You Might be Right: What can we do about gun violence?

by Rod Williams, Oct. 16, 2023- This is the first episode of the You Might be Right podcast where co-hosts and former Tennessee Governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam discuss important issues of the day. In this issue, they discuss the gun violence. 

In the second half of the episode the governors are joined by David French, a political commentator, and author who regularly writes for The Dispatch, The Atlantic, and National Review.  David French is a native middle Tennessean of humble origin who rose to prominence as a political commentator.  I have seen him speak a couple times, once at First Tuesday and once at some other event.  He is scholarly and thoughtful, yet very relatable. I respect his opinions and like him a lot. 

French addresses the Second Amendment right to bare arms and recent supreme court rulings, the justification for an assault rifle, why the AR-15 is used for lawful purposes and is covered by the Second Amendment, and explains red flag laws and explains why, when properly written, they do not violate the constitution. 

Follow this link to listen to the podcast.  You can listen to the 44-minute podcast at X1.5 speed and not lose context. If you prefer to read the text of the podcast rather than listen, that is an option. 

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Lonnie Spivak: Phil Bredesen was a good govenor but Marsha Blackburn should be the next senator for the state of Tennessee.

Lonnie Spivak

by Lonny Spivak as posted on Facebook, Oct. 2, 2018 - So you like Phil Bredesen—even though you typically vote for the republican candidate, you’re thinking about pulling the lever, punching the button or casting your vote for ole Phil. I personally like Former Governor Bredesen. I’ve met him on several occasions. Heck, I even had breakfast with him as we sat at the Waffle House high-bar while discussing this election.

As Tennessee Governors go Phil was not the worst governor we’ve had in the state of Tennessee, but there is a HUGE difference in being the chief executive of a state and the state’s representative in the U.S. Senate.

As you know, Tennessee has it’s own constitution which includes a Balanced Budget Amendment. This means that no Governor can present a budget to spend more money than we as a state plans to take in via taxes and fees. As governor, Phil had no choice but to cut spending and kick hundreds of thousands of people of TennCare, in order to balance an upside down budget. In addition, during his term as governor, Tennessee started it’s shift to a “Red State” which now sees republican super majorities in both the state house and senate. But as we all know this is not the case in D.C. as we face a $21 Trillion national debt.

In the senate, Phil can be decidedly more partisan and liberal than he ever could as the chief executive of Tennessee. With six year terms he would be part of the “Resistance” as he voted with Senator Schumer and gang to repeal tax cuts, cut military spending, block judicial nominees, block the border wall and continue the social spending spree driving our national debt even higher.

I first met Congressman Blackburn during the Tennessee Income Tax Debate, when GOP governor Don Sunquist pushed for a state income tax while Marsha served in the State House. Representative Blackburn was one of those champions who fought for everyday Tennesseans and led the charge against the income tax, and was one of the main reasons Tennessee remains a low tax, low debt state.
In Washington, Congressman Blackburn worked to prevent human trafficking. Her legislation kept the internet free. She worked to cut taxes for the middle class and stood strong for the sovereignty and security of Tennessee and the United States.

To me there is a clear choice. Marsha Blackburn should be the next senator for the state of Tennessee and she is clearly the best choice to keep the United States and Tennessee moving on the track of peace and prosperity.

Lonnie Spivak is a conservative political activist and former Republican candidate for congress. 

Rod's Comment: This reflects my thoughts on the matter. I could not say it any better than has Lonnie so I am reposting his Facebook post. Phil Bredesen was a good governor. One may even argue that he governed in a more conservative manner than the Republican governor who preceded him. However, a vote for Bredsen will elect Chuck Schumer as the Senate Majority Leader, Elizabeth Warren as the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and Diane Feinstein as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

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2018 Phil Bredesen-Marsha Blackburn Senate debate video

I have not yet watched this debate but plan to before the day is out. Please check back for my commentary. Also, I will call out the video  timestamp of the interesting parts if there are any.

