Employee Safe Commute (Parking Lot) Campaign

[E4 No More]

The basic answer - "it's none of your business". Maybe, it's classified.

Since the subject is closed, I cannot ask why the "secret ballot" was necessary in the first place.

I trust the political capital lost in this vote is worth it in the long run for the Republican Party.

I think my reply would be that the subject of my campaigning against them during their next re-election bid was also closed. Can you imagine the effect a spoiler following you around while you campaign would have? Or blogging about the candidate's every word?

[Sky King]

The basic answer - "it's none of your business". Maybe, it's classified.

Since the subject is closed, I cannot ask why the "secret ballot" was necessary in the first place.

I trust the political capital lost in this vote is worth it in the long run for the Republican Party.

Bert,

The answer you got, in my opinion, shows arrogance. He voted his conscience? Well call me a hard liner but again in my opinion, his CONSCIENCE is NOT supposed to be a factor. He was sent there to represent a constituancy. The way I look at it, if he represents 100 people and 51 say "yes" and 49 say "no", then his vote is supposed to be "yes" because he is there to be the VOICE of the people who sent him and that voice said "yes".

We have a representative form of government because getting 250 million people in Washington to vote on everything would be just a bit difficult. The same goes for the State. So you take small groups, elect ONE person to be their voice that that voice is supposed to say what the GROUP wants, regardless of what the single person who goes on their behalf wants.

This caucus secret ballot crap should be illegal. There should be NOTHING our elected officials do that is done when doing the work of the people that should be allowed to be secret. In this setting, a secret ballot is for cowards, GROW a pair and be willing to stand up and be accountable for what you say and vote for. The Speaker is a MAJOR position in the government and the process to elect the person to that position should be PUBLIC!

[jumprun13k]

Here is what I sent Mr. Dunn, my State Representative.

Mr. Dunn,

It has come to my attention that the House Republican Caucus voted this evening, not to bring H.B. 3560 to a vote this year. As a citizen of Tennessee and a voter in your District, I would like to know how you voted on this matter.

In the Subject line, it read "Republican Failure to Bring H.B. 3560 to the Floor for a Vote"

Can't wait to see his reply.

I copied your email and added a bit...

Rep. Elam,

It has come to my attention that the House Republican Caucus voted yesterday evening, not to bring H.B. 3560 to a vote this year. As a citizen of Tennessee and a voter in your District, I would like to know how you voted on this matter.

I also find it quite disturbing that such important legislation was being handled behind closed doors. This does not give me much confidence in our Republican leadership.

[GKar]

Will be interesting to see if Sen Kyle carries through on his promise to once again move to suspend the rules in todays 1pm Senate session and bring SB3002 to the floor for a Wednesday full Senate vote. The vote breakdown on that motion from last night went as follows:

Yes (suspend the rules and bring the bill to the Senate floor): Barnes, Beavers, Bell, Berke, Campfield, Finney, Ford, Harper, Haynes, Henry, Herron, Kyle, Marrero, Norris, Overbay, Stewart, and Tate (17)

No (do not suspend, the rule stays buried in Calendar Cmte): Ramsey, Watson, Summerville, Roberts, Burkes, Ketron, Johnson, Gresham (8)

Present, not voting (same effect as a no in this instance): Kelsey, Massey, McNally, Tracy, Yeager (5)

No response: Faulk, Crowe, Southerland

It takes a 2/3rds majority of those voting (PNVs count, apparently) to suspend the rules, so with 30 voting, it needed 20 yes votes. Ramsey did not seem a happy camper during this discussion.

[Glenn]

RIP USA

The only hope for the Federal Gov. is to fix thing from the bottom up. Apparently the bottom is just as rotten as the top. barewoolf, I fear you are right.

Glenn

[Guest TnRebel]

secrete ballots doesn't Tennessee have a sunshine law ?

[Guest TnRebel]

I think starting now all gun owners and friends and family's need to put pressure on there reps to vote Ramsey pansy out as Lt. Gov.

[JAB]

[sarcasm] Man, as a gun owner and believer in the right of individuals to defend themselves I sure am glad that Republicans are in charge in our state. I'd hate to think that the Democrats could be in a position to block important legislation that would expand carry rights.[/sarcasm]

Yet another reason that the Repodempublicrats might as well be the same party as far as I am concerned. I despise them both equally and grow increasingly tired of the BS rhetoric that Republicans spout to try and make us think that they support our rights.

Edited April 24, 2012 by JAB

[E4 No More]

[sarcasm] Man, as a gun owner and believer in the right of individuals to defend themselves I sure am glad that Republicans are in charge in our state. I'd hate to think that the Democrats could be in a position to block important legislation that would expand carry rights.[/sarcasm]

Yet another reason that the Repodempublicrats might as well be the same party as far as I am concerned. I despise them both equally and grow increasingly tired of the BS rhetoric that Republicans spout to try and make us think that they support our rights.

