Corker Talks With Split Tongue

From Tim Chavez, former editor at the Tennessean on Bob Corker.

Corker has blamed the UAW for the failure of his compromise bailout. But it seems Corker should apologize to the nation for vigorously backing GM in one moment locally and now damning it and its workers and auto dealers nationally.

Why does it seem that all politicians betray?

It’s a good question. Why do politicians speak out of both sides of their mouths? Doesn’t matter which side of the aisle they are sitting on.

Thinking Of Goodyear, Unions And The Bailout

So much is going on regarding the automobile company bailout. In Weakley County, it’s a double-edged sword. Do we, or don’t we?

Because the implications of whether we do or we don’t will have long-term effects for this area.

This week Southern Republicans had a chance to go to bat for foreign automakers while simultaneously busting a union. At a hearing last week, Corker explained that his constituents “have a tough time thinking about us loaning money to companies that are paying way, way above industry standard to workers.” Which may explain why his proposed alternative to the loan agreement between Congress and the White House would have required the United Auto Workers to agree to significant wage cuts next year, based on a spurious claim that union workers earn significantly more than non-union workers.

Even George W. Bush’s White House didn’t push to crush the UAW the way Corker and his buddies did, say Democrats involved in the negotiations with the administration. “It was all about the unions,” one senior Democratic aide said. “This is political payback for lots of things, and probably even more to come.” Labor officials expect Republicans to keep taking shots at unions whenever they can. “This cynical stance they took last night — they’re willing to jeopardize 3 million jobs so they could gain some advantage in their war against unions — is appalling,” said Bill Samuel, the chief lobbyist for the AFL-CIO.

As the Republican Party consolidates in the South, the fight this week could turn out to be a preview of many battles to come over Barack Obama’s economic plans. If those plans involve the domestic auto industry, the GOP pushback will come from somewhere down I-65, the new auto corridor that runs from Kentucky south to Alabama. Expect to hear more not just from the very vocal Bob Corker, but from the rest of a core group of Southern senators whose bread is buttered by the Japanese, Germans and Koreans. Here’s a guide to the major players.

And this from retired union man Don Jones regarding a letter from a retired Union man. Retirement is an issue:

I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me I just would like for Goodyear pay attention to their business and keep people from getting in a sad way…I am sure, I am not the only one that has had this to happen ?

The thing to remember is that regardless of what happens in this game of darts, there will be loss. Is this a union-busting deal going on in Washington?

I don’t know, but I do know that Weakley County needs to be paying attention and it doesn’t matter where you stand.

And you might want to see this. And this.

This area has to start having a dialog and thinking of outside the box.

Just saying.

Disappointment lingers

When I hear about what the Democrats in office on the federal level are considering on my behalf, I become frustrated. The idea that a second “stimulus” payment to the nation’s taxpayers would help boost the  economy during the first quarter of 2009 is just insulting.

I fought hard to dissuade my state representatives not to pass the bill that would grant $700 billion to help credit corporations. With the latest buzz floating around on the net about sending a “stimulus” check to those of us who are already indebted to the corporate bailout just makes my stomach turn.

Do people in Congress really think that will make us forget the anguish we have suffered at their hands less than a month ago. It seems as they’re sitting back going, “oh, just throw them a couple hundred dollars tax-free and they’ll shut up.”

No thank you, keep your damn money, oh wait, keep MY damn money and next time if you want to know what my opinion is, ask me before speaking on my behalf.

Lest we forget, we don’t pay our congressmen and representatives to speak and think for themselves. We pay them to sit in Washington to regurgitate what WE want.

I am very disappointed in my fellow Dems that think that one ounce of a “stimulus” payment is a good idea. Sure, if they were sending a $100,000 each. But, they will once again assure us by their actions that we are only worth a tenth of what they chose to spend for Wall Street.

From Politico.   

“The Federal Reserve chairman also recommended that Congress “should consider including measures to help improve access to credit by consumers, homebuyers, businesses, and other borrowers” as part of that broader package.”

Who can afford to get credit right now? People are broke and can’t afford to obtain a loan, even if it were more accessible. How out of touch with reality can people be? Wasn’t the issue of handing out credit to those who couldn’t afford it what got this country into this situation to begin with?

To read the rest of the proposal, go here.

So very sad

This story out of Dallas just breaks my heart.

Where is the accountability? I am truly at a loss as to how something like this could happen.

Obama propaganda is finally here

For those in Weakley County searching for a HQ, alas, there is none. But, there are two locations that have free Obama/Biden yard signs, bumper stickers and buttons.

The first location is on North Lindell Street in Martin at Von’s Master Cuts across from Sonic and beside the Tobacco Barn.

Roy Herron’s law office in Dresden is also handing out the party’s campaign materials.

Thanks for everyone’s support.

You’re joking, right?

