Before I came down with leukemia, I regularly ventured into the cesspool that was Legislative Plaza and the kingdom run by Democratic House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh and his lieutenants.
I felt like taking a shower each time I left.
But in their wisdom, Tennessee voters decided Nov. 4 to turn over control of the House to Republicans, for the first time since the Civil War. And it was about time.
When I covered Rep. Frank Buck's efforts to pass tough ethics legislation to clean up Legislative Plaza and the stench of lobbyists Naifeh allowed to settle, it was Rep. Mumpower who voted with Buck to bring about change. Now Mumpower will be the new speaker in January.
In every budget battle back then, Rep. Glen Casada of Williamson County pushed to have the sales tax on food reduced by taking some money out of the Rainy Day Fund. But Naifeh and Gov. Phil Bredesen blocked each effort. Now Casada will be the House Majority Leader.
In the Senate, Diane Black won re-election. The former nurse stood up to Naifeh as a representative and fought Bredesen over his cruel TennCare cuts. She'll have more influence in the GOP Senate.
I agree with neither political party on all the issues. But the corruption the Democrats allowed for so long at Legislative Plaza may finally come to an end thanks to the voters. And I believe Casada and Mumpower will bring back open government to the House in January.
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But the corruption the Democrats allowed for so long at Legislative Plaza may finally come to an end thanks to the voters.
Don't hold your breath. DO expect a rash of culture-war distractions enabling Tennessee GOP leaders to rape and rob voters blind while everyone is worried about abortion, English-only, and the war on Christmas.
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