Tennessee Ranked Third In The Nation For Corruption of Public Officials
Updated: Monday, August 11 2014, 04:09 PM CDT Stream WZTV Fox 17 Newscasts LIVE starting with Fox 17 This Morning at 4:30am and News at 9pm. NASHVILLE, Tn.
A report by Main Street on Yahoo ranked the most-corrupt states in America. Academics from the University of Hong Kong and Indiana University ranked states based on levels of corruption, arrests and conviction records of public officials. The researches find there's a correlation between corruption and higher amounts of public spending, especially in states where that spending goes to construction, police and highway projects.
Tennessee was ranked third overall, cited for corruption among public officials.
posted by Allen Barrett | 2:12 PM
91 Comments:
Bingo Giles County!
Thanks WAB for finding this info and bringing to our attention. Something we always knew but good to see it confirmed.
What a dumbass to relate this to Giles County. Moron!
When you have a county executive and a commissioner who steal tax dollars the county fits right in.
I don't believe that the statistics that you linked and $35 for attending a meeting are linked.
I'm not a JVZ fan, but do you know if there are any definitions or guidelines for whether a commissioner should be paid for showing up late?
I don't condone JVZs behavior either, but in this instance, you are making a mountain out of a molehill.
Where did WAB link Gi,es county with this on the thread he posted?
I had alrady seen this about Tennessee.
I saw where he linked Giles County in his post, but childess 1:56 brought that on.
To get your panties in such a wad, you must know something that is going on in Giles County I don't.
She was not late to the meeting, she did not attend the meeting. If it's ok to get paid for not attending then every commissioner should be paid who stayed home that day.
It's not a mountain out of a mole hill it's a dung hill out out illegal activity.
Personally, I think commissioners should be paid a monthly salary.
And I am certain that your attitude and your deliver will keep you in the HUGE minority for many years to come.
So I guess stealing is alright with some of you as long as it's just a small amount. The $35 issue is just one of many. It adds up and the amount really should not make a difference. I suppose God doesn't care if you only take a little out of the collection plate, does he? Many serial killers start out by mutilating animals and work their way up. Is that ok with y'all as long as they stop before they actually kill someone? Ridiculous.
I am not convinced it is stealing. I have only heard one side of the story.
There are many other greater corrupt things happening (and have happened) in the governments of Giles county besides the issue of being paid for meetings you don't attend even though the local laws say otherwise, and you know this. Don't come back and ask me to list some things as most everyone in the county is already aware of what they are and I can't waste my time on you.
Don't agree to a flat salary for commissioners. Can't you see the abuse that would happen? Less reason to attend meetings if you are going to be paid regardless.
Oh yes, please pay a flat salary, then I want have to go if I don't want to. I'l go to two or three meetinmgs a year. They are boring anyway.
7:42 Why don't you ask Mrs. Vanzant and Mrs. Coleman their side then com,e back and tell us.
I would of thpught they would already of told you their side. It don't matter anyway they both got elected again. But look at the p[eople didn't want them. They will be watched. Bet that don't happen again. So if everyone knowing about it stops it from happening again something good has come out of this even if cg don't think so.
Once there was a man who lived in Chicago and was very generous with his massive wealth. He funded soup kitchens during the great depression and was seen as a hero by many. The other side of this man was very different as his vast wealth came from criminal activities. In fact he was one of the most dangerous and lawless people in the last century. His name was Al Capone and he committed crimes with impunity for years and years. From illegal alcohol to outright murder but they could never get the evidence of a major crime although it was common knowledge.
One day a bookkeeper with the FBI discovered that Capone wasn't paying his taxes. People laughed at such a small thing and called the bookkeeper foolish and wasting time and money. Well, the bookkeeper wouldn't give up and eventually the biggest most notorious criminal of the century was sent to jail and his criminal empire was busted all from what many considered an insignificant violation of the law.
Let's invite TBI in to audit our EMS ... let's see what's behind that curtain.
