"posting" remorse, Mr. Holt?

I want to link the Tennessee Democratic Party's blog post in regards to our very own, Andy Holt.

Rep Holt to Meet Feds at Border

I'd like to think that this blog is pretty self-explanatory.  If not....for someone so intent on keeping the federal government and "their" regulation out of Tennessee, you sure are willing to chomp at the bit for any farm subsidies that your federal government is willing to give to you for being a pig farmer.  What's that phrase again? "Do one thing, say another?"  Let me remind you that your district is watching you VERY closely Mr. Holt.  Fortunately, we only have 223 more days til we get to vote you OUT and Mr. Maddox back IN!  So if I were you, I'd be careful what I post on facebook because, as you can see, it's just a screen shot away from being documented for anyone to view.  Reason, I say this is because Mr. Holt pulled the initial post as screen shot in the TNDP blog, and re-posted it today (i'm guessing after the blog came out) saying this...

West Tennesseeans thank you for yet another reason to NOT vote for you come November.  

Mark Maddox for State Representative District 76!

UPDATE:  It appears that Mr. Holt merely "blocked" the post as it is, coincidentally, now viewable by those that are NOT his friends on facebook.

Tennessee delegates & the at-large delegates next week!

I want to say that I was humbled, honored, and enlightened at the 8th Congressional District Delegate Convention today in Milan.  I am proud to announce that I was elected as the alternate delegate today, and would like to congratulate the other three delegates: Nicolle Crist (Weakley), Angela Callis (Weakley) & Najonna Coleman (Gibson).  It was truly an honor to be elected among you three.

There were three other candidates that ran today that did outstanding and I was thoroughly impressed with all of them.  LaTarsha Hanna-Huff of Madison County, Shalanza Hawkins of Haywood County, and Kayla Porter of Stewart County.  I want to go on the record and say that all seven of us deserve to go to Charlotte in September!  I hope that the three of you move on to the at-large delegate selection next week in Nashville.  I would proudly lobby for any one of you!

With that in mind, I want to informally lobby for any of the previously mentioned women to anyone in this state that has the ability to cast a vote next weekend.  These women would be outstanding representations of Tennessee, especially West Tennessee.  They have all contributed significantly to the Democratic Party from the local to the national levels.  They are well-spoken, dedicated, and I personally would love to have each one of them in Charlotte with me and the rest of the Tennessee delegation.  So, if you read this blog, and you can share this with anyone that can make this happen for any of these women please help me!  Let's get them to Charlotte!!!

Again, thank you to everyone from all the counties that were a part of the convention today.  Today was a dream come true.  A whirlwind for sure.  Something that I will never forget.  Thank you for being a part of it, and, most importantly, for giving me the chance to go to Charlotte.

One more side note, congratulations to the three men from the 8th District that were elected today: Gus Radford (Carroll), Chas Uffelman (Houston), & Jim Midgett (Madison).  I look forward to seeing you all again next weekend!

Thank you Mark Maddox.....three more to go

Word on the street that I've heard today is that former Representative for the 76th, Mark Maddox, will be repeating his run from 2010.  For any blue viewed person here in West Tennessee we can breathe a little easier.  Sadly, Mr. Maddox will no longer be representing me personally in the Tennessee Legislature....due to redistricting of course.  I'm currently stuck with Curtis Halford, and no democrat to run against him at this time.

This brings me to Roy Herron's soon-to-be open State Senate seat.  I'm not quite sure why we are not finding Democrats to run campaigns for these seats.  No one has, as of yet, stepped up as a potential Democratic candidate against Herron.  If people aren't really paying attention to the outlook here in Tennessee, right now is the time for Dems to strike.  The perfect time to take back our seats and our state.  As we saw in our state's primary on Super Tuesday, Tennessee went to right-wing extremist, Rick Santorum.  Turnout was not impressive.