This was sent to my work email:

 

ALEXANDER FOR SENATE REPORTS $822,477 IN TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER  

 

Nashville, TN – Today, Alexander for Senate announced it has reported $822,477 in total receipts for the Third Quarter, beginning on July 1 and ending September 30, 2008.  With less than three weeks before the election, Alexander for Senate has reported $3,526,376 cash on hand.  

“I’m grateful that so many Democrats and Independents as well as Republicans have invested in my campaign,” said Senator Lamar Alexander.  ”And I’m eager to go back to the Senate and continue working across party lines to get results on the most important issues facing Tennessee and our country today, especially our economic crisis and the high costs of energy and health care.”

 

 

Please tell me that Democrats are not sending money for Alexander’s campaign. That’s almost as bad as two Tennessee newspapers actually endorsing him for the Senate. It’s no wonder people have lost faith the media. 

I agree with Political Salsa on this one.

Vote Bob Tuke Nov. 4. 

 

A letter to Con. Tanner

With the news of the bailout bill passing the House just a few moments ago, I had to take the time to readjuct my previous letter to my senators to include Con. John Tanner. Tanner is from the 8th Congressional District of Tennessee and acts as my representative.

Dear Con. John Tanner,
As a taxpaying, voting citizen of this great nation, you have failed me. Over the course of the past two weeks, you have chosen to divert more money from my child to benefit those who have worked off of my back to get to where they are today.
I grow weary, not from the constant burden that has been placed on my shoulders everyday by those who claim to work in my best interest. No, I grow weary because I look at my two-year-old daughter who hasn’t a clue what is going on this country right now and I see her begin to slump over. She slumps because of the burden that she unknowingly carries at the hand of people that pretend to care about her future.
So not only have you failed me, you have failed her.
I can carry the burden as I have for several years under failed systems put in place, once again, by those who I elected to protect me from these vast burdens. But, my daughter is only two years old and you have used her future as a bargaining chip to help those who have taken advantage of people like her parents and grandparents for years.
There was no point in time when I heard from you that this bail-out would go into the hands of the starving, struggling taxpayers. No, this was never even a consideration.
You never batted an eyelash when voting on this $700 billion bailout. Instead, the people that depended upon you for representation in Washington were told this package was in “our” best interest.
Because of the passage of this bill, the million dollar companies that will benefit from this can continue their operations just as they did before.
But, we the people, on the other hand, will continue to live paycheck to paycheck. We will continue to scrape money together to pay for one more gallon of high dollar gas. And, we the people must now re-evaluate our energy costs as the Tennessee Valley Authority rate hike went into effect Wednesday while natural gas prices loom higher. Our costs of living continue to increase as we become “more creative” with our spending.
I am not asking you to bail me out. No, I have done that repeatedly in the past week. You didn’t listen.
When my daughter is old enough to ask why her back and shoulders hurt, I will be honest with her. I will tell her that she must now carry the burden that has been passed to her by those who her mother and father once trusted.
To you, Con. Tanner, you will not receive a vote from me in November. You have failed me and you have placed too heavy of a burden on my child. She does not deserve, nor will ever deserve that type of recklessness from anyone. Certainly not from someone whose salary is paid by her mother and father as well as her grandparents.
Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done or said that will have me feel otherwise.
I know there were plenty of people out there who contacted you and asked you to consider your constituents’ opinions before casting your vote for the bailout bill.
You chose not to listen and so, I say again, you have failed them.
I hope that your decision allows you to be able to sleep peacefully at night, as my nights just became a little more restless.
Sincerely,
A concerned taxpaying citizen and mother in your district

An open letter to My Senators

Dear Sens. Corker and Alexander,
As a taxpaying, voting citizen of this great nation, the two of you have failed me. Over the course of the past two weeks, you two have chosen to divert more money from my child to benefit those who have worked off of my back to get to where they are today.
I grow weary, not from the constant burden that has been placed on my shoulders everyday by those who claim to work in my best interest. No, I grow weary because I look at my two-year-old daughter who hasn’t a clue what is going on this country right now and I see her begin to slump over. She slumps because of the burden that she unknowingly carries at the hand of people that pretend to care about her future.
So not only have you failed me, you have failed her.
I can carry the burden as I have for several years under failed systems put in place, once again, by those who I elected to protect me from these vast burdens. But, my daughter is only two years old and you have used her future as a bargaining chip to help those who have taken advantage of people like her parents and grandparents for years.
There was no point in time when I heard from either of you that this bail-out would go into the hands of the starving, struggling taxpayers. No, this was never even a consideration.
Neither of you batted an eyelash when voting on this $700 billion bailout. Instead, the people that depended upon you two for representation in Washington were told this package was in “our” best interest.
If this bill passes, the million dollar companies that will benefit from this can continue their operations just as they did before.
But, we the people, on the other hand, will continue to live paycheck to paycheck. We will continue to scrape money together to pay for one more gallon of high dollar gas. And, we the people must now re-evaluate our energy costs as the Tennessee Valley Authority rate hike went into effect yesterday.
I am not asking you to bail me out. No, I have done that repeatedly in the past week. You didn’t listen.
When my daughter is old enough to ask why her back and shoulders hurt, I will be honest with her. I will tell her that she must now carry the burden that has been passed to her by those who her mother and father once trusted.
To you, Sen. Alexander, you will not receive a vote from me in November. You have failed me and you have placed too heavy of a burden on my child. She does not deserve, nor will ever deserve that type of recklessness from anyone. Certainly not from someone whose salary is paid by her mother and father as well as her grandparents.
To you, Sen. Corker, my message to you is the same. I will remember the day when you placed a bargaining chip on my daughter’s head when you are up for re-election.
Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done or said that will have me feel otherwise.
I know there were plenty of people out there who contacted the two of you and asked you to consider your constituents’ opinions before casting your votes for the bailout bill.
You chose not to listen and so, I say again, you have failed them.
I hope that your decisions allow you to be able to sleep peacefully at night, as my nights just became a little more restless.
Sincerely,
A concerned taxpaying citizen and mother in your district