Why elect people that you don't trust!
The City pays a flat salary, and they are WAY ahead of the county when it comes to working together and finding solutions.
WAB - That is a wonderful story.
I also have one. The was a man in lower middle Tennessee who thought that he was the savior to all. He thought that zoning was no good. He thought that no one wanted to pay higher taxes for services needed. He thought that ever elected official was corrupt.
He then tried to convince everyone that only his way was right, and that he could fix all of our problems. He had temper tantrums, fits and called names to try to convice peopele that he was right. He ran for office 3 times, where not one, but 3 persons from a small district get elected. He got trounced every time!
I wish it were The end!
11:18, ah, but I have one for you. There was a little coward that hid behind the title anonymous. Everytime Mr. Barrett would try to do what he thought was right little coward anonymous would whine and cry and try to bully Mr. Barrett with his words. Little coward anonymous was so ashamed and embarassed about who he was he continued to lve like a mushroom and pay outrages taxes all the while wondering when he would be able to turn the faucet on and have running water. Little coward anonymous still to this dsy sits in his quiet little hole promising himself he will never ever let anyone else bully him again like they did in the 6th grade before he dropped out.
Ah. You wrote a nice autobiography. You poor thing!
I'm glad I didn't drop out of school, and got educated, and can afford the services needed to survive comfortably.
To 11:18
I use these lyrics from the great Beatles song that describes you perfectly.
"Day after day
Alone on a hill
The man with the foolish grin
Is keeping perfectly still
But nobody wants to know him
They can see that he's just a fool
And he never gives an answer
But the fool on the hill
Sees the sun going down
And the eyes in his head
See the world spinning round"
As for your farfetched little story look at it from my point of view, Because I have a Savior and believe HIs words I must act unselfishly toward others and consider their well-being.
Because I am an American who believes in the Constitution I am opposed to any unsavory limits that those in positions of authority sometimes seek to impose on us. I can give a hundred reason why zoning is unacceptable to me on a personal level but it was the manner in which it was being rammed down our throats that caused my greatest opposition. A simple vote by the people to accept or deny zoning I would accept their decision, but no one have the right to force their acceptance of such a thing. I oppose taxes and their increase when there is no need or the use has been wasteful . I do not believe all governmental officials are corrupt but without a doubt there are those who are corrupt and they should be dealt with severely so that their example will discourage others from taking advantage of citizens.
What is the well being for one, may not be the well being for another. Who is to decide?
And you have never wanted a junk yard or a waste facility next to your property.
I am fine. It's you I wonder about.
12:59, that was the best response EVER! Too bad by posting anonymous all we can do is imagine you are full of crap. Oh and don't come back with another lame excuse like you don't care what I think, cause if you did'nt you would'nt have made up that crap about being educated and all. I will commend you though, I was expecting a "I know you are but what am I?"response. You surprised me alittle.
I thought cg said this blog was a waste of his time.
I think everry office in the courthouse has too many people working in it. If they had enough to do they wouldn't be on the blog.
One good way to cut expense for the county.
Too many family members in the courthouse to clean house. Can anyone name a single office that don't have a family member working either in it or in another office in the government. They are all interconnected.
So much for the enabler's statement that he was done with the blog. I didn't think they were ice skating in hell yet. As far as only having one side of the story of theft, you have both sides if you were as educated as you claim to be. Open your eyes and look; it's right there in front of you.
If I ever had to go to court I sure hope the enabler will be on my jury cause he want ever convict even if he was a eye witness and saw me shoot somebody. But I sure would hate to have him on my jury if I was Barrett I'd get hung for jaywalking.
So I guess we are all just supposed to take WAB's (or anyone else's statements) as flat out facts, without any investigation, or without hearing the other side of the story.
Thanks for helping me with that. I always thought it was better to gather as much information as I could before forming an opinion.
