There were many fine candidates who offered themselves for office and lost elections. In 2010, in the 3rd District this was especially true. And contrary to Roy Exum, none of them were losers. I have pleaded with the major Republican combatants to set aside differences amicably and in a civil manner. We must focus on keeping the 3rd District Congressional seat from falling into the hands of a candidate who fails to understand that our economic situation is perilously dangerous to collapse and that spending in Washington D.C. must be reined in.
We are all well aware that the Democrats control the Senate, the House and the Presidency and the current Democratic leadership appears to be oblivious that their actions have made our economy worse. That is likely more due to arrogance than ignorance. Current democratic leaders have in fact endangered individual freedom and free enterprise system, and have burdened the next generation with increasing debt. The economic policies pursued by Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid and President Obama are not grounded on the free-market system that has helped make our country the greatest nation on earth.
Mr. Wolfe, the Democratic candidate, will only serve to empower the liberal establishment. He would likely keep Nancy Pelosi as speaker and Barney Frank as chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, which oversees the entire financial services industry including the securities, insurance, banking, and housing industries. Those decisions would hurt Tennessee families.
We need to work to ensure that outgoing Congressman Zach Wamp will be replaced with an ideological, fiscal and social conservative. Two independent candidates, Mark DeVol and Savas Kyriakidis articulate the issues well. I admire their stated positions. However, both men are running as Independents. And therein lies part of the problem. In America, we have a two party system and our best chance of turning the liberal tide is not in electing an independent candidate, we must elect a Republican. An independent candidate has no base from which to operate within the current legislative structure. Chuck Fleischmann is the winner of the Republican Primary and therefore he will get my vote on Nov. 2.
Chuck has laid out an aggressive pro-business agenda, and will be part of an incoming Republican majority similar to 1994 when Congressman Wamp was elected. He is the best remaining candidate to represent the 3rd District, and the only Republican.
I met with Mr. Fleischmann, I expressed my dismay at the direction of the primary, the need to unite the Republican Party and we discussed pertinent issues facing our country and district. I found him genuine and very knowledgeable. More importantly, he graciously listened to my concerns. I have read much of the recent political jargon in the Chattanoogan, which has been used to trigger an emotional reaction. The rhetorical nastiness is pervasive. Republicans are better than that, and our principles do matter. Clearly Reagan’s Eleventh Commandment has given way, but the Sermon on the Mount remains. However, turning the other cheek is indeed difficult.
It is easy to post a nasty comment or write a letter, it is much harder to share in person the views you are expressing in a civil and respectful manner. So whether you were a supporter of Chuck Fleischmann or not, the fact is that the people of the 3rd District spoke in the primary and he was chosen to be the Republican candidate. We must gracefully accept the will of the majority of people, unite around the nominee and believe he is the best candidate to move our community and party forward in 2010. To do anything else is to show disdain for the people who voted, and disregard the very rules and customs some people, including many of my friends, now want to ignore. It is time for those who want a better country to get to work and roll up their sleeves and do the hard work of campaigning for someone they might even disagree with for the greater good.
There are a lot of families hurting in the 3rd District right now. The President and his supporters are calling for tax increases — which will impact small businesses, the primary job creators in the country. Those who will be most burdened if this plan becomes law are the millions of Americans just starting their economic lives and the millions more trying to find work after the worst recession in 60 years. If we fail to send Chuck Fleischmann to Washington D.C., we will be inadvertently supporting the Obama agenda.
We know that President Obama’s tax plan will result in steep tax hikes beginning in January 2011 for small businesses. According to the Heritage Foundation those tax hikes would significantly affect the economy in Tennessee, most notably in the number of jobs and change in personal income. Among the results, from 2011 to 2020, the state of Tennessee would lose, on average, 13,800 jobs annually and lose, per household, $4,873 in total disposable personal income. In those nine years, individual income taxes paid by Tennessee residents increase by $8,000,000,000 ($8 billion dollars).
We need all those candidates who ran in the primary as Republicans, and as Independents to stay engaged and keep their voices being heard across the district. We need Chuck Fleischmann in Washington D.C. to fight for lower taxes, less government regulation, and less government spending. That is why we need to send Chuck Fleischmann to Congress in 2010.
J.C. Bowman, Ph.D.