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Phil Bredesen bankrolls liberal Democratic candidates

Phil Bredesen gave $36K to Hillary campaign

Washington Examiner - ... Bredesen has showered the party’s anointed with cash. He gave $4,000 to campaign and leadership committees. He spent $9,000 supporting both of former Vice President Al Gore’s failed presidential campaigns. He dropped former President Barack Obama a $5,000 line and then gave another $30,000 to Obama’s affiliated victory fund. When Bredesen was "with her" though, he was especially generous. The Democrat gave ex-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton $2,700 then turned around and sent a whopping $33,400.00 to her victory fund.
former President Bill Clinton’s
(LINK)

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Maybe the "Blue wave" will be more like a Blue ripple.

The closely watched Arizona congressional special election where Republican Debbie Lesko was running for a vacant seat against Democratic candidate Hiral Tipirneni was won by Lesko. The vote was 52.6 percent to 47.4 percent for Lesko, a 5 point margin.  Lesko was expected to win the seat in a heavily Republican district that Trump won by a 21 point margin. Pundits had said that is Lesko did not win by double digits then Republicans were in trouble for the fall election. She did not win by the margin Republicans hoped for but I am pleased she didn't lose.  While five points is not the 21 point margin Trump won by it is not a close election.  I think this signals that the "blue wave" may not be a tsunami after all but a blue ripple. If Democrats take the House, of course, they still pick the speaker, chair all the committees, can start the impeachment of Trump, and hold up the Republican agenda.  A less strong win, however, will not carry all the way to governor offices and city council races across the nation the way a massive Democrat win would do.

If Tipirneni had won that would have created euphoria and contagious enthusiasm among Democrats. Tipirneni outspend Lesko in Arizona.  A Tipirneni win would caused Democrats to pour even more money and volunteers into races across the country and Republican money and enthusiasm would have been suppressed.

Closer to home, Marsha Blackburn has gained 7 points on Phil Bredesen in the past week. And, this is after Bredesen spend a ton of money. Bredesen has been presenting himself as a moderate and touting his record as mayor of Nashville and Governor of Tennessee.  While Bredesen is not Mr. Personality and is not very good at glad-handing and back-slapping and kissing babies, he is an attractive candidate and was a good governor and mayor. He is probably the best candidate the Democrats could possibly find.  According to a recent poll by Mason-Dixon Polling, 46 percent of voters support the Democrat Bredesen, while 43 percent support Marsha Blackburn.

I don't know the number of undecided in the recent poll, but I would assume this early it must be high.  This early, a 4% margin is not significant. If you are reading this blog, you probably care a lot about politics; most people don't.  Most people don't even think about who the candidates are or who they will vote for this far out. A lot of people don't start thinking about how they will vote until about 30 days before the election.

It is a long time until November and a lot can change.  More dirt could emerge on Trump, he could do something really stupid, and his trade war could materialize and cause the economy to tank. On the other hand, it could look like we have finally reigned in North Korea, nothing of significance has still not been proven on Trump or maybe the investigation has come to a close without any evidence of Trump- Russian collusion, and people may be enjoying their fatter paychecks.

I still expect Democrats to gain in the fall and Republican to lose. We may lose the House, but the Blue wave may be a Blue ripple.

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Former Gov Phil Bredesen set to announce US Senate run

Former Gov Phil Bredesen set to announce US Senate run
The Tennessean - ... Bredesen's candidacy is widely seen as a game-changer, perhaps turning Tennessee into a battleground. ... In October, political analyst Charlie Cook of The Cook Political Report said Tennessee’s Senate race would become a tossup if Bredesen run. ...Bredesen has significant personal finances that could bolster his effort to turn a seat long held by Republicans. ... Bredesen, a former health care executive, served as Nashville mayor from 1991 to 1999.

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Democrat Bredesen confirms interest in Tennessee Senate race

Democrat Bredesen confirms interest in Tennessee Senate race

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Haslam, Bredesen talk up Amendment 2

Republican Gov. Bill Haslam is leading the charge to amend the Tennessee Constitution to eliminate any language in the state’s guiding document that alludes to direct elections of Supreme Court judges by the voters. Haslam is being joined in that effort by former Gov. Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, who served for eight years as Haslam’s predecessor. The two spoke together in favor of Amendment 2 at a Sept. 17 campaign event for the measure in Knoxville, after which they took questions from the press.