7:27 I'd say that when you have a written document that clearly shows a fraud has taken place that is enough to form an opinion. You know sort off like when Barrett says something and you immediately attack him. Your problem's not that there is no evidence but that the evidence points to the crookedness of either you or someone close to you.
7:25 Why is iot no one ever tells us the other side?
Just something they think is cute against WAB. I would like to hear both sides but no one will tell the other side so WAB must be right.
As for as the topic of this thread I had read that before WAB posted this thread.
Why can't you talk about the thread?
No one tells the other side, because this blog is a joke. I come here for entertainment purposes only, and I have a ball.
Explain to me how the written document clearly shows fraud?? You are brainwashed.
Q: Are they showing results from early voting?
A: No results until the polls close in a state. This is so that voter turnout is not influenced.
Best I coul do, hope someone else has better luck.
8:21 I'm guessing the document showing fraud was the one showing Coleman's name was put down as being at a meeting and Barrett didn't see her until the meeting was over.
I've wondered why no one has said they seen her there during the meeting. Must be because she wasn't.
This blog is entertainment isn't it, you can just see cg getting mad in his post.
7:27,
Unbelievable that your lying, enabling, self would make such a statement.
Hell 11:16, you could rub his nose in it like a dog that's crapped on the rug and he would go right back to the same spot and do it again. He's so used making comments without proof that facts mean nothing to him. It's called DENIAL and he's eat up with it.
11:16 & 11:47 You people are such sheep. I don't know how you can stand yourselves. Whatever WAB says is gospel. Your kids probably raised you.
Its called GULLIBLE!!
Is Harwell really so dumb he don't know the great cg got him beat with his silly post.
Don't come back at me that my guy got beat, because I knew WAB didn't have a chance and didn't vote for him. I would just like to see someone post something about why WAB's post is wrong.
When you can't do that what else are we suppose to believe but what WAB said.
If you got questions about what happened at that meeting and don't want to believe the document that WAB put on here do what I did and ask some of the people who were there and signed in. Tommy Campbell said Coleman wasn't there and that's why he sat in her place for the whole thing. Two other commissioners said she didn't show up until after the meeting was adjourned.
You have to understand that WAB has a long history of exaggerating and spinning a story his way.
I'm not a JVZ fan either, but I did hear that Coleman showed up towards the end. I have never read, nor do I understand the policy for attendance within the County.
We can spew all we want about being on time/late etc, but we need to understand and/or modify the policy for me to get knotted up about it. Furthermore, I know its just $35, but we have bigger things to worry about.
If this had of been one of WABs buddies, we would have never heard about it. Since it is someone he doesn't like, its fraud. I mean isn't that a little strong??
I guess you don't realize 1:35 that even though it's only $35 it's still stealing from tax payers. Plus stealing small and getting away with it will lead to the bigger things that you referred to. Also if someone can't understand that a posted hand written page of attendance is proof of something then they need some serious help.
Once again, for the last time, you don't know its stealing, because you don't know the policy or history for paying commissioners. The paper that I saw said led me to believe that she was there, but late.
1;35 Barrett made it very clear that Coleman came after the meeting was adjourned it was stated right in the comment for all to read. Coming after the meeting is not being late for the meeting. Late would have been up to the last second before the meeting was over. I asked some who were there and there is no question that she was not there during the meeting.
If Barrett exaggerates or spins then prove it and discredit him. I have asked and so have others to just show some proof of your claims so far you have shown nothing but your words.
Don't try to imply Barrett plays favorites on here cause I have seen where he criticized some people he was really close to. Your problem is that you don't understand a person who actually has a sense of right and wrong and a desire to do what's right. Barrett by no means is perfect but compared to your record I'll take Barrett's word over yours anytime.
You people are too damn stupid to realize the difference between CG and the others, which there are several, who call out Barrett on his bullshit. It is sad when someone makes an intelligent response to dispute Barrett and you all assume it is CG and blast away, the same way he does at Barrett. Barrett lost again, then he made an ass of himself on here. When are you people going to learn that bitching and moaning never gets you anywhere?
