Sam Stockard at the Daily News Journal hit the nail on the head. In the middle of one of the worst recessions to hit our nation, Sen. Bill Ketron (R-13) and Rep. Joe Carr (R-48) spend most of their time working hard for the liquor industry and making sure people can take their guns to the saloon.
This could be called the Year of Guns and Booze in the state Legislature.
During one of the worst economic years in history, legislators have put their focus anywhere but on the budget. In addition to a load of bills dealing with weapons, including allowing conceal-carry permit holders to take their guns into bars, restaurants and state and local parks, legislation allowing new distilleries and wine in grocery stores is getting notice.
Two local legislators are sponsoring a bill to make it easier for distilleries to open.
Rutherford County deserves leaders in the Senate and House that work hard for our families, not special interests.
- Read about Sen. Ketron and Rep. Carr’s effort to bring more whiskey, vodka and other distilled spirits flowing into Tennessee.
- Read more about Rep. Carr’s effort to deny unemployment benefits to the growing number of unemployed workers in his district and throughout Rutherford County.
Is there a valid objection to the firearms-based proposals?
Which one? There are so many and so much time has been spent on them that we haven’t seen much effort to address the recession. It’s as though Republicans secretly love the fact that we got billions from the federal government so they can waste all this time pushing their failed rightwing ideological agenda.
I think Stockard is right. When we look back on this time our country needed leadership the most we will see Democrats addressing the issue and Republicans focused on guns, liquor and abortion. How sad for our state.