Southern Fried Politics

S. C. Residents Protest Gov. Growth at Two Weekend Rallies

2009-07-04T17:46:00.008-04:00

Carolyn and Carl Jordan (Lexington)

Groups gathered at the Statehouse grounds this weekend to once again protest bloated government at every level. A total of more than 1,000 people attended the rallies.

The Federal Reserve system, a broken two-party political system and alternatives to public school education were among the problems speakers discussed. First Freedoms and the 9/12 Project joined to host Friday's "Wake Up South Carolina Rally." And Saturday's Tea Party was one of eight Tea Parties scheduled to take place on Independence Day.

View the album for the rallies

To Forgive and Move On

2009-06-26T21:08:00.003-04:00

Let me be presumptuous in saying I understand the disappointment South Carolinians are feeling this week in our governor. I too, feel the sting of deception by S. C.'s top executive.

As saddened as I am for my fellow S. C. residents, my heart truly has gone out to the man this past legislative session because I know he has stood alone, and as I would expect, lonely on so many issues.

Governor Sanford has stood dangerously close to the middle on the stimulus debate, in my view. I'm not in favor of the funding or of his concession to accept the funds, even if he accepts them on "his terms." But I respect and deeply appreciate him for his stance on so many issues. Watching him under fire over the stimulus debate is heartbreaking to me.

But playing solitaire does not excuse his failures in character. Our word and overall strength of character are about all we have going for us as members of the human race. Once they're gone, they're gone. I fear for the governor that these things are gone.

But hope is never gone. Forgiveness, of a supernatural kind, never goes away. The gruesome truth is this--we are all just as capable of the same kind of failures. Just as true is that there is hope for reconciliation.

In the spirit of progress, I would ask that S. C. takes all the time needed to recover from the shock and disappointment of the governor's infidelity, while looking forward and focusing on the tasks at hand. Transparency in state government, federal legislation underway that would provide an audit of the Federal Reserve Bank, and a black hole that is the state debt are just a few of the issues our children will care about more than they will care about this affair.

Worthy of our attention is Sanford's indiscretion--it's just not worthy of all of our attention.

Economist, Peter Koenig to reveal problems with World Bank, offer hope to those affected by it

2009-06-18T19:20:00.013-04:00

“We the People,” is the cry of America’s Constitutional Republic, a Republic that was intended to operate along Democratic lines. And it’s the only hope for developing nations whose resources have been raped by a tangle of international corporations that bribe the governments they claim to help.

Former World Bank economist, Peter Koenig thinks sovereign individuals offer hope for combating these ills at home and abroad. “If something is going to change, it has to happen from within,” says Koenig. He is also critical of the International Monetary Fund and the private, central Federal Reserve Bank.

Koenig witnessed the theft of developing nation’s natural resources first-hand throughout his approximately 30-year-long career with the World Bank. Koenig came to the bank in 1972 hoping to do some good. But after working in West Africa at the beginning of his career, he realized Africa would have been better off without its dependence on the central bank of France. He also realized that the Western world wouldn’t let go of Africa because of the natural resources there.

The 67-year-old Swiss native will share his experiences at South Carolina’s first Patriot Expo, a one-day-long conference designed to inform South Carolinians on the problems we are facing as a nation and as a state. An 11 trillion dollar national debt-load, expanding federal government, the state’s debt, and the problems with accepting federal stimulus funds are several concerns event organizers share. Individuals working for change in the nation’s financial system are composing the event.

But the United States, indebted though it may be, owns the primary stake--approximately 17 percent--in the World Bank. Despite the trillions of dollars in foreign aid lent by the World Bank and other organizations, the poorest countries remain poor. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, the GDP in sub-Saharan Africa dropped $200 between 1974 and the 21st century.

This poverty and the conflict that Africa has become famous for is beneficial to the Western world, which can't seem to live without other nations' oil. As Koenig explains, conflicts such as the conflict in Darfur help the central banks and the corrupt governments those banks serve. Darfur sits atop a pool of natural gas, which it cannot defend because the region is fractured so by civil war.

But dismal as the World Bank-IMF-Fed connection makes the world, the world is not without hope. Koenig mentions the democratization process that South America has undergone over the past decade or so. Much of the continent has wriggled free from the demands of these central banks. “So, there is hope,” says Koenig, “a light at the end of the tunnel.”

And since there is hope, Koenig continues to work towards overcoming poverty. Today he works as a freelance consultant for such donors as the Swiss Development Cooperation, where he completes water resource management projects and other projects.

And since there is hope, Koenig enjoys sharing his experiences with students. It’s the world’s youth that will inherit their corrupt governments’ debt.

And in hopes of connecting the dots, the dots that run among crises and media and central banks and more, Koenig wrote Implosion. The novel illustrates the connection between corporations and the corrupt governments they work for. Or do the nations serve the corporations?

Implosion is set in the countries of the Andes. Koenig chose this setting because of his familiarity with it and because the area is rich in natural gas and gold, prizes the Western world has been known to take if the nations won’t give up the resources willingly.

But with hope and with the truth, perhaps sovereign, developing nations can take back their countries. And perhaps Americans can take back their country too.

"The creatures outside looked from pig to man,
and from man to pig, and from pig to man again;
but already it was impossible to say which was which."
Orwell

The Stimulus Is the New Imperialism

2009-06-04T22:42:00.005-04:00

The West has been expanding its empire for centuries. But expansion of control around the globe is a tyranny that damages us here at home also.

I've learned quite a bit in the process of helping to prepare for the Patriot Expo that is scheduled for June 27. The former World Bank economist, Peter Koenig, who is slated to speak at the expo, has seen in his career as an economist enough corporate intervention to know what's at its roots.

Koenig has watched global financiers inflict an inescapable debt on developing nations around the globe. Those bankers simultaneously impose restrictions on those countries, essentially stifling their development--and their freedoms to live as they see fit.

You see, with corporate funding, strings are always attached. And be not deceived, the corporation that is the Federal Reserve is the Geppetto inflicting the debt of the stimulus, thereby imposing restrictions on Americans' rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

If you read the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and wade through the cross-referenced sections of the bill, you'll notice that this bill exceeds our expectations. The stimulus is more than a job creator. It's a debt instrument. The bill does more than stabilize the economy. It imposes restrictions and strict requirements on the people under that economy. The catch for this government funding is that it takes an ax to state sovereignty. The U.S., the scalpel of the Federal Reserve, can now expand its empire into South Carolina's back yard--into your back yard.

A letter the Campaign for Liberty submitted in April to the Governor after he announced he would request the stimulus funds on his terms

"And to each of those dollars, strings are attached. An example of this is the bill’s provision for funding the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (p. 50.) And under section 723 of this law is a provision for enhanced driver’s licenses that contain machine-readable technology and act as a quasi-passport. We are grateful that you rejected these kinds of programs before on the basis of protecting privacy and security when you stood against the implementation of the Real ID Act. But you will have little hope of rejecting them in the future based on your acceptance of stimulus funds on behalf of South Carolina."

Sovereignty Rally attracts diverse crowd in Columbia

2009-05-02T18:43:00.007-04:00

George Lyda (Gray Court) proudly waves
his State Sovereignty flag

Columbia, S. C.

The Sovereignty Rally drew a crowd on Saturday of approximately 250 people from a wide spectrum of viewpoints. But attendees gathered in front of the Statehouse’s Pendleton Street entrance for one unifying reason—to show support for the passage of the Sovereignty Resolution in S. C., a resolution that proponents say would help the state and the people take hold of the authority granted them by the Tenth Amendment.

One of the state’s directors of the Patriotic Resistance, Harry Kibler organized the event. “Our mission is to resist socialism,” said Kibler. He also noted the importance of restoring our Constitution.

