jim kay

cartoon: losing sleep?

2011-05-10T09:12:00.007-04:00

click to enlarge:

To apply for a post from Gov. Haley, complete form below:

2011-04-14T12:31:00.003-04:00

click to enlarge---------

Will the SCDP be History, soon? [cartoon]

2011-04-14T10:48:00.004-04:00

Change in 2011?

2011-03-28T16:02:00.007-04:00

I received my info packet for the State Democratic Party’s 2011 Convention today. Most likely, I will not be attending, despite the fact I was elected to a 2 year term as a delegate from Spartanburg County in 2010. I did not attend the Convention last year (except the Clyburn Fish Fry, which is always a blast btw) due to personal reasons (visited a friend who recently had a child); this year’s absence can be blamed on financial and political reasons.

Though the Convention itself does not cost money, I would have to spring for a hotel room and other travel expenses in addition to taking time off work. Sometimes, I visit with friends and family in the area after the Convention, which helps justify the costs associated. It makes for a busy, but productive weekend.

Politically… what’s the point? I have not been involved in party politics in some time now. I’m completely frustrated with the Democrats in the legislature. I’m confused by the party leadership. I’m not convinced the party-in-government, or -in-leadership, or -in-the-electorate have learned any new tricks (same ole blue and yellow dogs). Nothing leads me to believe that this Convention, other than location, will be different than those of recent years.

The SC Democratic Party, as we know it today, is dead or dying.

Now, some of you that know me personally may think that last statement was made as some kind of self righteous claim (basically, I was right, na na naboo boo), but it is something I dreadfully lament. My formal political training tells me that political parties die out when they become too rigid in their ways and cease to progress on the issues and the manner in which they conduct business. My practical experience is proving that notion correct.

The party-in-government is utterly powerless and have been completely maneuvered. On the political spectrum, it is hard to distinguish a SC Democrat from a Massachusetts Republican, with few exceptions. General elections in “battleground” districts look more and more like GOP primaries. Only minority-majority districts consistently send Democrats to the legislature, but that does not always result in liberal, or even progressive, representation. Plus, Democratic candidates are getting beat on crap techniques. See my earlier posts: Should Liberals save the SC Democrats and Recapture the Spirit

The well-intentioned party-in-leadership (the party chairs, staff, activists, convention goers, and yes, friends of mine) all know what is going on. Some try to hide it from the public. Some go crazy and whoop and holler about it aimlessly and impotently (like me). Some think we just haven’t done the things from the past competently enough lately. Some think technology is the key to all the troubles. Some think it’s just the nature of things, and we must compromise to win. And still yet, some think an infinite number of other things, or combination of things. Obviously, my prior post Recapture the Spirit is where I stand, but I can’t say I know best… my track record ain’t so hot either. The point is, it’s all confused, and anybody should be skeptical of a Democratic politico that claims they know what it will take to win anything in the near future (for example, one of my favorite Democrats, Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter will be presenting at the Democratic Women’s Council Breakfast, Winning in 2012… she was last involved with a blip about the House Democratic Caucus’s bid at taking on 6 entrenched Republican incumbents last election cycle, See More).

The party-in-the-electorate (the more quiet, and largest part: those who pretty much just vote in elections) have had their story told by other similarly situated groups: think unemployed people that have given up looking for jobs, or almost any non-violent permanent minority. These folks hold their tongues in political chats, hide their political affiliation from just about everyone outside of their families, and have accepted the current political landscape as “just the way it is.” They need to be inspired, or cause some inspiration. What they lack is simple: leadership. What precisely that means escapes me… I just rant about stuff on this blog.

I will go to the convention if I sense any hope will come from it. Lately, I have been getting hope from outside State Party. Spartanburg has a seemingly vibrant Pride movement. The Spartanburg County Democratic Party is, if nothing else, as organized as it has even been, as far as I can tell. The Stop the Cuts rally in Columbia was fairly inspiring. Governor Haley seems to have in her possession the same type of shovel President George W. Bush had. The hatred inspired by Westboro Baptist Church was repelled locally, twice. So, it’s not all doom-and-gloom.

One thing for sure will change in 2011 for SC Democrats: they will elect a new chairperson. Carol Fowler will not be seeking reelection, and so far, I have only heard of only one announced candidate: Phil Noble of the SC New Democrats. He spoke at the Spartanburg Democratic Lunch recently, but I missed the announcement. The chair position carries a two year term. Also, another thing is for sure: if I don’t attend this year, then I have no chance of going to the National Convention in Charlotte next year.

Cheers, K.

No Option! (cartoon)

2011-03-21T16:32:00.002-04:00

click image to enlarge

Be back soon....

2011-02-27T08:32:00.002-05:00

Recently I have been debating on some life choices lately, so the blog has suffered. I apologize to what little readers I have. The intent of my blog is to let others know about what’s going here in SC from an Upstate (mainly Spartanburg) and liberal point-of-view, or to poke fun at the right-wingers in SC. There are a lot of good sources of information in this state and I try to bring them together in a format that is digestible. It takes some work, and if I get sidetracked with something else, it shows. Again, sorry.

I have been underemployed for some time now. Like many people, I was forced to find a new career in the wake of this Great recession. Like many people, I took the opportunity to go back to school to gain new skills in my field. Unfortunately, it has not panned out. Now I face a new dilemma: change direction again, or stay on the same path I have been traveling in hopes of a better job market.

If I stay with my current knowledge, skills, and abilities, then the chances of my success are uncertain at best.

If I go in another direction, then I have to make the choice between two evils:

A) give up something I really love and have been doing, in one capacity or anot

her, for about 10 years for something I may like (though it will afford me the time for family and my recreational activities I would love to have, and most certainly would lead to a very nice career)

B) go with the something I’d really love, not be certain if that would prove successful, and most certainly put-off family and recreational activities for now, and possibly, forever

SO… that’s the debate.

For now… I’ll work on posting more regularly.

"Any real change implies the breakup of the world as one has always known it, the loss of all that gave one an identity, the end of safety." - James Baldwin

cartoon: New Sanford Coins Available NOW!!!

2011-02-16T16:28:00.003-05:00

- karl k.

SCGOP's plan: catastrophe?

2011-02-11T09:36:00.003-05:00

ca-tas-tro-phe (noun) ...
1: a great disaster or misfortune. 2: utter failure

From Around:
SC wants to take "pro-business" to the extreme, and cuts to disadvantaged to the extreme.
I learned a new text-message abbreviation, just in time for State Sen. Robert Ford's latest rant... smh = shake my head.
I'll be watching the State Senate this week, mainly to see how crazy SC is about to get. Breaks my heart somedays.
So far, I like this blog: SC Soapbox, because I can't know everything, like this special interest reform bill from State Sen. Vincent Sheheen, which if nothing else, points out a big problem we have in SC politics.
By the way, I have mentioned it before, but I really think the Greenville News does a better job reporting what's going on politically in SC, locally, and in the US (as in pertains to SC) in the upstate, but I can't link anything because of their pay-for-content website.
SC Senate passes raffling for non-profits, blah, blah, blah... what took so long?

