My dad was a pilot, so I grew up hearing from my mom something he used to tell her: how important it is to trust your instruments and not your instincts when you’re flying. It’s hard to believe technology that’s says you’re right-side up when your body says you’re upside down.
That’s a phenomenon called spatial disorientation. It’s what led to the plane crashes that killed Buddy Holly, Patsy Cline, JFK Junior, and Kobe Bryant.
The Republican pilots flying the plane that is Tennessee have a serious case of spatial disorientation.
When you’re making laws that will affect the lives of millions of people, there are tools you can use to make sure you’re headed in the right direction. There’s historical data. There’s expert testimony—from academic researchers, or professionals in the field, or ordinary citizens with experience to share.
If you want to solve any complex problem—whether it’s violent crime or underperforming schools—you have to trust those instruments. You can’t just go with your gut.
But for the past few years, that’s what Tennessee’s Republican leaders have been doing. The laws they’re passing are all about feelings, not facts. They’ve made it easier to get guns because they say more guns make us safer. That’s feelings, not fact. They’re locking up prisoners for longer, and they want to put more kids in adult prisons, because they say harsher prison sentences reduce crime. That’s feelings, not fact.
They campaign on “vaccine freedom” because they say vaccines aren’t safe. That’s feelings, not fact. They’re shifting tax dollars from neighborhood schools to charter and private schools, because they say those schools are better. That’s feelings, not fact. They’ve made it harder to vote because they say there’s widespread voter fraud. That’s feelings, not fact.
Here’s a fact: because of Republican policies, Tennesseans are sicker, less safe, and less well educated than residents of most other states, and our voter turnout is in the basement.
We can fix that last problem. If we do, we can fix all the other ones, by electing lawmakers who won’t fly by the seat of their pants.
I’d love to have you on my team! Please volunteer or donate.
Allison
[email protected]
You are The person who can help fix what’s wrong with the TN State Government! Your intelligence and willingness to fight for citizens well-being over corporate greed will improve everybody’s lives here in Tennessee.
Thank you!