Early in the rally, Kibler addressed a few from the crowd who were shouting, “free Dixie” and “take down the flag.” Kibler silenced the few, saying he had family members who died for the flag. “If Washington D. C. followed the Constitution, that flag is a wonderful symbol of our country,” he said.

But greater than the minor quibbles at the rally is the resistance to the resolution in the Statehouse. Kibler listed these state Senators who are opponents to the resolution—Senators Floyd Nicholson (D-Greenwood), John Scott (D-Colubmia), Joel Lourie (D-Columbia), Kent Williams (D-Marion), Gerald Malloy (D-Hartsville) and Bradley Hutto (D-Orangeburg).

But state legislators who disagree with Hutto defended the resolution at the rally. Sen. Shane Martin (R-Spartanburg), Rep. Michael Pitts (R-Laurens), who filed the resolution, and Sen. Larry Grooms (R-Bonneau) were among the rally’s speakers.

Grooms, a S. C. gubernatorial candidate, listed starving North Koreans as an example of the outcome of socialism. There are two political philosophies, he said—one is a belief in the free choice and responsibility of the individual, and the other a belief in the power of government where individuals tend not to make the right choices.

Grooms expressed the importance of passing the resolution to SFP. “If we can’t take this mild step, I don’t think we’ll be able to do anything in this state.”

Christina Jeffrey, who is vying for U. S. Rep. Bob Inglis’ (R) Fourth District seat, also addressed the crowd. She promised transparency, saying, “I will say the emperor has no clothes, the emperor has no money, the emperor has no sense, the emperor is not a Constitutionalist.” People in public life cannot allow themselves to be blackmailed, she said, I will never be blackmailed.

Twenty-eight states have passed Sovereignty Resolutions, making the statement that they too want the Federal government to follow the Constitution. S. C.’s resolution passed in the House, but has yet to pass in the Senate.

Sovereignty Rally in pictures.

"Swine" Flu? But It's not Even Flu Season

2009-04-30T08:08:00.011-04:00

I've heard many theories and advantages to this most recent panic-laden, world-wide event, the swine flu. And I ask that you at least give them some consideration. But regardless of the virus' origin's, it has several advantages world leaders can capitalize on.

Some critics of big government are acting as whistleblowers, digging up sources that say the virus was cooked up in a lab somewhere. While I tend to err on the side of looking for concrete evidence such as memos or other proof the virus was deliberately engineered, sickening the public wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibility or of history.

Regardless of the flu strain's source, it brims with opportunity for the Obama administration and world health officials.

I've even heard the idea that the so-called swine flu reflects an attitude that the public are swine. Some also say the crisis is used as an excuse by the Department of Homeland Security to restrict travel.

Whatever the philosophy behind the name of the virus or the purpose thereof, the virus benefits public officials.

Quick! Create a Diversion
Mexico is a mess. From drug wars to the swine flu, the country has been hurt by a drop in tourism. But with this drop in tourism and a growing concern for health at home, fewer eyes are on the U. S.-Mexico border.

Restricting travel and keeping people terrified of venturing beyond their borders have their advantages too, you know. It could be that reduced travel gives officials a chance to carry out plans for a "top-secret" NAFTA Superhighway.

But my personal favorite benefit to all these sick people is that they detract from publicizing legislation beneficial to the American people. According to Campaign for Liberty president, John Tate, campaign members delivered tens of thousands of petitions to their U. S. Representatives asking them to support HR1207 to audit the Federal Reserve.

With members of the Obama administration representing many years of experience working for the Fed, I suppose swine flu was too important a crisis for them to even mention, let alone the corporate media to highlight.

Columbia Residents to Washington: Taxation without Representation is Tyranny

2009-04-15T16:15:00.001-04:00

Miles Cooper (Columbia) is a fan of the Founding Fathers

Columbia, S. C.
A crowd of thousands gathered on the Statehouse grounds today in honor of a national Tax Day Tea Party to oppose elected officials on financial matters like the recent stimulus package. The rally was one of the state's 11 rallies held today, but in the Capitol City, the crowd spanned the width of the Capitol building and extended from the doors of the building to Gervais Street. It was a crowd that Gov. Mark Sanford pointed out was substantially larger than a group that met two weeks ago in the same spot to rally against the Governor's initial refusal to use funds for other means than balancing the budget.

Fair Tax proponents, "Stand Up, South Carolina" and The Campaign for Liberty were among the groups represented. Though the groups differed on the solution to the nations fiscal problems, they were united by principles of sound money and liberty.

Signs saying "We the People," "Don't tread on me," "Read the bill" and "Stop borrowing from our children" covered the grounds and reflected the pre-Revolutionary War sentiment that taxation without adequate representation is tyranny.

Event coordinator, Britton Clark told the crowd to send a message to elected officials that if those officials don't represent the best interests of the people, the people will remove them from power.

"We picked the Statehouse for one reason--this is your property," said Clark to the taxpayers, referring to the event.

Clark also warned the group to be prepared for elected officials who will offer socialism as an alternative to the so-called failures of capitalism.

Also addressing the crowd were U. S. Sen. Jim DeMint, who voted against the stimulus bill, and Gov. Sanford. DeMint encouraged the group to take back their government by holding these rallies all over the country for as long as it takes.

And Sanford told the group to use the tax day as a reminder and a wake up call to Americans. He wanted to remind America that the financial problem was created by debt and won't be solved with more debt, he said, and that paying down debt is an old American theme and never a bad idea.

Both Sanford and DeMint will attend the Charleston Tea Party at 5:30 p.m.

Nationwide, more than 60,000 Americans have attended a tea party so far (4 p.m. EST) according to Pajamas T.V.

Oh, the power a signature holds

2009-04-02T23:25:00.019-04:00

I never realized how unaware our elected officials are of the power of their pens until I learned about the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, an act in which an almost-vacant legislature signed over its power to regulate American money over to the privately owned Federal Reserve Bank.

The same is true of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Congress wasn't allowed the time to read approximately 1,000 pages of legislation.

And I'd venture to say that about as many Americans have ventured to read portions of the bill as those who have read War and Peace.

Considering most of us haven't read it, I'll make this distinction: It’s not just the debt I object to, though I do object to the debt. It’s that the bill is clothed with the promise of job creation and economic stimulus. But its nakedness reveals not just adding to our debt, but also intrusive programs that give the Federal government access to our private lives. The package isn’t merely handing the states a bundle of cash to decide how to use. The phrase, “provided, that” is used more than 100 times in the bill. This phrase ensures that for every dollar loaned, someone in the Washington—someone who doesn’t know about your child’s education or the problems you’re having with your third party insurance company—is pulling the strings.

It seems that for every Sanford supporter in the state, there is a Sanford critic somewhere else. But at times, the defense and authority of a governor is a useful thing. That said, acceptance of the loan from Washington would mean Sanford’s trading in his authority for a loan we as taxpayers are expected to pay back. And though the Governor insists on using the bailout funds to pay down debt, the bill only includes state provisions directed at the federal level.

"These are strings, Pinocchio"
The stimulus includes a throwback to Bush, the wonder years. It includes indirect funding for the 9/11 Commissions Act of 2007, a bill that proposed “enhanced” driver’s licenses—the likes of which South Carolina has rejected already in the form of the Real ID Act. These RFIDs contain commonly readable technology, technology that isn’t quite as secure as supporters say. Also within the 9/11 Commissions Act is a “plan to screen individuals participating in the pilot program against United States terrorist watch lists,” a list that you can be added to for something as minute as being outspoken against the federal government.

The bill also includes provisions for homeowner assistance for wounded members of the armed forces, Department of Defense and U. S. Coast Guard civilian employees, and their spouses.

