Tennessee insurance premiums for 27-year-olds have increased by 59% under Obamacare.

In Tennessee, insurance premiums for a 27-year-old have increased by 59% under the Affordable Care Act. Before Obamacare the average one month premium was $135 a month; under Obamacare that premium has increased to $214.70. For an adult age fifty, the increase was 31.6% increasing from $278 to $365.90. For a family of four the increase was a more modest 8.6%, increasing from $667.91 to $725.24.

These increases are contrary to President Obama's promise that Obamacare would lower premiums by $2,500 per family. That promise, like his promise that, "if you like your insurance you can keep your insurance, period," was also a lie or at best wishful thinking and a rosy scenario projection. Nation wide only four states have seen a decrease in health care premiums and those decreases ranged from a fraction of a percent to a high of 6.7%. Those modest saving in only four state are a far cry from the promised $2500 savings per family. And, we have not seen the end of premium increases; in 2015, in some areas, premiums are expected to double. The Hill says in 2015 Obamacare premiums are expected to "skyrocket."  They report that an insurance official from a populous swing state said his company expects to triple its rates next year on the ObamaCare exchange.

These increases were not unexpected from those of us on the right who were paying attention. Critics of Obamacare knew that in many cases people would not be allowed to keep their current insurance policy and they knew insurance premiums would have to increase.  Those who were believing the Presidents lies and who believed they could expect objective reporting from the mainstream press about what to expect with Obamacare are probably very surprised.

While Tennessee's increase of 59% in premiums for a 27-year-old is high, it is modest compared to Virginia where premiums increased by 252.5%! For a family of four, Tennessee's 8.6% increase is small compared to Virginia's 178.7% increase. To read more about this study and see information for every state, follow this link: How Will You Fare in the Obamacare Exchanges?

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Family Research Council endorses State Sen Jim Tracy for Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. - FRC Action PAC, the political action committee connected with Family Research Council Action (FRC Action), has endorsed State Sen. Jim Tracy for Congress in the fourth district of Tennessee.

Of the endorsement FRC Action PAC President Connie Mackey said:

These are challenging times. Our economy has been decimated. The culture has been challenged beyond all reasonable limits. The strong, conservative men and women elected in 2010 and 2012 need reinforcements.

State Sen. Jim Tracy's consistent record while in the Tennessee State Senate on the issues of the family is to be commended. The votes he has cast on the life issue reflect his concern for mother and child and his support for marriage as between one man and one woman is strongly supported by the majority of Americans.

We are confident that he will be a strong advocate for limited government, for individual liberties and for family values.

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The Tennessean reports on Victory Jackson of SNL fame running for Williamson County Commission

In case you missed it, here is the video and a link to The Tennessean story of earlier this week on Victoria Jackson, former SNL cast member who is now a tea party activist running for a seat on the Williamson County Commission.  I have seen Ms Jackson at a couple political events and while she is entertaining, I do not think she is ready for political prime time. She seems as politically shallow and scatterbrained as her character. 

Last month Ms Jackson made news for falsely alleging that an offensive sex education text book was being used in local schools. It was not. (link) Such reckless claims discredits the movement. Also, I am uncomfortable with her rants against Muslims, which seem more based on prejudice than any reasoned objection to radical political Islam or security threats.

I doubt Ms Jackson will be elected. I would not vote for her.

Victoria Jackson of 'SNL' fame says she is fighting for the 'soul of America' 

by Jamie Page, The Tennessean, Mar. 18, 2014 - When a Muslim, Daoud Abudiab, moved in near Victoria Jackson’s suburban neighborhood, she responded with a post on her website titled, “Civilization Jihad, Hits Home (my back yard, literally).”

It’s one of several anti-Islamic entries on the former “Saturday Night Live” star’s site. Abudiab said, “She has friends who support her in making Williamson County a scary place to live for some of us.” (link)

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Common Core is not dead yet

by Chas Sisk, The Tennessean, March 20, 2014 - Efforts to roll back Common Core have begun to stall in the week since opponents scored a surprise victory in the state House of Representatives.

The Senate has declined to take up a measure that would delay the tests that go with Common Core for two years, and a House subcommittee has killed legislation that would repeal the national education standards in Tennessee. The Senate Education Committee also has quietly dropped another bill that would have repealed Common Core. (link)

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Council meeting of 3-18-14 with commentary and time stamps: The privitization of nursing homes and over regulation of outdoor music meeting.

