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July 1, 2005 For more details on bills, visit the legislative website at http://www.legislature.state.tn.us "What July Fourth Means to Me" --Ronald Reagan (1981) For one who was born and grew up in the small towns of the Midwest, there is a special kind of nostalgia about the Fourth of July. Somewhere in our [youth], we began to be aware of the meaning of [important national] days and with that awareness came the birth of patriotism. July Fourth is the birthday of our nation. I believed as a boy, and believe even more today, that it is the birthday of the greatest nation on earth. On this Fourth of July weekend, it is important to reflect not only upon what makes our nation the greatest nation on earth, but also to reflect upon what threatens our greatness and the future of this democracy as we know it. We face threats to freedom and democracy every day here at home and abroad. The war against terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan come immediately to mind, but what about events closer to home? The Supreme Court’s recent ruling against private property rights in Kelo v. City of New London certainly threatens to undermine traditional notions of freedom. In the coming session, I will sponsor legislation to make it clear in Tennessee that government may not condemn private property in the name of the public good when private enrichment is the motivation. Public corruption also threatens freedom in this State. I have called upon the governor and legislative leadership to get on with the business of good government by calling a special session to enact legislation which creates an independent ethics commission overseeing all branches of state government. Here are some links to reports of my efforts on your behalf since we adjourned in May. Happy Fourth of July!
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For more details on bills, visit the legislative website at http://www.legislature.state.tn.us * * * |
