What Does The Term Radical Mean And Who Really Is A Radical?
This question was requested for discussion by a blog reader?
I find it interesting how often the term "radical" is used on the blog and wonder what those who use it so often actually mean by it? Who or what is a radical and is it really such an objectionable term as intended by some posters?
I find it interesting how often the term "radical" is used on the blog and wonder what those who use it so often actually mean by it? Who or what is a radical and is it really such an objectionable term as intended by some posters?
posted by Allen Barrett | 11:48 PM
116 Comments:
Those who are comfortable with the way things have been done for the past 200 years, in Giles County, and see no reason for any changes use the term "Radical" to identify anyone who questions the status quo or promotes any change.
The CG used the term "Radical" to identify Mr. Barrett or anyone the CG perceives to be in alliance with Mr. Barrett.
And, there are those who use the term "Radical" to identify anyone who questions the way Mrs. Vanzant has been managing Giles County.
Radical ..... One who questions why although needed, why are we talking about County employee raises when things are so tough budget wise? I can tell you----election cycle. Couldn't paying for insurance increases be considered a raise?
Radicals create a blog that works hard to only allow the opinion and attitude of a few people within a community that feel the way they do.
10:35 since you have posted on this blog does that put you in agreement with the opinion and attitude that is "allowed" on this blog?
10:35
Good post. That is exactly what is going on with this blog. These radicals do their best to discourage any views other than their own. I call that pretty radical. Add to the mix the fact that they are dangerous people, and there you have it.
The radicals are dangerous? Are they going to get their guns out and start shooting people on the street?
I knew cg couldn't stay off the blog.
I had began to think he had a mental breakdown and was getting ready to charge the blog master with his problem.
To the 5:21 poster please tell me how you have been discouraged from posting on this blog, because someone or others disagree with you isn't really a legitimate reason for your discouragement. I would greatly appreciate you defining what a radical is since you have declared them to be dangerous. You also failed to define to whom they are a danger. Clarifying these two questions might save someone a terrifying experience by avoiding all things different.
A better question or post might be to define or explain the difference between a Republican and the Tea Party. Is the Tea Party an official Party?
9:18 A good question. I thought the Tea Party was the ones pulling away from the Democrat party. Then I've read things on the blog like they thought it was Republicans pulling away. Could they be from both parties?
The Tea Party is made up of conservatives from both parties who basically believe that the Constitution is the law of the land and applies to all citizens including government officials, and that the government is too big and intrusive.
So you are saying the Tea Party is not a real political party just a subset of the other two! Correct?
Why are the Democrats in Washington so against it?
Look it up.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Tea+party&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=np&source=hp
What is The Tea Party? - TeaPartyPatriots.org
Adwww.teapahttps://www.google.com/search?q=Tea+party&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=np&source=hprtypatriots.org/
What is the Tea Party?
The Voice of Reason for Government A Voice for the American People
• California
• Ohio
• Texas
• Arizona
Looks like not in Tennessee.
So you are saying it is not a political party?
The tea party is more of a fringe group. No different than the 1 percenters and the hippies. They are the ultra right to the lunatic liberal left. Both groups are loud and foolish. Now that I think about it, I guess you could call them radicals.
What about Barrett and Harwell this morning? I thought they were going to fight. Harwell didn't like it because Barrett was asking to many questions and he is not even on the budget committee. Barrett called Harwell down yesterday because he was voting on the budget and was not supposed to. Why can't they just get along?
6:27 You expect Harwell to get along with anyone? He's like cg, he don't want anything questioned about the county government.
6:21 Why are you so hung up on the Tea Party?
I thought some like cg was against the Republican party in Giles County.
7:01, I am against any group who isolates themselves to serve their own agenda without consideration of the entire population. Party affiliation automatically gives you a black eye with the opposition. There is always middle ground. True leaders see both sides and makes decisions based on what is best.
Every race, gender and religion shows biased and stands their ground due to factors involved with that. I don't think any of those things should be determining factors when making decisions in politics. Especially the talking points revolving around those particular subjects. Minds such as Barrett's are so entrenched in hatred toward anyone in disagreement with them it makes for a one-sided discussion that will never lead to progress. He is old, like many of the citizens in Giles County. Their opinion, in their mind, has become fact and is not healthy.
The larger problem in this county is complete disregard by the youth to get involved in politics.
8:40 Did you just describe CG?
I wouldn't know WAB if I met him in the middle of the road. All I know is from reading cg's post is he dislikes WAB very much.
I watched the chili cook off video and think Mr. Harwell can't control his temper.