This is a 1 hour and 24 minute-long meeting. To link to the the agenda, analysis and my analysis follow this link.

All appointments to Board and Commission are approved without discussion.

Substitute RESOLUTION NO. RS2014-948, did not make it to the consent agenda. It is the bill my Councilman Mitchell that appropriates $4.3 million from the Undesignated Fund Balance of the to the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools General Purpose Fund Operational Account for the purpose of funding the purchase laptops for teaches to assist in technology training for common core testing. This bill has been pending for months and at one time was over $13 million and included money for laptop computers and an incentive program for teacher retirement. The laptops and the teacher retirement incentive were financed in other resolutions which have already passed. Councilman Mitchell citing the State Legislature's pending bill to defer Common Core for two years moves to defer this bill indefinitely.

Memorizing RESOLUTION NO. RS2014-1029 by Council member Karen Johnson which request the State of Tennessee to offer driver license examinations in Arabic is deferred one meeting. No explanation is offered about why this bill is being proposed or why it is being deferred.

A late resolution is approved which memorializes the State legislation to approve a pending bill that amends the landlord tenant act to require landlords to provide a physical address of the owner of the rental property so codes can serve summons to landlords.

All bills on First Reading pass without discussion as is customary.

 BILL NO. BL2014-696 on second reading which requires the Director of Finance to submit an annual debt report to the Metropolitan Council is deferred one meeting to add other requirements. This is a good bill and deserves to pass. The council needs a clearer picture of the city's total debt obligations. The sponsor of this bill is Councilman Clairborne.

BILL NO. BL2014-698 on second reading which would provide a new enforcement mechanism associated with the discontinuance of the delivery of nonsubscription published material is deferred until the second meeting in May to give The Tennessean time to work on the issue and see what they can come up with. You know those unwanted free newspapers the Tennessean throws in your driveway? They accumulate in the yards of vacant homes and in some occupied homes where the owner never picks them up. I find them real annoying. Why that is not littering is because the First Amendment give broad latitude to distributors of information . This bill would not put a stop to the practice of littering by The Tennessean, but would strengthen the opt-out option.

BILL NO. BL2013-588 on third reading is a rezoning bill that would allow the demolition of three duplexes and allow the construction of eight cottage-type units as single family homes in the Woodland-in-Waverly community. Council member Moore moves the bill and it passes. This was on third reading the last two council meetings and was deferred to this meeting. This is one of those bills that would concern no one unless they live in the neighborhood or are the developer. This neighborhood has an historic overlay, but the three duplexes are non-contributing to the historic character of the community. This in my neighborhood and I support this bill. I think the duplexes are more out of character of the neighborhood than the cottages will be and I think this will be an improvement. Some in the community have been very much opposed and fought hard against it. To see the discussion go to  time stamp 44:30- 48:54.

SUBSTITUTE BILL NO. BL2014-651 by Council Member Allen would regulate small outdoor music events in certain commercial areas. It is amended again and passes. Currently other than a noise ordinance, outdoor music events are not regulated. This bill sets all kinds of restrictions including setbacks, lighting, pre notification, only one per month, off street parking, and they must end by 9PM on week nights.  She says the bill does not make it harder to make music in music city but easier. She says it makes it possible to have music events where they are not now permitted. Assuming she is correct, this bill is still going to make it very difficult to host a music event in certain commercial areas on private property. The requirement of off street parking for people attending an event would prohibit almost all outdoor music event. In a commercial area, vacant lots for off street parking are simply not available. People park where they can find a place to park and walk to the event. If this bill was necessary to allow more outdoor music in music city, surely we could have developed a bill that made it possible to actually meet the regulatory requirements. The off street requirement alone will most likely kill most outdoor music events. To see the explanation see time stamp 50:28.

BILL NO. BL2014-688 which would get Metro out of the nursing home business passes. This is long overdue. It will save metro about $10 million a year. This was discussed quit a bit at Budget and Finance and on Second Reading last meeting. It is again discussed this meeting. Councilman Mitchell expresses concern about what will happen to the metro employees when the facilities are privatized. I have never felt metro's fuction was to provide jobs and generous benefits but to provide necessary services as efficently as possible. The bill passes on a machine vote with Mitchell being the only "no" vote. See time stamp 1:09:28 - 1:21:00.

