Is Tennessee A Welfare State

I just reviewed recent statistics from the Census Bureau and other government agencies, and was troubled to see our Volunteer State up so high on lists reflecting poorly on our citizens. It seems that we are one of the best states at “volunteering” ourselves to the public trough and adding to the nation’s horrendous national debt.

During the campaign season last fall, some folks were bragging to me that they were proud of our incumbents because Tennessee takes in more Federal dollars than we send to Washington. It’s true. According to TAXFOUNDATION.ORG, Tennessee receives $1.27 for every dollar we send to Washington, D.C. The problem is, 31 other states and D.C. also take in more than they pay. Any wonder why our deficit spending is out of control! My friends were essentially proud that other states were allowed to subsidize our lack of thrift while the Feds still had to borrow to make up the remaining gap.

This would be less troubling if we were getting positive results from our excess share of Federal dollars, but I was truly disheartened to see what made Tennessee such a huge recipient of the federal dole. Here’s some of why we take in so many Federal dollars:

· Tennessee is #5 in per capita Welfare caseloads

· We are #3 (behind D.C. and Miss.) in Food Stamp recipients

· Our state was #3 in the violent crime rate (more Federal costs)

· 33 other states have a better employment record

· We are #11 of 50 states in persons below the poverty level

And for all our extra dollars from Uncle Sam we have the 6^th worst high school graduation rate (we’re only 1 point better than the District of Columbia), the 4^th worst ACT results, we rank #41 in having people with the skills for the “New Economy” knowledge jobs, and unemployment in West Tennessee remains among the highest in the nation.

I love our state, and we do have so much for which we can be proud. From the cotton fields of West Tennessee, through the streets of Music City, and all the way to good ole “Rocky Top” in the east, Tennessee has so much to offer and lots of braggin’ rights.

But as the boy had to finally say to everyone “The King has no clothes” we must be honest with ourselves and confess that there are many in our great State who would rather live on the dole through our tax dollars than to get up, go out, and get to work.

I know times are tough and there are real needs, but time and experience has shown me that, unfortunately, there are real deadbeats too. Last summer when the unemployment extension was held up for a week or so, my company suddenly had a swarm of applicants ready to work. Just as soon as the unemployment benefits were re-instated, suddenly most of these applicants were no longer interested. Some might argue that I am blaming the “victims”, but as Ted Nugent once responded to Rosanne Barr, “what, the victims of sleeping in?”

Folks, I want Tennesseans to be too proud to take the easy dole, do more directly from the community to help our friends and neighbors in need, and show more concern for the economic health of our country and the future of our kids. We cannot continue adding to the national debt without dire consequences, including the increased sloth and dependency of our citizens.

Ronald Reagan once said “Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." More on the first two points at a later date, but it’s time we stop subsidizing those who can, but won’t work. It’s time Tennessee stop being one of the top 5 Welfare States.

Jim Hardin

My Truck

I like pickup trucks. I really like old pickup trucks. There is just something about them. They are practical. You can help your friends move. You can pull stumps. You can drive around in the mud. You can haul your campaign signs (correctly spelled) around. I had a great truck, a '94 F-150. It ran great. It was white, and had that silver band around the bottom and a chrome bedrail. I bought it from my cousin back in 2002 and it had over 100k miles on it, just barely broke in. When I got the call to go to Iraq in 2007 I passed it along to a friend of mine. It's still running and I get to see my old friend, and the fellow who drives her, every once in a while.

The truck I have now was a surprise. The family had bought it as a homecoming gift when I came back from Iraq in 2008. I don't know how all the grand kids and my wife kept it a secret all the way home from the airport in Memphis. When we pulled up to our house that night I thought my uncle was here. No, Uncle Steve wasn't here. "Well who's truck is that in the driveway?" I asked. Jade Ashlee, always direct and to the point said "Papa! That's your truck! We got it for you." Well, it's a beauty. Black this time. Full of little stuffed 'trunk monkeys', one for each grandchild. Big enough to carry the whole family. And it has all kinds of gadgets in it. I would have never picked out a truck like this for myself. I'm happy to roll down my own windows, and slide around on vinyl seats. But I do have to admit it is really nice to be able to change to 4-wheel drive without having to get out in the rain.