We need true leaders that thinks of both sides. If we are talking about Giles County Commissioners, why will some not answer their phone? I was told of one person couldn't get a commissioner on his house phone, someone gave them his cell phone number. When he seen who it was a asked, "How did you get this number?" The call wasn't about Giles County Government, but was important.
I've talked with a few Commissioners that will answer their phone.
Let's get back to the Tea Party, Mr. Barrett must like them the reason for this hatred. What party was started and moved away from the Whig party soon doing away from it? I know nothing about the Tea Party and have nothing to do with it, just wondered why the hatred for it.
8:40 You must think like Nancy P. Get rid of the old. It will come to you one day.
I thought things in Giles County had been run like it is 200 years and no reason for change. Is that not healthy?
Everyone should have a right to their opinion without some getting their panties in a wad.
Discuss it without showing your rear end and calling names.
As someone said there may be trouble because of this blog because some don't know how to act. There are people smart enough to find out who all us Anonymous are. When one name is found out the rest will be. It want be the blog masters fault it will be the one that couldn't control their angry and the one made him mad.
Even Jesus couldn't please everybody.
Giles County sure does seem to have a lot of hate in it.
A lot of pots calling a lot of kettles black.
Must be a do as I say not do as I do.
6:27 there was never any possibility of a fight Harwell is too cowardly and Barrett is too smart.
Barrett produced the law and attorney generals opinion that stated a commissioner who was given a county job after they were a commissioner that person can not vote on any budget items. Today Harwell was still stinging from being told he couldn't vote and personally attacked Barrett verbally. Harwell became enraged when Barrett only smiled at him. After the meeting Barrett was near the door when Harwell came there. I asked several people what was said and no one is completely sure only that Harwell became loud again and yelled at Barrett who told him if he had a problem with him take it up with him and not hide behind a ladies skirt. Barrett turned his back to Harwell and Harwell left the room still grumbling. I was across the room and could see both their faces during the meeting and I got to the door about the middle of the second go round. After it was over several commissioners talked about how embarrassing Harwell had become.
Barrett! So is the tea party an official political party ?
11:14 I'm glad to hear some Commissioners are beginning to see through Harwell.
To the 12:19 poster whether the Tea Party is an "official political part" or not is totally dependent of your definition of official and political party. I generally see the "Tea Party" as a wide ranging coalition of like minded people who previously were associated with several different political parties. As I stated previously the Tea Parties are primarily made up of conservatives and others who believe that the Constitution is the law of the land, that government has become too big, too intrusive and abusive,
Hope this helps.
I can't see the importance of whether the Tea Party is a political party or not. When they get ready to let someone run on the Tea Party it will be all over the news.
This is just someone's way of getting a dig at WAB.
Sure wish they could grow up and let things of importance be discussed.
I don't think the tea party, as a whole, is that much more "radical" than any other. You just have some, like that dumbass ted cruz, who make it look bad. Every party has folks that I'm sure they would rather not have associated with them.
Ray
Ray, That is so true.
I just don't understand the whining about it.
Ted Cruz isn't that bad. Ray, just stay out of political conversations. It is clear you are ignorant when it comes to this subject. I see you as a man full of hatred because you didn't obtain any of the goals you wanted and now you just decide to be lazy and live off the government. Have a little more respect for yourself.
6:31 Funny how you attack Ray,but don't care that someone else is whining about the Tea Party.
Would you please try to make sense, 8:33. I posted a post about the Tea Party being radical. Maybe you should drop your obsession with CG? Not every post disagreeing with that idiot, Barrett, is posted by CG.
No 6:31, I'm sure to a dumbass like you cruz is just fine. At least you see me as a man. I just see you as a little bitch who is afraid to sign their post. Poor, pitiful dumbass. You should probably ask your mom for some advice next time she helps you tie your shoes.
The tea party are those who videotape a lady suffering from dementia in a nursing home in order to defeat her husband, a United States Senator.
Suggestion for topic: If WAB IS ELECTED, how many commissioners are willing to work with him? Would meetings end up in stalemate because his stupid ideas would never be supported and would our county government actually be put on standstill or better yet set back 20 years because of not being able to work together? Food for thought!
I see the effort is still underway to discredit Terry Harwell.
How would videoing a wife in the nursing home defeat her husband?
People should feel sorry for husband and wife. Husband must of been stepping out on her. If that was the case good for the one doing the videoing.
9:23 Where did 8:33 say anything about Barrett or Cg anyway? You need new glasses. Barrett or CG's name wasn't even mentioned on 6:31'a post.
8:24 Terry Harwell does that for himself.