From The Tennessean:

Council agrees to privatize Bordeaux nursing home, Nashville assisted living facility

by Michael Cass - March 19, 2014 - Metro government will start pulling out of the nursing home and assisted living businesses after council members agreed Tuesday to privatize two of the city’s heavily subsidized health care facilities.

Finishing a process that began nearly a year ago, the council voted 29-1 for Mayor Karl Dean’s plan to privatize Bordeaux Long Term Care nursing home and J.B. Knowles Home for the Aged, an assisted living facility. Dean plans to turn over the facilities, which have operated at substantial financial losses and are subsidized to the tune of about $10.5 million a year, to developers and health care providers. (link)

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NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE WILL BE THE 2014 STATESMEN’S DINNER SPEAKER

Gov. Chris Christie

NASHVILLE, Tenn. TNGOP press release —The national spotlight will focus on Nashville once more at the end of May as a major Republican official makes a public visit to the South.

Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney today formally announced New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will be the keynote speaker for the 2014 Statesmen’s Dinner. Christie also leads the Republican Governor’s Association - the most innovative and disciplined political committee in the nation tasked with electing Republicans to governorships across the country.

The Statesmen’s Dinner is an annual event that is the largest gathering of Republicans in Tennessee and is the major public fundraising event for the Tennessee GOP. Additionally, each year the Party selects a high-profile Tennessean to chair the festivities. The 2014 Statesmen's Dinner Chairman is U.S. Congressman Marsha Blackburn. 

“This year Tennessee will prove, once more, it is a blueprint for Republican success for the rest of the nation,” stated Devaney. “We are thrilled to have Governor Christie here to highlight that message because he knows what it takes to win and lead. He’s proven the Republican Party can win in deep blue areas when we articulate thoughtful, conservative solutions to the problems voters are facing. In Tennessee, we’re in the midst of a Republican revolution at the county and judicial level and we look forward to hearing what lessons we can take from Governor Christie’s track record of success.

"To help us welcome Governor Christie and serve as our Statesmen's Dinner Chair is Congressman Marsha Blackburn. Her well-deserved reputation as a conservative problem solver and grassroots powerhouse make her a perfect match for this year's event."

Congressman Blackburn added, "I welcome any opportunity to showcase the success of our state and the innovative solutions our Party offers. Governor Christie is a reformer-in-chief who understands that we must win at the ballot box first so we can put our principles to work for the people. Outside of Election Day, this Statesmen's Dinner is going to be the premier Republican event in 2014."

The 2014 Statesmen’s Dinner will take place Friday, May 30, 2014. For advance tickets, go to TNGOP.org now or contact TNGOP Finance Director Anna McDonald at 615-269-4260.

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Ron Paul: Crimea secedes. So what? Where does Rand Paul stand?

Ron Paul in an editorial in USA Today on Monday made clear his consistent isolationist philosophy.  He thinks we should be unconcerned about the Russian annexation of Crimea. "Why does the U.S. care which flag will be hoisted on a small piece of land thousands of miles away," he asks. I assume that would have also been the Ron Paul comment when Hitler annexed Sudetenland.

I don't really care very much what Ron Paul has to say. I have liked his defense of free enterprise and his candor and outspokenness and straight talk on some issues, but I could never have voted for him because of his isolationist views and particularly his comments regarding 9-11.  When he said 9-11 was "blowback for decades of US intervention in the Middle East," I pretty much lost any respect I had for the man. I think his views on foreign policy are very close to that of Obama's pastor Jeremiah Wright who said 9-11 was "America's chickens coming home to roost."   Paul opposed the war in Afghanistan, the country allied with Al Qaeda and their safe haven and base of operations.  "The last thing we needed," said Paul, "was the government’s response: more wars, a stepped-up police and surveillance state, and drones."

