Dear Tennessee Star,
Before we cast a vote in an election, we should remember that we are not casting ballots in a popularity contest. We should not vote for someone because he is a nice person or because he seems to have good intentions. We will be voting for someone who will have the authority to make law. We should be voting for someone who most closely aligns with our values, who has a record that reflects the same, and knows how to get things done.
To put it another way, when we evaluate candidates, we should remember we are interviewing potential employees. They need to be critically examined, and we need to avoid being enamored by their likability. We have seen the results of hiring someone based on a good personal story and likability before, and we do not need to keep repeating that mistake.
As the Sevier County Tea Party Chairman, it is not my responsibility to tell our members how to vote. Still, it is my responsibility to seek candidates who are most in line with our Constitutional values and will further our goals, both of which I take seriously. I share my thoughts with our members so they can make an informed decision when voting. They are free to disagree with my conclusions, but they know I will give them my honest and objective assessment.
I have not had the opportunity to have a one-on-one discussion with one of the leading candidates for U.S. Senate, Dr. Manny Sethi; however, I was able to attend a meeting where he was the featured speaker.
Dr. Manny’s platform that evening was his lifelong passion: healthcare. He said that if he becomes our next senator, he wants to concentrate on preventive medicine. It is his position that focusing efforts on prevention would reduce the overall cost of medical expenditures.
While his intent to reduce the cost of healthcare through preventive medicine is admirable, the unintended consequence of his plan would, by nature, mean adding more bureaucracy and regulation to the system.
One other proposal came from a statement by an audience member. That person said he moved to TN. from IL. and kept his auto insurance with the same company, but the premiums were much lower here. The doctor said he understood his frustration and said he would use his seat to get all state insurance commissioners together and hammer out more equitable pricing nationwide. That, too, would mean adding federal bureaucracies and more regulations, as well as further violating state’s rights to self-govern under the 10th Amendment.
While I admire Dr. Manny as a man, and would want him as my doctor if I’m ever in need of an orthopedic surgeon, his proposals would end up adding to the problem of a bloated federal government; an issue that grassroots activists have been fighting for many years. Big government and Socialism under Republican control is just as bad as big government and Socialism under Democratic control.
While I was still undecided about who to support in the race, I had the pleasure of meeting privately with the other front runner, Bill Hagerty.
Among Hagerty’s many accomplishments, he was tapped to be Governor Haslam’s commissioner of the TN Dept. of Economic and Community Development. In that position, he played a critical role in bringing investments into Tennessee from companies such as Bridgestone, Nissan, and others. His leadership built a foundation for Tennessee to compete and win against other states for high-quality jobs.
In 2016, Bill Hagerty served as Trump’s Victory Chair for Tennessee. After leading the president to a resounding win in Tennessee, he was then selected to be Director of Appointments by President Trump for his transition team, which led the president to appoint him as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan. As our Ambassador, Hagerty was the architect of the trade deal that took two years to negotiate which President Trump recently signed, putting America and our farmers on a stronger international foothold in keeping with Trump’s America First policy.
At our meeting, I asked him why he chose to run. Without hesitation, he gave me a straight answer:
He said,
1)“Our country is near ruin at the hands of liberals, and the country cannot afford to give Democrats control of government again.”
2)He wants to help Trump continue reducing the size of the federal government.
3)He wants to represent our Tennessee conservative values – putting the state’s interests ahead of the federal government’s interest.
Since my meeting with the Bill, I spoke with conservative legislators in Nashville, who confirmed that Bill Hagerty is a man of faith, a conservative, and he has worked diligently for the betterment of the state.
Taking everything into consideration, it is my conclusion that Bill Hagerty is the better candidate and will serve the nation and the state of Tennessee well, should he become our next U.S. Senator.
Sincerely,
Steve Osborn
SCTP Chairman
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Photo “Manny Sethi” by Manny Sethi. CC BY-SA 4.0.
I love our president but his endorsement does not override what I’ve found out about this rhino. No Hagerty for us! I have much more information to those who want it.