Just a few reasons to vote for Bob Tuke

As many who know me very well, I am pissed about the bail-out proposal. My husband told me it’s people like me that may very well cause another Great Depression, but of course I disagree. I think the idea is a bogus piece of legislation to gain media hype. I am completely against the idea of funding it and I have been active in emailing my legislators, including Lamar Alexander, citing reasons against the package.

I know that there has been no point in time when one person in Congress has suggested sending those who face foreclosure a bail-out check that would allow them to pay off their mortgage which in turn could turn bad debt into paid debt. Not one time. Is it so hard to imagine by our leaders that taxpayers can actually make a difference if given an opportunity instead of forcing our hand to accept a package they designed.

I have press release issued Alexander’s office earlier today that I want to share. I have highlighted the statements in blue that I responded to in an email to the senator from Tennessee earlier. But this is the release in its entirety.

Feel free to share this and spread it around in the hope that a Democrat can once again take that seat in Washington.

Alexander Calls on Congress to Approve Amended Financial Rescue Plan for Main Street Without Delay
Says “there is a real risk that credit will freeze and Americans will not be able to get car, student, auto, mortgage, or farm credit loans – or even to cash their paychecks”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today made the following remarks on the floor of the Senate regarding legislation to address the credit crunch affecting communities across America:

• “Congress should approve the amended plan without delay – today.  If the House can pass it today, there is no reason why the Senate cannot pass it today and send it to the president.  Otherwise, there is a real risk that credit will freeze and Americans will not be able to get car, student, auto, mortgage, or farm credit loans – or even to cash their paychecks.”
  

·        “The whole point of the work over the weekend – since last Thursday, in fact – was to do everything we could to protect taxpayers. Under the amended plan, the Secretary of the Treasury will have authority to buy and sell troubled mortgage assets to get the economy moving again. Taxpayers will have authority to provide oversight, minimize losses, and make sure profits go to reduce debt.  Most realize that the largest reason for this emergency legislation is mortgage loans that people can’t pay back and securities based upon those mortgages.  This has derailed housing and created problems for banks.  It has spread uncertainty and caused people with cash to be cautious.”


·        “This has come so fast and taken such an unexpected turn that it is hard for most Americans to know what to think about it.  Think about it as someone who should have known better dumping thousands of bad mortgage loans and other assets in the middle of an eight-lane interstate, threatening to bring to a halt all economic traffic.”
 

·        “Vehicles carrying these essential credits that Americans rely on every day have ground to a halt on the economic highway, blocked by a big pile of bad mortgage loans.  So we end up with this massive wreck in the middle of the economic highway.”



·        “Think of the federal government as the salvage crew and Secretary Paulson as the driver of the wrecker.  His job is to buy the salvage and get it off the highway as soon as possible so the traffic can start moving again.  If he does this, then the lanes will open again, and the vehicles carrying your auto and car and mortgage and farm credit loans and payroll checks will start moving again.”

• “And think of yourself, the taxpayer, as the owner of the salvage company – doing everything possible to make sure the driver of the wrecker can get the pile of bad loans off the highway and sell them for at least as much as it cost him to pick them up.”
  

• “Most realize now that we are not spending $700 billion.  The Secretary may buy up to $700 billion in troubled mortgage assets – enough to restore confidence – but he may buy much less.  Over time, he will then sell these assets.  There might even be a profit which, under the plan, would go to reduce the federal debt.”
  

• “This week – today – we need to fix the immediate problem.  Clean the wreck off the highway.  Next week we need to begin to take steps to remodel our regulatory agencies – most of which were designed to deal with the calamities of the 1930s.  And we need to find out if there was fraud or misleading actions so that we can do our best to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
  

• “Next week can fix the blame.  Today we should unclog the economic highway and fix the immediate problem to make sure Americans can buy homes and cars and houses, go to college, get farm credit loans, and cash their payroll checks.”
  

I am deeply concerned.

Weakley County Democratic Rally

Everyone’s invited. Support the Democrats in Weakley County.