The Unbridled World Of Ernie Fletcher

About the Book

This book takes an unusual look at the life and times of Kentucky's Governor Ernie Fletcher.

From Introduction:

Introduction

You may ask yourself, ‘How did I get in here?’

- Talking Heads

I’m sure Governor Ernie Fletcher sometimes asks himself the question: How did I wind up being governor of Kentucky?

The only consistent thing about Governor Fletcher's career path is that there has been no consistency.  He was a doctor, a fighter pilot, a minister, a state representative, and a congressman before he was elected governor.

Unlike several former governors, who dreamt of the office since grade school, Fletcher came into politics from a nonpolitical background.  Lack of experience has accounted for a number of his problems.

He came in with the message of “cleaning up the mess in Frankfort” and promptly got into a mess himself.

From Book:

Unbridled Etiquette

“Don't you know about the new fashion, honey?
All you need are looks and a whole lotta money.”

- Billy Joel

Mark Hebert at WHAS TV in Louisville did a story about the Kentucky Labor Cabinet hiring a consultant to teach their employees proper manners.

The employees were told they needed to bathe daily and wear real gold and silver instead of the fake stuff.

The consultant said that “conservative dress was a symbol of conservative political beliefs.”

The story made me angry.  I thought this was another example of Fletcher’s team treating state employees like servants at their country clubs.

Then I realized the problem.  The consultant did not understand the techniques necessary to work in state government.

For example, there is a proper way to greet a government contractor.   A state employee needs to use phrases like “money is no object” and “your wish is my command” in the presence of any contractor who contributed to the governor’s campaign. 

The governor’s political staff needs to follow a different code when dealing with contractors.  They should extend the right hand for a firm handshake and keep the left jacket pocket exposed so that the contractor can stuff a wad of checks in it.  

About the Author

Don McNay: Award Winning, Syndicated Columnist

Don McNay is a syndicated columnist who views life with a rock and roll attitude. His columns are a combination of social commentary, business advice and insights on popular culture.

Don’s columns appear in the Richmond (Kentucky) Register and syndicated to over 200 cities through the CNHI News Service. He has also written for Trial Magazine, National Underwriter, Claims Magazine, Probe, Trial Diplomacy Journal and numerous business and legal publications.

Don received a First Place award in the Best Column category at the 2006 Kentucky Press Association annual convention.

Don made a mid life journey back to journalism. He was one of the first Community Columnists for the Lexington Herald in 1983 to 1985 and did business commentary on WKQQ-FM radio. He also appeared on KET’s longest running public affairs program, Comment on Kentucky.

For the next 20 years, McNay became one of the world’s most successful structured settlement consultants for injury victims and lottery winners. He has been named to the Million Dollar Round Table for 20 consecutive years and to the Top of the Million Dollar Round Table seven times. He has spoken to over 100 legal and financial groups around the United States, Canada and Bermuda. He holds several professional designations and was a director of the National Structured Settlement Trade Association from 1998 to 2001.

In December, 2003, Don began a weekly business column in the Richmond Register and it became syndicated through the CNHI News Service in 2005. He does a weekly radio segment with Tom Leach at WLAP-AM in Lexington, Kentucky is a frequent guest on the longest running show on Kentucky Educational Television, Comment on Kentucky. McNay has appeared on numerous television and talk radio programs, including multiple appearances on WLW-AM in Cincinnati. He is on the Board of Directors of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and serves as Editor of their newsletter.

McNay has Master’s degrees from Vanderbilt University and the American College in Bryn Mawr, Pa. He is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and was inducted into the EKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 1998. He was named Outstanding Young Lexingtonian by the Lexington Jaycees in 1985. He has been named to the Top of the Million Dollar Round Table seven times and named to the Million Dollar Round Table for each of the past 20 years.

Don has been featured in Forbes Magazine, The Lexington Herald Leader, The Courier Journal, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Registered Representative Magazine and Financial Planning Magazine.