Nothing can discredit Terry Harwell more than he already has. How much do you think WAB could do if other commissioners voted against him, even you should be able to count up to one which is all the votes each commissioner has. You know Barrett has a lot of support among the commissioners and that's why you think there would be a stalemate. You talk out both sides of your head.
8:33 I'm fairly certain that you are totally wrong about that.
I agree with 8:33 if he is elected he only has one vote and maybe 8:11 could explain how one vote could over ride twenty? You only have to ask a commissioner what the biggest problem is and they will tell you no one can make a decision.
One thing for sure if Barrett is elected the people won't be left in the dark without a voice on the commission and commissioners won't be sitting there hoping someone would do something. Barrett does his homework isn't afraid to speak up and make decisions.
I've been watching Barrett since all the controversy about him being this thing and that thing and I've been very impressed. He is well mannered in meetings, much better than Janet who tends to grumble to those around her when she is displeased, he raises his hand to be recognized and sometimes I've seen him holding his hand up for long periods of time while being ignored. I have also noticed that many commissioners listen to him and seek him out about issues. Some get rather upset with anything he says but even they can't dispute his facts. A good example happened in the budget committee when he proved that Terry Harwell could not vote on budget items of course that didn't win him any friends in the Vanzant camp but like he said, the law is the law and is supposed to apply even in Giles County.
Perhaps 8:11 you need to review where the county is now. You sure can't say it's moving forward. Plus it hasn't been for a while now.
Hello again - Graham Stowe checking in again. I'd like to break-in to address the issue of "radicalism."
We typically wrongly define hard right & hard left. The Founders defined it this way: hard right is anarchy ... hard left is tyranny. Our Constitution placed us squarely in the middle of this continuum; a middle-ground where consent of the governed and private property is honored, while the people consent to a limited & accountable government to enforce law & ensure national defense.
It is NOT radical to hold fast to constitutional principles. However, there are some rabid anarchists out there - some in the Republican/Libertarian fold, but mostly just in fringe groups. Ever heard of "personal sovereignty"? These are hard core anarchists - right wing nut-job RADICALS.
There are also some rabid tyrannists, on the order of King George III. These are primarily found in both Democrat & Republican parties. They love centralization & government by Executive Order. They do not trust the will of the people. They want power in the hands of the elite few, consent of the governed be damned. They are statists who turn the Constitution on its head. And yes, these rascals are RADICALS too.
If our two-party system was working, both parties would be anti-anarchist AND anti-tyrannist, debating policy but holding fast to the Constitution. But both parties, and We the People, have been conditioned to believe that kinder/gentler tyranny, centralization, and loss of local freedoms is really a good thing, as long as our particular party is in power. They love nanny-state security more than liberty. On this memorial weekend, we should remember that our warriors fought & died for individual freedoms, NOT government-issued security.
Most tea-party folks I've run in to are simply anti-tyrannists ... people who want to see our government properly constrained by the Constitution. But every movement attracts a few unfortunate whackos, & the TP is no exception. But to tar every TP person with the 'radical' brush is illogical in the extreme.
Bottom Line - Radicals, both left & right, are elitists. They have all the right answers, and ignore history, logic & persuasive debate. The sky is pink. Pigs fly. They stink at math, because they think it's OK for government expenditures to exceed revenue. Private property is OK, as long as they can continually plunder it to bail themselves out of public mismanagement. They argue & make excuses until the veins pop in their neck, then plug up their ears against reasoned debate. And if we would just keep electing the same people over & over, maybe - hopefully - we'll get a different outcome. In other words, radicalism is insanity.
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein
Sounds a lot like "we have done it the same way for 200 years." Why are we not prosperous, why are good paying employers not locating here, why are we the only county in middle TN losing population and our citizens can't wait to get away from here. Who cares we have done it this way for 200 years. Let's implement a wheel tax. But wait we have not had a wheel tax before. Shut your mouth you loudmouth, rabble rousing radical.
Yes lets tax the retired people still living in Giles County. Wasn't that what was wanted Pulaski to be a "Retirement Community?"
Well the wheel tax isn't radical. But opposing the wheel tax isn't radical either. People can disagree on this & debate it without the name-calling.
But nobody should favor the wheel tax until they've sat through a few budget meetings and pored over the budget. And after that, seek out & find the 'padding' that's in the budget. Taxpayers have funded Christmas parties, and we're funding fringe benefits like personal use of government vehicles. We're funding an abundance of charities - good things indeed - but things possibly better funded by churches & volunteerism vice more & greater coercive taxes. We're not done wringing out the waste yet ... and there are a lot of nice-to-have 'wants' in the budget that are squeezing out the 'needs'.
