share of Medicare, schools, libraries and other state functions now.

Cagle is half right (as usual) in that column, but if you look at it really close and think about it, you are reading "the distract the masses" campaign from the "HE"S GOING TO IMPOSE AN INCOME TAX!!!!!" horseshit that will spew from the rest of TNGOP.

True happiness is knowing you are a hypocrite. -- Ivor Cutler Stimulating the economy as best we can! Further stimulation with Yoga Wear!

Signing a contract like that merely damns Tennessee to another 50 years of being the bottom of the barrel, but if that's what the "people" in Tennessee want, well so be it. There's a reason VW is going out of state for workers, Mike.

I am not a Haslam supporter, but since this is a GOP year in TN, I hope he comes out on top of the GOP primary because the other candidates are, frankly, scary. Zach Wamp isn't qualified to wipe asses at a farting contest. Ramsey is as crooked as a dog's hind leg. At least Haslam is a good man and a great administrator.

True happiness is knowing you are a hypocrite. -- Ivor Cutler Stimulating the economy as best we can! Further stimulation with Yoga Wear!

Political "contracts," like one where a Gubenatorial candidate says "he will not under any circumstances support an income tax" are nothing more than political stunts.  We don't need candidates who wish to practice political absolutism (either definition).  Because of the lingering effects of the current recession, the next Governor will have an enormously difficult task in managing this state's affairs.  I would have a very hard time supporting any candidate who thinks it's a good idea to tie his own hands in such a significant way, just to get some votes.

Because of the debacle of Don "Vanilla" Sundquist's efforts, no Tennessee Governor is going to tread lightly into the income tax arena.  If, on the other hand, the state's finances could become so dire that the choice becomes an income tax over bankruptcy, an intelligent candidate will keep his options open.

Responsible executives cannot operate in a world of political purity and absolutes.  That's why single issue advocates should rarely be elected to office.  That's why President Obama is currently being pummeled from both directions right now.  His approach to healthcare, the climate change conference, and his Afghanistan policy are all examples of pragmatism in action, which isn't making anyone on the far right or left very happy.  In the end, though, he has a better chance of accomplishing something good in each arena.  All-or-nothing types usually end up with nothing.