“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Defense is authorized to acquire title to, hold, manage,and dispose of, or, in lieu thereof, to reimburse for certain losses upon private sale of, or foreclosure against, any property improved with a one- or two-family dwelling which was at the time of the relevant wound, injury, or illness, the primary residence of.”

For wounded service men and women, this involves the repossession of their homes, not by the bank, which gave the initial loan, but by the government.

These are just two provisions in a whole packet full of provisions that, if we were to read the tome and its footnotes, are liable to make most of us shudder.

What makes me shudder is the amount of times the Treasury or Treasury Secretary is mentioned in the bill. On that note, let me remind you that Treasury Secretary, Geitner is a product of the Federal Reserve Bank. And that privately owned bank (owned by whom, the world may never know) is regulating our currency into the ground. After all, haven't private bankers been a thorn in our side all year long?

Read the finished bill here if you dare.

article amended 4/4/09 to refer to the Real ID Act

From Left to Right: Distracting the Citizen

2009-03-30T17:05:00.020-04:00

I'm daily more aware of the built-in inconsistencies of the positions of republicans and democrats. As a conservative, I believe the basic principles of rights to life and liberty. But they, like countless Americans who love their country and hate what's happening to it, are focused on the left vs. right debacle that serves as the curtain that allows the true guilty party to continue committing crimes against Americans. It's not a democrat or a republican that's crumbling our country with their bare hands. From dumbing down the education system to stealing from the American taxpayers, it's a handful of elite human beings that have on their agendas ruling the world at any expense necessary--even at the expense of life.

They're not so different after all
On Abortion

That's how they keep us conservatives hooked, you know. We hold (or so we think) life to be sacred above all else. But after 30 years, you'd think something would have changed. Five out of our eight presidents have been republicans since 1973. Most of the Supreme Court justices appointed since 1973 have been appointed by republican presidents.

But if they throw conservatives a pro-life bone every now and then, we keep electing them.

On War

Speaking of the sanctity of human life...

I watched a film last year called Why We Fight which showed a particular morgue in a heavily bombed Middle Eastern city. Most of the dead were civilians, including many women and children. If we say we value life and destroy the lives of others, we lie.

You could argue that the war and abortion have a few inseparable qualities, one of which happens to be that they always take innocent lives. And by life, here, I mean anyone that has cells and exhibits lifelike qualities. It's these kinds of ties that should give us pause. Pause to consider the larger picture, a picture I believe has more to do with population control than it does the questions liberals and conservatives tend to ask.

On Financial Crises

I won't say much on this except that both sides are working for the same guys. Our last President appointed the chief who's presiding over this financial mess we're in. And our new Executive has filled his cabinet with professionals born of the Fed.

Don't think the Feds want the economy to collapse. The Feds are like the guys on the movie, Office Space who devise a scheme to syphon funds out of the company they used to work for. A few dollars here and there, no one will notice. But when money starts disappearing from your account, you get angry. When you get angry, you want answers. The more people that find the Federal Reserve holding the smoking gun, the less control they have.

Who Has the Answers?

While this list is not exhaustive, it makes the point that partisan politics is dead, or should be. I'll never agree with liberals on many issues, but that doesn't mean we don't share some crucial interests. So when the party fails you, then the answer is found not in the party, but in the issues. The party leaders really aren't all that different, but then, neither are we.

U.S. Dollars Fund Forced Abortions in China

2009-03-24T20:29:00.005-04:00

You Are Funding Forced Abortions in China
By Reggie Garcia Littlejohn

So am I. Not only elective abortions. Forced abortions.

It doesn’t matter whether you are pro-life or pro-choice on this issue. No one can support forced abortion, because it is not a choice.

What do I mean by “forced abortions”? Here are a couple of examples from the U.S. Department of State China Report, just released on February 25, 2009: “In March [2008] family planning officials in Henan Province reportedly forcibly detained a 23-year-old unmarried woman who was seven months pregnant. Officials reportedly tied her to a bed, induced labor, and killed the newborn upon delivery. In April [2008] population-planning officials in Shandong provinces reportedly detained and beat the sister of a woman who had illegally conceived a second child in an attempt to compel the woman to undergo an abortion.”

According to the Congressional-Executive Commission on China report, released on October 31, 2008, “Violators of the [one-child] policy are routinely punished with exorbitant fines, and in some cases, subjected to forced sterilization, forced abortion, arbitrary detention, and torture.”

In my opinion, systematic use of forced abortion is a crime against humanity. And now, you and I will be footing the bill.

Just this month, Congress quietly passed $50 million in funding for UNFPA, the United Nations Family Planning Fund. The bill includes language that voids Kemp-Kasten, which for 23 years has stood to prevent US dollars from funding coercive family planning.

The US cut off funding UNFPA in 2001 because an investigation, headed by then Secretary of State Colin Powell, found that UNFPA was complicit with the Chinese Family Planning officials in coercive implementation of China’ One-Child Policy. According to our own State Department, as well as Amnesty International, China Aid and others, the implementation of China’s One-Child Policy remains coercive.

Why must we fund forced abortion with our tax dollars?

Not only are women dragged out of their homes screaming and pleading in “family planning raids,” but the One-Child Policy has also led to many other serious human rights violations. I’ll name just three:

1. Gendercide. Because of the traditional preference for boys, most of the aborted babies are girls. There are 120 boys born for every 100 girls born in China, and in some areas the number is as high as 130 boys born for every 100 girls. Since the One-Child Policy was instituted in 1978, 400 million births – greater than the entire population of the United States – have been “prevented.” You could say that an entire nation of women is not living in China today because they were selectively aborted before they were born. This is gendercide.

2. Human Trafficking and Sexual Slavery. Because of abortion, abandonment, and infanticide of baby girls, there are an estimated 30 million Chinese men who will never marry because they cannot find wives. This gender imbalance is a powerful, driving force behind trafficking in women and sexual slavery from nations surrounding China. According to the February, 2009 State Department China Report, “Over the past five years, there reportedly was an increase in cross-border trafficking cases, with most trafficked women and girls coming from North Korea, Mongolia and Vietnam. Others came from Burma, Laos, Russia and Ukraine.”

3. Female suicide. According to the World Health Organization, China has the highest female suicide rate of any country in the world. Approximately 500 Chinese women commit suicide each day. Forced abortion traumatizes women. Could this high suicide rate be related to forced abortion?

And now, our taxpayer dollars will subsidize forced abortion in China. Think about that when you write your check to Uncle Sam on April 16. Then let President Obama and your Congressional Representatives know what you think. If there’s enough of an outcry, Congress can pass an amendment blocking our UNFPA funding from going to nations that practice coercive family planning. China should be excluded from UNFPA funding.

The great 19th century admirer of American democracy, Alexis de Tocqueville once observed, “America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.” May we not lose our goodness, and hence our greatness as a nation by funding forced abortions in China.

Reggie Littlejohn serves is an expert on China's One-Child Policy.

A Letter from the Campaign for Liberty

2009-03-17T21:33:00.002-04:00

March 17, 2009

Dear Friend of Liberty,

Maybe you've heard, or maybe not, but the Missouri State Police think you might be a security threat.

Why? Because you support Ron Paul and the Campaign for Liberty. Also, because maybe you own guns, oppose abortion or homeschool.

Even, and I'm serious, because you support the U.S. Constitution.

I know, it's ridiculous...and probably steams you a bit.

But here at Campaign for Liberty we are going to give this foolishness the treatment it deserves. More on that in a moment. Let me give you a bit more background.

As you may be aware by now, the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) recently released a report titled, "The Modern Militia Movement" to over one thousand Missouri law enforcement officers.

