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Tracy v RogersPosted Tuesday, October 7, 2008, at 12:28 PM
It seems as though Jean Anne Rogers has written off Bedford County and Moore County in her quest to unseat incumbent State Senator Jim Tracy. Ms. Rogers is from Rutherford County, obviously the 800 pound gorilla in this race. This being so, it is hardly fair to ignore approximately one third of the voters in the 22nd senatorial district for purely mathematical reasons.
Ms. Rogers has not sent many mailings here, at least I have received only one. She has been present rarely at several public functions. All the more reason we should work hard to retain the services of Jim Tracy. Sen. Tracy has demonstrated his accessibility and his work ethic to best do the public's work and including his entire district. Ms. Rogers has criticized Sen. Tracy for some mythical lacking in his record of supporting education in stump speeches in Rutherford County. The facts are, Ms. Rogers is a political appointee, by Gov. Bredesen, to the State Board of Education. Sen. Tracy has been a teacher, coach, local school board member and is presently a member of the Senate Education Committee. He has been endorsed in this election by TEA (Tennessee Education Association) and TOSS (Tennessee Association of School Superintendents). There are many others, but I stay with education related support. Now I ask you, does anyone think for one minute Ms. Rogers' sitting as a political appointee somehow trumps Sen. Tracy's experience and record? She has also alluded to a bill she asserts favors National Health, the Country's largest nursing home operator. Since this Corp. is based, and originated in Murfreesboro, it is perfectly normal they would ask their Senator for help if they thought their highly regulated industry was being oppressed. This bill had to do with frivolous law suits and did not progress in this past session but was placed in a study committee who's recommendations may or may not be considered next year. A mailing piece I received from Ms. Rogers consists in large part outlining "8 things I believe are important." I recognize I may be too jaded to appreciate such, but does this list really say anything or convey any positions or is it just platitudes? 1. "Ensuring quality education at all levels." I've never met or heard of a Politian running on the notion they are for a "poor education" on any level. 2. "Creating good paying jobs." Again, anyone for bad paying jobs or no jobs? 3. "Providing a high quality of life for all citizens." I don't know of anyone who is for a low quality of life.. 4. "Working to improve home health care for seniors." Who is working to ensure poorer quality of health care for seniors? 5. "Creating access to affordable health care." Again, anybody for less access and/or higher priced health care? 6. "Providing honest, open government." No, let's have dishonest, closed government! (sic) 7. "Reducing government waste." No, no let's increase government waste! (sic) 8. "Keeping Tennesseans state income tax free." Aah, finally a real issue, and she agrees with Sen. Tracy! I can appreciate Ms. Rogers running for this office. She has every right to do so and I commend her for "taking a shot" rather than just shooting from the sidelines as most of us are wont to do, but she can help herself and all of us if she would take positions on the issues and convince us she can do a better job that Jim Tracy has done. Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
Near lifelong resident of Bedford County. Will comment on the issues of the day in, hopefully a cogent and certainly an honest manner. Will propose discussions not usually fully addressed in the mainstream media.
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I don't believe Dr. Rogers has written off Bedford or Moore Counties. I have seen her numerous times in Bedford County from BBQ's, school activities, football games, fairs, etc. Jean Anne has also been to Moore County several times, and I believe more times than Tracy has. I have been to every community event in Lynchburg this year, and I have seen her at every single event. I have only seen Jim at one event.
Also, I have received 2 mailings from her as well as 2 mailings from Jim Tracy. My math shows they are equal. I know Dr. Rogers has advertised in this newspaper as well.
Jim is a great guy, but I don't think he serves us well. On Education, how can anyone claim to be a supporter of education when he voted against the tobacco tax to that funded education. Thankfully, we had leaders like Curt Cobb that helped get that passed. I see Jim show up a lot to present checks when he voted against the very funding he is presenting. That is a shame that he is a typical politician playing those games.
We need someone to represent that average person and not the special interests. Tracy seems to get all his money from big tobacco, health care companies,and other lobbyists. That might be why he sponors "Kill the Old People Cheap Act" and voted against the tobacco tax. An optometrist can be trusted to fix our health care problems, not an insurance salesman.
Jean Anne has been active in her community her entire life. She didn't just become active when decided to run for office. Where was Jim Tracy before he lost to Curt Cobb?
^ So sayeth the Rogers campaign haha
blueraiderfan,
Where have you been the last few months. I see Jim Tracy everywhere! I saw Rogers tagging along with Gov. Bredesen at the celebration, but that was it. If you only saw Mr. Tracy at one event, then you must have missed quite a few events yourself.
