Newscoma

I linked to a thread yesterday where, and correct me I’m wrong, where apparently there are a few people have lost it. It’s filled with name-calling and insults amongst democrats and republicans alike regarding new chair Chip Forrester at the TNDP.

I checked back periodically and realized that what could have been a really good dialog turned into a something that you would have to read to believe. It’s kindergarten, campers.

The tarnished reputations of both political parties in this state have been on the minds of Republicans and Democrats alike.

And, funny enough, many people who don’t follow politics don’t know Robin Smith or Chip Forrester from their garbageman. They are too busy wondering if they are going to okay in the next couple of quarters.

And Vibinc has broken it down in a post called Patronage and Privilege:

The culprit in both cases, a long held sense on the part of individuals in both parties that Patronage and Privilege somehow in some way protected them from the unwashed masses that ultimately hold the key to their success.

The uprising isn’t party specific, it’s specifically a reaction to the privilege and patronage that follows an organization that has lost its way. Tennessee has the pleasure of being served by two such organizations, both political parties.

Watching politics sometimes is like watching a ping-pong game between two 7 year olds. It’s not very good and the ball is going to hit the floor more than not. Lots of swing, near misses and, in the end, two kids deciding to take their paddles in a mad huff and go home.

While our state prepares for budget issues that will impact everyone in this state, while moneyed big boys like TVA continue to be given free reign over people’s lives without accountability and people continue to lose their jobs, this free-for-all in Nashville is just a bunch of hooey.

The state, from a political perspective, is looking at a huge election in 2010. As I have said before, there is no privilege in politics. It’s not a right to have the office. It’s called being elected.

Jackson Baker breaks some of those interested in the gubernatorial race down with some folks who are putting their toes in the water:

Among the potential Democratic candidates are Knoxville publisher (and former state Democratic chairman) Doug Horne, state senator Roy Herron of Dresden, U.S. representative Lincoln Davis, former state House majority leader Kim McMillan of Clarksville, and state senator Andy Berke of Chattanooga. Another possibility is Democratic state Senate leader Jim Kyle of Memphis, a possible entry if the oft-rumored candidacy of former 9th District congressman Harold Ford Jr. does not develop.

My final suggestion is that we focus on that it’s not about the comfort of the elected. It’s about rebuilding with the tools we have effectively for the people.

Apparently in this state, we are going to have to reinvent the wheel though, and that’s just a damn shame.