What is the Missouri Information Analysis Center? According to its website,

"MIAC is the mechanism to collect incident reports of suspicious activities to be evaluated and analyzed in an effort to identify potential trends or patterns of terrorist or criminal operations within the state of Missouri. MIAC will also function as a vehicle for two-way communication between federal, state and local law enforcement community within our region."
The MIAC warned officers that violent militia members are "usually" supporters of presidential candidates like Ron Paul and are also known for opposition to things like the Federal Reserve and the income tax.

The "study" was undoubtably written by some university liberal who knows nothing of the hundreds of thousands of Missourians who share our values. I can only imagine how many hundreds of thousands of Missouri tax dollars funded this.

Both Ron Paul and Campaign for Liberty champion principles of freedom, peace, and prosperity. We believe that the Founder's vision for America can be reclaimed through education and peaceful activism. It is a common practice of elitist intellectuals and backroom bureaucrats to attempt to crowd everyone into groups and stick labels on them, especially when it involves those who support a Constitutionally-limited government.

Anthony Gregory, editor-in-chief at Campaign for Liberty, has posted an excellent new article on our site concerning government broad-brush fear campaigns.

It is important that we respond in the right way when faced with such a government labeling, and the proper way is to go straight to the top in Missouri.

The way to fight thugs and ignorant people in authority is not to cower or rage, but to proudly proclaim who you are and what you believe.

That's why I urge you to sign our Citizen's Petition here today.

Our petition spells out in no uncertain terms who we are and what we believe. And it reminds those in charge of enforcing Missouri's laws that we are citizen activists who will not be intimidated nor embarassed into silence.

Simply owning a gun does not make you a threat. It means you are a free citizen.

Supporting our Constitution does not make you worthy of a watchlist, it makes you a Patriot.

So please, sign our Citizen's Petition today. Be sure to stay tuned for more information on how we plan to respond to the MIAC.

Finally, I want to ask you a final favor. If you can, please join us next week as we gather in St. Louis for the first Campaign for Liberty Regional Conference and show the people of Missouri what Campaign for Liberty truly stands for and represents.

We will be hosting a free event on Friday Night with Ron Paul and Judge Andrew Napolitano that is open to the public, and the conference will be highlighted by grassroots training on Saturday, March 28.

Learning how to properly mobilize in order to implement liberty-based legislation is absolutely critical to our success as a movement, and our Regional Conference will provide you with the tools you need as we move forward.

For more information on our Conference, check out our Regional Conference page. For special travel and hotel information, click here.

Liberty is never free, and demands vigilance.

I look forward to seeing you in St. Louis for an exciting weekend of celebration and training!

In Liberty,

John Tate
President, Campaign for Liberty

P.S. And don't forget to fill out our Citizen's Petition, which we will deliver to the Missouri Governor and Attorney General.

Adios, Brad Warthen, The State employees

2009-03-11T23:57:00.004-04:00

The news about the sources you depend on for information just keeps getting better. The State Media Company laid off 38 workers after its parent company, McClatchy announced it would lay off approximately 15 per cent of its workforce.

With all these layoffs, I have to say I won't miss the paper's acerbic editorial page editor and blogger, Brad Warthen.

But, while journalists have been analyzing the future of newspapers for the better part of the past decade, these layoffs beg a bigger question--what will be the future of news? Will these shrinking newsrooms, in the process of being swallowed whole by larger, stronger newsrooms, follow the pattern of the banks? Will newsrooms nationalize? Dun, dun, dun...

It's not really that silly of a question, when you think of it. On days like these when one bankrupt corporation after another crumbles, it makes sense that the government might absorb our information.

The more you know...

Financial Irony

2009-01-24T14:33:00.002-05:00

The great irony in accusing China of manipulating its currency is that our government has been manipulating our currency for decades.

More Financial Nonsense from NPR

2009-01-24T13:52:00.004-05:00

If NPR's David Kestenbaum thinks gold was at least partially responsible for the global financial crisis of the early 1900s, and apparently, he does, then he's got something else coming to him.

Right before I heard the reporter's game of pin-the-blame-on-the-metal, I was sure he was about to blame our last global financial crisis on paper, the real root of the problem. Nothing props up the value of paper quite like perception.

Perhaps one could say the same about gold. But here's the thing about that shiny yellow metal, it worked for many civilizations for about a zillion years. Supposedly, during the days of the Romans, a suit of clothing cost about an ounce of gold. Today, a full suit of clothing costs about eight or 900 dollars, or, one ounce of gold.

You see, it's not the pegging of currency to a precious metal that's the problem, unlike Kestenbaum and his employers would have you believe. The problem is the pegging of currency to paper. 1929 was right around the time the slight-of-hand of switching out the gold for the paper was performed, and just 16 years after the privately held international bank, the Fed came to financial power.

But as the late, great Vonnegut said, "Wake up you idiots! Whatever made you think paper was so valuable?".

One reason we're seeing the financial problems we are is because we're not idiots. The mirrors in the hall of mirrors are beginning to crack, and people are starting to understand the value (or lack thereof) of the paper system on which our wealth is based.

Colin Powell: Prophesying? Or Sounding the Alarm?

2009-01-16T11:03:00.004-05:00

So,former Secretary of State, Colin Powell has apparently sounded the alarm that some sort of "event" will occur this week. Incidentally, this "event" is expected to fall somewhere around the inauguration.

Just a word of caution, readers, not to be swept up in paranoia, but to simply be prepared. But perhaps nothing eventful will occur this week. After all, us whistle-blowers are the ones who keep the world as we know it from spinning out of control.

Rewriting History: A Commentary on a Society's Lost Education

2008-12-30T17:47:00.007-05:00

An old boyfriend used to say to me that the victor rewrites the history books. That is an old saying that seems to ring truer in our ears during these trying times. The old adage occurred to me this morning while listening to NPR's feature of Trout Fishing in America. The group performed a song about Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. Of course the song was my cue to muse.

I want to preface what I have to share by saying that these Civil Rights leaders are indispensable to our understanding of our history here in the U. S. But I'm concerned at the rate the figures are presented as the most important parts of our history and fascinated by the malleability of history.

More than a year ago, I interviewed a Columbia man who collects military memorabilia. I will never forget his statement that if you want to get a pure sense of the history you're studying, you need to read the history books of the day. And I am convinced that the histories of Joseph Conrad, who lived the Belgian Congo, and George Orwell, who knew the imperialism of the British via his experience as a British agent and others will always outlive those history books that are discounted as "dated." It makes a girl wonder not about the additions to the books, but about the subtle changes that can be made from edition to edition. After all, we are a forgetful people.

The question I'm dying to have answered is how the future will treat the histories of King and Parks. And I wonder, will our Founding Fathers be forgotten altogether?

Abandonment

2008-12-03T16:02:00.003-05:00

Readers,

Alas, I haven't abandoned you. It turns out, colds, allergies and sinus infections can make you pretty sick. Especially when they're chronic. So, for the past few weeks, I've been doing onlywhat's expected of me and not one activity more.

I wanted to alert everyone to a plan of mine, however. In light of my absence and of my perspective on the FDA, traditional medicine and GMOs, I'll be chronicling my experiences with a local natural health care practice on the commentary side of the blog. I fully expect to be helped by natural methods in ways antibiotics and OTC allergy meds have yet to help me. And, as a result, we'll be continuing to look into the inconvenient truths the FDA and others ignore every day.

Bailout for States the Wrong Idea

2008-11-17T23:41:00.001-05:00

By Mark Sanford

I find myself in a lonely position. While many states and local governments are lining up for a bailout from Congress, I went to Washington recently to oppose such bailouts. I may be the only governor to do so.

But I suspect I'm not entirely alone, as there are a lot of taxpayers who aren't pleased with Christmas coming early for politicians. And I hope these taxpayers make their voices heard before Democrats load up the next bailout train for states with budget deficits.

Several questions led me to oppose bailing out the states. They are worth asking, even if you supported bailing out Wall Street.