Ron Paul had an enthusiastic youth following.  In addition to an isolationist foreign policy, abolishing the Federal Reserve was another issue of primary concern of Ron Paul supporters. Ron Paul supporters tend to be outside the political mainstream and more libertarian than Republican.  Certainly, there is overlap and it can be dangerous to generalize, but Ron Paul supporters are not exactly "tea party" either. From what I have observed, they are libertarian with a streak of conspiracy theory thrown in. They are enthusiastic and hard working and committed. I think some of that comes with youthful idealism. I think these Ron Paul activists should be welcome in the Republican Party. They bring a lot of energy.  I suspect that as they mature, many of them will moderate their positions and become more mainstream Republican.  Ron Paul won the CPAC poll for two year in a row in 2010 and 2011, then Mitt Romney won in 2012 and then in 2013 and 2014 it was won by Rand Paul.  I think that is less of an indication where the conservative movement is and instead is a reflection of the intensity of commitment of the Paul supporters. They show up and they vote.

While I did not care for Ron Paul, I have liked his son Rand. In addition to following Rand Paul in the media, I have had two occasions to hear him speak in person, once at First Tuesday and and then at CPAC. He has a grasp of the issues, is smart, articulate, and quick on his feet.  Also, I like what he has to say on such issues as immigration, broadening the base of the Party, and sentencing reform. By anyone's calculation he is in the top tier of potential Republican presidential candidates. He has inherited the movement that grew up around his father Ron Paul and is attracting people who may never have been a fan of Ron Paul. Rand Paul has appeared more mainstream than Ron Paul. He shared the program at First Tuesday with Senator Lamar Alexander and they each had words of praise for the other. Also, he has endorsed Senator Mitch McConnell in Kentucky rather than the tea party favored opponent. Rand Paul also has avoided taking extreme positions or focusing on fringe concerns or making outlandish statements.

I had mixed views about his marathon filibuster over drones. On the one hand, I think he is certainly right and the government has no authority to put to death an American without that person being tried and convicted. Drone attacks on Americans on American soil is clearly not legal.  The Administration should have said such immediately.  The reluctance of Attorney General Holder to acknowledge there was no such authority was troubling.  On the other hand, I have never feared being the victim of a drone attack while sitting at Starbucks. So, I don't know if Paul's filibuster was principled and served a good purpose or was just so much opportunistic grandstanding political theater.


Ron Paul's outspokenness on Ukraine leads me to want to know where Rand Paul stands. The very fact that Rand Paul is Ron Paul's son makes me want to know if he shares his father's opinion. I think we must remain engaged in the world and if we disengage then the world becomes a more dangerous place.  That does not mean I support the neoconservative vision of spreading Democracy throughout the world and remaking the world in America's image. There are limits to what we can do.  We have to be selective about American involvement. Not all American intervention is the same.  I supported our war in Afghanistan, but opposed our war in Iraq. During President Clinton's administration, I supported our efforts in the Balkans. I thought that region was too important to ignore.  We and our allies ended the slaughter and stabilized the region. I do not, however, think we have the resources to be the world's policeman.  I don't think we can get between every warring faction and impose peace or stop genocide every time it occurs. I do think we need to resist aggression by China and Russia and keep North Korea and Iran from developing nuclear weapons and we must continue to be vigilant against radical Islamic extremist.

I want to support someone who shares my views. I think President Obama by his show of weakness has made the world a much more dangerous place.  The next presidential election should not only be about health care and the growing deficit but about America's role in the world. I would like to know where Rand Paul stands. If his fathers views are not his views, then he needs to spell that out clearly before I could ever be comfortable supporting him.  Because of who is father is, he has more to prove than other Republicans who may seek the presidency. 

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Metro Council Budget and Finance Committee meeting of 3/17/2013

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Obama's weakness encourages aggression and may lead to war.

The United States and the rest of the world is sitting by and watching Russian expansion and doing nothing about it.  This is reminiscent of Hitler's annexation of the Sudetenland. The Sudetenland was part of Czechoslovakia, adjoined Germany, and most of the inhabitants spoke German and it was probably true that most of the inhabitants wanted to join Germany.  I do not think Putin is the next Hitler but the process of expansion is similar. I doubt what is done can be undone in Crimea. If possession is nine-tenths of the law, then Russia will keep Crimea. No military force is going to organize to push Russia out of Crimea.

If anyone thinks Putin is going to be content with Crimea, I think they are mistaken.  Putin has said the break up of the Soviet Union was the biggest disaster of the 20th century. I think it is his desire to reconstitute the old Soviet Union and maybe the Eastern Block. I doubt there will be a revival of Communism as the ideology behind the reestablishment of Russian hegemony but simple imperialism. 