4:39 Please point out the intelligent response.
I agree 5:07. Sounds like the enabler is just on here whining.
Waiting for the intelligent response and some factual information that shows Barrett lied about anything. Also want to know where he made an ass of himself on here.
Where is this intelligent response you speak of 4:39? So far you're just like a fart in a thunderstorm; you're making a little noise but it's not amounting to much. Please share with us instead of doing like you always do. You make some strong statements but fail to provide any evidence to back them up.
You'll never get it. CG thinks anytime anyone don't like his post they have to be Barrett or a buddy to him. There are a lot of people reading the blog don't know Barrett or even like his post but don't like cg either.
Good post 4:39. The Barrett sheep are alive and well, and they don't even know it!
4:39 New day same question where is the intelligent response and some factual information that shows Barrett lied about anything. Also want to know where he made an ass of himself on here.
J.W. Edwards. Just because Barrett made it clear does not make it right. Once again, just because WAB says it does not make it true.
Another point that I have attempted to make is that what is
"right" to one may not be "right" to another.
And one more thing. One can be "right", but be such an ass about being right, that he can't effectively convey the message. Your hero is a perfect example of that.
Giles County needs people who are willing to help, and to attempt to do what THEY THINK is right. Unfortunatley, your hero has been deemed a troule maker by the vast majority, and he has lost his ability to influence them.
He and his few sheep can't see it, but it is time for himm to give up. His followers need a new spokesperson!
7:39 You wouldn't know an intelligent response if it smacked you in the face. There are several intelligent responses on this particular topic:
9:21, 11:12, 11:18, 2:01, 7:27, 8:21, 12:24, 1:35 2:49 and 4:39
BS
Just love Vanzant's sheep.
We will have to agree to disagree 8:35. Riddled with flaws yes, intelligent, no.
You must be a commissioner wanting to get your pay bumped and not have to show to meetings. Sickening.
8:35
I read again what Barrett posted on the thread and it said nothing about Giles county.
I haven't read an intelligent post on this thread. It bitching one way or another and not about the topic. I saw a post and picture on Face Book about Tennessee being in the top corrupte list. I recognized the picture as being in Memphis.
Does guilty conscience make you think of Giles County? I think what Giles county does is bad, but small compared to the topic of this thread that mno one ghas posated about.
9:21 wants commissioners to be paid monthly. What does that have to do with the topic of thread? Tne he is arrogrant.
11:12 Not as bad as some, but what does it have to do with topic?
11:18 Was stuoid.
2:01 Bitching. What did it have to do with the topic of thread?
7:27 Not bad, but it an attack against Barrett not about the topic of thread.
8:21 Another attack against Barrett, topic forgotten.
12:24 Inteilegent? LOL Just another attack against others and WAB.
1:35 Just couldn't resist an attack against WAB. NMot about topic of thread.
2:49 Tried to be intillegent. But not on topic.
4:39 Attack against Barrett, proved nothing.
CG has really been busy and he wants us to think his post was inillegent Nothing proved what Barrett said was wrong.
Barrett and cg's little poem or story was uncalled for.
I agree 10:03. Intelligent and factual are two different things and I have seen neither in the above mentioned posts.
You wouldn't know intelligence if it smacked you in the face.
Look at you. Your hero is a loser!
I don't know if that is intelligent or on topic, but it is a fact.
If anyone would tell a litle white lie, it's still a lie in Gods's eye and in my I wonder how many more they would tell.
It doens't matter if a Commissioner was paid one dollar or a million for being present when they didn't get there until the meeting was over. Leaves you to wonder how many times this has happen and what else would they do wrong.
If someone from, the election office told the early votes before the polls closed,they should not be allowed to work there anymore. I wonder if Chip found out, did Vanzant find out. She didn't win by many votes.