They support our rights as long as it doesn't interfere with business' rights. Most politicians think the pre-amble says, "We the Corporations...." Edited April 24, 2012 by SWJewellTN

[Moped]

No response from Dunn as of 15 minutes ago. I can tell you this, Dunn will not get my vote. I'm tried of being played by the Republicans. I've been dis-satisfied for a while now with what all they have been doing. I think now it's time for them to get a wake up call.

[Guest profgunner]

The basic answer - "it's none of your business". Maybe, it's classified.

Since the subject is closed, I cannot ask why the "secret ballot" was necessary in the first place.

I trust the political capital lost in this vote is worth it in the long run for the Republican Party.

Case closed? Who in the hell does he think he is? He works for YOU!!

[rockman6]

I heard that the bill was sent to summer session...also known as never never land.... plot strategy for next year...

[GKar]

The 2010 version went to summer session...and, IIRC, so did its predecessor.

[Motasyco]

It's time to clean house.

[R_Bert]

Life long Republican, voted every election since 1979. They have pretty much managed to flip me to the other side with the lack of integrity shown this year..

I participated this year, in numerous dialogues with legislators on a several issues. I did not ask them for a particular vote, only that they allow the process to complete. They and their leadership failed.

The Democrats at least admit to what they believe.

So, at the state level, I will not be voting Republican this November 2012. There is no difference, so I will vote to toss them every election for the forseeable future.

http://www.knoxnews....es-to-kill-gun/

Edited April 25, 2012 by R_Bert

[GKar]

Gotta second R_Bert on that. Better a predicatable enemy than an unscrupulous friend.

BTW, just in case Santa is making his list, here's the breakdown on the House Calendar vote that sent HB3560 to "summer consideration":

Representatives voting aye (send to summer study) were: Brooks H, Casada, Cobb, Dunn, Harwell, Haynes, Johnson P, Maggart, McCormick, McDaniel, McManus, Niceley, Ramsey, Roach, Sexton (15).

Representatives voting no were: Eldridge, Fitzhugh, Matheny, Montgomery, Naifeh, Sargent, Towns, Turner M (8).

Edited April 25, 2012 by GKar

[Worriedman]

Has the world turned upside down? Jimmy Naifeh votes FOR a gun bill and the majority of Republican legislators vote against it.

Got to give props to Judd Matheney and Jimmy Eldridge, the only two Republicans to stand with us.

[GKar]

The Cal cmte video is worth watching, if for nothing more than to see Turner's outburst (~11:00). It so very obvious that the Repub leadership wanted to shovel dirt over this one as fast as possible...Dunn's reaction to Bass's request for a roll call vote is soooooo very telling. And then Dunn (at 16:00) promises that a bill will come back next year that everybody can get behind...or was that just an echo from year's past?

[Grunt67]

Has the world turned upside down? Jimmy Naifeh votes FOR a gun bill and the majority of Republican legislators vote against it.

Got to give props to Judd Matheney and Jimmy Eldridge, the only two Republicans to stand with us.

The Dems that voted for it are trying to garner votes next election. They are not our friend.

Wolf in sheeps clothing.

[R_Bert]

The Dems that voted for it are trying to garner votes next election. They are not our friend.

Wolf in sheeps clothing.

Nope, but they don't try to hide it either.

[quietguy]

The Dems that voted for it are trying to garner votes next election. They are not our friend.

Wolf in sheeps clothing.

That is not the case at all. They were trying to get it to the floor to force the Republicans to vote against it.

[Motasyco]

That is not the case at all. They were trying to get it to the floor to force the Republicans to vote against it.

That was my take. From my point of view, Incumbents can go. Let's see some fresh faces. Maybe some real people.

[GKar]

The Dems that voted to move it to the floor (including Sen Kyle, who tried to get the Sentae to suspend the rules and allow the Senate verson to go straight to the floor by-passing the Calendar cmte) likely had several motivations. The one openly stated was that they wanted a chance to go on record by vote as opposing the bill - and there's some degree of truth and utility there, most certainly. I suspect the far greater desire was to get it to the floor so the whole world could watch the cluster as Repub leadership ran around trying to keep a lid on everything they didnt want aired in public (ie, smoke out what was said in the "secret ballot" meeting). Nothing quite as entertaining, and politically positive, as watching your opponent eat itself...

[R_Bert]

Stacy's review and perspective of the Safe Commute (not "Guns In Trunks" please Senator) issue.

Be sure to follow the link to the letter he mentions also.

Plenty of rot to go around. Definitely need to keep flipping the compost pile (including maybe in our own ranks ??).

http://lastcar.blogspot.com/2012/04/not-such-good-plan.html

[JAB]

Gotta second R_Bert on that. Better a predicatable enemy than an unscrupulous friend enemy who pretends to be a friend.

Fixed it for you.