What should be the lessons learned from this turn of events? 

1. Don't trust the United States. In return for giving up its nuclear weapons the territorial integrity of  Ukraine was guaranteed by the United States, Russia and the United Kingdom. We made this pledge  signing the 1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances.  
2. Don't disarm. At the end of the cold war, Ukraine had 1,900 strategic nuclear warheads. They sent them to Russia for dismantling. If Ukraine still had those nuclear weapons, it is doubtful Russia would have invaded the Ukraine. 
3. Weakness encourages aggression. Shortly after getting elected, Obama went on his apology tour and promised a gentler United States that would lead from behind. Time and time again the U.S under Obama's leadership has shown lack of resolve and weakness. In Syria we drew a "red line" on the use of chemical weapons, Syria used chemical weapons and we did nothing about it. I am not convinced we should have gotten involved in Syria because it appears that many of the opponents of the Syrian regime were no better than the government. However, we should not draw red lines and then do nothing when they are crossed. We should not threaten unless we intent to carry out the threat.

In Benghazi the representative of the United States was murdered in a terrorist attack, we did nothing to prevent it, nothing about it after it occurred, covered up that it was a terrorist attack and then our Secretary of State responded to a congressional inquiry by asking, "why does it matter?" who committed the attack.

President Obama has shown further weakness by proposing a military budget that will reduce America's military to the smallest it has been since before World War II.   The U.S. is now perceived in the world as an ally not to be trusted and a weak toothless paper tiger.

I do not want to go to war over Crimea. We may have to accept Russian's annexation as a fact while refusing to officially recognize the fact.  We should not, however, allow further dismantling and annexation of Ukraine. If Ukraine falls, other countries formerly part of the Soviet Union or Eastern Block may be next. So far our response has been piddling. I don't think we are causing Putin to loose any sleep. A handful of individuals will have their assets in the U.S. frozen, if they have assets in the U.S., and they will be denied the right to visit the U.S. That is about it! Big deal! We should do more, much more.

I am not a foreign policy expert but in this informed citizens view, we should immediately send aid to the Ukraine, included military assistance, we should announce we will be resuming building the cancelled missile defense system in Eastern Europe, we should announce an amended military budget capable of building up a military capable of defending our interest and honoring our commitments and deterring aggression. The President should go on national TV and address the Nation as to the seriousness of the Russian threat. We should sent warship to the Black Sea and Mediterranean. We should put Ukraine on a fast track to NATO membership. We should encourage Europe to put Ukraine on a fast tract to EU membership. We should announce the immediate decision to build the Keystone pipeline, to become energy independent and to become an exporter of oil and natural gas. Thirty percent of the oil for western Europe comes from Russia.  If Russia cuts off the supply to any country, we should do the equivalent of a Berlin air lift and expedite delivery of energy to countries denied Russian oil.

What is happening in the Ukraine does not happen in a vacuum. Iran and North Korea are watching. Japan is no doubt nervous and wondering if it should go nuclear. China, with desire to annex disputed territory and expand its sphere of influence is no doubt paying close attention. I do not think the U.S can be the worlds policeman.  I don't think we can solve every conflict and or get between every warring party. I don't think we can successfully engage in nation-building of nations that do not have the prerequisites to become democratic.  However, we must remain engaged in the world. As the worlds most powerful country, we have a responsibility to try to preserve peace in the world.  Our disengagement leads to power vacuums and conflict. We should defend and protect our national interest and honor our commitments.  We should not make commitments we can't honor. As the inspiration and model for much of the world and an exceptional nation blessed with liberty, we should stand with those fighting for justice and freedom even if we can't do the fighting for them.

President Obama's weakness is making the world a much less safe place. We are emboldening our adversaries and that may lead to war.

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What is on the Council Agenda for March 18 with Agenda and staff analysis.

If you don't know what the Council is voting on, Council meetings are really boring. With an agenda and an analysis they are just boring. To follow along, you can get your own copy of the Metro council meeting agenda at this link: Metro Council Agenda. To get your copy of the Council staff analysis download it at this link: Council Staff analysis.