When these things are done, let's talk wheel tax.
I sat through each of the budget meetings and was impressed with the way they were conducted. Everyone on the committee did a good job except for Mrs. Coleman who only showed up for one meeting and was late for that one then left before it was over. She even requested a special meeting to discuss the Highway Department and didn't bother to show up for it. That leads me to the thing that's most troublesome and hard to understand and that is the large number of people running for office and commissioners who didn't bother to show up for the most important meetings of the year. Makes me wonder if they are really interested in working for the people or just being another do nothing commissioners.
Both candidates for County Mayor were there, actually they were there more than Mrs. Vanzant after she got so mad.
Mr. Barrett was there, he's always there with a lot of questions. The policeman from Lynnville was there, Tim Turner was there and the lady from the Chamber and Tourist department was there, there may have been a couple of more that I didn't know but most were not there.
Thanks for taking the time to post, Mr. Stowe. So far, you're the only candidate for Executive who has. That was an articulate and well thought out post.
Ray
To the one posted this:
Anonymous Anonymous said...
I see the effort is still underway to discredit Terry Harwell.
Saturday, May 24, 2014 8:24:00 AM
I noticed someone attack Tommy Beech and Tommy Pope on another thread and you didn't get your tail feathers ruffled about that. Why is Terry Harwell so much more important to you?
Doesn't take much to impress you, does it Ray? Moron!
Ray, you must of stole someone's girl friend years ago and he can't get over it. Ignore him, showing his raising.
Stowe back again - final post on this thread ... seems the debate is just about spent.
Love it - LOVE IT!!! - when someone has to descend to calling you a moron. Even better when they put an expletive in front of it. That means the debate is over, you've won, and the other guy knows it. Time to move on.
Also a reminder of Proverbs 26:4 - "Answer not a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him."
Stowe back again - final post on this thread ... seems the debate is just about spent.
Love it - LOVE IT!!! - when someone has to descend to calling you a moron. Even better when they put an expletive in front of it. That means the debate is over, you've won, and the other guy knows it. Time to move on.
Also a reminder of Proverbs 26:4 - "Answer not a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him."
How many final posts you gonna put on here, buddy? Didn't see where anybody called you a moron with an expletive, or without one. That was aimed at Ray. I guess you wouldn't make a very good Executive if you get your feelings hurt that easily. Carry on then.
Mr. 5:31,
Sir, I admit to being a moron of a blogger - I think I'll keep it that way. The 'final' post went twice, and now I'm back here for another 'final' post. Maybe I just enjoy the comaraderie. And nope, a sailor with 10 years of sea time has thick skin my friend. You can call me anything you want & I'll be just fine. And thanks for calling me "buddy" ... glad we're friends now. I'm sure we'd get along just fine over a cup of coffee, but blogs bring out the worst in people.
I think you got my point though. When the conversation drifts to name-calling, the argument is done - game over. Mr. Ray was called a moron because he thanked me for making an articulate post ... I'm smart enough to get the inference :)
Ray was called a moron because he is a moron, among many other childish things. Your lack of resistance to post about something not regarding you is just farther proof that your skin isn't as thick as you imply. Many of my family members have put in the time with the military. None of them use it as a crutch. Carry on.
I bet you like tater tots, don't you 7:12?
Among the many things I may be, a coward who is afraid to sign his post is not one of them.
Ray
It wouldn't do you any good to know who I am, Ray. For one, you couldn't kick my ass. Two, you are a child. Your reaction to my posts prove it. If you were a man, you wouldn't try to act like the bully I know you aren't. Take your ball and go home. You are fighting a losing battle, and looking dumb along the way.
7:12 too bad the honorable service rendered by your family members wasn't important enough for you to follow suit on. I can understand how even the most honorable of families will sometimes produce a cowardly lion . Perhaps if you has spent some time of your own in the military you would understand what a crutch actually is, but then it's seldom the mouth of the feeble minded can understand the strength of character of one who has actually served something greeter than their own personal idiocies.
9:06, I appreciate you acknowledging the fact that I'm not a bully as I have no use for them. As for your assertion that I couldn't kick your ass, I find that a convenient way for you to avoid having to identify yourself. Regarding your lack of character as well as courage, I believe 9:27 has pointed that out well enough that I don't have to comment on it. Wear a dark enough shirt and that streak of yellow down your back will be hardly noticeable. Finally, please offer my condolences to your parents for having you as a child. I'm sure they did the best that they could.
Ray
A radical is two or more atoms specifically arranged such as a hydroxyl group, –OH.