Our pool of elected Republican officials (i.e. Fincher, Holt, Wirgau, etc.) are proving to be worthless at the state and federal level.  Andy Holt has sponsored or co-sponsored useless legislation to increase gun rights/accessibility on college campuses, a bill targeted at unions and their ability to picket by making mass picketing a criminal offense, and a bill that we know is ultimately not meant to defend students that are not Christian, especially if used in conjunction with bill that allows those who say its okay to bully if their religious or political beliefs follow suit. (whatever happened to the separation of church and state that our founding fathers put there as a means to not allow religion to be forced on someone?)  If constituents would actually look at what their elected official (Holt & Fincher specifically) and what bills they sponsor, how they vote on other bills that would personally affect them, I would guarantee that they more than likely would not vote for them a second time and make them a one term wonder.  This is my plea.  Let's get Mark elected and get Andy "BOLT" Holt (because he bolted to Hawaii for a new truck and bolts from hard hitting questions that he knows he couldn't answer without backlash or negative reactions) out of office.  Let's get some Democrats on the ticket against Fincher, Halford and the slew of Republican contenders who have thrown their name in the hat for Senator Herron's seat.

If you or someone you know are considering running for office I encourage you to send me a message or comment with an email to contact you at so that we can get you in touch with the right people.  So Northwest Tennesseeans, let's bring our region and the entire state back to the great state it once used to be.  Let's take hatred, bigotry, and every other scare tactic the extremists throw at us out of play.  Smile. shrug it off, and know that what they do and say doesn't matter.  We are the party for the people of this state.  We are the party that does, not just talks.  So let's do it!!

One last note, Thank you Mark Maddox!!!!

where are the jobs?

everyday fox news is complaining about jobs, jobs, jobs. where are they? we need tax breaks in order for private sector growth......blah blah blah. the January unemployment rate dropped lower than anyone projected. 8.3%. the lowest it's been since February 2009. now since this state is a little behind in getting their January 2012 rate so we will have to deal with December 2011 rates. They are as follows: Gibson county - 11.9% Madison county & Jackson, TN 8.8% & 8.7% (respectively) Weakley County & Union City 12.1% & 15.2% (respectively) and finally Carroll County at 11.7%. Now the most disturbing thing I heard despite these still inanely high unemployment rates came from a friend who keeps up with these kind of numbers. the number of women unemployed in Carroll County is around 11%. now this might not seem so bad considering the aforementioned numbers, but we are ranked with the highest unemployment rate for women in the entire state of Tennessee.

this disturbs me. why you ask? because I am an unemployed female in Carroll county. I am a college graduate with extensive work experience. I have fantastic work ethic, and could an would do anything no matter if most people thought it to be below me. I have to help in supporting my family. it isn't something my husband should bear alone. I have had 2 interviews since I started actively searching for a job after leaving my last position de to scheduling conflicts with school. so in 3 months I've had two interviews. one of which would have had me driving 40 min one way for minimum wage and 20 hours a week. allowing me to contribute a measly 300-400 dollars a month that would have not helped very much (and was only a temporary position) and another that would have been ideal seeing as it was 4 minutes from my home, but according to careerbuilder's statistics in the 4 days it took for me to get called for an interview it had over 250 applicants. making my odds even slimmer. I've been continuously called by employers and having them tell me flat out that I am over qualified, they need someone permanent, and that someone like me would be actively looking for something better. I practically did everything to convince one woman that I would do anything to get this position (a medical receptionist) since it paid more than any other job i had seen in this area (a whopping 11/hr). I came to tennessee to go to school. I worked almost the entire time I was in school in some form or fashion. I left a job in Chicago making 15 an hour with full, great, very little out-of-pocket expense to me, and instead took a 50% pay cut with my first and every following job since I moved to Tennessee.

more recently, another red state that my family and i are considering relocating to has called me non-stop since applying for positions. I made a trip to Texas last week to fit in five interviews with five different companies that i was able to choose from that were interested in me. I was essentially offered one on the spot and was told I would hear back on the others this week. so this brings the question....why would I want to stay here? my representative is more concerned with passing gun, pro-bullying, anti-gay, anti-union legislation than something that would legitimately promote job growth. I had one friend who is a liberal say well here we pay no income tax. I responded with neither does Texas and they pay no sales tax on food. here our governor proposes ideas that would save the average Tennesseean just over three dollars a year with his grocery tax reduction. 3 dollars? keep it. instead he wants to get rid of the estate tax all together. probably something he or his family will benefit from in the future since they are millionaires. you know, someone who could afford to pay an extra tax. not someone like me. so while my president had been decreasing the unemployment rate republicans in this state are more concerned with ridiculous, outlandish waste of time legislation than helping people like me. ones that are being turned away everyday for not being G.E.D. or high school diploma only recipient or even a high school drop out. someone who wants to work. someone who has the experience and education to back it up. so andy holt, Curtis halford, bill Sanderson, Stephen fincher when are you going to get YOUR constituents back to work and stop your nonsense and ridiculous antics? until these statistics change you all continue to fail me and my neighbors. do something or these people will vote you out later this year. this unemployed woman will do everything to guarantee that. that I can promise!