Cleveland
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Dr. Bowman wrote: "We need Chuck Fleischmann in Washington D.C. to fight for lower taxes, less government regulation, and less government spending. That is why we need to send Chuck Fleischmann to Congress in 2010."
I have to respectfully disagree. We need a Representative in Washington D.C. who will fight for the best interests of his constituents. Since winning the primary (and with only 25% of the vote - hardly "the will of the majority of the people"), we've been playing a game of "Where's Waldo?" with Mr. Fleischmann. He's difficult to pin down, being "too busy" to attend important events such as the LiberTEA debate earlier this month. His campaign headquarters doesn't return phone calls, nor are they aware of his schedule.
He's been totally ignoring many parts of the district, notably the poorer areas - don't those people and their needs matter to him? They're hurting more than anyone else.
I'm pretty involved in the political scene, yet since the primary I have seen Mr. Fleischmann once - that was at a CUFI event at UTC where he made no effort to interact with the attendees, rather just stood around, looking arrogant. He's not there for us now, what makes you think he'll be any more accessible if he's elected?
Let's face it: Mr. Fleischmann doesn't care about the people of Tennessee - Mr. Fleischmann cares about Mr. Fleischmann and the prestige of being a Congressman instead of the collections lawyer he is now. He even stooped to spreading lies and proven falsehoods about Robin Smith to get the Republican nomination - and that alone speaks volumes as to his integrity...or rather, lack thereof.
Yes, we have basically a two-party system...at present. But if both parties fail to provide an honest and viable candidate, one who truly has the heart of a public servant, are we supposed to go with the lesser of two evils, or are we to take the higher road and seek someone who loves America and wants the best for her? Remember - we're Americans first, party members second.
The numbers show that it is mathematically impossible for Mr. Wolfe to win this election, and the polls show the two front-runners to be Savas Kyriakidis and Chuck Fleischmann. The choice is very simple, really: do you want a Congressman whose experience is as an attorney who goes after people who are unable to pay their bills in this poor economy, or do you want a JAG officer who is well-acquainted with Constitutional Law and who has sworn to protect his country from all enemies, both foreign and domestic?
I love my country, and I want what's best for her - that's why I've cast my vote for Major Savas Kyriakidis. As a decorated war hero, Savas has proven his love for his country by putting his life on the line to defend her, and has all the attributes of a great leader. I hope that come election day, you too will vote for excellence, rather than just go along with the tired old party lines.
Arlene Michelle
East Ridge
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This posting by Mr. Bowman is proof that Chuck's campaign has seen the poll numbers steadily climbing for Savas (Chuck 35 - Savas 31) as of early this morning. Stating that electing and independent would support the Obama agenda is hysterical and absurd as is many statements quoted in the your post.
Partisan politics created the mess we are in and the independents are coming whether you like it or not. The Republicans and Democrats can accept it or do nothing and watch our country slowly evolve into a Muslim nation unless we elect leaders who can lead. I know I sound like a Democrat but I'm really a Republican but not when we have a candidate such as Savas Kyriakidis.
In referring to the Heritage Foundation numbers on tax hikes, jobs, etc, this data is constantly changing every week as shifting sands in the desert and is nothing more than crystal ball speculation. I subscribe to the Heritage "Morning Bell" daily newsletter so I know where your numbers are coming from.
Get use to the word "Independent" Mr. Bowman. You will be hearing that word more and more until the parties get their act together, if ever.
Bill Watkins
watkins238@aol.com
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I wrestled with this decision. I do not think the D or the R was the right candidate for me. I worried about my vote being wasted, drawing enough votes from the R to put the D in D.C.
In the end I went with my gut and voted for and I - Savas Kyriakidis. I am tired of choosing between the least of the worst. So I didn’t.
God help us and this country.
Barbara Yochum
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I have deep respect for Dr. Bowman, but in this instance I trust we agree to disagree. Remember the old adage; “If it sounds to be good to be true, it probably is?” That adage rings true for me when I look at Chuck Fleischmann’s conduct (or lack of) in this race.
Bluntly, I would prefer to have John Wolfe in Congress for two years and then select a Republican in the 2012 election who puts emphasis on the word “the” in the phrase “of the people, for the people, by the people.”
Chuck Fleischmann’s proved himself aloof. That’s reason enough to say no. People matter, but apparently Chuck Fleischmann’s not willing to face the people. What’s Chuck Fleischmann hiding? Obviously he is hiding something; I am not willing to wait til he is in office to find the answer.