This ought to be a short meeting.  There are several rezoning bills on third reading but they should not take up a lot of time. Below are bills of interest:

Substitute RESOLUTION NO. RS2014-948, on the consent agenda, appropriating $4.3 million from the Undesignated Fund Balance of the to the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools General Purpose Fund Operational Account for the purpose of funding the purchase laptops for teaches to assist in technology training for common core testing. This bill has been pending for months and at one time was over $13 million and included money for laptop computers and an incentive program for teacher retirement. The laptops and the teacher retirement incentive were financed in other resolutions which have already passed. With the State delaying implementation of Common Core for two years, the city needs to decide if it is moving forward with Common Core despite the State's two year deferral.

It is my understanding, that for Metro to move ahead with Common Core, it would have to get permission from the State. If we do not move forward, then we have wasted $6 million in purchasing laptops prematurely. If we cannot move forward there is not use throwing good money after bad. At the time the Council approved spending the money on laptops, I commented we should wait to see what the State did before moving forward with appropriating that money. Common Core's passage was in doubt at that time. No one on the Council took my advised and the laptop purchase was approved. If the purchase has not actually occurred yet, the Council should require the School Board to return that money unless we are moving forward with Common Core.

This resolution we most likely be withdrawn or deferred again, because the Department of Finance will not certify the availability of funds, preferring to maintain the balance in Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools General Purpose Fund. While it is on the consent agenda at this time, I do not expect it to be on the consent agenda on Tuesday.

BILL NO. BL2014-696 on second reading require the Director of Finance to submit an annual debt report to the Metropolitan Council. This is a good bill and deserves to pass. The council needs a clearer picture of the city's total debt obligations. The sponsor of this bill is Councilman Clairborne.

BILL NO. BL2014-698 on second reading would provide a new enforcement mechanism associated with the discontinuance of the delivery of nonsubscription published material. You know those unwanted free newspapers the Tennessean throws in your driveway? They accumulate in the yards of vacant homes and in some occupied homes where the owner never picks them up. I find them real annoying. Why that is not littering is because the First Amendment give broad latitude to distributors of information . This bill would not put a stop to the practice of littering by the Tennessean, but would strengthen the opt-out option. Still, it would be difficult to force them to stop and few would go to the effort. Nevertheless, I support this bill.

BILL NO. BL2013-588 on third reading is a rezoning bill that would allow the demolition of three duplexes and allow the construction of eight cottage-type units as single family homes in the Woodland-in-Waverly community. This was on third reading the last two council meetings and was deferred to this meeting. This in my neighborhood. This is one of those bills that would concern no one unless they live in the neighborhood or are the developer. This neighborhood has an historic overlay, but the three duplexes are non-contributing to the historic character of the community. I support this bill. I think the duplexes are more out of character of the neighborhood than the cottages will be and I think this will be an improvement. Some in the community are very much opposed, and have raised the specter that the units could be rented to college students and house up to six students a unit adding up to 48 cars to the neighborhood adding to the problem of on-street parking. I doubt that is a realistic likelihood. If it is they could do the same think with six duplex units. I see no reason for further deferral or for disapproving this bill. It was approved by the Planning Commission and Historical Commission. If a rezoning meets all of the current requirements of a rezoning, it should not be killed by repeated deferral simply because some of the most active people in the community oppose it. Neighborhood activist have waged a campaign against the project and got a lot of signatures opposing it. The truth is people will sign almost anything someone ask them to sign, so I am not so sure people other than the handful of activist really care about this issue. Councilman Sandra Moore has not yet said what she will do with this bill.

SUBSTITUTE BILL NO. BL2014-651 would regulate small outdoor music events in commercial areas. Currently other than a noise ordinance, outdoor music events are not regulated. This bill sets all kinds of restrictions including setbacks, lighting, pre notification, only one per month, off street parking, and they must end by 9PM on week nights. There were a lot of people in support of the bill and no one in opposition when it was on pubic hearing. Member of the Council  Allen says the goal of this bill is to create an opportunity for outdoor music events where they are not now available. She says the bill does not make it harder to make music in music city but easier.

I must be missing something because to me, it appear it imposes a lot of restrictions where there are now none except the noise ordinance. The staff analysis says that "aside from the noise ordinance, the code does not currently regulate or specifically authorize concerts on commercially zoned property." If everything that is not specifically authorized is prohibited, then I guess Council member Allen is correct. However, I am not certain that everything not specifically authorized in a commercial area is prohibited. I would have like to have had this point clarified but simply did not have the time. If someone who knows for certain  can enlighten me on this, I will post a clarification.

