Victory for a career politician

It is not redemption for Mark Sanford, but it was another victory.  The former Governor who spent the last twenty years claiming to disdain politics and government, and who actively worked to accomplish nothing as a Congressman or Governor, has succeeded in claiming the GOP nomination to replace Senator Tim Scott. 

I thought Sanford’s brazen neglect, deceit, constant failure, and unbelievable self-absorption meant he couldn’t be a winner – I was wrong.

Somehow the anti-politician who was among the first claiming to push for term limits – and who doesn’t think government service should be used to lead anything – has now been running for political office for a generation.  Isn’t it funny how the guys who complain about government service the most are the ones who try the hardest to grasp it?

Politico reports that the GOP is worried that Sanford might squander a very safely gerrymandered seat.  Read the Alex Isenstadt article here.

New Post

I will soon figure out how to link this journal with a blog that I've started.  But, until my technologically challenged mind can handle the mechanics required to do so, please find my updates at: www.scinthemiddle.blogspot.com.

Thank you so much for your friendship and support, and contact me anytime!

Mobile: (803) 606-4463 or Email: daveaadams@aol.com

Planned for Your Retirement?

So, if you’ve been hiding your head in the sand and still believe that somehow you’ll receive Social Security or state retirement benefits (for those of you under 45) new proof is here that you might want to begin planning for an alternative.

It appears that Congress is working on another bailout, but this time instead of spending money, they are looking for ways to wave a magic wand and make states’ debt disappear. How? Looks like Congressional leaders want states to be able to declare bankruptcy and allow them to be protected from paying the pensions they’ve promised their government employees.

Welcome to the new world of making bad choices and then just having the consequences vacated by the Federal Government. Banks got bailed out by President Bush. Car companies got bailed out by President Obama.

Now, will states get to abdicate their responsibility for bad choices, not making difficult decisions, and will these state employees unions (in other states) get caught by their unwillingness to work with their governments to help fix the problem?

South Carolina is not nearly in the dire straits of some of these states, but the warning signs are there. Keep an eye on your pocketbook, their promises, and our future.

Very good article on these new bailout machinations behind the scenes, here.

State of the State Address

Governor Haley’s State of the State speech last night [summarized]:
“I love South Carolina. We have tough days ahead. I won’t talk about any specifics but I will give you pablum for forty minutes (except for a couple of things that don’t really impact the budget at all). But let me leave you with this, you need to make some hard choices in the Legislature and I will support you … maybe. I love South Carolina!”

We need a lot of courage in a leader in the coming year where it looks like nothing but bad choices face us in the Statehouse. There weren’t any answers delivered last night about what we should expect in the coming year.

As a State-of-the-State speech, the effort rates a “C-“. Though there were no specifics, and several contradictions, at least there were many nicely phrased generalities that were delivered well.

We need a lot from this Governor’s Office, so let’s not count her out before she’s started. I will hold out hope that the Governor will be a lot better at governing than she was in this speech.

Re-Opening Blog

I am a proud American – no matter who’s in charge.  No matter how much I agree or disagree with what is happening in the world around us, I know that this community and our nation are too good to be compromised by bad people or bad leaders.  Collectively, America can always overcome.

America is not a nation of Rush Limbaugh’s, Chris Matthews’, Keith Olbermann’s, Glenn Beck’s, Rachel Maddow’s or Bill O’Reilly’s.  We are a nation sitting around kitchen tables, looking at shrinking bank accounts and investments and ‘help wanted ads’ and wondering why government can’t fix that pothole, why they can’t catch that drug dealer, why children are in classrooms with 35 kids, and why we can’t afford a college education or retirement.

Getting things done has become harder and harder as the political parties are being driven farther apart by the media-political establishment.  We need new leaders, but new leaders are not enough – we need a new spirit in our leaders – leaders who have the courage to get things done (sometimes) despite their ideology. 

Running government successfully is largely a non-partisan endeavor – you either provide enough military security, police and firefighters, teachers, good roads, effective court systems, protect the environment and develop the economy, or you don’t do those things.  People who get elected to do anything other than run government efficiently and effectively will not run government efficiently and effectively. 

I am going to attempt a running dialogue on the issues that face us at www.scinthemiddle.blogspot.com.  I hope that you will give me your thoughts as we go forward.

I will try to keep my comments short, and on several specific items that most folks in the middle can agree upon ...  There are basics we should focus on together, things we can fight for and pay for, and I hope that I can stay focused on them with you in the months to come.