This Week's Worse:
State Senators Shane Massey, Shane Martin (representing parts of Spartanburg, Union, & Greenville Counties), and their boss, Glenn McConnell (remember the photo of his Confederate Uniform, and his lame rewrite of it?), make jokes about DHHS and refer to people depending on that agency as "liabilities" in a video this week. They refer a lot to the "poor taxpayers" and cast the staff at DHHS as incompetent and in violation of the law. Basically: how dare they? The senators think they've been "played" and they're "upset." They then went out of their way to say this is not the current Governor's fault. Oh? Will Gov. Haley deliver on being pragmatic about our budget? Nikki: just raise the damn taxes on hospitals; they're the ones asking for it. If hospitals, doctors, and other providers receive lower payments from DHHS, then the result will be higher insurance premiums for the rest of us, and a reduction in their employment rolls. But the current governor does not want to raise any taxes for any reason. Sound familiar?

What does DHHS do that is so awful? Its primary function is to administer Medicaid to the State of SC. How big of a deal is that? Almost 1 in 4 people in Spartanburg County require Medicaid services, and that figure is comparable statewide. What exactly is Medicaid? "Medicaid provides medical care to low-income citizens in need." Not all low-income people qualify for aid; groups that are eligible: "pregnant, age 65 or older, blind, totally and permanently disabled, under the age of 19, or a parent or caretaker relative living with a child under age 18 (low-income families)." - DHHS.

Other than education, Medicaid is what most South Carolinians’ taxes go to. It has been the target of conservatives since its conception, and I believe they want it to fail. It is their argument that it is a costly federal program that has been forced onto us, and punishes those who work hard for their money. Do not be fooled, other than public education, Medicaid is one of the most important programs that keep us from being a third-world-state. It is vital to the common health and welfare of this state (and is that not pro-business?). It allows poor mothers to have their infants in hospitals. It opens up nursing home care to the elderly who don’t happen to be super-rich after working their whole lives. It affords health care to the disabled at a smaller cost to taxpayers than having to pay higher insurance premiums.

What the hell was so important to sacrifice all that? Eliminating corporate income taxes? Giving the wealthy breaks on their property taxes? Letting BMW and Boeing come here for free? Giving the finger to Washington, D.C.? Cutting a few cents on the dollar for groceries? Making SC more “business-friendly” and less worker-friendly? So that people like Nikki Haley, Shane Martin, and Glenn McConnell can have a few more dollars in their pockets? It’s not that they want SC to fail – they just don’t want to pay any taxes – so they’re willing to let Medicaid fail. Why must all their plans lead us to some kind of catastrophe?

Should liberals save SC Democrats? Maybe not.

2011-02-10T07:21:00.004-05:00

The Spartanburg County Democratic Party has announced an event honoring State Representative Harold Mitchell’s selection to the #2 spot in the SC Legislative Black Caucus. The event will be held tonight at the “Blues Blvd.” (99 S. Church St.), and is open to the public, beginning at 5:30pm. This blog already congratulated Rep. Mitchell for his selection to the #2 spot on the SCLBC, but it may be a more powerful role than previously thought.
News this week from the capitol chronicles so-called white State House Democrats lamenting their diminishing numbers, and there has been some finger-pointing from within.

Gone are the days that you could be called a Democrat and be socially and/or fiscally conservative, or anti-government. There is already a party for that. Yesterday’s Southern Democrat is today’s Republican. Some made the transition, and some didn’t. The GOP will eventually gobble up the rest that didn’t, either by elections or redistricting. And white State House Democrats want the SCLBC to help them out. Why would they do that? Are white State House Democrats going to make the same deals with the SCLBC that the GOP made with white State House Democrats (by the way, white Democrats: it hasn’t worked). And why the racial division? It’s not white, liberal voters that are disappearing – they’re outnumbered. The problem is that conservative voters don’t elect Democrats anymore, because they’re supposedly liberal. Liberals vote for them because they're supposedly liberal. It is the 21st Century, after all. A lot of conservative voters are voting against their own interest, and don’t know it – because a lot of Democrats aren’t being oppositional enough to make a distinction. Democratic leaders are getting defeated by a label that doesn’t even fit them.

So which white State House Democrats should liberals try to save?

How about State House Minority Leader Harry Ott? The leader says that Democrats should call out Republicans for pushing measures that don’t create jobs. Does that work both ways? Mr. Ott: How does capping punitive damages against a negligent company that harms some poor sap (so-called Tort Reform) create a job? At best, we would break even. And, at what cost? How about your vote to eliminate corporate income taxes? How does helping my boss’s shareholders make more profits create jobs when the company doesn’t have any increase in customers?

Why is he the Minority leader? If his district is so hotly contested, then isn’t he prone to appease the Majority automatically? It’s like someone going up to a car salesman and saying, “I’ll pay exactly what you ask me to.” If the picture is so bleak to white Democrats, then why do they hold the bulk of the leadership positions in the party-in-government and the party-in-leadership?

How about Chesterfield Democratic Representative Ted Vick? This is a Democratic legislator who recently proposed that lawmakers should be armed at all times, because he’s afraid people will be angry enough to kill over budget cuts. I’m not sure he can handle staying in office.

How about State Rep. Leon Stavrinakis? What is moderate, or centrist, about corporate welfare, or extreme tort reform?

How about State Rep. Walt McLeod? He is in charge of recruiting state house candidates and getting them elected. In 2010, the House Democratic Caucus decided to throw a lot of money at taking on 6 GOP incumbents, while not focusing that same effort in 3 battleground districts that cost Democrats incumbents.

To be fair, it’s not just white Democratic lawmakers that have these kinds of ironic voting patterns. Black Democratic Leaders have also failed to show bold leadership. Take the voting record of State Representative and SC Democratic Party Vice-Chair Bakari Sellers, which closely mirrors that of Rep. Ott’s. Sellers, considered by many SC Democrats to be a rising star in the party, has indicated that districts like his may have to give up some of its certainty to help keep Democrats like Ott.

“The Democratic Party’s message does not reflect the world view of the majority of South Carolinians, some Democrats say.” – Gina Smith, The State

Another question: Do the actions of Democratic lawmakers reflect the worldview (ideology) of the majority of South Carolina’s Democrats? The GOP is not split on lowering taxes for the wealthy and cutting any kind of governmental spending. Democrats ARE. The GOP is not split on Tort Reform, but Democrats ARE. The GOP is not split on protecting the social status quo, and Democrats ARE.