Even if you are partisan enough to not like Mr. Tracy you can't say Rogers has out worked him. I think blueraiderfan is so caught up in partisan politics he can't see straight. There is no way he believes that Rogers is working in Bedford County like Mr. Tracy. I'm not sure blueraiderfan is even from Bedford or Moore County.
I looked up what Mr. Tracy did before he ran aganst Curt Cobb and what I found was impressive. He was an elected member of the School Board, President of Chamber of Commerce, building a business, and raising a family. If you have ever met this man you know he is not only involved in the community so he will be re-elected. He is a man that truly cares.
With all the "extras" that are tagged on to bills, it is hard to conclude why legislators vote the way they do. What else was in that tobacco tax legislation?
I believe Curt had to vote against some bills also that are now being used against him by quoting part of the bill. I guess these tactics are used by both sides.
And what is this "Kill the Old People Cheap Act"? It is quoted as if it was real legislation. I do not know Ms. Rogers, but if this is the "party line" for her campaign, I am not impressed. Maybe that should be called the Cheap Shot Act.
Recently, a Tennessee legislator labeled a proposal backed by the nursing home industry the "Kill Old People Cheap Act" (Knoxville News Sentinel). The bill would cap damages and force consumers into binding mandatory arbitration to resolve disputes, as a condition of admission.
As far as who's "making the rounds", I've had Jeanne Ann Rogers knock on my door and ask for my vote. I started talking to her and I asked her about her "platform" and she started off with "I'm a Democrat." She almost immediately lost me, but I figured, what the heck, I'll listen to her since she spent the time to go out knocking on doors. I think she noticed the look on my face and said "Is that a strike against me?" I told her "sort of, but I'm open to discussion." I asked her what she would consider when deciding on a bill her answer to me was "Constitution, Constituents, Conscience." That should be a campaign slogan. She pretty much sold me on that one. I'm still looking into both candidates and haven't decided yet, but I've also certainly not ruled anyone out. I think saying that Dr. Rogers has written off Bedford County is, at a minimum, less than realistic.
And that's coming from a "right-winger" like me.
To be honest . . . I had no clue who Rodgers was until I got a flier in the mail from her campaign and that is all I have seen or heard from her while Tracy has been more visible plus he has done a few things that have benefitted Bedford County. I will more and likely vote for him and Curt Cobb.
Met her at the Democratic Fundraiser event in Bedford Co. and she is very genuine, she never once spoke negatively about Jim Tracy and only promoted her ideals and objectives for the future of Tennessee.
Albeit they were generic at best, she described many issues in detail. I had heard of her, because I ventured into the Democratic headquarters in Rutherford County. I was delighted to personally meet her, shake her hand, and actually engage in a conversation more in depth and breadth than any politician I have ever met.
Not saying Tracy is a bad man, because he certainly is not. I feel he has done some good things while in the State Senate, however, since Rogers knows far fewer people in Bedford County than Tracy (hence the ridiculous amount of yard/road signs), I would expect to see the opinions of the locals, with the exception of mine and a few others.
Go Dr. Rodgers, time for a change
you can't help yourself can you darrick? give him a backhanded compliment and then criticize his signs. your absolute bias just goes from blog to blog on here. you have to be the biggest red dog around, especially when you criticize tracy's signs since you have nothing else to whine about. it seems to me that just shows how much support he has here, especially since he has to have permission to put all of those signs up. rogers is going down hard. just hide and watch.
Lol... you do not have to have permission to put all of those signs up. You are supposed to pay $10 per sign if it is on public property... as well.
DoubleJ, is it even conceivable that you can focus on the positive things I said about Tracy? The one thing I said, which wasn't even negative, was that there are a ridiculous amount of signs... Ridiculous amount does not mean good or bad, its connatation was to imply the VAST amount of signs. Nothing wrong with those who support him, as they have just reason to do so. Something I have not questioned, whatsoever.
A vague attempt to slant the focus to something as simple as one comment in parenthesis is at best a lost cause. It did not lure me into a meaningless confronation with you either. Tracy is a great candidate, he just isn't the one I am going to vote for. Simple enough?
On a side note: If Tracy does win, in a fashion that you project, I will not be the least bit dissatisfied... albeit surprised.
The original opinion piece was about who has done more work in each county.I went to each candidates' website and looked around.There are about 150+ event pictures on Tracy's web site;look at Rogers'. She has barely any. Oh and by the way its ROGERS not Rodgers!
i'll take you at your word on this one darrick, but you do have to admit that using the word 'ridiculous' comes across as being negative and complaining about the number of signs out there. it's an election year and the more support you get, the better. and outside the city, i believe they do have to have permission to put all those big signs up on people's property. by the way, what convinces you rogers would be a better representative of the people here? at the local level especially, the party seems to me to be of very little importance, although some people still cling to the party thing. both tracy and cobb have done a lot for this area and they're both worthy of being re-elected. it's not even close in my opinion. carl has been right on.
