Note to TN Legislature: Stop Arguing Over Inane Topics

Tom Humphey indicates that the 2010 legistlative session in the TN General Assembly could be the "year of the camera":

The fall study season is now at hand in Legislatorland and, if there is any clear example so far of the stage being set for the 2010 session, it was provided by the House Transportation Committee in devoting two days recently to testimony on the use of cameras to catch speeders and red-light runners.

As the number of cities using cameras expands across the state, it appears that public irritation is expanding as well - and that attracts legislator attention.

"People are livid," declared Rep. John Litz, D-Morristown, who said he would favor outlawing the devices.

On the other hand, there was ample testimony from police officers that the cameras are reducing accidents and saving lives. Still, some police spokesmen indicated they would not be averse to some changes in the current law - which has relatively little to say on the cameras - and representatives of the companies that operate the device said they would welcome uniform, statewide standards.

That, it is submitted, likely sets the stage. The committee plans one more meeting on the subject, whereupon recommendations may be made for presentation during next year's session.

If, as some have said, 2009 was the "year of the gun" in Legislatorland, 2010 could be the year of the camera.

Why can't we have a "year of health care reform" or "year of economic development"? We're really going to spend time arguing about CAMERAS when unemployment continues to rise?

Look, I understand the privacy concerns about the cameras, blah blah blah. There are arguments to be made for both sides of the issue. However, is that really a debate that we want to be spending time on right now?

Seriously, what is wrong with our General Assembly? We have a group of state legislators who are challenging President Obama's birth certificate, and just this past week we have a group pushing a resolution that will "reassert" our state's rights under the 10th Amendment. It's not just GOPers. Remember Brenda Gilmore pushing a resolution for the State of Tennessee to apologize for slavery? Touchy subject, but the resolution wasn't necessary in my opinion. I could think of a hundred different ways to actually help minorities, but some ink on a piece of paper isn't one of them.

The General Assembly has become more of a place for political grandstanding than a place where substantive laws get passed. And it's our fault because these are the same people that we elect over and over again. We get the government we deserve.