However a much more dangerous situation is the condition known as the free radical which is
an atom or molecule that bears an unpaired electron and is extremely reactive, capable of engaging in rapid chain reactions that destabilize other molecules and generate many more free radicals.
An interesting note is that free radicals can be neutralized by uric acid which is a component in urine. Kinda puts a whole 'nuther meaning on the term "getting pissed on", doesn't it?
Liberal S.I.N.
Shift the subject...
Ignore the real truth ...
Name call when all else fails to get things your way ...
May 24 9:18/1:56
Very good post...and clever, I might add.
Here's what I picked up from your meanderings. You did your best to portray Mrs. Vanzant and OF COURSE a couple of 7th District commissioners (Mr. Harwell and Mrs. Coleman) in a bad light while suggesting Barrett's good manners and leadership abilities. Nice try, but he's going to lose (thank God) and Mrs. Vanzant will be re-elected in spite of you guys' collective effort to the contrary.
I heard something (hearsay) the other day that really troubled me. Is it true that the county executive and county judge races are going to get really ugly before the election? The smear and attack campaign I've already seen against Mrs. Vanzant tells me it must be true. What say you?
Why will Mrs. Vanzant receive a pay raise this coming budget year? That displays solid financial responsibility and leadership. She is making more than the Sheriff.
6:32 I think what you heard about the race getting ugly is true. You seem to be doing everything you can toward it.
Why have you never said anything about the attack on the other two commissioners (Pope and Beech)? Could it be because they don't go along with Vanzant and Harwell
Beech has proven to be useless as a commissioner and as much a vanzantite as harwell. Pope has said he is not for a whee tax but voted in the highway committee to send the request on to the budget committee. These are the commissioners that have said we need a wheel tax Cary, Beech, Reedy, Campbell, Coleman and Harwell. The reason Campbell and Harwell are getting heat is because they are leading the effort to impose a $75.00 wheel tax and a twelve cent increase in property taxes..This information comes straight from conversations in committee meetings.
8:00 Your post needs to be posted everyday so word will finally get around.
The roads are getting bad, but how do we know the money will be spent on fixing the roads and not on pay raises. That's not against the Road commissioner. I'm wondering how money will go to his department.
If it does then Vanzant will want her friends and families road fixed first.
The extraordinary post of Mr. Stowe has inspired me to share some insight on this topic since I am considered to be a radical by most people’s standards.
I regularly excuse myself from any and all political discussions by stating that I am too far out of touch with politics to be taken seriously. I believe in personal freedom and that governments should work for the people; not the other way around. I fully understand that mindset puts me on an island by myself, but that fact doesn’t stop me from believing what I believe nor do I have intentions of ever supporting anything that increases government control over the people. I realize that policy is rocketing in the opposite direction of my wishes but I simply will never compromise my beliefs. In a nutshell that is pretty much how the mind of a radical works.
I can elaborate a bit by using Mr. Stowe’s analogy of Memorial Day. This weekend we will hold parades, tip our hats to military men in uniform and fly flags around as if those pieces of colored cloth were the givers of all life on earth. Those are all very nice symbolic gestures, I suppose. The problem is that any person that decided to give service under the guise that they were helping protect freedom get slapped in the face by all of us everyday of their lives. If a person truly appreciated the service a “freedom fighter” gave, then they certainly would not give away those freedoms for the sake of something that might provide some artificial level of security. We choose to live in a police state, bordering on martial law. We allow the government to listen to our phone calls, read our text messages and emails and monitor our internet usage. We live in the most incarcerated country in written history; with 70% of those imprisoned never having been accused of bringing harm to another person. I could list thousands of examples of why we don’t appreciate our military people but I’ll spare the reader the agony of reading more of my ranting. The point I am trying to arrive at here, is that allowing all of these atrocities while telling our youth to join the military and “fight for freedom” is at the very least massive hypocrisy and borderline sadism.
So there you have it, a glimpse into the brain of what you folks would term as a ‘radical.’ Maybe it will help partially answer the questions of this post.
What is going on with all the teacher transfers around the county? No one knew that this was going to happen. Some got pink slips as well. Who made these decisions? Seems that Webb and Cindy Young made these calls and now are no where to be found.
7:30 Well, the races for county executive and judge don't have to get nasty and ugly. Why can't you simply support and vote for the candidates of your choice without attacking the opposition?
I'm not sure who I'm going to support for county judge, but I do know that I am working for and will vote for Mrs. Vanzant. Having said that, let me hasten to say that I will not attack her opponents. However, I do think Mr. Stowe is making a big mistake by posting on this blog and appearing to (not accusing here) be in alliance with those like Allen Barrett. Big mistake on his part.
