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submitted by Mike Foley –
I’ve read recent articles about the pressure being applied to state legislators to vote YES for the school voucher bill. Yet bullying only works if you give in to it, a lesson many of us ironically learned in public school hallways and playgrounds.
The past few days I’ve asked myself “what would I do” in this situation? Stand on principle or be pragmatic? Life has taught me that both have their place depending upon the decision to be made.
Could this legislation pass on merit alone? I don’t think so. Previous generations of Tennesseans have worked hard to maintain a balanced state budget with low levels of debt. This massive new entitlement program will jeopardize that legacy and have long-term impacts on future generations.
I was elected to represent the constituents in my district. What are their voices telling me? Do I have their support to vote NO?
How will a NO vote impact the citizens in my district, especially those in need of help recovering from the recent flooding? If state funding is withheld as political retribution for voting NO on school vouchers, that is at the hand of those taking the action, not me. The President has already expressed his concern for flood victims and discussed overhauling FEMA to make it more efficient. He may be very interested to learn what is happening in the Tennessee legislature.
Perhaps a more important concern is the long-term impact on citizens in my district if the school voucher bill passes. Is it right to risk the fiscal solvency of the state to provide an entitlement program that many citizens in my district are not even able to benefit from?
If I do not stand on principle for this critical vote but rather succumb to the political pressure, how will I be able to stand on principle for any other vote? And when I return to my district, how will I answer for this blunder of yielding to special interests outside of Tennessee?
What leadership can I provide in this situation, even if this is my first term in office? As the recent federal election clearly showed, Americans have been desperate for true leadership. And they know it when they see it. The President is making appointments based on merit to put America first. Tennesseans are just as desperate for true leadership that will put Tennessee first. My voice and actions are far more important than the length of time I’ve served in office.
How will a NO vote impact my career? I am accountable to the citizens in my district. They are the only ones who will provide the answer to this question, not special interest lobbyists or other legislators. If they understand and approve of my vote, the outside influences become irrelevant.
So “what would I do” in this situation? I would stand on principle and use my voice to encourage fellow legislators to do the same. To me, this vote demands doing what is right rather than doing what is pragmatic. If enough legislators say NO the impact would extend far beyond this school voucher bill. It would signal the return of true leadership and a commitment to put Tennessee first.