Yeah, there is something about a pickup. This truck is more than just a vehicle. It is a reminder to me every time I get in that I have a family that cares about me. I want to make a difference for my family, for your family. I'm Jim Hardin, I'm running for State Representative, District 81, and I'd be honored to have your vote.

Mud Slinging

Politics as usual? Not for me. It's time for a change. Voters deserve better than to have to choose between the "lesser of two evils". Rory Bricco and I proved that it could be done the way it should be done during the primary. I know the November election is an entirely different ballgame, but I'm still going to play by my rules. I want you to vote for someone, for issues you believe in, for a better future for your children and grandchildren. I want the same things you want: Lower taxes, more & better jobs, education reform, Less interference from Washington DC. I'm not going to move to Nashville. My family, my church,my friends, my work, my home, my life is here. I want Tipton & Haywood counties to be the best places in all of Tennessee to raise a family, have a career or start a business. It's time.

Hardin Receives NRA Endorsement Against Naifeh

Covington, TN - Jim Hardin, the Republican nominee for Tennessee House District 81, is very pleased to announce that he has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association's Political Victory Fund.

Heidi Keesling, Tennessee State Liaison for NRA-ILA, said, “We appreciate your enthusiasm for the Second Amendment and the attention to firearm-related issues during your candidacy. On behalf of National Rifle Association members in House District 81, I am pleased to announce your NRA-PVF “A” rating and endorsement for the 2010 Tennessee General Election.”

Upon learning of the endorsement, Hardin stated that “I am absolutely thrilled with this endorsement. The NRA has been fighting Mr. Naifeh and his Anti-Second Amendment friends in the legislature for a long, long time. As a private citizen, I've taken on those who want to curb our Second Amendment rights. I'll continue to do the same when I am elected to Nashville.”

Hardin continued, “Jimmy Naifeh has received a “0”or an “F” rating from the NRA since 1998. His record has never matched his rhetoric, especially on the Second Amendment. Jimmy Naifeh's views on Second Amendment rights line up more with Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi than with his constituents in Haywood and Tipton Counties. Tennessee isn't California or Illinois. I'll fight to make sure we stay that way.”

Jim Hardin is the Republican nominee for Tennessee State House District 81. For more information about Jim and his candidacy, please go to www.electjimhardin.com.

###
Paid for by Friends to Elect Jim Hardin, Terry Mullins, Treasurer

Political Quotes

I'll have more to say regarding issues by the end of September. In the mean time, here's some of my favorite quotes related to politics (enjoy, though some kind of sting):

Democracy is being allowed to vote for the candidate you dislike least.

Robert Byrne

If you are going to sin, sin against God, not the bureaucracy. God will forgive you but the bureaucracy won't. Hyman Rickover

If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law.
Winston Churchill

In order to become the master, the politician poses as the servant.
Charles de Gaulle

In politics the middle way is none at all.
John Adams

It is not in the nature of politics that the best men should be elected. The best men do not want to govern their fellowmen.
George MacDonald

Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation.
Henry A. Kissinger

Politics has become so expensive that it takes a lot of money even to be defeated.
Will Rogers

Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour

The activist is not the man who says the river is dirty. The activist is the man who cleans up the river.
Ross Perot

The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.
Dante Alighieri

The good news is that, according to the Obama administration, the rich will pay for everything. The bad news is that, according to the Obama administration, you're rich.
P. J. O'Rourke

The idea that you can merchandise candidates for high office like breakfast cereal - that you can gather votes like box tops - is, I think, the ultimate indignity to the democratic process.
Adlai E. Stevenson

We have, I fear, confused power with greatness.
Stewart Udall

We would all like to vote for the best man but he is never a candidate.
Kin Hubbard

When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators.
P. J. O'Rourke

Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct.
Thomas Jefferson

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.
George Washington

If 'pro' is the opposite of 'con' what is the opposite of 'progress'?
Paul Harvey

Talk is cheap - except when Congress does it.
Cullen Hightower

You don't pay taxes - they take taxes.
Chris Rock

The middle of the road is where the white line is - and that's the worst place to drive.
Robert Frost

The best way out is always through.
Robert Frost

The world is full of willing people; some willing to work, the rest willing to let them.
Robert Frost

It's not how you can use power for position, but rather how you can serve others to better their position
Jim Hardin

Money & Power Not Worth A Man's Honor

As I campaign for the Tennessee State House seat currently held by Jimmy Naifeh for 36 years, I must admit that I often find myself smugly thinking that I could never be corrupted by the political system in Nashville. After all, I am 49-years old, pretty solid and consistent in the lifestyle I lead, try to follow the dictates of the Christian ethos, and am generally an A #1 good guy.