The election office has many problems remember when Coleman withdrew from the school board race but nobody in the election office signed her papers, dated or stamped it or initialed it but they just knew she had withdrawn and how she wasn't qualified to be on the ballot but they put her on it anyway, Oh well that was just about Barrett wasn't it now we find they leaked the early vote totals hours before the polls closed. How long does it take before people realize the shunk is in the election office.
8/15/14 7:45:
In deciding what is right, people use different measuring sticks. Some judge what is right by determining what is best for me and mine. Some look to a higher standard such as the Bible to define right from wrong. The more people refuse to look to a higher authority (God) for guidance, the higher the cost of the wages of sin on the whole community. A person full of pride is most likely to think of himself/herself as the ultimate authority on everything. Know anyone like this?
The truth is that getting paid to do something you did not do is stealing!!!The truth is paying someone when they are not there is stealing !!! It is our tax dollars they are stealing and wasting they are dishonest !!! I bet Jv would not have given money out of her pocket but she sure takes it out of ours. I would like to hear how we can stop Our county ex. from stealing and why didnt one person in that meeting stand up and say thats wrong perhaps they are too scared perhaps they have done it to ..please post one thing that doesnt have mr Barrett name in it you half crazed maybe you should hear the TRUTH AND ACCEPT IT if its ok to steal ill just send all the poor people in Pulaski to the next meeting to get a few bucks out of jv pocket she sure doesnt care to steal from us.. WHEN IS THE NEXT BOARD MEETING
The only thing that will stop the abuse of power is for people to get more involved.
2:13 God has indeed drawn a straight line and placed right on one side and wrong on the other. Most people, whether religious or not, know what is right and what is wrong but they have blurred the line by making wrong things acceptable and right things objectionable. A person will always have a problem determining what is right and what is wrong when they keep moving the line to better suit their preference. All lying is wrong but some lying is justified. Consider two neighbors get into an argument one neighbor gets a shotgun and come after the other who has taken refuge in your house. The one with the shotgun and murder in his eye asks you if the one he's after is in your house and you say no, Clearly that is a lie and there's no way for it not to be but it was necessary because of the situation. Lying for personal benefits is very different from lying to save someone from harm but they are both still lies and both are wrong. Some have convinced themselves that lying is OK simply because they can rationalize it into being justified in their mind.
One of the most egregious behaviors and sins is when someone claims to speak for God and defines how other people should be living while exempting themselves from the same guidance. What God has stated He stated to all.
How here is a homily for you to think about, "People who hate the truth hate God because God is Truth".
7:45 aka Rackley. I am so glad that you have finally stated on here that you think Mr. Barrett is right. Thank you for finally waking up to reality.
"One of the most egregious behaviors and sins is when someone claims to speak for God and defines how other people should be living while exempting themselves from the same guidance."
So. Stop doing it.
I believe that statement applies to the cg more than to WAB. If anything WAB holds himself to a higher standard.
I believe that statement applies to the cg more than to WAB. If anything WAB holds himself to a higher standard.
I love this blog---info based on the University of Hong Kong!! Barebutt -- where were you educated?? I know the university of Ding Dong!!!!!!
12:15 Too bad your parents didn't learn you anything.
Which beer joint or liquor store are you staying at?
I'm sorry you got beat. Blame that on cg.
Hey dumbass that was the university of Hong Kong and Indiana University. I can understand your difficulty with Hong Kong since they don't have a football team where most of the players are criminals but the University of Indiana should meet your qualifications. Truth hurts don't it dumbass
"parents learn you" ?
You are kidding me right.
10:52 Too bad your parents didn't treach you anything. Is that all you know to say? Nothing about the topic of the blog?
teach
10:29 I've read you opinion on the matter before but you never post the information you claim. Everyone else does with links. You have time to do the research and post on here but can never provide links to your sources.
I've searched and cannot find the numbers to support your claims and have to believe there is a reason you do not provide any links to any verifiable information.
Are these claims just something someone told you?
I was the one who posted the original link to the fortune article.