TelephoneTown Hall Meetings....the new age GOP avoidance mechanism?

Just this past week, the Jackson Sun ran an op-ed from a gentleman over in Weakley county named, Michael Cooper.  As someone who tries their best to keep up on all things political affecting me and the city, state, or congressional district(s) that I live in, I can personally attest in saying that since Mr. Fincher has been in office I have not been able to find any information, until after it's occurrence, of a town hall or public appearance.  I am someone who actively calls their legislator if there is a bill that I feel absolutely strongly about to express my opinion and why it's important for it to be voted for or against.  I am someone who believes that my representation in government should legitimately care what my (and every single constituent's) opinion is (if they care to express it), no matter if they agree with it or not....and no matter what my political affiliation may be.  However, Mr. Fincher does not seem to play that way.


I can personally say that there have been several times that I have called both Senator Corker & Senator Alexander's offices to give my opinion on legislation that is up for a vote.  Their secretaries have been thorough in getting my contact information, and even after phone calls I have received follow-up emails about the vote and why they voted the way they did (sadly, never the way I wanted them).  While, it is vaguely keeping in touch with their constituents, Mr Fincher doesn't do any of this.  Never have I received an follow-up email (unless it was an electronic message I sent (via his legislature page) and allowed for an automated response from him) or any other contact in regards to a call I placed to any of his offices. I have called and asked several times about any upcoming town hall meetings or anything while Congress was on break and never got a thing. (Over his late summer break he and his wife were too busy in Israel [with a bunch of other congressional members] to the tune of  $20,227.46 to hold a town hall meeting)


After reading Mr. Cooper's op-ed in the Jackson Sun I decided to would push harder to get some answers.  I called Fincher's D.C. office.  His secretary said that he was on "the Hill" now and doesn't have anything scheduled.  I made mention of the op-ed to her and how it states that he doesn't do in-person town hall meetings, and only reverts to tele[phone]-town hall meetings.  She had no response and suggested that I email his scheduler, Sarah Collins, and see if she can give me any insight.  I sent this January 13th at 1259p CST.


It reads as so:

   I received your information from one of the women that is working in Mr. Fincher's D.C. office.  We (myself and many constituents that I have talked to) are trying to find out when there is another tele-town hall meeting, as well as a real town hall, in-person meeting.  There have been many complaints about this since Mr. Fincher took office, and also one in print in today's Jackson Sun about how he is not doing in-person town hall meetings, only tele-town hall meetings, and that the questions are being screened.  I don't think that's fair to the taxpayers that are paying his salary, travel expenses, and other expenses.  I check several times a week on his website about upcoming events where my representative might be at, but nothing is ever posted.  This is increasingly frustrating for me, a taxpaying constituent of Mr. Fincher.  I'm sure that MANY more constituents could and would agree.  I look forward to your response, and hope to hear of when Mr. Fincher will be holding a town hall meeting.

Thank you in advance for your time.

Now, I understand that this was 2 o'clock EST Friday and that this is a long holiday weekend in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, at the present time (late Sunday evening) I have gotten nothing.  Furthermore, unless word of this blog makes it back to Mr. Fincher,  I doubt I will get a response.  Actually, I'm still betting against it.  

I also want to go further in saying that I do receive update emails from Mr. Fincher's website.  Again, I do not remember ever seeing any mention of an in-person town hall meeting NOR a request to be a part of a tele-town hall meeting.  I will also say that I think that Mr. Fincher knows of me, or my name, as he asked a family member of mine, a supporter of his, about me.  She denied being related to me in fear that he might associate her with me despite the fact that she, too, is a gospel singer.  I'm guessing that he had to have known that she might know me due to facebook or something else.  This was prior to his election in 2010, probably because I was stirring up information, what little anyone could find, of him at UTM, where I was attending at the time.  

