Obion

Hopefully the fire in Obion County, Tennessee will provide the light necessary to illuminate the true consequences of the Tea Party Republican agenda.

Robert Creamer: Obion County Fire Tragedy Symbolizes Tea-Party-Republican Vision of Government Robert Creamer 2010

Call it Ayn Rand's stark, anti-governmental dream come true, a vision that last week turned into a nightmare for Gene Cranick, a rural homeowner in Obion County, Tennessee.

John Gault joins the fire brigade Michael Tomasky 2010

The conservative vision was on full display last week in Obion County, Tennessee.

Firefighters Watch As Home Burns: Gene Cranick's House Destroyed In Tennessee Over $75 Fee (VIDEO) The Huffington Post News Team 2010

A smoldering rage may be all that remains after Gene Cranick's home burned to the ground last week in Obion County, Tennessee.

Firefighters Watch As Home Burns: Gene Cranick's House Destroyed In Tennessee Over $75 Fee (VIDEO) The Huffington Post News Team 2010

Hopefully the fire in Obion County, Tennessee will provide the light necessary to illuminate the true consequences of the Tea Party Republican agenda.

Robert Creamer: Obion County Fire Tragedy Symbolizes Tea-Party-Republican Vision of Government Robert Creamer 2010

After traversing these almost pathless wilds a hundred and fifty miles, and having advanced nearly fifty miles beyond any white settlement, they reached the banks of a lonely stream, called Obion

David Crockett 1841

The irony is that, for all their talk of fiscal austerity, politicians have created the very opposite of an Obion County-style, lean-and-mean operation: what we have now is a sprawling shadow government - one that is often less efficient, less visible, less accountable, and even potentially dangerous in nature.

Janine R. Wedel: Shadow Elite : The Small Government Lie - How Both Parties Stood By as Our Government Burned Janine R. Wedel 2010

Some commentators say Cranick was a classic "free-rider" who should have followed the Obion County "pay for spray" policy, a set-up that's not uncommon in rural areas.

Janine R. Wedel: Shadow Elite: The Small Government Lie - How Both Parties Stood By As Our Government Burned Janine R. Wedel 2010

The irony is that, for all their talk of fiscal austerity, politicians have created the very opposite of an Obion County-style, lean-and-mean operation: what we have now is a sprawling shadow government - one that is often less efficient, less visible, less accountable, and even potentially dangerous in nature.

Janine R. Wedel: Shadow Elite : The Small Government Lie - How Both Parties Stood By as Our Government Burned Janine R. Wedel 2010

Vicky Bell told WPSD-TV that she called 911 when her mobile home in Obion County caught fire.

Tennessee Firefighters Let Mobile Home Burn Because Couple Didn't Pay Protection Fee 2011