- Who bails out the "bail-outor"?

Washington is short on cash these days and will borrow every dime of the $150 billion to $300 billion for the "stimulus" bill now being worked on. Federal appetites may know no bounds. But the federal government's ability to borrow is not limitless. Already, our nation's unfunded liabilities total $52 trillion -- about $450,000 per household. There's something very strange about issuing debt to solve a problem caused by too much debt.

- Do you now have to be a financial "bad boy" to win?

Community bankers tell me that they are now at a competitive disadvantage for being careful about who to lend to, because others that were less disciplined will get a federal bailout. This is also true for states. Those that have been fiscally responsible will pay for or lose out to the big spenders. California increased spending 95% over the past 10 years (federal spending went up 71% over the same period). To bail out California now seems unfair to fiscally prudent states.

- Was the economist Herb Stein wrong when he said that if something cannot go on forever, it won't?

Medicaid grew 9.5% annually over the past 10 years. That's unsustainable. But if Congress opens the checkbook now, there will be no reform.

- Isn't government intervention supposed to be the last resort and come only when it can make a difference?

In 2008 bailouts became the first resort. Over the past year the federal government has committed itself to $2.3 trillion (including the tax rebate "stimulus" checks of last February) to "improve" the economy. I don't see how another $150 billion now will make a difference in a global slowdown. We've already unloaded truckloads of sugar in a vain attempt to sweeten a lake. Tossing in a Twinkie will not make the difference.

However, there is something Congress can do: free states from federal mandates. South Carolina will spend about $425 million next year meeting federal unfunded mandates. The increase in the minimum wage alone will cost the state $2.6 million and meeting Homeland Security's REAL ID requirements will cost $8.9 million.

Based on what I saw in Washington, the bailout train is being loaded up. Taxpayers will have to speak up now to change its freight, tab or departure.

Obamanon

2008-11-05T07:48:00.006-05:00

Yes, folks it's true. America has elected its first black president. But one has to admit, the road to this presidential choice has been an odyssey. I can't help but feel that Obama was chosen not by us, but for us.

And I say this, in part, because I think it's strange that out of all the potentially electable candidates, Republican constituents elected John McCain. What's striking about his loss to Obama is where McCain was precisely one year ago in this race. The heartbeat of McCain's candidacy was slowing. Any of the three other mainstream candidates could have beaten him soundly. Huckabee had this strong show of support from conservatives, though he had only a few million in his pocket to put towards his campaign (people lie, not numbers). And even though Romney had a more than 15 million dollar debt load, he had his charisma and a corporate name behind him. Giuliani? We'll leave that one alone for now. By November 2007, McCain had almost lost.

But the GOP found its beatable mainstream candidate in McCain. Perhaps he was so beatable that Ron Paul delegates had to be hushed at the Republican National Convention. Although, no one told the popular media about this, so maybe it happened, maybe it didn't. What do the delegates know, after all?

Add to these phenomena, Hillary. Sen. Clinton was part of a political dynasty that made her an almost unbeatable candidate. It seems as though her star burned out before its time.

Additionally, Obama has yet to prove he is a natural born citizen as called for in the Constitution. Major news outlets have dismissed this charge, though, as far as we know, the president elect does not meet the conditions as specifically laid out in the Constitution, which is still the law of the land.

I was glossing over the pictures of Obama's victory this morning on The New York Times' website and spotted the photo of a black man crying tears of joy. I am crying tears of a different sort this morning, though I hope for this man's sake that Obama meets his expectations. But I also want to assure disappointed Republican voters, not much is likely to change. The piggy banks will still be empty, the number of abortions aren't likely to change much, and we won't be leaving the Middle East any time soon.

Obama Wins!

2008-11-04T23:07:00.002-05:00

Obama has been declared the projected winner by networks and major news outlets.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Tidbits from the Election

2008-11-04T22:05:00.004-05:00

Some say many Obama supporters are voting for the Democratic candidate solely on the basis of race. Howard Stern captured an example of this ignorance. We have to warn you, it's a bit funny. Of course, some (ahem, who me?) say Republican voters aren't much better. But at least in many cases, they tend to pair up the issues with the correct candidate.

Of course, young America voted third party recently. Students at Berkeley Carroll School, a college prep school in New York voted to elect Nader, or his student representative, anyhow.

Taking Voters' Emotional Pulse

2008-11-04T17:31:00.001-05:00

The New York Times has its finger on the voters' pulses. Thought y'all might find this interesting.

Voting Problems a Trend

2008-11-04T15:57:00.004-05:00

And we're not just talking long lines and broken voting machines. It seems strange that on this year in which a record number of voters were expected to vote, pollsters haven't been equipped with a backup plan. Voters in South Carolina, Virginia and at countless other precincts nationwide have complained of voting booth malfunctions. And some precinct leaders have flouted the rules. One Massachusetts voter told SFP her identification went unchecked when she voted.

Not Your Grandmomma's Election Coverage

2008-11-04T08:23:00.003-05:00

SFP will be watching nervously with you during the mid-day hours and late this evening as the votes come in. Watch tonight for a fresh perspective and alternative commentary on today's election. And join in the conversation here by posting about your opinion, your vote, your experience as you navigated a long voting line for 90 minutes or more. Voice your opinions and experiences, but please keep the conversation clean and civil.

A Slow, Painful Death for Miranda

2008-10-30T17:11:00.003-04:00

The state legislature is effectively destroying the notion of being innocent until proven guilty with their passage of DNA bill that allows police to take DNA upon arrest. Considering the escalating controversy over Miranda Rights, this bill promises to do nothing but erode the civil liberties of those arrested across the state.

Let's assume that someone who's just been arrested is told they "have the right to remain silent" and so on. Obtaining DNA of a suspect is not only a step towards assuming their guilt, but it also negates their right to remain silent.

I encourage you to demand action from your legislator. And no matter what your political position is in relation to Governor Sanford, thank him for his action on this very important issue.

Nader, Barr to Debate Thursday in Cleveland

2008-10-30T15:27:00.001-04:00

From a Ralph Nader campaign press release:

PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE TO INCLUDE NADER AND BARR

The Cleveland City Club will host a Presidential debate in the battleground state Ohio on Thursday October 30, 2008 from 4.30pm to 5.30 pm on the topic "The Economy: Where do we Go from Here?." All six presidential candidates on a sufficient number of state ballots to be able to win the election have been invited. Libertarian Presidential Canadiate Bob Barr and Independent Presidential Candidate Ralph Nader have both confirmed they will participate.

The City Club of Cleveland is located at 850 Euclid Ave in The City Club Building on the 2nd Floor.
216-621-0082

Third Party Candidates Debate, Defend Alternatives to "Two-Party" System

2008-10-23T21:01:00.021-04:00

Nader, of the Independent Party, and Chuck Baldwin, of the Constitution Party, faced off Thursday in third party presidential debate sponsored by Free and Equal Elections, an organization that promotes free and equal elections. Green Party candidate, Cynthia McKinney and Libertarian Party candidate, Bob Barr were invited to the debate but did not attend.

The moderator, Chris Hedges initiated the debate by leading the candidates to respond to the idea of voting for the “lesser of two evils.” Nearly 30 minutes of the 90-minute debate was devoted to a defense of running as a third party candidate.

Baldwin cited a Fox News poll that said 67 percent of people polled would consider voting for a third party candidate. "The American people, I believe, recognize that the two-party system is broken," said Baldwin.

Nader identified the idea of voting for the lesser of two evils as voting for the “least worst.” He said that those voting for Obama, the supposed candidate of change, should demand actual change. He also compared the campaign laws that make it difficult for third party candidates and Republican and Democratic mavericks to run for office to the Jim Crowe Laws of the late 1800s.