The entire Democratic Party in SC is going through an identity crisis, and it is visible to voters. I imagine that some of these legislators will survive, but they should not be in leadership. They should take on the role of compromise brokers. The SC Democratic Party will never find an identity, or an electoral base, if “double-agents” continue to be the face of the party, which nationally is moderately liberal. Why is it so important for liberals to compromise to elect moderate conservatives? What’s the political payoff, if the only return is a conservative agenda accomplished? Some say one of the payoffs came when these Democratic legislators voted against the much-maligned Act 388 (the tax swap that crippled our schools and lead to these huge shortfalls in the budget). If some Democratic leaders try to appease the other side of the aisle in the hopes for deals later, then why do things like Act 388 get passed? I think it’s time to call their bluff.

By every standard in the common SC political wisdom, a person like me should have never turned out to be a liberal. I’m originally from here, I’m white, I’m educated, I'm a veteran, I'm Christian, I have always lived in “Republican” districts, I went to school with a lot of future conservatives, a lot of my friends are conservative… and this whole time other white people, from here, have tried hard to convince me that either I’ll grow out of being a liberal, or I must be a “blue-dog” Democrat or a centrist, but I have never witnessed them try to convince a black person, or a “Yankee,” of that. I think about the probelms we face, and when I look around to see if anyone agrees with what I think are the best solutions, it's usually liberals. I’m fiscally AND socially liberal. I’m not far-left, but around here, I might as well be. Politicos like me not only have to stand up to GOP agendas, but agendas of so-called moderate Democrats. My ideology is born from reason and life-experience, not from calculations and appeasement.

In one-on-one conversations, it is not my ideas that get condemned. Mostly, it’s that these folks don’t think you can be liberal and a South Carolinian. They have been pushed into this zero-sum habit by the GOP.

For example, most of us in SC can agree that guns don’t belong in public places, and that we should try our best to keep weapons out of the hands of criminals and the insane, but there are a lot of legal gun owners in SC. So, if the GOP tells you enough times that liberals are out to take ALL guns away from anyone, and that because they’re gun owners, they’re going to protect your gun rights which are guaranteed by the US Contitution, you’re going to start thinking that you have nothing in common with liberals. So closing something like the gun show loopholes (which have been shown to give easy access to weapons to anyone, despite their history) gets defeated by a slippery slope argument, such as, this is the first step of liberals to take everyone’s guns away.

The GOP has hammered out so many in-group/out-group messages like this over the years that it has made liberals look foreign. Those messages carried over time lead to simply name-calling. How many times have we seen campaign commercials that simply said that the Democratic candidate was a liberal outsider? These in-group/out-group messages are carried out by the use of right-wing glittering generalities.

Do any of these sound familiar:
I believe in the constitution. (Who doesn’t? How about that “general welfare” clause?)
I believe money shouldn’t be wasted. (Who does?)
Our leaders should be held accountable. (Duh. Part of what I’m writing about.)
I’m not a political insider. (All politicians are insiders. That’s kind of their job.)
Columbia/Washington won’t change me. (Experience changes everyone.)
They’re a tax and spend _____. (All governments tax and spend.)
I think taxes are just too high. (I do too. Who really likes paying taxes?)
Spending is out of control. (Meaning: I’m fine; screw everyone else, so I can lower my taxes.)
Washington shouldn’t tell us how to run our government. (Your party didn’t win, huh?)
Government is the problem. (Because we have to blame something other than bad businesses.)
People are living off welfare. (Meaning: I have a job, and it’s their fault I have payroll taxes.)
Special interest groups have too much power. (Liberals and Conservatives should agree on that.)
I’m a common-sense conservative. (Meaning: Everyone should think like me, and my socio-economic status should be protected.)
Good people don’t run for public office anymore. (So true.)
I’m pro-business. (Me too! I’m also pro-labor and pro-consumer.)
I’m pro-life. (Me too! I’m a realist too. I want to reduce the number of abortions by reducing the number of unintended pregnancies.)

This is what Democrats lose on. But Democrats could challenge this. Take Tort Reform for example. It’s being billed as a pro-business measure, and who can be against that, right? It’s also being hailed as anti-Trial lawyer-ish (nevermind that this would make defense lawyers happy as hell, and they’re trial lawyers too), and who likes sleazy lawyers, right? Some Democratic lawmakers are considering supporting this bill to appease the GOP, and maybe that will save their seats next election.

Plain and simple, the plan is to cap punitive damages in civil lawsuits to the tune of $350,000. Sounds like a lot of money, right? Yes, we’ve all heard of the crazy lawsuit about a lady spilling hot McDonald’s coffee on her lap, but let’s consider another case. Suppose a company has written up an employee 3 times for being intoxicated, and all 3 times were around the holidays. Suppose his job is driving a truck. Suppose he shows up to work drunk one 4th of July night, predictably. While on the job, he gets into an accident, and kills a family of three. Is their lives’ worth $350,000 for the sake of saving a company that should have fired that employee? If that company had acted reasonably, 3 people would not have perished and the company could go about their business.

Democrats should have taken their case to the people. How? When this bill went for its second reading in the House, ALL 47 Democrats should have gotten up, and walked out, right when the voting started. News agencies from all around would have fallen over themselves to hear how the Democrats were standing up to big-business (glittering generality from the left) and fighting for the little guys out there (another liberal generality), and everyday-kind-of-folk would have eaten it up when they heard that Democrats don’t think lives are worth $350,000.

But, that didn’t happen. That would have been bold leadership, and nothing in my observations over the years leads me to believe that it would have been possible. I think that’s sad, and I know I’m not alone. Liberal lawmakers don’t believe in themselves because liberals in this state don’t believe in them. But the lawmakers need to understand, they ARE in the leadership positions, and we will follow that lead. If your lead is uninspiring, your following will be uninspired. Now, is there any wonder why we don’t get assistance from national liberal organizations for our Democratic Candidates?

Let me be clear: There is nothing wrong or un-Southern with being a liberal. Half of our Founding Fathers of this country were liberals. Democrats in the State House are not liberals. Liberals should not fret about losing them. This rant is a big part of why I left the party. I used to claim that liberals should compromise and help elect so-called moderates. Several friends convinced me how useless it was to compromise values for campaign wins while no progress is made. It continues to be proven.

Update: As of late Feb. 9, 2011, Tort Reform did pass the 2nd Reading with only 7 Democrats voting against. 7?! Only 7 Democrats said no to capping punitive damages to companies that willfully harm people? Only 7 Democrats have faith in a jury of 12 average people from SC making a reasonable decision? Now, I’m wondering if any Democratic Lawmakers are worth saving.

No joke, it's SC politics...

2011-02-08T09:56:00.007-05:00

From Washington:
Guess what? Both US Senators from SC voted to repeal the health care reform package of 2010. They failed to get enough votes for repeal. Duh. The House was on break, by the way.
Still Scary: Demint for President 2012? It's as if the media really wants this...
US Rep. Gowdy decoded: new social contract should exclude any mention of Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid, because this political environment gives us the opportunity to renege on promises. See, Obama actually accounts for the two wars we're fighting as contributing to our debt, unlike W, and all of the sudden, spending is out of control - so we need to "reform" Social Security and Medicare... I get it now.

