Saturday, June 6, 2009

Don't Blame Me, I Voted for Mark Sanford

Posted by Jack Hunter on Sat, Jun 6, 2009 at 2:07 PM

While I disagreed with Mark Sanford taking his case to the federal courts, there are only two groups happy with South Carolina being forced to take the $700 million in stimulus the governor was trying to reject - liberal and moderate Democrats and liberal and moderate Republicans. For example, based on their editorializing it's easy to imagine that my friends at the Charleston City Paper are in complete agreement on this issue with the GOP spokesman over at the Post & Courier.

I have never claimed to be a moderate anything, and that the consensus middle is so satisfied with this final decision on SC stimulus dollars should give conservatives serious concern. This court decision has solidified the fact that all state spending and budget decisions rest 100% with the state legislature. Our current governor, and any future governors, are powerless to enact serious reform. The GOP-dominated "good old boy system" that SC liberals seem to deplore was served well this week by cutting a man like Sanford out of the political equation.

Undoubtedly, Democrats and SC Republican politicians will also make the case that the state will be served well by accepting the money. Nonsense. As if throwing more money at anything in SC has ever produced significant improvements. The same folks who deplore the sad state of affairs in SC and constantly point their fingers at Sanford, can expect more of the same and likely even worse, as they continue to support the same broken system manned by the same sorry state legislature. Consider this little ass-backward gem from SC House Speaker Bobby Harrell in today's P&C:

"The question is how he will be perceived based on his attempt to keep his state from getting the money that his taxpayers were paying back anyway — and based on his going to the extreme of asking a federal court outside of South Carolina to intervene against his own state," Harrell said. "Liberals for years have gone to judges when they don't like what happened in the legislative process. This time, Mark Sanford did."

True Bobby - and liberals also have spent this state and nation into oblivion whether doing so under a Democrat or Republican banner. Who are the "liberals" in this state that have done this? Certainly not Mark Sanford. Any attempts to portray Sanford as an anti-states' rights liberal is downright laughable, compared to the more glaring problem of Republicans like Harrell spending like the worst Democrat.

At least Glenn McConnell, a harsh Sanford critic, offered a more sober perspective:

"Many South Carolinians will be celebrating today, but I urge caution in their optimism," McConnell said after the court ruling. "This influx of money is temporary, and I fear it will drastically damage our nation. While our federal government becomes majority owner in private companies like General Motors, foreign nations like China become majority owners of our debts. You and I know what debt means. It means someone else owns you. It means you are not truly free."

My only problem with McConnell and Republicans who think like him is - if you acknowledge that there is this much larger problem of outlandish deficit spending, who is ever going to do anything about it? For decades, SC state Republicans never have and never will. And are now happy that Mark Sanford won't be able to either.

Topics: State Politics
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Comments (9)

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And you also voted for McCain/Palin. The debt you and Sanford keep harping about today was never considered up through 2008 as a problem. You, along with others of your type seem to be very critical of everything being done to get us out of this mess, but offer nothing in the way of suggestions to do so. What do you suggest be done to stimulate the economy that in your opinion is the current administration's fault?

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Posted by altpro on June 7, 2009 at 10:42 AM

I voted for McCain/Palin?

I, or Mark Sanford, never complained about massive spending under Bush?

LOL!!!

Best jokes I've heard all week.

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Posted by Jack Hunter on June 7, 2009 at 12:17 PM

Why not see unemployment in South Carolina go to 20-25%? Why not see 1/3 of the cops pulled off the street? Why not have half the teachers laid off— from where' does the unemployment they're supposed to get come? And Obama did NOT start this, did not contribute to it and did not play a major role in the housing/real estate/pension mess! George Bush and his cronies were in charge...and that is where the blame lay (if you want to lay it somewhere!). Greed, dishonesty, lack of ethics, and a lack of oversight are the causes of this mess and the current intransigence of Republicans—here and in D.C. — is the activity that will create more of a mess of this problem. There are/were only two rules in dealing with this mess:
1) Something had to be done!
2) You can't change rule no. 1!

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Posted by squirt16oz on June 7, 2009 at 3:58 PM

Its the ENERGY.....STUPID !!!

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Posted by zoomru on June 7, 2009 at 7:36 PM

It is a matter of no one wants to suffer in order to preserve States rights. It's a matter of being reelected rather than making hard decisions. It is a matter of change in the voters in this Country that is not good for anyone in the long run. It is a matter of Federal control. It was a great Country.

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Posted by MadisJeff on June 9, 2009 at 7:43 PM

Hi Jim Shorts,
Just wanted to let you know I read Chaz's blog in the PB today and of course I know that he/you go by different character names. I told you I know you well. Boy did the front page article get to you. I lol at some of your comments and my how you made me blush. I can only write at the library and it isn't always easy for me to get there. I hope that you know I have been your friend. Sorry for having felt deeper feelings than I am entitled to. Things are now in check. I respect you and your position on things. You really are a fisty guy though, wow.

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Posted by Mandy Smith on June 9, 2009 at 8:53 PM

PS. Jim I know you like to keep it a blogging thing and that is cool. But I can't always get to the library my life is going to get much busier. If you ever want to talk as FRIENDS I will be there for you. Feel free to e-mail me if you ever want to. I only want friendship as you want too, so we are in agreement. My e-mail address is minnie12.smith@yahoo.com So I am there for you friend.
Mandy Smith/ Marium

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Posted by Mandy Smith on June 9, 2009 at 8:58 PM

Zoomru you are Brillant!
Ms. Oops/Hope

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Posted by Mandy Smith on June 9, 2009 at 9:07 PM

Your boyfriend has some explaining to do.

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Posted by Mario Delgado on June 23, 2009 at 10:51 PM
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