In closing, I'd just like to say that it's a wonderful thing to STILL be able to have an opinion and to share it without fear of being called names, bullied, cursed, or threatened. My faith in that principle probably makes me the radical when it comes to this blog. But that's ok.
Good job 6:17. Nice attack on Stowe, Barrett, and the people who disagree with your posts. But you don't attack any one on this blog do you? You have faith in principals. Good laugh. Seek a doctors help.
9:11, I am not CG, but I do agree with his post. It was not attack as much as it was a fact. Appearing to be aligned with Allen Barrett is a political death wish. I am glad to see that Stowe stopped the back-and-forth with a previous poster. It was making him seem childish, like Barrett.
Who said you were? Are you aligned with Barrett? You post here. Following your logic only those aligned with Barrett post here. Are you saying Rackley is aligned with Barrett?
I agree the person who anonymously attacked Stowe is very childish as was your 6:17 post.
Like the enabler, since that is not you, lol, your attacks on Barrett are transparent. Any way to get a jab in. I wish you would post some proof of the opinions you state are facts. The enabler often makes the statement his opinions are facts and has yet to show any proof of its statements. In fact the enabler is nothing more than a liar. You must just have the same writing style and characteristics of the enabler. Since it is not you, of course.
There is something wrong when a post on "Radical" receives so much attention and the post on "County losing students to other counties" get so little. Parents should have jumped all other the school issue. Seems like priorities are in the wrong place.
To:
Monday, May 26, 2014 11:37:00 AM"
You said "that Stowe stopped the back-and-forth with a previous poster."
Why can't cg stop his back and froths with others?
Are you to dumb to see he does that. I think you are cg that thinks he is perfect and everyone should think the way he does.
Are you sure Stowe posted or did some of Vanzant's buddies do that to make people think he did?
Who got pink slips? I understood no one in the county did and who area the teachers that are moving around? This is the first I have heard of this.
9:11
I am the Cg, and wanted to challenge the falsehood you told. I did not attack Mr. Stowe. I SAID that I think it would be a huge mistake for him if he aligns himself with the likes of Allen Barrett. I simply told what I believe to be the truth, and I'm sorry that you misunderstood.
Enabler,
We read your posts. You have lost all credibility because of your continuous lies and insinuations.
I noticed on the thread posted today, whinny got to make his crack at Mr. Barrett. Thinks what Barrett did wrong then does the same thing.
Laughable
Two peas in a pod.
Giles County needs a wheel tax. But, the law that would implement it needs to stipulate that every single dollar that is collected by the tax, outside of the administrative cost of tax collection, be used by the county's Highway Department and not be transferable to any other activity or debt for any reason whatsoever. The tax should be based on the age of the vehicle, newer vehicles pay while older ones pay less. The amount should be 1/30th of the year model of the light truck or passenger vehicle; and 1/60th of the year model for a motorcycle, because they have half or less the footprint of the former. Thus, a 1990 model vehicle would pay $66.33, while a 2014 vehicle would pay $67.13, and of curse, motorcycles would pay half of those amounts.
These rates should be "locked in" for a period of 5 years established by a sunset clause. Any attempt by a county commissioner or the county mayor to change the tax rate, its calculation method, length of the "lock in" period, or divert these revenues from the Highway Department should cause their immediate resignation from their position.
It's obvious that you have given some thought to your proposal but fail to understand that if you followed your proposal it would require at least one additional employee thus the $75.00 proposed wheel tax would have to beincreased to provide for the approximate $30,000.00 salary and benefits. Another problem is that you can not oblicate one Legislative Body with restrictions by another, thus you can lock in a $75.00 wheel tax for five years but the next group of Commissioners that are sworn in would in no way be obligated to continue that tax or that amount. Most every Wheel Tax in the state was implemented with a sunset and amount limit, not one has been done away with after it was adopted and only a very few have ever decreased the amount and even those were not the original amounts.
I agree that theHighway Department needs enough money to maintain the roads but at the moment there isn't even an idea of what that actually means in terms of the number of miles needed to be paved each year. Without a clear agreed to idea of what is absolutely necessary how can you decide how much money is absolutly needed each year for that purpose. This is a part of the problem with having a reactionary county government instead of one that is proactive where plans are made instead of just trying to fix things as they pop up.
I would add that Mr. Hyatt has done a very good job with what he has been given, that doesn't mean I agree with everything he has done but that under the circumstances I would have no problem voting for him again.
Let's not forget that any and all commercial vehicles should be subjected to a much higher wheel tax. Let's see how the Cardin's and Sundrop's ( and Pope's Backhoe) feel about it then.