From Around the State and our Town:
Spartanburg Bloggers Chris George (the Flying Oskar) and Mark Byrnes (The Past isn't Past) take on the proposed ban of Sharia Law. To Mike Fair, State Rep. from Greenville: Isn't pandering and make-believe fun?

So says the Statehouse Reports:
I find it appalling that hospitals offered to pay higher taxes on themselves to keep Medicaid funding, and it was turned down.
There's an interesting take on the state's tort reform struggle, why SC doesn't do better in the job department, and how some Democrats are getting pulled in.
And it looks like Medicaid is shaping up to be the big fight this session.

State Superintendent of Education, Mick Zais has faced criticism this week for suggesting that teachers should be paid by some kind of an effectiveness ratio, and not by education level obtained or experience. At best, it sounds problematic, and at worse it could mean less pay for those who teach in poor or rural areas. He will be testifying this week to the State Senate Committee on Education. I thought it would be nice to point out upstate lawmakers on the committee:
Senator Harvey S. Peeler, Jr. (R-Pacolet, Cherokee County)
Senator Ralph Anderson (D-Greenville)
Senator Mike Fair (R-Greenville)

Spartanburg GOP to reorganize precincts, like it matters still.
Former federal prisoner and state treasurer Ravenel speaks out against the US's war on drugs, like he matters still.
And what in the world is going on over at School District 7's meetings?

This week's worse:
For me, that poor baby left at the Bi-Lo Center, but politically...
Hey! Don't thank the Governor or any other budget hawk for DSS's recent claim of a $0 deficit... thank the poor. From receiving $271 a month to, now, $216, the state's poorest citizens are shouldering the burden. Think about that last number. That's $54 dollars a week - less than $8 a day. I guess greed is a SC value. And by the way, the state treasurer isn't relevant to the state's budget chats, according to the Governor.

And check back for:
The Spartanburg County Democratic Party has announced an event honoring State Representative Harold Mitchell’s selection to the #2 spot in the SC Legislative Black Caucus. The Thursday event will be held at the “Blues Blvd.” (99 S. Church St.), and is open to the public, beginning at 5:30pm. This blog already congratulated Rep. Mitchell for his selection to the #2 spot on the SCLBC, but it may be a more powerful role as previously thought.
News this week from the capitol chronicles so-called white Democrats lamenting their diminishing numbers, and there has been some finger-pointing from within. I will have more on that later…

Wrong Direction - SC Politics

2011-02-04T10:44:00.003-05:00

Fightin' 4th
GOP in US Congress wants Stone Age definitions of rape.
SC Fightin' Fourth's Gowdy says no on raising debt ceiling, he wants to reform (and by reform, he means cut, cut, cut). See, the GOP now have a political environment where they can suggest cutting anything - like Medicare, social security, and veterans’ benefits. No, really... read it, here and below.

Michele Bachmann, veterans, and Spartanburg:
Yesterday, I spent a lot of time exploring this issue, and exercising my right to free speech on it: Tea Party Darling Rep. Michele Bachmann to headline in Spartanburg and her proposal to cut benefits of veterans: My Thoughts.
(more to come, I promise)

State Lately:
Laying off Workers may come at a price, finally, in SC
A plan to help students-in-poverty in may pass: Teachers split on merit pay
Voter ID bill in Senate gets a make over, still stinks + other State House business.
State's poor to face much harder times, State thinks food banks will cover down

And by the way:
How scary would this be: Demint for President 2012?
The Greenville News had a pretty good story about how SC Democrats are thinking that the Democratic Party National Convention 2012 being in Charlotte will bring them some kind of electoral success next election cycle, BUT I can't share it due to the GN's pay-for-content website. All I can say is that I'm excited about the convention being that close, but as far as it meaning anything for SC - doubtful. Nothing will progress for SC Democrats until they change the political conversation statewide. Here's the GN link anyway. And from The State. And New Poll Numbers.
There are some conflicting reports about Spartanburg's Foreclosure rates. The Flying Oskar's Chris George gives us the breakdown.
Plus, there is a NC video making waves, locally, as it slams SC. The story and video can be found here.

This week's worse: Obviously, for me, it has to be the Bachmann Veteran Benefit Assault and her coming to Spartanburg - but, coming in at a close second is the bipartisan move for the so-called Tort Reform that has passed a State House committee (SC H.3375)... the argument is that it will make SC more business friendly, just like every fiscal measure claims to do, but this may NOT reduce worker's compensation, but it will affect plaintiffs in other types of cases, such as, car wrecks and slip-and-falls. Even if this did do something to worker's compensation, Democrats should oppose this. They should not buy into the mythical trial-lawyers-as-evil narrative and the pro-business generalities. Defense lawyers are trial lawyers, too. This is about people injured on-the-job and victims of negligence. This is another example of Democrats failing to be for labor and for the "little guy." If Democrats continue to pass on opportunities like this, then they can be guaranteed that their minority status will become permanent and their numbers will continue to dwindle.

This week's best: State Sen. Brad Hutto. Here's an article saying, basically, how dumb his move is to block the Anti-card-check Amendment to the state's constitution. But my contention is that Hutto knows exactly what he is doing, and he may be the only elected official that is truly pro-labor. Nevermind this Amendment would be trumped by federal law, nevermind that the language on the ballot made it seem like it was referring to governmental elections, nevermind that current state law protects us from those pesky, anti-business unions (sarcasm at no charge)... Majority sign-up (a.k.a card check) is a good idea. Sen. Hutto knows the pro-business mantra is "workers are just another liability, and not assets," and he knows it's just not right. Keep wages down, keep benefits at bay, harass employees that get hurt at work, and never let them have a say about the direction of the company (even though they share the risk of failure of the company)... that's the SC way. Thank you, Sen. Hutto - you may keep your liberal credentials.
Besides, this is redrafting the "Employee Free Choice Act" debate that occurred in the US Congress. Remember...

Update: Rep. Bachmann has backed off her position of cutting benefits to veterans. Now, if we can get her to back off from being a Congresswoman…
link to the update

Re: Bachmann coming to Spartanburg, My letter to the SHJ editor (see if they'll publish it)

2011-02-03T23:17:00.005-05:00

Update: Rep. Bachmann has backed off her position of cutting benefits to veterans. Now, if we can get her to back off from being a Congresswoman… here’s the update.

To the Editor of the Spartanburg Herald Journal:

In response to Thursday’s article, “Tea Party Favorite Bachmann Coming to Spartanburg,” it should be noted that Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-Minn) recently proposed cuts to veterans’ benefits. According to the Army Times, her proposal would include freezing of health care benefits and slashing disability compensation to the nation’s veterans. Rep. Bachmann says her plan is only intended to generate dialogue about staving off the nation’s debt.

