TENNESSEE'S ECONOMIC FUTURE?

This recession has Governor Bredesen yelling "cut" more often than a 'B' movie director. Although we don't like to admit it, one of our favorite places to cut during hard times is education. It has been this way for decades, which explains why our public schools consistently rank near the bottom in most categories. In the last ten years we have also put the knife to Tenn-Care. I think it is time we break out of this routine of vital program de-funding that closely resembles the flushing action of a typical bathroom toilet.
The Volunteer State's economy is getting so bad we may not be able to afford a box to think outside of, but that is where the solutions are. When the recession hit last fall, waste and optional programs were the first things to go but, unfortunately, it seems that stagnant sales tax revenues are here to stay. People have said goodbye to "shop 'til you drop" and hello to "recycle, reduce and reuse." Living within our means is the inconvenient truth of the new economy but make no mistake,that is good policy for household and state budgets.
We Tennesseans waste too much of everything. From food to energy to time itself, we waste around the clock. We Tennesseans need to be chastised for our wasteful ways but our government needs to be reminded of the one thing too: we cannot look at spending on our youth as being wasteful. Would a state income tax starting at $50,000 for singles and $100,000 for couples be so bad if it brings all public schools up to the same standards as those in the most affluent areas? How about phasing out the pension plan for state representatives or the profits from starting a state bank? Finding the money isn't hard; it's finding the political will to do it.
If a legislator is elected to do one thing instead of trying to feather his own nest then maybe more things would get done. Term limits would accomplish this goal and would cost nothing to put in place. None of us have any money to waste but all our lives would be richer if we provided our children with the opportunity for an excellent education and free health care until they can get a job..