There is a difference between honesty and cruelty. We’ve known this since grade school, each and everyone of us.

We’ve seen excessive moments in the political world over the past few weeks where hard decisions have had to be made about the state of the economy. The issue comes down to, however, that honest conversations need to be had about how to deal with the financial situation in this country. The bottom line is that this has been going on for many years, not just when a new president took office.

And what we are doing right now is seeing government attack blue collar workers and what is left of the middle class. In this state, we see legislators actively and blatantly putting undue stress on men and women, and potentially making trying to make what I’ve understood as an American Way of life into criminal offenses in some cases. Banks get help where a cross section of American people get booted to the curb.

Every single one of those people that are losing their jobs at Goodyear, people who have worked for years with loyalty and pride in their work will need a new job.  Teachers have been targeted in this state because they are in a union that did not always support GOP candidates. If a child living in a culture of poverty is raped, the answer from legislators has been that they will not be given any options to terminate the pregnancy. NPR and Public Broadcasting may be a lost industry within a matter of days.

Planned Parenthood does many things but is targeted for offering women choices regarding pregnancy. The organization keeps people healthy. Pundits speak of PP constantly but how does that help those who use the services that PP provides? That will lose but an amendment to end a tax loophole for major oil companies failed in a 251-174 vote on Friday.

Big business, you had me at hello is apparently the rallying cry of the Republicans right now.

So what is your plan, Gov. Haslam? What do you have to say about that? Oh wait, you didn’t disclose in the first place. Silly me. And what is in the state budget to help Tennesseans who have already become invisible. Where is the job plan you spoke of? Tort reform is a priority because it helps big business but how will that “trickle” down to citizens who are becoming financially bankrupt when it comes to actual health-care?

We were asked by Pres. Barack Obama to make sacrifices after eight years of Halliburton, Blackwater and an unnecessary war. We stepped up and knew what we were getting into. We were honest. Now, republicans have moved that issue of good faith into treating people that need a voice into a carnival of cruelty and lack of compassion that is stunning.

Yes, there is a difference between honesty and cruelty.