Commercial vehicles should be exempt if they have to obtain a license plate other than those issued to private use light trucks, passenger vehicles and motorcycles. There aren't enough of them that operate solely within in Giles County to make a significant impact to revenue.
The real point is to collect taxes for county-wide use by people who don't pay property tax and to give people who own older vehicles a bit of a break.
Locking out the next bunch of commissioners from messing with the wheel tax is the whole point of the 5 year lock in period. You just do it. You tell the local government who they are going to be through the electoral process. You tell them what they can and can not do, when and when they can or can not do it and how much they have got in the purse that they can spend in the time that the people have established for them to spend it.
The citizens either control their government or it controls them. You have to pay for what you want through taxes, but the taxes need to be equitably paid by all for the benefit of all.
That's how you maintain a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
The sunset clause and the stipulation that all revenues are solely for the Highway Department is not there to eliminate the tax in the future, but it is there to keep the county commissioners from using the monies for anything else than what the tax was implemented for in the first place and to maintain its consideration for renewal and/or modification outside of an election year. That's why you choose an odd number of years that is outside of the current election cycle.
The Tennessee Attorney General has issued an opinion, in 2011-01 and 2008-171, that stipulates: If a County legislative body votes for and approves a wheel tax (without a County-wide referendum), the citizens of said county my petition the County Election Commission (within 30 days and requires signatures of 10% of the number of votes cast during the last election for Governor) to hold a special election so that the citizens can then vote for, or against said wheel tax.
If the Giles County Commission tries to force a wheel tax; our citizens will demand a special election to vote against said tax.
No Wheel Tax!!! Responsible spending and accountability. And why am I paying for dead animal pick up? My business has to pay for the disposal of the waste my business produces as does every other business with the exception of the farmers. The argument is they bring in so much revenue. Seems like they could afford to pay for their own operations and stay out of my pocket. But I forget, this is Giles County where some are just more important than others.
10:03 I fear your understanding of the way things should be and the way they are have become confused as far as Giles County Government goes. Do you remember once we had 15 million dollars from the sale of the hospital? The commissioner voted to keep the 15 million and use only the interest each year. Do you know where the 15 million is today, all spent with the blessing of the majority of commissioners and County Executive.
How can a wheel tax be fair if some are exempted and some are allowed to pay lower amounts? If a vehicle is registered in a county it should have a tax sticker on it regardless of where it's driven or stored. Commericial and heavy trucks should be charged higher rates because they do more damage.
The best thing is to make the government live within their means just as we the people do. Giving a pay raise to government workers who work less hours and make more money than the average person in the county and doing it after increasing their benefits every year is no way to show financial responsibility. They don't have to be financially responsible they just go dig deeper in the people's
pockets. Are you paying a portion of your medical insurance, has it increased ob]ver the years. Well, it increased for county employees over 20% over the past few years and the county pays the full amount then the County Executive says employees have not had a pay increase in over ten years. Wrong, wrong wrong.
Ask yourself why are some wealthy farmers who are already highly subsidized, be illegally subsidized with the county paying to pick up their dead animals? I say it's illegal because the county is not allowed to give money to groups unless they are fully qualified charities. Has this small group qualified as a charity so that the widow living in town on a fixed income and paying for her trash to be removed is now paying extra so a dead cow that has been declared a loss on the farmers taxes, can be removed without cost to that farmer? Now, let me say this clearly if a person is indeed a farmer whose main source of income is from the farm that person is very different from one who sits in a bank every day and plays farmer on the week-end.
Now let's look at the idea of a petition. Yes, we can stop a wheel tax temporarily as we have done in the past but who will write the petition and run around gathering the needed names? In the past I and several others have done that tedious, time consuming and tiresome job but at what cost. I can tell you that personally it has cost me a great deal of money to stand on the forefront against local government, I have had practically every negative
label that can be imagined applied to my name. Radical and troublemaker are just a couple of the nicer names. I have offered ideas and the needed leadership to prevent many of the problems experienced by this county but because people have believed the lies and rumors, they continue to elect the same idealess, reactionary commissioners and County Executive believing they will do something different this time. Well, you have seen what the current commissioners and County Executive have done, some worked hard to serve the people but the County Executive and many commissioners have worked only to serb=ve themselves and get re-elected. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
So why do I and a few others put ourselves in such positions to be so harshly criticized, simply because we have an overpowering sense of right and wrong and concern for all the people and not just the elites.
