The View from Memphis
The following email came from Paula F. Casey of Memphis, campaign manager for Ruth Ogles, Republican candidate for state representative in District 89, a seat currently held by income tax supporter Rep. Carol Chumney.

I've read a lot of your material and am in complete agreement with you about the income tax. I'm against it because, having grown up in Nashville and watched the legislature for 20+ years, I know the first thing they'll do if given an unfettered new stream of revenue is build that new office building (Tower of Power), increase their salaries which will bump up their pensions, and renegotiate contracts for all their vendor buddies. The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.

Having said that, I want you to know about a wonderful Republican woman in Memphis who has received no help from the state GOP and very little from the local party. Ruth Ogles is running for District 89 against Carol Chumney, who I helped get elected in 1990 and have regretted it since 1994. She voted for the income tax. She is also a massive self-promoter. Ruth believes consumption taxes are inherently fairer and more progressive. Ruth has also worked very hard.

If there is anything you can do to help Ruth, I'd appreciate it. The Republicans are so focused on the top of the ticket races, they've not done much for the down-ballot races. In fact, very little is being done for contested races in Shelby County. Tony Lopez and Ruth Ogles have a real shot at unseating incumbents because of the income tax vote. Thanks for anything you can do to help her. It's not too late!