The Washington Times has a nice article about Steve Gill and Phil Valentine. You see, Tennessee is one of only 8 states without an income tax. That has been driving legislators crazy for the past several years, many of whom are chomping at the bit to institute a state income tax. The Tenn Care system of socialized health care is extremely expensive, and combined with a sour economy, Tennessee is really hurting for money. Rather than cut some of the pork out of their budget, Legislators have been wanting to add a 'small' or 'temporary' income tax to the citizens of Tennessee. So where do Gill and Valentine play in to all of this?

Steve Gill is a morning radio talk show host in Nashville. He's described as a 'down home Rush Limbaugh'. Phil Valentine is the afternoon man. Together, Gill and Valentine organized an ad hoc 'Boston Tea Party' like tax revolt last year. It seems the State Legislature was secretly trying to push through an income tax, when "Republican state Sen. Marsha Blackburn sent a frantic e-mail to Mr. Valentine, who was on the air at the time." Legislators were preparing to vote on establishing an income tax.

Word went out on the radio, and a short time later, thousands of protesters showed up in front of the state capitol. Some protesters rushed the building, busting windows to gain entrance. They shouting down and berated legislators in the hallways. It is amazing how the threat of a good lynching will make state representatives fall into line. It was reminiscent of the good ol' days of tar and feathering the tax man. Gill and Valentine have managed to keep the tax issue alive. They frequently broadcast live from the capital steps, and sometimes supporters show up dressed in colonial garb. So far, their efforts have been working.

While Tennessee still has no state income tax, thanks to an increase this year, it has one of the highest sales taxes in the nation. The high sales tax rate is much to the chagrin of local merchants and retailers. A rift in the tax debate has formed between people and local business owners. Every year for the past four years, the legislature has tried time and time again to pass an income tax. Every year they have failed, but you have to ask, how long can Tennesseans keep up the protests? How many times can they continue to raise their sales tax to alleviate the budget burden?

What they really need is some fiscal responsibility. They need to revisit their budget, and cut the pork out of some of their failed government programs. Unless they ease up on the spending, legislators will keep trying to pass an income tax, until they succeed.