BUT Marsha Blackburn did Vote FOR: Patriot Act Reauthorization, Electronic Surveillance, Funding the REAL ID Act (National ID), Foreign Intelligence Surveillance, Thought Crimes “Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act, Warrantless Searches, Employee Verification Program, Body Imaging Screening, Patriot Act extension; and only NOW she is worried about free speech, privacy, and government take over of the internet?

Marsha Blackburn is my Congressman.
See her “blatantly unconstitutional” votes at :
http://mickeywhite.blogspot.com/2009/09/tn-congressman-marsha-blackburn-votes.html
Mickey

AND

http://mickeywhite.blogspot.com/2010/12/senator-bob-corker-voted-poorly.html

With all due respect I would suggest that discussion of that sort is NOT a solution to the problem.

Rather, the dialogue should be focused around how to best support the efficient operation of existing programs.

What I have been reading in the newspapers reminds me a great deal about how conditions were in Albany County almost 20 years ago. At that time the County was also facing serious fiscal constraints and there was a great deal of discussion about employee layoffs and the elimination of programs.

Fortunately, that crisis was overcome because decision makers came to understand that if programs were properly staffed and operated, savings would naturally follow.

For example, the staff of the social services department began to immediately reduce the spending of over $6 million dollars a year by the implementation of improved operations of the then Home Relief program.

Most County run programs are designed to provide services that will either prevent future costs in other areas of the budget, and/or, immediately save allocated dollars.

I would suggest that county leaders might want to embrace the notion that program design is not failing when costs begin to escalate.

Rather, it is most likely that it is the operation of the program that is in need of modification.

I am not suggesting that the people who lead or work within the County’s program areas are at fault,

It is the means in which they operate and/or the way they are trained to conduct their business that is at the root of the difficulty.

Answers about fixing fiscal problems lie within the body of knowledge held by the employees who work within the various County run programs. It is they who can identify what needs to be done to improve services and control or reduce costs.

If provided a safe opportuntiy they can also clarify if the cuts proposed will cost more than they will save.

For example,

Will closing the Nursing Home increase Medicaid costs in excess of the existing structure?

Will reductions in staff amongst the various services organizations add to costs?

County leaders should consider asking and listing to County employees about what needs to be done to correct spending before they adopt the proposed spending plan now before them for action.

Thank you for trying to help millions of graduates and students out there who are struggling to pay their school debt. It’s overwhelming — especially when there are no jobs and we are all trying to make ends meet. With one son just graduated from college with a huge school loan, it will help. Luckily he has a job, but the salary is low as with many recent college graduates. Another one will be graduating next year and then on to graduate school. They need a break –