"While Haslam’s Republican Party maintains a large majority in the General Assembly, Ingram notes members of the party cover a wide range on the political spectrum – from moderate to conservative. Push back to an agenda may have previously come from the opposing party, Ingram said. Today, though, the governor has to deal with disagreement within his own party."
“He has to stay on his toes just as much sorting out between moderate and conservative Republicans as you would between Republicans and Democrats of years ago,” said Ingram, who served as chief of staff to former governor Lamar Alexander in the late 1970s and early 1980s. “You may have a super-majority of Republicans in the Legislature, but you then have battles among the Republicans.”
“Bill has to go to his own party, and the difference within his own party are sometimes even greater than the differences between Republicans and Democrats” when Alexander was governor, Ingram added."
That last sentence is key. The conservative base of the Republican Party has realized that, as much as they want to believe their party represents them, the proof is in the pudding. This is one reason for the existence of the tea party. They have realized that the solution to our problem does not lie with one party (democrat or republican), or one man. The solution lies with US. No one man is going to save our county. No party is going to save our country. If you are waiting for elections to fix things, you will be waiting forever. Elections are the caboose of the self-governance train. All the good stuff happens between elections when most people aren't paying attention and elected officials can say anything they want to come election time to get elected. If YOU are involved though, you will know the truth about what they tell you.
Go to the meetings you have access to. If you can't attend the meetings, watch them online. Talk with your neighbors about what you have learned. The truth is often stranger than fiction....and besides...When Obama said "We are the ones we have been waiting for", it was probably one of the most truthful things he has ever said......
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