Baldwin said the wasted vote mentality is inconsistent with the views of the founding fathers. A wasted vote is a vote for someone voters know won’t be faithful to their values, he said. “A wasted vote is a vote for John McCain.”

Baldwin also charged that the difficulty of running on a third party ticket or running as a maverick is enhanced by the popular media and the two major parties.

Finally, on to the issues
Despite their differences, Baldwin and Nader share a handful of views. Where Baldwin said the government’s 700 billion dollar bailout is “a fraud perpetrated against the American people,” Nader also criticized the plan, pointing out that corporations have no allegiance to our country.

Baldwin’s remedy for the financial crisis is to return to sound money principals, do away with the Federal Reserve and to appoint a Ron Paul-type as Treasury Secretary. And Nader proposed re-regulation and criminal prosecution of “corporate crooks,” among other measures.

Both candidates also support troop withdrawals from the Middle East and oppose pre-emptive war.

And both candidates said they want to protect and restore Constitutional rights. What good is it to fight a war for democracy half way across the world while stripping away the Constitutional rights of the people here, Baldwin asked. He plans to review and repeal most of the Bushs’ and of Clinton’s executive orders, along with restoring habeas corpus. And Nader said he would reinstate the impeachment authority Pelosi took off the table.

Baldwin and Nader also advocated border security and cracking down on employers who knowingly hire illegals.

On the issue of health care, Baldwin said the free market is the solution to the problem. He pointed out that there was a time when health care was affordable. He advocated a sort of opt-out system for those 20 to 30-somethings who see private means of investment as a greater return on their money than Medicare and Medicaid.

But Nader opposes an HMO-dominated system. "We can't tolerate a pay or die system," he said.

Global warming and abortion are two other issues the candidates differed sharply on. Baldwin said he's skeptical of Al Gore's interpretation of global warming and cited studies that illuminated global cooling trends and general fluctuations in the environment. Nader countered that global warming is obviously here.

The candidates were also on opposite sides regarding abortion, with Nader saying the state should have no bearing on whether abortions are performed and Baldwin advocating a pro-life stance.

The debate, broadcast on C-Span II, is the candidates' final debate before the November 4 elections.

S. C. Departments Announce some Economic Bright Spots, Despite State's Economic Shortfalls

2008-10-14T19:20:00.009-04:00

Several state departments reported their outlooks on economic development in a budget hearing with Gov. Mark Sanford at the Statehouse complex on Tuesday. The Departments of Commerce, Insurance, Transportation, Labor, Licensing and Regulation, and Parks, Recreation and Tourism reported on their economic status. The hearing followed an announcement in Laurens County Tuesday morning that Brazilian manufacturer, FITESA plans to expand operations there.

Sanford pointed out that government grew by approximately 40 percent over the last four years. “It’s unsustainable because people’s paychecks and wallets didn’t grow by 40 percent over the last four years,” he said.

Sanford reemphasized a need for economic restructuring in terms of synergy, focusing on investments with greater rates of return and cutting costs.

Commerce Department Secretary, Joe Taylor addressed the economic outlook for S. C. jobs, highlighting more than four billion dollars in new capital investment and more than 16,000 new jobs in 2007. Three-fifths of jobs recruited in 2007 were in the manufacturing sector.

The outlook for jobs in insurance and in technology looks equally promising, according to Insurance Department Director, Scott Richardson. He said the department is working to make South Carolina a hub for the insurance industry. Twelve insurance companies have recently set up shop in the state, and three more have applied for licensing.

Richardson told SFP that attracting these companies is largely the result of a free-market system. Compared to other states with more red tape, South Carolina has “an environment where it’s easy to do business,” he said.

Coordinating captive insurance companies is one method of long-term economic growth the Insurance Department plans to focus on. South Carolina is the second largest captive domicile in the U. S. behind Vermont. Captive insurance companies insure the risks of their parent companies.

The department heads also addressed what state agencies have done to trim their budgets.

The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation implemented online licensing renewal to help reduce printing costs. The Transportation Department also cut administrative and transportation costs.

But more fat can still be trimmed off of state budgets. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, for instance, plans to cut marketing funds. SCPRT director, Chad Prosser also mentioned unneeded visitor’s centers across the state.

Following the hearing, Sanford said he expects the remainder of his administration will be spent helping rebuild the troubled state budget, rather than helping the state prepare for rainy economic days like the ones South Carolina is facing.

Graham, Conley Face Off in SCETV Debate

2008-10-11T20:01:00.018-04:00

Incumbent U. S. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham debated his Democratic opponent, Bob Conley, a S. C. flight instructor and engineer on the issues weighing on South Carolina minds.

During the Saturday debate, Graham reinforced the need for collaboration among Republicans and Democrats on many complicated issues, while Conley distinguished himself as a non-career politician.

The Contrasts
on the economy
Graham: Graham praised Treasury Secretary, Henry Paulson for recognizing the nature of the problem as being one of a lack of available, affordable credit. "If you can't borrow money, you can't grow this economy," said Graham.

Conley: Conley would take a different tack if elected. He said bank regulations need to be put in place, and financial institutions need to be allowed to fail. Conley also noted a devalued currency and foreign expenditures, such as defense spending, are part of our financial problem.

on the environment
Conley: Conley said that, in accordance with many academics in the science field, he believes the sun is a primary actor in the debate on climate change. He also pointed to a debate on global cooling that was taking place back in the 1970s as one example of the fluctuations occuring in the environment.

Graham: Graham said he thinks global warming is at least partially a man-made phenomenon.

But the two agreed on America's need for energy independence.

on foreign policy
Graham: Graham said his proudest accomplishment was having the vision to say we can't lose the "War on Terror." He took exception to Conley's calling American troops occupiers rather than liberators. "I'm going to make sure that we fight them over there, so we don't have to fight them over here," said Graham.

Conley: But nation building is the government's motive, according to Conley, who said it's time for us to hand off the baton to the Iraqis. "We need to worry about securing our borders and not the borders of Iraq," he said.

Graham called Conley's stance that violence in Iraq is a result of America's intervention "a bunch of bull." He has also been criticized for his stance on amnesty. But Conley disagreed with the idea of rewarding illegal immigrants by providing a path to citizenship.

The Purses Bleed Debt: Finances of S. C., others

2008-10-07T15:51:00.004-04:00

I've been considering lately the ways in which the pocketbooks of average Americans, and even South Carolina's pocketbook, reflect the national debt problem we're all faced with. It's not a perfect analogy, but the financial problem is an overarching one of spending what we do not have.

The state's budget deficit has been a primary concern for many months among lawmakers, and state budget cuts are now a major part of the discussion. Gov. Mark Sanford addressed the topic today in a budget summit where he told state agency heads to prepare to scale back spending.

Find out what state agencies are doing with taxpayers' dollars by visiting Compt. Gen., Richard Eckstrom's spending transparency web page.

I'm Voting for Baldwin

2008-09-29T15:21:00.010-04:00

Faithful Column-Skimmers:

I want to begin by telling you that my heart is so heavy for our country right now. Career politicians' respect for our Constitution is at an all-time low. And I fear that all to soon, most average Americans are going to be sorry they allowed themselves to give into their fears of terrorism and other threats by exchanging their unalienable rights for the promise of security. With this primary reason of promoting and preserving our Constitutional government in mind, there are a few other reasons I've chosen to vote for Constitution Party candidate, Chuck Baldwin.

You can call me an anti-globalist

Somewhere recently I heard the statement, you can't have a global economy without a global government. I heard the statement in response to all the talk we've increasingly been hearing about a global economy. Congressman Ron Paul, a Republican Rep. from Texas, had a simple explanation for the most complicated, controversial of issues during his run for president over the past year. He said that the more complicated the problem you're dealing with, the more locally it ought to be dealt with. And friends, do we honestly want the UN, the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations and other world bodies making decisions for us?