“ ‘The only discussion the VFW wants is to tell the congresswoman that her plan is totally out of step with America's commitment to our veterans,’ said Richard L. Eubank, the national commander of the 2.1 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and its Auxiliaries.” – V.F.W. website

“If Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) wanted to make a name for herself by proposing to cut funding for veterans health care and disability compensation, she has succeeded. ‘Such an ill-advised proposal is nothing short of heartless,’ according to Disabled American Veterans Washington Headquarters Executive Director David W. Gorman.” – D.A.V. website

According to the Spartanburg County Republican Party’s website, Congressman Trey Gowdy (SC-4) is set to introduce Rep. Bachmann at the Feb. 19th event. In light of her recent proposals, I encourage the Spartanburg GOP and Rep. Gowdy to show some leadership for our veterans and retract the invitation to Rep. Bachmann.

Karl Kapfinger, Disabled Veteran - Spartanburg

Upstate to State Politics Lately

2011-01-31T16:51:00.003-05:00

State House Lately
>Consolidation of agencies and school districts introduced & Upstate Legislators lead charge for an Arizona-style immigration bill (a.k.a. continuing not to address the real problems, i.e. Jobs and ending Rich People give-aways)
>Lawmakers don't get special gun rights, for all the wrong reasons:
"Vick [State Rep., Democrat] said his bill would have been a mini-step toward allowing all persons with concealed weapons permits to carry guns wherever they want."
Basically, the measure failed because it would give legislators more privileges than other concealed weapons permit holders. Really? That's why it failed?
Unbelievable. Ted Vick needs to resign, and people need to quit wishing for the good-ole-days of the Wild West. Schools and the Capitol are not the movies.

Governot Haley Lately
>Kudos to Shelly Roehrs, Chair of the Spartanburg County Democratic Party, for getting an Op-Ed in the SHJ (a feat unto itself); she criticizes Gov. Haley for her staff decisions and implies that the Governor is not setting a good example of fiscal conservativism. Something confused me though:
“It’s our collective hope that our governor will work to bring… smaller government…”
What exactly does this mean? At first, that sentence was alarming, but I think she’s alluding to the “collective” as being the SC people as a whole, which a majority of chose Haley for Governor, thus hoping, collectively, for smaller government. It’s my hope that we collectively wake-up. I know I don’t speak for everyone in SC, but if our government gets any smaller, then we will no longer be able to accomplish the things we have already decided to do collectively. It’s like the saying: government is the problem, vote Republican, and they’ll prove it.
>The official website for the Governor of SC apparently contained a link to donate to Candidate Haley, now fixed?
>Think privatizing school buses is good idea? Think on this.

US Congress, SC Delegation Lately
>Much to Sen. Demint's dismay, his fellow Senator from SC becomes "earmark king"
>Demint's latest shenanigans
>Recap of US Congressional Action by SC Lawmakers
Gowdy votes to continue awarding federal contracts to companies that outsource jobs overseas
Public Campaign Funding and Campaign Ad Transparency not important to SC GOP lawmakers
SC Senators vote to continue easy filibusters, but split on other stall tactics

SC Politics in general lately
>Greenville GOP Chairman starts up his bid for SCGOP Chair
>SCGOP is ok with secret, potentially lucrative meetings by Chair. But former GOP State Chair says "inappropriate"
>No diversity at the Governor’s office and an “oh no he didn’t” tweet by a guy rumored to vie for SC Democratic Party Chair

Bluff, nullify, disenfranchise, and do less: SC Gov't!

2011-01-27T12:49:00.004-05:00

Voter ID passes SC House:
Early voting is not included; could cost state $1.2 million. The bill will be sent to the Senate, which already has a similar measure, but with early voting.
Spartanburg Delegation votes: (party lines)
yay: Allison, Brannon, Chumley, Cole, Forrester, Parker, Tallon
nay: Anthony, Mitchell
The Opposition's Case.
To be fair: a video from the primary sponsor of the bill.
Full wrap-up of House Action.
And like we needed to fight about voter ID.
Unemployment locally has ticked up.

Nullification 2011 style:
Speaker of the State House of Representatives desires a 21st Century "Nullification Clause" for States.

State of the Union Address reaction:
"I hope the President and all Washington politicians heed the call of the November elections that our government must do less, not more.” -US Sen. Demint (SC-R)
My reaction to that: "Sen. Demint, we can always count on less from you. Maybe, we should pay you less, too."

Political Bluff:
Gov. Haley makes opposition soft on Arts funding by going all-in, and opens door on other cuts:
SC House Republican Chair on Budget steers away from total cut of Arts, SCETV.
The local impact and real deal.
SHJ Opinion folds under pressure.

Guns, Vouchers, Arts, and Politics – Awful Mix

2011-01-24T14:19:00.002-05:00

I took a look at a few items brought to my attention by the SC House Democratic Caucus, Statehouse Reports, and the SC Senate Journals this week.

Of all the things that drew ire from me last week, the worst was in an email I received from the SC House Democrats listing some of the legislation introduced by their members in this new session. One item caught my attention pretty quick: “Protecting South Carolina’s Public Servants.”

To quote the email: “A bill was introduced, H. 3405 that would allow elected and appointed public officials to carry concealed weapons for personal protection during the course of their official public business.”

Representative Ted M. Vick, Democrat, District 53 (Chesterfield County), introduced this bill on the 20th of January, and it has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. I’m sure this is a reaction to the incident in Arizona – a completely invalid, hasty reaction.

Usually, this would be a mountain-out-of-a-mole-hill moment, but the bill has garnered support from both parties. I urge Mr. Vick, and anyone else inclined to support this bill, to not learn the wrong lessons from Arizona, or, for the matter, Virginia Tech. Rational people would be the only ones deterred from committing violence in the wild-west world you would have us set up… but these acts were committed by irrational people. Furthermore, the Major (Rep. Vick) and I both know, from our time spent in the military, there is little one can do when ambushed, armed or not – and that’s in a combat situation. In a public setting, cross fire is not what you want. That’s it.

In an earlier post, I referred to Sen. Brad Hutto’s response to Gov. Haley’s State Address last week. The text can be found here: the Democratic Response, State of the State 2011.

From the Statehouse Report, I took notice to this interesting bill, quoted from their website:
“Vouchers in disguise. H. 3407 (Herbkersman) calls for students attending independent schools to receive scholarships and for tax credits to be awarded for those who give scholarships, with several provisions.”

There is a similar bill in the Senate, co-sponsored by Spartanburg’s own, Lee Bright (S414). Sneaky.

I also support the arts. I would support it in person, and with money, if I had any. Chris George of the Flying Oskar puts it in better perspective: Governor Haley’s Dishonest Plan To Defund The South Carolina Arts Commission.

