To the Editor:
For over 200 years, my family has called Anderson County home. I’ve always been proud of my heritage and where I live, and I want nothing more than to ensure that the place where I was raised remains a secure community for generations to come.
The best way that we can make sure that Anderson County has a thriving economy and can provide jobs for its citizens is to elect representatives who understand that we as residents know better than anyone, especially big government, what this county needs. For this reason, I urge you to examine every candidate regardless of how you have voted in the past.
One candidate in particular that I would like to draw your attention to is John Ragan, the current state representative who is running for reelection in the 33rd District. He strives to put the power back in the hands of Anderson County residents by keeping money in our pockets, creating jobs instead of entitlements, and cutting back on bureaucratic red tape.
John Ragan helped to pass a budget that cut taxes at an unprecedented level. By doing so, our representatives let us choose where to spend our money. By allowing you to choose how to spend your money, representatives like John Ragan leave the job of investing in Anderson County to the experts, its residents.
One of the biggest steps forward in his first session was his support of phasing out the inheritance tax.
On the surface, the phasing out of this tax looks like a way to make the rich richer. However, the true effect of this bill is more job creation in Tennessee. The people most often affected by this tax are farmers and small business owners making ends meet whose families can’t afford this tax when a family member passes.
Not every state has a tax like this. In fact, less than half do. When people looking to start businesses are choosing where to live and run their operations, they do not want to move to a state that imposes a hefty tax such as the inheritance tax. Tennessee and Anderson County need to foster growth and self-sufficiency, not deter it.
Although President Obama and local Democrats want Tennesseans to believe they cannot prosper or succeed without big government, true success comes from the everyday working man that is allowed to mold a dream into prosperity with as little government resistance as possible. Leaders like John Ragan understand that principle and defend it. That is why I encourage all voters to support John Ragan and his efforts to defend Anderson County against big government in November.
Hannah Bailey
Student, University of Tennessee Political Science Department