Just as I was sure I could never be corrupted, I was reminded of the story of the truly honest disciple. A teacher once decided to test the honesty of his three disciples to determine which one he would most trust. He called them together and posed a question:

“What would you do if you were walking along and found a wallet full of money lying on the road?” he asked.

“I would return it to the owner immediately!” said one disciple.

“His answer comes so quickly, I must wonder if he really meant it?” thought the teacher.

“I’d keep the money if nobody saw me find it,” said another.

“He has a frank tongue, but a wicked heart,” the teacher told himself.

“Well, teacher,” said the third disciple, “to be honest, I believe I’d be tempted to keep it. So I would pray to God that He give me the strength to resist such temptation and do the right thing.”

For any of us seeking elective office, it is so important to remember that all men are susceptible to the wiles of public office and the enticements of power. I remember speaking to then State Senator Tom Leatherwood who kept his campaign promise of supporting term limits by not running in 2000 after 8 years. Though he was very popular, he said he must live up to his pledge and beliefs, but he went on to tell me one more thing. Tom said that the political system in Nashville was very corrupt, and that for his own good, he needed to get out of there.

Tom was like the disciple who realized that he would likely be tempted, but I know that Tom prayed for the strength to make the right decision, and he did. I pray that I too can reject the influences of money, power and position that too often comes with political office. I want to get things done as an honorable man.

Until next time...

Actions We Can Take Right Now in Tennessee

Tennessee's 81st State House District (Haywood & Tipton Counties) has been no stranger to the struggles of the economic hardships faced these last two years. We have over 15% unemployment in the District, plants have shut down, and jobs are just plain hard to come by. I can remember in 1981 being laid off from a small oil company that went under in a recession much worse than even the one we are experiencing right now. National unemployment peaked around 12% (nearly 20% where I lived), inflation was double-digit, and good credit would land you a 20% mortgage if you were lucky.

We need our state and national government to recognize that businesses are just reluctant to expand and hire when the economic future is in question, taxes are too high and regulations choke the life out of free enterprise. I have been asked in these tough times what would I recommend we do if elected to the Tennessee State House. I'd start with these two actions:

1) Create a team of business, community and government experts, and give them 6 months to identify all state functions that do not protect life, sustain or create jobs, really educate our children, preserve liberty, and ensure that our property rights are respected. Their job would be to identify which state agencies and programs could be reduced, consolidated or eliminated, and then the Legislature would take immediate action on their recommendations.

2) Use the Texas model for a part-time state legislature - meet once every other year for about 6 months. Think of the reduced salaries, $185/day living and other expenses we could eliminate by having the legislature meet only once every two years. Budgets would be for 2-years, which would bring stability for business and government at all levels in the state. Finally, think how much better off we'd be with the Legislature meeting only half a much!

As for jobs, let's require the State to buy, if available, only goods and services from Tennessee businesses as long as cost and quality is equivalent. We make refrigeration equipment, food, water hoses and many other items in District 81, and our state agencies should be using our tax dollars right here in Tennessee.

Let's provide vocational training in high school to ensure those not college-bound are ready to work--this will attract industries! Let's help the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development in recruiting business and industry to Tennessee by improving education, reducing tax burdens, eliminating non-value added regulations, and putting a stop to the abusive litigation and workers comp system that drives many businesses away and keeps many from coming.

In the mean time, as I was saying about being laid off in 1981 when the recession was worse, instead of unemployment I took any work that I could find, including being a garbage collector and working fast food. All of my co-workers laid off went to unemployment first. Jobs are there, just not always what we want or at the pay we desire. I encourage all of those laid off to make sure you have a clean appearance, and be willing to take anything until the right job does come along---and it will.

God Bless you all in these hard times!