Some people just have their heads in such a fog they simply refuse to see the facts that are right before them. This county is eat up with corruption and everyone knows it from the county executive whose mind is locked against anything she can't control to the judges who have a revolving door policy for criminals. Just look at who controls the county and tell me everything is on the up and up. Follow the money to the old guard with Speer and Rackley as enforcers.
It's sad that the good folks sit back and complain but never do anything about the situation.
Because what they complain about about had no merit! Just a bunch of disgruntled losers!
Yep, Terry lost.
Poor cg just can't quit posting.
I know that's right 9:32. He fits the description of a fool perfectly. He is one who refuses to believe what he sees with his own eyes. Too sad.
Wonder why nobody has called 12:43 a liar?
I guess because the poster offered facts to back up what they were saying. That's the fastest way to shut the naysayers up.
Monday, August 25, 2014 4:59:00 PM
Tuesday, August 26, 2014 3:20:00 PM
Thank you.
Saturday, August 23, 2014 12:43:00 PM,
So in your mind where does Tennessee lie number wise in corruption? Please include the way you evaluated the data and if you used all the studies you provided independently or in association with the Indiana and Hong Kong studies. When you include all studies your data proves Tennessee to be the most corrupt state. Thank you for providing additional documentation to support the fortune articles claims that Tennessee tops the list in being the most corrupt state.
Why is it a good regilious man or woman can get elected to something and then turn corrupt?
Tuesday, August 26, 2014 5:53:00 PM
Oops, my sentence "Differences in per capita state expenditures based on the national average of all the states that were used in the study to determine the level or ranking of corruption for that time period, not total number of convictions." Is in error. It should have read as follows:
"Differences in per capita state expenditures based on the national average of the states were used in the study to determine the level or ranking of corruption for that time period. The authors based their ranking solely on total number of convictions."
Please accept my apology for that error.
Again. thank you.
In your ramblings I missed where you answered my question so I will ask you again. In your mind where does Tennessee lie number wise in corruption? I understand why you did not answer my question. Your data continues to prove the Fortune article's point that Tennessee is ranked at the top in corruption. I don't know why you are trying to argue when you are proving the point you are attempting to oppose.
12:23
You miss the point entirely.
You mean you have a point besides the one you keep covered with your hat? By all means, break in down for we'uns who ain't had much lerning.
That's the way 6:05 when you don't understand something above an elementary level blame the other person for being too smart.
I have never seen so many people happy to be stupid than what I have seen in this county.
9:25,
When you do not have a point it is easy for all to miss no matter the education level. The only point you have made is the one you are trying to discount. You can't answer 12:23's straight forward question that a child could answer but can attack someone else for not being able to understand a point that is not valid or discernable.
Since you have such a big brain maybe you can answer the question. In your mind where does Tennessee lie number wise in corruption? Hint you have all the data, just let us know if you choose to use all data or just the data you choose to try to prove your "point". Again I understand why you did not answer my question. Your data continues to prove the Fortune article's point that Tennessee is ranked at the top in corruption. I still don't know why you are trying to argue when you are proving the point you are attempting to oppose. Maybe you are the one celebrating your stupidity.
Unfortunately, 9:25, too smart is not a phrase I would ever use to describe you.I'm convinced the only place your intellect shines is when you're daydreaming about being smart.
I never said I didn't understand your post;quite the contrary. I, like 12:23, know you to have no point in your comment. Therefore, the only logical conclusion is that you keep the one point you do have covered up. See how simple that was.
BTW, you sure do get quite when someone ask you a question which would make your interpretation of the article completely worthless.
Thank you 1:49. Maybe now the dumbass at 9:25 will shut his idiot hole.
God hates Giles County
God doesn't hate Giles County, he hates what the people are doing.
God doesn't hate Giles County, The place is just a magnate for ignorant sheep who allow a few worthless people to control the whole place and they don't even have enough sense to understand they are being used
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