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Wealthy Nashvillians cash in on law meant for farmers

The Tennessean, Oct 14, 2012

This is hardly farm country. But Bredesen and several neighbors are cashing in on a state law intended to protect farms, forests and open space from encroaching development. Because the former governor cuts hay on a portion of his $13-million, 89-acre estate, and grosses at least $1,500 a year in farm income, he saves $62,000 a year in local property taxes. (link)

Comment: I don't condemn former Governor Bredesen for "cashing in" on the law intended to protect open spaces from development.  I think no tax payer should pay a cent more in taxes than they are legally required to pay. A legal deduction on your income tax is not a "loophole."  If the law allows you to put your estate into a conservation easement and avoid $62,000 in local property tax, then I don't condemn you for doing it.  The problem is not with those who legally avoid paying taxes, the problem is with the code that permits it.

I also feel pretty much the same way about people who get food stamps or other forms of public assistance. If they are legally entitled to a form of public assistance, and are not committing fraud to get it, then I do not condemn them for getting it.  I recognize that accepting welfare corrupts one's character and creates a dependency and a sense of entitlement.  I admire those who refuse the assistance, but I don't condemn those who take.  The fault is with the program, not the recipient.

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Look Who is Backing Jason Holleman

Holleman's opponent has the support of the big guns: Mayor Karl Dean, Governor Phil Bredesen, and a slew of other members of the court house crowd and machine politicians. Look who is supporting Jason Holleman.

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We will sing in the sunshine...

"Former Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr has been laying the groundwork for a new company involving solar energy that would position him, Gov. Phil Bredesen and the state's top economic development official to profit from an industry they have spent more than two years trying to build up in Tennessee."(link)

This may be perfectly legal but it sure doesn't smell right. The Revenue Commissioner, the Governor, and the head of Economic Development lay the groundwork to make Tennessee hospitable to the solar energy industry, including the training of a workforce for that industry, then they leave office and take advantage of what they created, the contacts they have made and what they have learned. Am I the only one that thinks this is unethical?

Also, they incorporate in Delaware, to avoid Tennessee taxes I assume. I don't blame anyone for legally avoiding taxes whenever they can; however, while in office why did they not work to change Tennessee's corporate tax laws to make Tennessee as attractive as Delaware?

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Governor Bredesen Agrees with David Hall on Obamacare

NASHVILLE: David Hall, the Republican nominee for Congress in Tennessee's 5th District, commented on an op/ed published by Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen in the 10/21/10 edition of the Wall Street Journal. The entire article, criticizing the Democrats' version of health care legislation, may be accessed here.

Said Hall, "I appreciate Governor Bredesen's candor in going public with his concerns about what is commonly known as Obamacare. I agree with Governor Bredesen that our federal deficit is at unsustainable levels, and that America can ill afford to add to the deficit with another entitlement program. Governor Bredesen and I also agree that the unintended consequences of this gargantuan bill are worthy of a WSJ op/ed."

Hall continued, "At a joint appearance several weeks ago, career Congressman Cooper had the gall to say that he thinks the only reason we voters don't like Obamacare is because its too complicated for us to understand. I have more respect for voters in the 5th District than that, and I have a hard time believing that Governor Bredesen isn't sharp enough to see the beauty in the legislation either."

Audio and video of Congressman Cooper's remarks at the First Baptist Church of Capitol Hill Candidate forum on Oct. 10, 2010 may be viewed online here.

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Gov. Bredesen Opposes ObamaCare

Breaking ranks with Democratic Party, he says costly plan hurts states

By Chas Sisk,THE TENNESSEAN, October 18, 2009

[excerpt] Responding to a request from Republican U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, the state's Democratic governor made a plea to consider the cost to states of the latest health-care proposal.