I think the principle can also be applied relatively locally. Perhaps in matters that are national in nature-that is, issues such as immigration and defense, which affect the nation as a whole-should be the only ones that are decided nationally. This principle applies to such issues as education. The 10th Amendment states the Constitution grants the Federal government no jurisdiction over the education of America's youth. In accordance with the Constitution, Baldwin would abolish the Education Department. I kinda like the idea of the Feds having no bearing over the education of my own children (well, one day, anyhow.)

Border security, illegal immigration: stop talking and do something

The past several months I've spent working at a staffing agency, I've been struck by the irony built into policing illegal immigration.

I daily review I-9s, forms that verify a prospective employee's eligibility to legally work in the U. S. And I'm consistently bugged by my position as actor on the national stage. I am just another policewoman making sure illegals don't slip through and "steal" American jobs. And I wonder, "why can't our National Guard just do its job and guard the borders? (oh yeah, most of them are overseas.)"

I'm guilty of invading America's privacy. Before we can employ people, I have to verify their personal information (driver's license number, SSN, etc.-gosh, what if our packet got lost in the mail on its way to Corporate?)

Christian conservatives, pay attention

A few readers are going to take exception to my anti-abortion stance, though plenty of scientific evidence says an unborn child is a child and not an it. We're just going to have to agree to disagree for now.

But Conservatives, I'm writing to you on this issue of the sanctity of life. One quote I learned while I was in sales was this quote by Albert Einstein: insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. After 30 years and almost 1 million babies dying annually as a result of legal abortions since that time, I think its fair for me to call you insane--with all due respect, of course.

I have a friend (I'm actually not sure what we would call each other) that I recently debated this point with. We're on the same side of the issue. We want the same outcome. And he actually wrote that McCain is a terrible candidate, but he's holding onto that GOP Great White Hope-Republican appointments to the Supreme Court. In an era where Republican presidential candidates have made decisions that further the pro-choice cause, I think we can safely assume that electing Republicans to the presidency in order to stop or slow the number of legal abortions just isn't working.

Currently, federal tax dollars go to support such institutions as Planned Parenthood, which is responsible for approximately one-third of abortions performed annually.

All this, my friends, and this address only scratches the surface.

I hope that during this election year, you'll refuse choosing the lesser of two evils because, no matter what the proverbial "they" say, we do have a real choice. Do what you believe is right. In an age where more and more citizens are having a difficult time distinguishing between the two major parties, you do have a real choice.

Gov. Sanford, S. C. Reps. and Policy Council to Gen. Assembly: “Vote on the Record”

2008-09-24T17:42:00.009-04:00

Columbia, S. C.

Officials addressed crowds on Wednesday to publicize and garner support for a bill that was introduced by state Rep. Nikki Haley and that calls for on-the-record voting. The Columbia news conference took place at the Statehouse and was part of a one-day tour with previous stops in Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Greenville.

Haley crafted the 2008 Spending Accountability Act, in part, as a reaction to a legislative pay raise that was voted on by way of a voice vote, she said. The bill has yet to pass, but has gained the support of Sen. Glenn McConnell, Rep. Nathan Ballentine and more than 12 co-sponsors.

The issue will re-emerge over the next session as the 2009 Spending Accountability Act. Haley said the bill will require on-the-record voting for: votes on all second readings where debate happens, amended third readings, conference committee reports and every section of the budget.

Haley said one of the most important responsibilities elected officials share is to vote in the best interest of the people they represent. “You deserve the right to know how your legislature votes. Those votes belong to you,” said Haley. “Everyone deserves to know the spending habits of their legislators.”

Governor Mark Sanford, who also backs the bill, cited a study by the S. C. Policy Council that says the S. C. House of Representatives votes on the record eight percent of the time. The study says the S. C. Senate votes on the record only one percent of the time. Sanford pointed to the failures in the U. S. financial markets as an example of a need for transparency.

But some lawmakers oppose the bill out of concerns such as expense.

Ashley Landess, S. C. Policy Council president pointed to House Speaker, Bobby Harrell as one such opponent. His alleged concerns are based on the cost it would take, in terms of administrative and supply costs, to provide on-the-record voting for constituents.

Harrell and spokesman, Greg Foster were unavailable to comment when SFP called Wednesday afternoon.

3 Women's Organizations Celebrate and Educate Women in Politics

2008-09-19T10:27:00.002-04:00

Political participation among South Carolina women is low, and three local organizations are doing something about it.

Approximately 300 women registered for a reception hosted on September 10 by the Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics, the Alliance for Women, and the South Carolina League of Women Voters. The reception took place in the First Citizens' building downtown.

Read the whole story on the Columbia Star's website.

GFF's Students Gather to Watch "Why We Fight," Hear Bob Conley

2008-09-18T14:43:00.037-04:00

Lauren Dew, a 3rd year
Visual Communications major
talks with Bob Conley.

Columbia, S. C.

Bob Conley, a Democratic candidate for U. S. Senate and an S. C. based flight instructor, visited on Wednesday a group of USC students watching Eugene Jarecki's "Why We Fight." The documentary was shown by Gamecocks for Freedom, a non-parisan, student-led group that gives students a forum to discuss and learn about issues affecting Americans of all walks of life.

Conley comes from the more conservative wing of the Democratic party, the beliefs of which-limited government and strong opposition to a central bank-are Jeffersonian in nature. And he's running in oppositition to incumbent Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham on such issues as immigration and impeding civil liberty.

America's current international involvement is also something Conley opposes. "One of the ways we get our country back is to oppose this crazy militarism abroad," he told the crowd.

This "crazy militarism" Conley mentioned reaches from the Bush Doctrine of pre-emptive war and extends beyond your back yard where weapons are made.

Those are just a couple of the aspects of war the documentary touches on. In short, the film expresses how war feeds into virtually every aspect of American life, from the warehouse worker to the politician. The film highlights the "military industrial complex" that former President Eisenhower warned about.

Jarecki's film also pans across the different viewpoints of the War in Iraq. The students heard from such voices as Arizona Sen. John McCain, former CBS news anchor, Dan Rather, former CIA consultant, Chalmers Johnson and several members of the armed forces.

But students also heard from non-experts such as one man who lost his son on 9/11 and several Iraqi civilians who had lost loved ones after American soldiers invaded.

Dr. Tobia Lanz, USC professor of Government and International Studies also addressed the group. Referring to Rome as an example of the result of empire, Lanz expressed concern that neither of the major political parties are addressing the issue of militarism and empirialism. The result of these two -isms, said Lanz is a war-time society.

So I'm going to buy a gun and start a war
If you can tell me something worth fighting for
And I'm going to buy this place, that's what I said
Blame it upon a rush of blood to the head

-Coldplay's "Rush of Blood to the Head"-

3 S. C. Women's Organizations to Celebrate Women in Politics

2008-09-08T15:01:00.008-04:00

Encouraging women to participate in politics will be the focus at the "Campaign Training-Back to School" event, hosted by The Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics, on Wednesday. Following the event is a "Pathways to Power Celebration," a reception honoring S. C. women participating in politics. The Alliance for Women, League of Women Voters of South Carolina and the Institute will host the event.

Campaign Training features workshops that show women how to win elections, manage campaigns and serve as effective volunteers for candidates for public office. Registration for four sections of the workshop is $75.

At the reception following will be such women as First Lady, Jenny Sanford and Republican Joan Brady, a state Representative of Richland County.

Campaign Training will be from 1-5 p. m. at USC's School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the corner of Assembly and Blossom Streets.

Pathways to Power will follow at 6 p. m. at First Citizens Plaza, located at 1230 Main Street in downtown Columbia.