Lastly, congratulations to State Rep. Mitchell (D-31, Spartanburg) for his selection to the No. 2 position of the SC Legislative Black Caucus and I wish you luck.

Politics of Uselessful Proportion

2011-01-21T05:04:00.002-05:00

I just wanted to congratulate Congressman Trey Gowdy (R-SC4) for all his hard work this week. It’s been a busy week for Trey as he, and the rest of the GOP in Washington, voted to protect us from the “Job-killin’, lollipop-stealin’, rootin’, tootin’ Obamacare Act.” See… our congressman is dutifully carrying out his mission to not let Washington change him by voting for the most partisan, time wasting (a.k.a. money wasting) bill imaginable. Using his skills as a tough prosecutor, he masterfully helped pass legislation that is monumentally useless as it is symbolic -I mean historic (in its childishness). Nice first act Trey… keep up the good work, sir!

- His floor comments

This week marks another series of nice, useless work on behalf of the people of Spartanburg as some state lawmakers are still running errands for the deceased Roger Milliken.

- The power play inside
- The little lawmakers can’t get along, again

On my previous post, I left out some insight on the SC’s inauguration of its first female governor.

- More Haley-History!

The Annual State Address 2011: Pain?

2011-01-20T10:34:00.004-05:00

Gov. Haley delivered her first State of State address to the General Assembly and to the interested public Wednesday night. I had the pleasure of watching it on SCETV, which, for now, is still on the air. It was a 30 minute speech that unfortunately (but not surprisingly) could be summed up in two short phrases: starve the beast and pain is forthcoming. The Democratic response was a mixed bag of the mundane and the recycled.

For those not familiar, or would like a different perspective on the “starve the beast” philosophy, check out this link: Paul Krugman / Starve the beast: Fiscal calamity is the GOP's plan to shrink government

What does all this mean for SC? In short, more cuts to revenue streams and government services are on the way. With a decade of budget and revenue slashing already accomplished, what remains? This brings us to the heart of the “starve the beast” philosophy. Now, with a fiscal calamity looming, the GOP has achieved the political environment to realize their fantasy of having an opportunity to attack the state’s big 3: Medicaid, education, and state employees (except political staff apparently, see here). It will not stop there. Cuts to the arts, mental health, and prisons will also be pursued. After the address, many lawmakers alluded to “pain” that would be felt with the forthcoming cuts to the already anemic state budget. I don’t think pain is a strong enough word for what’s about to happen. Pain is a code word for the well-to-do that means they’re going to drop any responsibility of helping our most vulnerable citizens: the poor, the young, the sick, and the mentally challenged.

Governor Haley surely has a plan for economic recovery, right? WRONG. Seemingly, her only focus is completing the insolvency of what remains of our government; recovery is secondary. Her plans mirror that of Mark Sanford’s, with little to no change whatsoever. Jobs are a cursory item on the agenda. In short, SC will continue to become a utopia for businesses that consider their workers liabilities and trickle-down, supply-side economists.

The Governor also made some remarks about working together, having a can-do approach, and opening up government to the people. If her campaign is any model for that sentiment, then words uttered do not always carry meaning.

Is there hope? I want to say, as for now, I am still a fan of Sen. Brad Hutto. His rebuttal was clear and concise - I like his style - and the message was good – but recycled from the Democratic Party’s campaign for Governor (not that any other response was truly possible). That’s a real long way of saying, “good, but not great.” It was definitely a step up from last year.

The many Democrats that lined up to share remarks after the address should have huddled-up first. It only takes one person to speak on behalf of Democrats to say “we’ll wait and see,” “hope she and state prevail,” “look forward to working together,” or any other stock answers that were offered. It started to sound like the trite messages written in the back of a high school annual. Two bright spots were that of the remarks offered by Richland County State Senators Scott and Jackson (titles corrected); both offered real insight and opposition to the Governor’s plans. Why squander the chance to say something – anything that would offer the other side to the Governor’s message? Democrats are too small of a minority to play small-ball with those kinds of opportunities.

From around the state:

- A little dated, now – but great a great lesson
- Card Check, Unions and SC not afraid of the big, ol’ fed
- General Assembly to Gov, we want specifics now
- Recap of the State Address
- Highlights of the Speech
- Local Perspective on Gov. Haley’s address
- Overall recap, full text, and video of the State of the State, 2011
- Interesting Commentary on Haley’s plans - Only $809mil to go

Recapture the Spirit

2011-01-18T19:07:00.003-05:00

For the past 3 years, I have practiced a small tradition on MLK day. I re-read Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”

Each year I find something new to learn from it. I have owed this blog a posting for some time, and I now have something to share – finally – that may offer some hope and guidance to liberals in SC.

“Things are different now. So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an archdefender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church’s silent – and often even vocal – sanction of things as they are.”
“But judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today’s church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. Every day I meet young people whose disappointment with the church has turned into outright disgust.”

Now, before I am dismissed as profane, let me explain what I suggest by selecting this quote. First, and foremost, it is NOT my intention to draw exacting parallels between the plight of liberals in this state to the injustices suffered by African-Americans then, and now. Nor is it my intention to evoke an emotive response, or cast the progressive movement as a church, or in better favor with God, or criticize any religion. The goal here is to learn from the experience of a permanent minority to prevent another group from becoming one.

So what lines am I trying to draw?

Things ARE different now.
The shift from one-party rule by one political party to the other is now complete (though, I would argue, there wasn’t a massive shift in ideology). For much of the state, glittering generalities (think mom and apple pie) and “in-group vs. out-group” arguments are no longer needed; simple name calling will suffice. Liberals (used by conservatives to mean lunatics) once had some faith that they could affect some positive change here in SC. Does hope for a progressive movement rest solely on things getting so unbearable for the middle class that they have no choice but to consider the other side? How big do the scandals have to be? How anti-opportunity do we have to become?

Weak, uncertain sound.
In the General Assembly, the House overwhelmingly approved a measure eliminating the already low corporate income tax last session. Only 9 Democrats (out of a total between 40 or 50) voted against the bill. This should have been a bread-and-butter issue for the Democratic Party. I can only speculate on why so many approved of it. It finally failed in a Senate subcommittee of 3 (including a very moderate Democrat) on the basis that it was irresponsible in the face of the massive budget shortfall. Now-Governor Haley campaigned on revamping this measure (with the Democrat, Sheheen against), and plans to make it a key agenda item. Can we now count on the remaining Democrats in the house to NOW vote against sponsoring this corporate welfare? Will they cave in, with the hopes of getting some diminished concession in return? Will they take to the radio, TV, print, or anyone else who will listen against this measure, or will it sneak in again? Will they do the same for the voter ID bill (pretty good job done last time), the Arizona-style immigration reform ideas, the privatization of our government, or the made-up outrage over tort reform? I shouldn’t have to ask.