[excerpt] Bredesen estimates that the Senate Finance Committee bill that passed last week would cost Tennessee $735 million over five years once the plan is in place — and possibly more than $1 billion. Covering that cost would mean taking money from the budgets for education, the state pension and other aspects of state government that have been battered by the recession, Bredesen says. (read more)

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Obsevations from 'The Third Rail of Helath Reform: Cost' Conference

On Saturday I was fortunate to get to attend a very important health care conference that occurred here in Nashville. I knew it was going on and just thought I would go downtown and see if by chance there were any demonstrations and counter demonstrations occurring. It so, I would have joined the opponents of ObamaCare in their protest. I am pleased to say that neither side was demonstrating.

I did not think I would be permitted to join the conference but I attempted to enter and was told I needed a ticket and was directed to the registration table. I have never been shy about crashing parties and simply walked up to the table and asked to get a ticket. I simply signed my name on a log and got a pass.

The event was sponsored by the Rand Corporation and was entitled “The Third Rail of Health Reform: Cost.” It took place at the beautiful Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville. I had ridden my bicycle down town and was the only sweaty guy there in shorts and a tie-dyed tee shirt carrying a bicycle helmet. Most of the attendees, I gathered, were health care industry executives, doctors, and academics. Most were smartly dressed in business suits.

I attended the opening panel discussion and, from a look at the agenda, it was the most important of the sessions. I also got a free box lunch out of the deal and met someone I knew and had lunch with her and some of her co-workers.

The panel discussion had an impressive list of panelist: Phil Bredesen, Governor of Tennessee; Congressman Jim Cooper; David M Walker, CEO of Peter G. Peterson Foundation and former Comptroller General of the United States; Julie Gerberding, MD, Director, Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Patrick Soon-Shaiong, M. D., Chairman and CEO of Abraxis BioScience, Inc.; and narrator Leonard D. Schaeffer, of the University of Southern California and founding Chairman and CEO of Wellspoint.

I was very impressed. Phil Bredesen, our Governor was CEO and founder of HealthAmerica Corp. prior to becoming Governor and as governor he had to oversee the dismantling of Tennessee’s disastrous healthcare experiment called Tenncare. Jim Cooper is not only our Congressman but is a professor at Vanderbilt University’s Owen School of Management teaching health care policy. My friends in the Republican Party will probably excommunicate me for saying so, but I like Jim Cooper. I don’t always agree with the way he votes but I think he has an impressive grasp of the issues and I think he is a smart person. I especially appreciate his effort to require accurate reporting of the debt of the United States and his efforts to inform people of the consequences of the growing National debt. Unless he has a highly qualified Republican opponent, I will probably support Jim Cooper for reelection. I wish he were a Republican.

I did not know the other panelist but they were all highly credentialed. Patrick Soon-Shiong has a long string of degrees and awards and has published over 100 scientific papers and is co-inventor of over 50 patients.

This panel was not balanced. I wish there would have been some advocates for market-oriented reform on the panel. There was no one advocating obviously needed reforms such as tort reform or interstate insurance competition. However, the panel did not appear very enthusiastic about the proposals that are before us. They were not cheerleaders for the current reform proposals. I got the impression that all of these people are reasonable, sensible, rational, thoughtful, knowledgeable people. The moderator made some comments that indicated he supported single payer, but most of the panelist were not open advocate for single-payer or Obamacare. They addressed the nuances of the problem of health care cost and the complexity of the problem.

While I am an opponent of the current bills working their way through Congress, I nevertheless think that health care reform is necessary. The status quo is simply not sustainable. That was clear from the testimony of those on this panel. I want reform but I think we need different reforms than what is proposed. Those who find nothing worth preserving in the American system of health care and those who pretend everything is just find, both do us a disservice.

I am contributing money, writing letters, blogging, signing petitions, and attending demonstrations to do my part to help defeat ObamaCare, but regret that this issue has become so polarized. Politics is often a game of winner take all. I wish it were not so.

I think that a panel of smart people could be convened that could propose improvements to our health care system without destroying it. If I were appointing members to a healthcare study group to solve our health care problem, from what I observed on Saturday, I would want these people on that panel.

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