The fact that I talked to her, personally about issues that matter to me. She was able to connect and didn't overtalk me. She let me speak and say what I had to say, voice my concern and give input before she ever spoke. Then, once she condensed her thoughts about what to say, I found them quite provoking.
That isn't to say she has all the answers, honestly I wish these two were running in different races, so I could vote for both of them. But the fact is, I can't, and I have made up my mind, thus far as to who will get my vote. It's ok that people like Tracy, I do too... But most who don't like Rogers have never met her. I had never heard of her until a month ago. She really has solid ideas, that even Tracy would find comparible to his.
Again, I would be content with a Jim Tracy victory, no question about it..
Yeah no surprise Tracy would find her ideas comprable to hism a.k.a the only reason she's running in the first place is to swing the State Senate back towards the Democrats so they have can institute another Democrat Lieutenant Governor for another 100 year reich.
well said darrick and fair enough. that is respectable. my only suggestion would be talk with tracy as well about the same issues and then base your final decision on who you think would do the best job. i like rogers, by the way, and i think most people respect her running for the position. but, my guess is people just think tracy has done and will continue to do a very good job for all of us. that is why i think he wins going away.
The only problem Tracy faces is the insurmountable advantage Rogers has in Rutherford County (which is at least twice the size of Bedford County... Regardless of who wins, I will not be upset, and that is the first time, since I began voting 4 years ago, that I can say that. I know what Tracy stands for through conversations with my family who have met him, talked to him, etc... I wholeheartedly respect him, what he's done, and what he could continue to do... However, with someone as much status and "power" as he, I'd love to see him become a local advocate for more effective and responsible growth and economic policies for Shelbyville and Bedford County. With his intelligence and perseverance I would love to see Tracy (IF he loses) come back to Shelbyville and oversee its future. I would DEFINITELY vote for him in anything local to replace the current powers that be.. ;)
DoubleJ, you see I am not biased, believe it or not. I voted for Ron Paul in the primaries, and a few Republican leaning individuals in the county primaries in August... Whether I check "D", "R", or "I" in the ballot box is not important, it is the person behind that generic label that is most important to me.
Insurmountable? I'm pretty sure he carried Rutherford County four years ago year and I don't think I've seen any more outward support for Rogers out there than Tracy outside of, like, areas around MTSU which I guess is likely gonna be heavy D due to all the liberal staff at that particular institution
Don't be so hard on Jim. He just sponsored that Nursing Home legislation to allow responsibility for negligence and resulting deaths not to hurt profits [and bonuses] too much. He knew the bill would never get out of committee [it didn't], so it was just a coincidence that he proposed a law that would help one of his big contributors avoid paying out money to settle wrongful death suits.
You might want to look at the TIMES-GAZETTE story on this:
http://www.t-g.com/story/1309337.html
and if you want details on NHC settlement of wrongful death suits in one case where SIXTEEN PEOPLE DIED, go to this link:
http://www.drslawfirm.com/nhc2.html
Perhaps Jim Tracy does need to look at legislation protecting consumers who vote, and perhaps demurr on corporate interests. What can we expect if Jim Tracy's bills favoring Nursing Homes does get out of committee?
Insurmountable? I'm pretty sure he carried Rutherford County four years ago year and I don't think I've seen any more outward support for Rogers out there than Tracy outside of, like, areas around MTSU which I guess is likely gonna be heavy D due to all the liberal staff at that particular institution
-- Posted by Newbomb_Turk on Wed, Oct 8, 2008, at 9:46 PM
Let me jump in here... I am voting for Tracy, but apparently you don't realize how the world has changed in 4 years, and some people will take that frustration out on anyone with an "R"... "Due to all the liberal staff and that particular institution" simply undermines your entire point, because it is apparent that you are trying to turn liberal into something scary, when in fact it isn't. College of 'liberal' arts? Or college of 'conservative' arts? lol... But the best thing about that statement is the word liberal, because in a world full of fear, hate, and self loathing it is nice to know there is an open minded place in Tennessee, somewhere.
MT is about as open minded as Marx and Engles. And that's not some blanket accusation, I had to sit there for four years and listen to people berate my beliefs and values not only in History and Political Science classes (major/minor), but classes like Spanish as well, where politics shouldn't even come into play.
No, liberalism isn't scary, it's just annoying when it's constantly thrown in your face. I was saying that it makes sense that the MT area appears heavily democrat as it reflects MT's faculty and staff. How is that making liberalism scary?
Zrcrxinsk, Tracy isn't in NHC's pocket: Long Term Care Community Enahncement Act: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills... Check And Match