Youre exactly right. Laverty is a total RINO. He has flip flops on every issue. I’m surprised this man was ab!e to meet with him. He been a no show at several engagements and no explanation. The rumors floating around are not complimentary either. He left his job as Ambassador to support Romney when he was running. He worked as his campaign finance manager. Also, Hagerty appointed a Muslim woman who’s father is a known terrorist against our country to an important role in our government. He just doesn’t use his head. He has Lamar’s son working for him in hopes that he can get Lamar’s support and the son can get into politics. Lamar has turned into a RINO as well. We’re looking at a dedicated, non-drinker, level headed outsider with no strings attached and that’s Dr. Manny Sethi. He’s read all of Obama care, no small feat, and knows how to fix our horrible insurance policies. He knows what we need. Companies came to Tennessee not because of Hagerty, they came despite him. He has no leadership qualities except who he hangs onto. We don’t need that.
I heard Nikki Haley endorsement of Bill Hagerty. She was sincere and has no reason to hit the campaign trail with him except she believes in him and knows our President does and that as Senator he can help the President and Tennessee. her endorsement says a lot and now a conservative tea party chair. He has my vote! .
Can’t stand the anchor baby Haley so this is a game-changer for me. She has no respect for southern history(had no family here) Bill Lee is not doing well on that front either.I will vote for no less than 7th generation Tennessean.
She was sent by President Trump to make sure Tennessee gets another Republican Senator and if President Trump knew Dr. Manny Sethi he would support Dr. Manny.
Nikki was sent here by President Trump specifically as a favor. Neither know Hagerty. They’re pushing him because they don’t know Dr. Manny Sethi, his qualifications, or his strong backing in Tennessee. Dr. Manny far outshines Hagerty. Dr. Manny Sethi has my vote. He beat Hagerty in a straw poll in Memphis recently! 💖
The fact that Hagerty served under Haslam in an economic development capacity gives me enough reason to vote for Sethi.
Me too. He has the brilliance and the only person who’s ever read the entire Obama care bill. He knows and has solutions we need.
Amen to that. It’s those strings I hate too.
I have had the opportunity to talk directly with Dr. Manny Sethi at local meetings here in Robertson County at the County Republican meeting and the annual meeting of the Tennessee Firearms Association, a strong Constitutionalist organization. Bill Haggerty was not present at either.
I was pleased to give Dr. Manny a pocket Constitution with the Declarstion of Independence, Bill of Rights and quotes from the founders which he gladly accepted. That is what I want for any office, a candidate who wants to CONSERVE the words of the Constitution, adhere to their delegated powers and protect ALL of the Bill of Rights for everyone, “special rights” for no one. I appreciate candidates who will look you in the eye and pledge to do that.
Thanks, Dr. Manny, for making yourself available to me and the grass roots organizations here in Robertson Coiunty. You have my support.
I support Bill Hagerty for all the reasons above, plus one more. President Trump has asked for his Tennessee supporters to send Bill Hagerty to the Senate. It makes sense to send the President the reinforcements he says he needs. Alabama ignored the Presidents choice for Sessions replacement and see what happened? Disaster. Let’s not try to “out conservative” or “out think” the President. Send him Bill Hagerty.
“He said, (Hagerty)
1)“Our country is near ruin at the hands of liberals, and the country cannot afford to give Democrats control of government again.”
2)He wants to help Trump continue reducing the size of the federal government.
3)He wants to represent our Tennessee conservative values – putting the state’s interests ahead of the federal government’s interest.”
Funny, that is about what Manny was saying months ago before Hagerty entered the race. I guess if Hagerty copies Manny’s planks for his campaign, that is the sincerest form of flattery. Thanks for the endorsement.
U.S. taxpayers are in deep trouble now with COVID19 knocking at our borders because RINOs went along with the Demoncraps in their Ilegal Alien invasion plans. Even Billy Lee has been swept into their appeasement plan. This will not be endorsed by Manny. He knows about real health care, and pandemic preparations, and illegal alien invasion.
CCW, Very well said!
“The United States SHALL…protect the States against Invasion… (Article IV, Section 4, U.S. Constitution)
Hey! You mean “the rule of law” and “no o e is above the law”? There are the words of The Law!
I’m supporting Dr. Manny!