Memphis/Shelby County Consolidation

You wanna talk about a hot button issue? Get folks talking about consolidating Memphis and Shelby county Governments. Ho-lee sheepshit, you'll get yourself an earful.

For those not in the know, here's a quick rundown:

Memphis- mostly poor and black

Shelby county - mostly affluent and white

There is a massive duplication of services in the area, and taxation is high. Seeing as Memphis takes up most of the county, the governments there are wanting to consolidate. Have been for a few years now.

The problem is, whenever it's put to a vote, Memphis votes for, Shelby votes against. One side cries "racism", the other side says "we don't want your crime/crappy schools/crappy politicians dragging us down."

I can understand why the county wants nothing to do with the city. The mayor's a joke, the city council's more worried about selling beer in titty bars than doing anything about crime. Police and firefighters have been getting the shaft since I can remember. Who wants that?

Memphis, the place I've called home since 1969, has turned into a cancer. Crime, both on the streets and in government, is at an all-time high. The people of the county are afraid the cancer will spread if consolidation takes place.

Sooner or later, though, it will take place. Right now some local politicians are attempting to amend the State constitution. They want to do away with the citizen's right to vote on the issue so they can go ahead with consolidation regardless of their citizens' wishes.

Is it any wonder the county wants no part of this? I know AC Wharton is one of Tennessee's anti-gun mayors, but compared to King Willie Herenton, he's a saint.