So, Mr. Fincher here is my request.  IF YOU ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT WHAT YOUR CONSTITUENTS THINK and are not afraid to answer legitimate questions about your actions including your FEC ruling (and snafu), your traveling back to your home district regularly and NOT meeting with constituents, why you are still receiving farm subsidies, but voting against unemployment benefits and other social programs that are necessary for MANY of your constituents[and their families] just to get by from one day to the next, HOLD AN IN-PERSON TOWN HALL MEETING WITH PLENTY OF NOTICE!  For a congressional district that has lost so many of the businesses that employed many residents here over the years with no new industries being created, and yet I don't see you voting for or introducing anything that will put West Tennesseeans back to work (unless you think your GOP oil pipeline will magically drop the unemployment rate in here in West Tennessee in half).  You're far too concerned with voting in line with Speaker Boehner, than legitimately doing your job and voting in the best interest of your constituents (and NOT just your big $$$ donor constituents).  

So, my question is....are the "Tele-Town Hall" meetings that he is conducting his way of avoiding hard hitting questions from his constituents???  It seems to me like this is the perfect "scenario" for him to delusion himself into thinking he's genuinely getting input from voters, but really, is just getting statements from members about "how we need[ed] God in government," and not real questions about real concerns of real citizens that are being affected by the way he votes while representing me and every other resident in his district.

I will certainly update you as to if and when I get a response from Mr. Fincher or his staff.

Oh, and one more thing....Mr. Fincher...the next time that someone runs against you (you know there will be) and there is a debate being hosted in the 8th district I think you should participate.  It'll really show West Tennesseeans just how qualified you are job you were voted in to do!!!

Andy Holt in Hawaii????

Why is our state rep, Andy Holt, not in Nashville you ask?  He's in Hawaii.  Now, if I cared even in the slightest about my constituents I would not be in Hawaii.  I would be representing my district.  I received information from a friend in Nashville that he was not in the first day of session.  I took it upon myself to call his office in Nashville to find out what was going on.

- Was Representative Holt in Legislation yesterday?
- No ma'am he wasn't.
- Is there a reason why he is not representing his constituents?
- He's out of town receiving an award.  He's out of state.
- Can I ask what state is he in?
- He's in Hawaii.
- Well that sounds more like a vacation than receiving any kind of accolade to me.
- Would you like to speak to Mr. Holt?
- Absolutely.
- Let me get your information and I will give him your message.


Now I have received information that Mr. Holt is in fact in Hawaii (on a tropical vacation that his constituents can only dream of) competing for an award at the American Farm Bureau's annual convention.  I don't see dates listed, but a post from January 5th state that it was currently going on.  


Now, Mr. Holt has returned my call, from Hawaii, answering all of my questions in a typical know-it-all can't be wrong fashion.  He kept reiterating the fact that since he is in the majority party in the Legislature, and that he was given blessings from Speaker Harwell to miss this week.  When I asked about redistricting and other votes this week he said that his vote didn't really matter (not something I want to hear from my Rep) because the minority party would not be getting any changes that they want in terms of redistricting.  He did say that he will be back this Saturday, and back in Nashville Tuesday unless the vote is postponed to Sunday.  The GA is closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  Frankly, I am shocked that he did respond.  However, I think he may have thought that I was a Republican with his constant mentioning of the majority party and his disregard for the minority party.  


Frankly, I don't care who you received blessings from.  You were voted in. stupidly in my opinion, by the residents of the 76th and your concern is competing for a 2012 Chevy Silverado or 2012 GMC Sierra as well as fully paid registration for next year's convention in Grand Rapids.


Now if you see what I have brought up to be a problem, then I encourage you to call Rep. Holt's office in Nashville and express your thoughts of him being in Hawaii and NOT Nashville.

Andy's Nashville Office Contact Information

301 6th Avenue NorthSuite 

205 War Memorial Bldg

Nashville, TN 37243

Phone (615) 741-7847

Fax (615) 253-0293 

email: rep.andy.holt@capitol.tn.gov

On A Side Note: While speaking with Mr. Holt I did inquire about redistricting.  He did say that Huntingdon will no longer be in the 76th, but rather the 79th (Curtis Halford's district).  Bruceton and Hollow Rock will remain in Andy's district.