Protecting status quo.
What irks me the most is the liberals who will say that corporate welfare might produce more jobs, or that everyone should already have a driver’s license, or that only illegal immigrants would have to fear being hassled by the local police, or so-and-so government worker gets all these days off while being so behind in their work – and if I hear one more time about how someone got a million dollars because a little hot coffee got spilled on them – I’m going to scream! And who shall I scream to? Is this the by-product of a one-sided argument?

Disgust.
If we can’t count on liberals-in-power to stand up against corporate give-aways, disenfranchisement of voters, racial profiling, gutting of services, and negligence/misconduct as something easier to get away with, then why do we go to all these luncheons, rallies, speeches, campaign drives, etc.? How can we possibly persuade others to come out for the common cause? What cause?

Recapture the spirit.
There is nothing wrong or, in light of recent events, uncivil about being in opposition. If bipartisanship is what you seek, then be the other part. Do not allow radical measures to easily pass as barter for cheap compromises. Some things are better opposed in spite of what’s on the table.

Maybe I am being too optimistic. I am asking Democrats in the General Assembly, on the eve of the legislative season, to be bold in their leadership, but maybe they are the wrong ones to ask. Maybe I’m asking them to be the liberals they are not. I hope that is not the case. Maybe I’m asking for new leadership, the kind that will inspire, and show that you can be from South Carolina and be a person driven to do honest work, have compassion, have understanding, expand opportunities to others, and to correct injustices. Strong leadership will not cure all ills, but it is the opportunity in front of us right now. Let us construct, now, the frame of our movement, and make plans to build on our own house, so we don’t have to make do with the tattered shack they let us have.

Coming Soon

2010-11-08T15:39:00.002-05:00

I know I haven't posted in a long while. Working on some thoughts about what direction the "left" should go in SC. Should we go more "liberal," or go home and try the same-ole again next time?

Misplaced Outrage

2010-07-29T05:04:00.005-04:00

Someone in my FB news feed posted something about the "non-working class"... I guess that's intended to be a cute way of saying underemployed & unemployed people are lazy, and a drain on society... except there's nothing cute about people, who were doing what they were supposed to be doing, paying the penalty of their financial security being lost because some Wall Street Insiders’ (and their lobbyists) big gamble fell through (there’s your “non-working class”). Friend: your outrage is misplaced. Why can’t people, who work for a living, stand up for people who want to?

Consider whose side you are on, friend. I don’t consider someone part of the “working class” who, in order to make a quick buck, would “sell” a loan to someone whom they know shouldn’t be borrowing, OR would gamble people’s retirement investments on whether the almost hypothetical price of something, in which they won’t actually own, goes up or down from today, OR would tell the American people they have a contingency plan for this really risky thing they want to try, knowing full well that they’ll take as many shortcuts to safety to minimize overhead costs, bribe inspectors, and then, when the worse thing could happen happens, they’ll run TV ads saying “not to worry” and “we’re here till the end,” OR would rather be afraid of their neighbors, instead of trying to help them, OR would rather blame other people and point fingers, instead of helping folks, OR talk about tax cuts for America, but really just mean the really wealthy (and for the last time, tax cuts, alone, do not create jobs, DEMAND, for goods and services, does, every time).

I know there are people who abuse the system, and I hate that. Let’s work on trying to track down, and purge the abilities of abusers, while maintaining help for those that are, honest to God, trying to help themselves. Some people are victims of their own creation, but in this Great Recession, many are victims of a situation by those who chose to exercise poor judgment and implement bad business practices, in order to make a faster dollar. It’s a classic “get-rich-quick” scheme, which, now that it’s failed, the Working Class and the Want-to-be Working Class suffer, not those who created it.

survival vs. make-believe

2010-07-06T11:35:00.000-04:00

I had a fairly brief conversation with an under-employed, family man about the U.S. Senate failing to extend unemployment benefits for out-of-work Americans; a short exchange that will resonate with me for a long time. His situation is all-to-common these days: trying to find work near home, working part time and drawing partial benefits, and striving to finish vocational retraining. Sounds lazy, right? [sarcasm free of charge]

What irks him the most is not the prospect of losing his benefits, nor the hopelessness of finding a job, no… It’s the idea that some folks in the GOP thinks he’s lazy, that this will better motivate him to find work, and that work is out there to get for those who want to find it. His feelings are that most in the ruling class do not have, or will never have, the struggle to simply keep a house, or keep the lights on, or keep food on the table. The GOP should be warned that for men like my friend here, credence is being given to belief that the GOP’s motto is: “I’m fine, screw you: I’m screwed, help me.”

These outdated, unfounded, overplayed, exaggerated, make-believe attitudes that the GOP has harbored about the unemployed is affecting real people in real time. Scorn is overwhelmingly deserved, Republicans.

It’s not like this man is NOT trying to help himself. All he is asking for is a little help from us, and to have the same opportunity from life that some take for granted. If you push people to the brink of survival, they will push back. They’ll have to. Survival and reasonable financial security versus fighting marginal tax increases and balking at meaningful, common-sense regulations: Nice choice GOP.

The most amazing part of this story is what he asked me for. He just wanted to know how he could get in touch with our State’s U.S. Senators! Imagine that: the hope endures that reason will prevail, with no need for extreme measures, just ‘hear me out, and we’ll work it out.’

In this week of our great Nation’s celebration of its founding, that inspired me more than any flag waving or fireworks in this great experiment that is The United States of America. Our founding generation fought and died so that men like him wouldn’t have to, just for the chance to peacefully change how things occur; so that we’re not just mere victims of circumstances created by other men, but masters of our own pursuits of happiness; so we can help one another in time of need, and to protect each other.

Thanks for the inspiration Calvin!

A Liberal's Top Ten

2010-06-29T09:07:00.003-04:00

MY top ten things to say to a GOP candidate who tries to solicit my vote:
10. I'm under-employed, educated, and mad... who do you THINK I’m going to vote for!?
9. Look... I’m poor, and I get it.
8. What? Not enough support trickling down from the stinky rich?
7. You'd have to try enhanced interrogation techniques.
6. Voting for you isn't in the Bible either.
5. Take a long walk off a short pier, and drill, baby, drill for votes.
4. Why should I listen to you? I already lost enough brain cells in college.
3. Bet you won't come to my neighborhood, and try this.
2. You don't seem as full of it as you do on TV.
1. @$&%# no!

voids of choice and debate

2010-06-22T07:37:00.001-04:00

With the Primaries wrapping up today, I think it's time for Spartanburg County Progressives to start looking at petition or write-in candidates to fill the "voids of choice and debate" on the ballot. Petition deadline is July 15th.