So 1211... You are saying that people who can't afford to or don't want the responsibility of owning accessed property should be taxed? What about parents just going to work or taking kids to school trying to make it--they should be taxed for owning a car? Commercial vehicles exempt? Seriously? They make income on use of the roads but shouldn't pay? Agreed govt vehicles exempt--redundant.
Barrett standing at the forefront against government? What a laugher.
I see your reading skills have not improved 5:15, must be a result of being dyslexic and seeing everything backwards.
Yeppers, 5:15 certainly seems to be a norom for sure.
Barrett.
NO! That's the claim you made. Perhaps you are amnestic?
5:27 This is what I stated, " Yes, we can stop a wheel tax temporarily as we have done in the past but who will write the petition and run around gathering the needed names? In the past I and several others have done that tedious, time consuming and tiresome job but at what cost. I can tell you that personally it has cost me a great deal of money to stand on the forefront against local government". Please try and find someone to explain the words to you.
You're slipping, cg. "Amnestic" means to cause amnesia. Stop trying to be so smooth and be sure of your words before you try to snipe at someone. I did get a chuckle out of it though.
Yeah, but you had to google it to know what it meant, 6:16. I get even more of a chuckle out of that.
6:16/8:09
On the contrary. Have you ever heard of amnestic disorders?
I sure have cg. They are disorders which CAUSE amnesia. What's your argument? I guess it's ok to try and appear smarter than everyone else but it helps make your point if you really are.
8:09, I know a lot of fifty-cent words without having to google them; I just choose not to use them so people like you can understand my posts.
1:28
My argument? What a laugh. YOU are the one who wants to split hair over word definition and usage...not me.
You really need to work on that self-esteem. You seem troubled that there might be smarter people out there...and there are. There are lots of people far more intelligent that you and I put together, but why worry over it?
Are any principals going to be moved as the teachers were transferred last week? I heard yesterday that the principals and the central office staff are going on a mandated retreat to Alabama on the tax payers dime. Has anyone else heard this? How can there not be money and yet take a retreat at tax payers cost?
So taking a shot at me is easier than the great cg admitting he made a mistake, eh? Come on, enabler, I know there are much smarter people around than me. I do not worry, however, that you may be one of them. Cut your losses; you're not winning any points jousting with a tooth brush.
3:22
You're obviously not too worried about there being more intelligent people out there. You spend your time making yourself look foolish right here on this blog. So anybody would infer that intelligence is not an issue with you.
3:22
By the way, I am the CG. I'm also that same person Allen Barrett told the lie on that I am an enabler. Just thought I'd clear that up, because I am the Christian and gentleman. But the one who seems to be enabling is you, because you keep promoting a lie.
Does CG have a new word this morning (foolish)?
At least is doesn't take me two posts to try and make my point. What happened cg, did you hit the submit button and then think, "Dang, I should have said..."? Yeah, you're a real rocket scientist all right. Later enabler.
CG
Barrett may or may not have told a lie "on" you; or, in fact "about" you. That does not change history in that you by your own words, deeds, actions, and postings have told lies.
Therefore, you are a lair and continue to be one. By your actions and lies, you are an enabler.
He does lie because he has posted in the last 4 days.
Has many time has he said he is quitting the blog. laughing.
I don't care if he post or quits, just don't like to see a Christian lie.
You b
don't tell a lie "on" somebody, you tell a lie "about" somebody. You people who were born and/or raised around here are so inept in regards to the use of grammar and syntax of the English language.
2:52AM
Your post certainly fits your description. What the hell is a You b? Moron, go to bed.
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That was a bit harsh, wasn't it Allen? An anonymous poster talking about an anonymous poster's mother after being called a moron? Tsk tsk tsk. I don't find that any more offensive than 12:58's post.
6:9 Does your computer ring every time someone post or are the post that get deleted belong to you. I seem to always miss the post until after it's deleted.
That was mine 10:10. It's the first I've had to get deleted. I really didn't think it was as bad as some of the others on here. I didn't mention names so it would have been hard to offend the poster, but it is Allen's blog and he has the right to do as he sees fit. No hard feelings on my part.
1:50 Good for you not to get mad because your post got deleted. I never saw it.
Thanks 1:50. I deleted the post with reluctance but decided that even with no names mentioned that it was unfair and inappropriate to involve family members who have no public involvement in the politics of the county and personalities that dominate them. Again thanks for your understanding, it is a rare and welcomed attitude.
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Looks like the children are using the computer unsupervised again. I can just imagine them snickering in the corner somewhere as their I.Q. steadily drops.
Is it children or someone hitting the bottle a little early? Either one is disgusting.
It's someone who doesn't have the intelligence to formulate a coherent reply. Failing that, they must fall back on the way their parents spoke to them.
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