What does Haslam & the GOP have against teachers?

Let me preface this by saying, I got my education in Illinois.  A Chicago suburb to be more specific.  My father wanted to move to Tennessee (his home) when my parents were married, but my mother refused because, as she put it, I'd be three years behind what I'd be learning where I was at.  As of the most recent study, Tennessee is currently ranked 41 out of 50 states in education.  I can attest that the higher you're number the worse off you are.  They made some progress since I've lived here. They were at 48 in 2008.  I cannot thank my mother enough for standing her ground and keeping us out of Tennessee.

So, what am I trying to talk about?

Our genius governor wants to pass a law that will let schools opt out of paying teachers a mandated salary based on the years they've been there and the education level they have received.  He wants them to be based on their performance.  OK, sure, but the issue with this is...if you have been a teacher for 20 years already and your class is getting in the 98th percentile in english on the state tests...you can't go up.  And if you don't increase it's reflected negatively even though they are still in the highest percentile ranking you can achieve.  This is the issue that Milan city schools are having.  I spoke with a family friend who is also a teacher there, and she explained that this is happening right now.  Whereas Jackson school district might move up from the 35th percentile to the 40th from one year to the next and they are raved about.  So, if they go to this "based on performance" pay scale there will be many teachers that have been doing what they were supposed to be doing over the years, but will be punished with little to NO raises because they can't go higher than the 98th percentile.

IS THIS FAIR?  Absolutely not!  But since when does the GOP care about fair?

The second thing, in conjunction with the aforementioned proposal, that Haslam wants done is to take away the limit on classroom size.  Let me give a personal example.  When I went to college I can personally attest that those classes in which I has the normal amount of students, anywhere from 15-30, in a class I did far better than a class that was set in an auditorium that could have anywhere from 60-150 students.  The rooms aren't big enough.  If you are stuck in the back you can't hear.  You probably cannot see what is being written on the board or shown on the projector.  Not to mention, one teacher, having to be responsible for all those students.  You are a number to them, and that is all.  There is no personal bond.  There is no chance for that teacher to really give you one-on-one help that you might need.  They don't care if you pass or fail.  If anything, this will hinder a healthy educational setting.  In fact, you'd mostly deal with a T.A., and Im sure that the state wouldn't allow an assistant for the teacher to help with the overflow.

This state does not care about the stress that they put on many teachers, and not to mention the students.  If they did, they would not be looking for things to cut in education, but rather looking at things to cut internally, like for instance, Haslam's salary.  He's a millionaire.  If he actually gave a damn about saving money on the state he would work for free....or take a salary of $1 a year...heck even if he did we wouldn't know would we?  Transparency what?

CUT YOUR OWN SALARIES INSTEAD OF SLASHING EDUCATIONAL EXPENDITURES!!!!

What many people, who are NOT teachers, don't realize is that being a teacher is more than 7-330 every day.  It's grading papers on their own time at home, while taking time away from their own families.  Buying their own supplies for her classroom because the school doesn't have the budget for it.  Constantly researching new ways to keep their students involved.  I have a lot of friends who are teachers and they will tell you that they never thought it would be as time consuming as it is when they were in school to be one.  They all have said that they are increasingly frustrated with the new laws and requirements the states are doing to them, and then taking away their own rights. (i.e. collective bargaining)  It's sad to me that we are attacking the same people that we are expecting to educate our children in a way that they will go on to great colleges or universities and do better than we did.  I can personally say this.  I have a one year old.  We have EVERY intent on being out of the state of Tennessee before he enters Pre-K.  It's nothing against the teachers, it's ideas like increased classroom size and an even thinly stretched teacher that is keeping us from staying here.  So unless there are HUGE changes for the best, and certainly NOT what Gov. Haslam is proposing my son will not attend school here in this state.

My hopes, that while I am going to alternative route to be a teacher that the State Legislature will not formally introduce OR pass a law that takes away from teacher's salary and increases the number of students they are to teach.  This is mind boggling.  People need to fight back!  Start calling your Congressman and tell them that if this is introduced they need to vote NO!

re: TN gov's plan would change teacher pay, remove class size averages