 In any event, this bill is going to make it very difficult to host a music event in commercial areas on private property. The requirement of off street parking for people attending an event would prohibit almost all outdoor music event. In a commercial area vacant lots for off street parking are simply not available. People park where they can find a place to park and walk to the event. If this bill was necessary to allow outdoor music in music city, surely we could have developed a bill that made it possible to actually meet the regulatory requirements. The off street requirement alone will most likely kill most outdoor music events.

BILL NO. BL2014-688 would get Metro out of the nursing home business. This is long overdue.

Memorizing RESOLUTION NO. RS2014-1029 request the State of Tennessee to offer driver license examinations in Arabic. Memorizing resolutions are on the consent agenda unless removed. I would not necessarily oppose this resolution, but I would expect an explanation of why it is being proposed. I would not imagine there are that many people here who speak Arabic. In what other language do we offer the test? Who requested this?

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House Republican leaders ready to roll out their alternative to Obamacare

By Robert Costa,Washington Post, March 16 - House Republican leaders are adopting an agreed-upon conservative approach to fixing the nation’s health-care system, in part to draw an election-year contrast with President Obama’s Affordable Care Act.

The plan includes an expansion of high-risk insurance pools, promotion of health savings accounts and inducements for small businesses to purchase coverage together.

The tenets of the plan — which could expand to include the ability to buy insurance across state lines, guaranteed renewability of policies and changes to medical-malpractice regulations — are ideas that various conservatives have for a long time backed as part of broader bills.

But this is the first time this year that House leaders will put their full force behind a single set of principles from those bills and present it as their vision. This month, House leaders will begin to share a memo with lawmakers outlining the plan, called “A Stronger Health Care System: The GOP Plan for Freedom, Flexibility, & Peace of Mind,” with suggestions on how Republicans should talk about it to their constituents.

My Comment: This is great! And, it is about time. While Obamacare is a disaster and a move in absolutely the wrong direction, the health care status quo is not acceptable.  We need to move toward a market-based, patient-centered system of health care with a safety net for the uninsurable.  To appeal to people who are without insurance and people who have been denied coverage due to preexisting conditions, Republicans must have an alternative.  There have been many conservative reforms proposed by think tanks and individual politicians, but Republicans have not had a "Republican Plan."  It is hard to beat something with nothing and despite Republican ideas on health care reform, most of the public, I believe, see the choices as a choice between Obamacare and status quo healthcare before Obamacare.

 I hope Republicans do not turn on each other in ripping the Republican Plan apart.  If they hold their fire until Republicans control the Congress then the details of the plan can be worked out.  I hope criticism is constructive.

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We SHOULD be embarrassed and ashamed.....

From Tennessee Eagle Forum:

I think that 90% of Tennesseans would agree that this is a conservative state with a conservative General Assembly. And yet.....Tennessee is an abortion destination state.  Let that sink in.....an abortion destination state!!  And now that truth is showing up in the statistics.

Until we amend our State Constitution -- the YES on 1 Campaign for November -- these figures will only become worse.
 

Tennessee Now Has Abortion on Demand

 

NO informed consent for women and girls considering abortion.
NO required waiting period.
NO hospitalization requirement for later term abortions.

NO required inspection or regulation of abortion facilities.

Voting YES on 1 will provide the state legislature with the opportunity to then pass common sense, health protecting laws.



  Newly released data on abortion in Tennessee reveal a steady decline in the number of abortions performed over the past decade - and a steady increase in the percentage of out-of-state women heading to Tennessee for the procedure.

There were 16,373 abortions performed in Tennessee in 2010, down 6 percent from a decade ago, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Over the same time period, the percentage of women coming from outside Tennessee for abortions increased by more than 30 percent. One in four abortions in 2010 was sought by an out-of-state woman - a result of bordering states passing abortion restrictions and a steep decline in abortion clinics in those states.

The abortion data are likely to figure heavily in the next general election, when voters will decide whether to support or oppose Amendment 1, a ballot measure that would strip abortion protections from the Tennessee constitution.