In Spartanburg, the following voids need to be filled:

State Treasurer
Adjutant General

(The argument can be made for US Senate, although petitions have begun for Linda Ketner, and there is Green Party Candidate Tom Clements)

State House Districts:
32 - East Side Spartanburg, Cherokee Springs, etc.
33 - Cowpens, Pacolet, Glendale, Pauline, Whitestone
34 - Cedar Springs, Fairforest, Fairmont, Camelot, Westside
36 - Duncan, Lyman, Wellford, Spartanburg Side of Greer

County Council Districts:
Chairman
District 2 - Boiling Springs, Chesnee
District 5 - Duncan, Lyman, Wellford, Inman, Campobello, Landrum

Share this with your friends and let's see if we can't start filling some of these voids with some names. These positions are too important to be filled by Party Primaries alone.

my primary thoughts...

2010-06-04T11:51:00.000-04:00

In reply to a question about the Democratic Party Primary, the Green Party, and the Working Families Party:

I attended the Spartanburg Gubernatorial Debate last Wednesday night, and I can’t report that my mind has been made. Here are some general impressions:

All Candidates are going to make education their #1 issue, casting it as the fuel for economic growth. This makes sense for Democrats: it’s easy to say you’re pro-education, Republicans split on the private school vouchers issue and funding issues, and generally it’s hard to find people that don’t want public education or don’t want it to do better.

Jim Rex: I think he’s more of the fighter in the group, although he may have a difficult time working with the General Assembly. I am concerned about his fundraising abilities, as he only has 30k on hand right now. His approach focuses on his executive branch experience [State Superintendent of Education], his advocacy for teachers, and himself as outsider and not a career politician. I do believe that he would also take a more active role in building the Democratic Party in SC. I think the GOP will attack him as an “edu-crat” and intellectual elitist, as they have been known to do in the past.

Vince Sheheen: A natural candidate. I can’t help but draw a lot of parallels between his campaign and President Barack Obama’s campaign in 2008. One would have to dig deep in the fine print to find the differences between his and Dr. Rex’s platform. His rhetoric soars above any petty political fray; however, his performance seems insincere and too rehearsed. He highlights his legislative record [State Senate], his commitment to public education, and his desire for a bipartisan approach toward economic growth. He has many endorsements from the party-in-government, and is leading the cash race. He may make pro-choice liberals nervous, as he diffusely drew out his stance on the political wedge issue of abortion. It would be better to get his position on the matter from him, but I’ll sum up: He, personally, is “pro-life,” but respects the common law wisdom set forth in Roe v. Wade. I wonder how he’ll vote on Spartanburg Senator Lee Bright’s 24-hour-waiting-period-for-the-procedure Bill.

Robert Ford: I find him very likeable. I love his style and charm; however, I am not in love with some his agenda. One could crudely sum up his entire campaign platform in one word: Gaming. He wants to bring video poker back to SC and establish other venues for gambling, and tax the heck out of it. He also wants SC to develop itself as a prime location for the national film industry. While I personally don’t think either are bad policies, I wouldn’t stake my whole campaign/agenda on them. I’ll give him credit though, as he has separated himself from the field, has a concise plan that is memorable/transportable by any voter, and has a sincere zeal in which he campaigns for a cause, but it may be too much of that Hodges-won-on-the-Lottery-Issue wisdom. He has run a very frugal campaign thus far, but I also worry about his fundraising abilities. He is also the only Candidate that doesn’t think we may need to revisit the Confederate Flag issue in the near future, which is ironic given his history with the Civil Rights Movement. He has proven his ability to work within the General Assembly [Senate] on the big issues, such as the Flag, Boeing, and tax reform. He has, however, in the past, pushed private school vouchers as an alternative for poor children.

The US Senate race has been weird from the beginning for Democrats. An early candidate announced, but never filed. Another announced, became the front-runner, and dropped out. A decent candidate emerged just in time for filing, but maybe too late to be competitive. A political unprepared/untutored/unknown filed, seemed to have been dismissed by state party leadership, and little has been heard from him since. Needless to say I am not, at all, inspired by my party or the candidates in this contest. I could go on and on, and in great detail, but the only conclusion I can come to, and it is a reluctant one, is that in the Democratic Primary, there is only one candidate: Vic Rawl.

In the primary for Superintendent of Education we have two super-candidates. Both men have absolutely stacked resumes. Democrats can not go wrong with either, but I think I’ll vote for Holleman because he calls Greenville home, and has made several trips to my town of Spartanburg. I imagine Thompson is popular around his “stomping ground” as well… Either way, we win!

I’m also by and large pleased with the Democratic Party’s candidates not facing Primary opposition, in particular, Cooper for Lt. Governor.

I don’t know about the Green Party Candidates.

My impression of the Working Families Party, and I may be totally off base here, is that it’s like a small, second left-leaning faction here in SC. Many of its candidates are Democrats anyway. I think they make their selections by Convention, but I want to know more…

More on the Democratic Senate Race in SC

2010-05-22T05:24:00.003-04:00

I really dislike Carol Fowler's (Chair of State Democratic Party) statement at the end of this article (makes me think about what she'd say if I ran):
Greene as a Phantom Candidate

And I think this guy makes some good points, but is too quick to jump to the conclusion that Alvin Greene is a political pawn of the GOP. Besides as "objective" as he seems to be, it is important to point out that he has made a significant contribution to the other guy's campaign:
Purported Insider Scoop on SC Democratic Senate Race

Sorry I have not brought the funny lately... Just have had a lot of thought tied up in this. I really don't want to support another "blue dog" Democrat and/or a "conservadem" (see previous post). Of course, I don't want to support a "Phantom Candidate" from the GOP and/or a campaign-rule-breaker either.

I guess all in all, I am truly uninspired by my Party's performance (the entire party: leaders, candidates, voters) in the Senate category over the years. This year is no exception.

I have the feeling I'm not alone.

the vic rawl bandwagon

2010-05-07T12:48:00.007-04:00

recently I have noticed a lot of progressives jumping on the vic rawl campaign-bandwagon, but I just can't get excited about another "blue-dog" Democrat... here's some food for thought:

"Rawl also said he likely wouldn't be running if his opponent was South Carolina's other Republican Senator, Lindsey Graham." -Post and Courier
Full Article

Really?! Thanks Vic... real "clear" distinction on the issues there. So, vote for me because I'm not Jim Demint? Our choice is between Lindsey Graham or Jim Demint?
Graham's Record

"...others are trying to enact social programs that may be beyond our financial means..." -Vic Rawl, in his announcement video, in the midst of the Health Care debate in Washington. What did he mean by this? I mean, he's seemingly for Health Care reform...
The Video

There's also Mr. Greene running...
His Info

cartoon: Andre Apples

2010-04-26T21:12:00.002-04:00

Andre Bauer likes to describe a group by one bad...

cartoon: the real SCGOP strategy for 2010

2010-04-21T15:12:00.002-04:00

cartoon: My Mid-Session State House Legislative Report

2010-04-21T15:09:00.002-04:00

SC state legislature wants: no part of health care reform, more tax breaks for the wealthy, more budget cuts, less money to middle class & poor, no part of education, unemployment & construction aid, but more angry right wingers.