I’m voting Independent because a man unwilling to look me in the eye publicly is unworthy of my vote. We learned that from Obama didn’t we?
Jim Bowman
Evensville, Tn.
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I, too, used to believe that an Independent could never get elected and that I would be "wasting" my vote. Not anymore. We the People are tired of being overtaxed and under-represented. Enough people feel this way and enough people, regardless of past party affiliation, believe they must now vote the candidate, not the party. This is happening around the country, not just in Chattanooga.
When I consider the criteria for a good congressional leader, I think of someone who can balance a business account. I think of someone who can engage and lead people. I think of someone who has vision. I think of someone who does not want the title, they want the job.
For many years, Savas Kyriakidis has managed a business and also served his country as an officer and leader of soldiers. Yet he is also an attorney who understands the complex laws of our state, although he limits his work to military members. He deeply loves his country and is not afraid of the hard work that has made him successful, and will not be be afraid of the hard work ahead of him to right the grave wrongs in Washington.
Too many good candidates are overlooked because they are not the top seed for the two oldest parties. Now that has changed. Take a look at the polls and the signs. When has an Independent ever had the coverage that Savas has? His signs are everywhere. And he, an Independent, is within mere percentage points of the Republican candidate in the polls, and gaining daily.
So I say one last time, yes, an Independent can win an election. Even better, that Independent has proven leadership and financial management ability. It is time the voters put a person in office who really wants to implement change for the better and per the wishes of the constituency, regardless of their party affiliation. As a veteran, I would have been proud to serve under Major Savas. As a civilian, I will be proud to call Savas my congressman.
Pam Gipson Fugate
Chattanooga
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Mrs. Crangle and Mr. Dumas, it's Nov. 1. The Republican primary was almost three months ago; the election for the Congressional seat in the Third District is tomorrow. Yet, you two are stuck in the past, still attacking Robin Smith instead of sticking to the present issues. Did either of you ever hear the phrase, "Stop beating a dead horse?"
Mrs. Crangle, you write, "If she had been a different person, she could have run a gracious campaign." First of all - sour grapes, Mrs. Crangle, because your husband didn't win? Get over it. I know Robin personally, and - unlike you - she is a gracious and caring woman. She would never dream of slandering another person in order to win an election as Mr. Fleischmann did, and she would never write hateful things in a public forum as you are doing.
And Mr. Dumas, you speak of arrogance and Mrs. Smith's "abrasive personality." Excuse me, sir, but it is you who are writing hateful letters about a lovely woman and attacking her character; I've never read a negative word written by Mrs. Smith against anyone. I suggest it's you who learn some humility and address your own abrasiveness and ugly attitude.
You know, I'm a Yankee who proudly hails from New York City, and all my life heard so much about "Southern gentility." Sad to say, I've come across quite a few people who belie that image - and you two are a prime example of them.
Let's look at the facts that apply right now: tomorrow's election will decide whether our next representative in Congress will be a collections lawyer whose job it is to hound people - often unemployed - who are unable to pay their bills in this recession (and who has made a huge amount of money doing so, having spent hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own money on his campaign), or a JAG officer who is well-versed in Constitutional law. A man who has slandered his major opponent to win the primary, or a man of integrity whom I've never heard say a bad word against anyone. A man who has never volunteered to serve his country in the military, or a decorated combat veteran. A man who doesn't even live in the Third Congressional District he wants to represent, or a man who has been a resident of it all his life. A man who hides from his would-be constituents and is hard to pin down, or someone who is readily accessible and who answers all questions presented to him. Frankly, it's a no-brainer - we have enough dead wood in Congress who care only about their own interests and prestige; we need someone who understands that a Congressman or Senator or even the President isn't royalty, but rather a public servant. We need Savas Kyriakidis in Congress.
I've been a Republican all my voting life, but I've been am American from the day I was born. Our first responsibility is to our country, not to any party, just as for Christians our first responsibility is to the Lord, not to any denomination. Don't vote for the lesser of two evils between the Democrat and the Republican - vote for the candidate who truly loves his country and has put his life on the line to prove it. Simply put, a vote for Chuck Fleishmann is a vote for mediocrity and indifference; a vote for Savas Kyriakidis is a vote for excellence and integrity.
Arlene Michelle
East Ridge