Amendment 1 supporters have begun circulating fliers that say "An abortion destination?" and urging voters that passage of the ballot measure will give lawmakers more power to pass reasonable restrictions. Amendment 1 opponents note that Tennessee lawmakers already have enacted abortion restrictions.

More recent data compiled by the Tennessee Department of Health provides a snapshot of Tennessee women who have sought abortions. The data are different from the CDC's because they track only Tennessee residents.

The data show that most abortions are sought by Tennessee women in their 20s. The vast majority are first-time abortions. And most procedures are performed before seven weeks of gestation.

While non-white Tennesseans constitute just 17 percent of all state residents, non-white women were more likely to obtain abortions than white women. Non-white women obtained 6,294 abortions in 2012 versus 5,376 sought by white women.

My Comment: I am in total agreement with Eagle Forum on this issue and I appreciate their leadership. It is a disgrace that Tennessee is a leading destination state for abortion.  In November we need to pass amendment number 1. 

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A Benefit Reception in Support of Yes on 1 Campaign

YOU MUST GO HERE TO REGISTER FOR EVENT.

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Obama foreign policy toward Putin reveals ‘wishy-washiness,’ says Senator Bob Corker.

Fox News-..... Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker said Secretary of State John Kerry is sending the wrong message by saying U.S. opposition to Putin’s military troops taking control of facilities in the Crimea peninsula was “not a threat” and “nothing personal.”

“Our administration has created an air of permissiveness,” Corker told “Fox News Sunday.” “We have to show more resolve. It’s not helpful. It shows wishy-washiness.” (link)

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Linda Knight nominated to the Tennessee Supreme Court

Linda Knight

Linda Knight, has been nominated to the T

ennessee

 Supreme Court. She is the only female out of the 

three

 candidates

 for this court

. Ms Knight has practice

d

 law at Gullett, Sanford, Robinson and Martin in Nashville for many years. For those who attend First Tuesday, Ms Knight is the lady who always offers the prayer and leads the Pledge of Allegiance. She is a member of the Middle Tennessee Republican Women and the Federalist Society. She often provides voluntary legal counsel  to the State and County Republican Parties.  Those wishing to advocate for her appointment should contact the following with a letter of support:

Bill.Haslam@tn.gov

Lt.Gov.Ron.Ramsey@capitol.tn.gov

Speaker.Beth.Harwell@capitol.tn.gov

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DONELSON-HERMITAGE-OLD HICKORY CONSERVATIVE BREAKFAST GROUP, SATURDAY, March 22, 2014

DONELSON-HERMITAGE-OLD HICKORY

CONSERVATIVE BREAKFAST GROUP

In conjunction with the

Davidson County Republican Party

 Next Meeting

SATURDAY, March 22, 2014

8:30 am – Dutch Treat - Breakfast & Social

9:00 am – 10:00 am Meeting

SHONEY'S, 546 Donelson Pike,Donelson, TN  37214

This is the kick off breakfast for 2014.  This Saturday we will discuss current legislative concerns on capitol hill, the DCRP plans for 2014, the candidate vetting process and other items of interest to the Donelson – Hermitage community.  

Hope to see you there, bring a friend!

 Thanks for your support!

Jim Garrett, Chairman

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This Saturday, two Republic Group meetings

From Caffeinated Conservatives organizer Stephen Clements:

Hi everybody,
Just wanted to remind you of our monthly coffee talk this Saturday the 22nd from 12 PM - 2 PM (though we get started at 12, so plan to be there at or before 12) at Bagelface Bakery (700 Main Street in East Nashville) with Chairman of the Davidson County Republican Party and Metro Council member Robert Duvall, as he tells us why the Republican Party is the place to be.

Also, I just heard from regular Caffeinator Jim Garrett that he is starting a monthly Republican breakfast to service politicos and those who want to learn more in the Donelson, Hermitage, and Old Hickory areas. Here's the announcement below, if you want to join Jim for breakfast and then join us for lunch:
CONSERVATIVE BREAKFAST CLUB
Saturday, March 22 from 8:30 am – 10:00 am at Shoney's (546 Donelson Pike Donelson, TN 37214)
The meeting will cover current legislative concerns on capitol hill, the County GOP's plans for 2014, the candidate vetting process and more.
See you soon!
Stephen Clements
Caffeinated Conservatives

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