Get more information

S. C. Standardized Testing Shows Slight Improvement, Changes

2008-09-03T15:20:00.003-04:00

The Education Department released its annual report in August, revealing the state climbed up one spot to 48th in the nation in terms of SAT placement.

The small piece of good news is encouraging. I've talked to many educators that say looking at the overall numbers doesn't really offer South Carolina students a level playing field since many factors are a part of this rank.

So to increase education accountability, and thereby level the playing field, state lawmakers have approved a new kind of standardized testing. This new test-the Palmetto Assessment of State Standards-is designed to replace the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests, which students have been taking since 1999.

Baldwin Brings Message of Constitutional Government to Midlands

2008-08-29T00:45:00.063-04:00

West Columbia, SC

Chuck Baldwin supporters gathered Wednesday in the private room of Maurice's Barbeque to celebrate their candidate and the theme-the Constitution-that is central to his presidential campaign. Baldwin is the Constitution party's candidate for president and is a pastor of Crossroad Baptist Church in Pensacola.

The fundraiser followed several other Wednesday visits in the Columbia area and a Tuesday rally at Greenville Technical College with approximately 300 "energized" supporters, according to Baldwin.

Baldwin warned that if the U. S. doesn't return to Constitutional government, the country will lose its freedoms. “Once you lose your sovereignty and you lose your independence, you also lose your freedoms,” said Baldwin. Many of Baldwin's supporters at the event share this same view. Dale Simpson of Gaston is one such supporter. "I believe that our government has gotten away from the Constitution," he said.

Still others remember Baldwin for his support of former Republican presidential candidate, Ron Paul. "I really appreciate the support he had for Ron Paul," said Columbia resident, Justin Stout. "I agree with pretty much everything he stands for."

But why is he running for office?

To answer the never ending question of why many third party candidates even bother to run for office in the first place, Baldwin refered to a friend and retired M. D. who said he wants to leave his children an inheritance of freedom, rather than money. Baldwin echoed the message, saying, “we are doing what we are doing to give our children and grandchildren an inheritance of freedom.” Baldwin also said, “I am here to take the message of freedom, of liberty, of constitutional government to the American people.”

Protecting freedoms: "If they were going to do it, they would have done it.”

The message Baldwin is delivering isn't one he thinks the major party candidates are emphasizing. “Neither the Republican party nor the Democratic party are going to do anything to restore the liberties of this country,” said Baldwin.

Baldwin also said the Republican's won't do anything on the issue of abortion, a key issue for many Republicans.

In 2001, more than 853,000 legal induced abortions were reported, compared with more than 839,000 in 2004, which was the last year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported such abortion statistics.

Baldwin predicted the figures won't change much in 2009 when President Bush leaves office. And though there was a steady and slight decline in the number of abortions performed during the first half of the Bush Administration, the Supreme Court that many pro-lifers esteem in such hope was predominately Republican. Even the pro-choice Clinton presidency saw a slight decline in the number of abortions over many different years.

"How stupid do they think the American people are?" asked Baldwin.

A series of logical fallacies

Baldwin asked a series of rhetorical questions, the typical simple answers to which don't always add up.

Why are our borders wide open?

Why do we place dictators in power and send our own soldiers to the line of fire in order to dethrone those dictators 10 or 15 years later?

Why do we allow our public school system to deteriorate to the point at which we have to reach outside of the U. S. to find enough qualified people to fulfill our needs for mathmeticians, scientists and CEOs?

Why do we close ports in California and have goods from Asia shipped to Mexico to be delivered by Mexican trucks in the U. S., bypassing American drivers (and therefore jobs) and using the NAFTA superhighway?

Why do we allow globalists to control our government's foreign policy?

On that note, Baldwin adressed concerns over affiliation of McCain, Obama and Bush's cabinet members with such groups as the Council on Foreign Relations, a group whose president, Richard Haass has stated, "Moreover, states must be prepared to cede some sovereignty to world bodies if the international system is to function."

If elected, Baldwin said he will not consider any members of the CFR to be a member of his cabinet.

Also on the agenda is a plan to undo the executive orders put in place by President Bush, former President George H. W. Bush and former President Clinton that have given the Chief Executive such powers as suspending an election during a time of "catastrophic emergency."

Click here to download the entire speech

Baldwin to Visit Upstate, Midlands, Low Country

2008-08-25T18:51:00.003-04:00

Constitution Party Presidential candidate and Pensacola, Fl. pastor, Chuck Baldwin will visit the Upstate on Tuesday as part of a three day, 12-stop campaign tour.

The tour begins at Jimmy's Family Restaurant of Seneca at 7 a. m. on Tuesday and continues with several other Upstate stops. Baldwin will also visit Maurice's Barbeque on Sunset Blvd. at 5 p. m. on Wednesday and will finish his S. C. tour with a cruise on the Spirit of Charleston Cruiseline at Patriot's Point.

Also on the itinerary are visits to shooting ranges-Baldwin has been known to encourage people to bear arms-and several radio stations including Columbia's WVOC AM.

For a complete itinerary, email crossja84@gmail.com

Reining in the $250 mil. State Deficit

2008-08-25T16:55:00.004-04:00

Gov. Sanford and the S. C. legislature are at it again, trying to clean up the dirtiest of all dirty words in today's economy-deficit, which happens to be a clean way of saying "debt."

As recent as last week, Sanford traversed the state asking lawmakers not to make three percent budget cuts across all state agencies, but to consider more targeted cuts.

Another means of reducing the deficit would be to increase collections. Compt. Gen., Richard Eckstrom's office reports in the fiscal year 07-08 year end press release that collections in 2008 were 266 million dollars less than the previous year and were down 2.9 percent in July 2008 when compared to the previous July.

State lawmakers voted on a budget that increased spending by 3.5 percent in FY 08 based on the expectation that the year's collections would increase compared to the previous year, according to the report.

Intervention Fever

2008-08-16T15:08:00.007-04:00

I cringed while watching a Bob Costas interview with George W. Bush during Olympic coverage several nights ago. When asked if Chinese leader, Hu Jintao was receptive to what he had to say, Bush responded by highlighting an example regarding human rights he thought Hu Jintao listened carefully to. "And it gave me a chance to say to the government, why don't you register the underground churches and give them a chance to flourish?"

Of course, if we stop to analyze the logic behind registering the very church bodies the Chinese government has sought to wipe out for so many years we see a flaw in the design of legalizing that which a given government does not support. Consider our own religious limitations here in the U. S. when it comes to our own "registered" churches.

Enter stage left on the play about Intervention: Georgia. While some of the well researched and some of those who are eye witnesses are saying Russia may not be the only bad guy here after all, President Bush solemnly warns Russia against further military action.

And a very tired, over-regulated people shakes its head asking, is there any shred of public life our government can keep its nose out of.

Baldwin to Employ Constitutional Principles as Remedy for U. S. Problems

2008-07-26T16:52:00.020-04:00

Chuck Baldwin is not a career politician.

This is something the pastor of Crossroad Baptist Church in Pensacola said he considers "a badge of honor" during a phone interview. Referring in general to the mess America is in, he also said a career politician is not what the country needs.

But Baldwin is the Constitution party candidate for president who represents socially and fiscally conservative principles.

The abortion issue is one of importance to Baldwin, so much so that he said it sets his candidacy apart from all others currently vying for the presidency. He has even quoted a wishy-washy McCain, so some frustrated conservatives will call him, as saying he would not repeal Roe v. Wade.

Though the candidate is different from Ron Paul, his conservative standards are reminiscent the former Republican presidential candidate. Baldwin said about half of his volunteers are former Ron Paul supporters. And like Congressman Paul, Baldwin said his message seems to be very well received among circles of young people.

Perhaps this positive response is a result of a grim future for young voters. Since, for instance, the Fed and the feds are in the process of tacking almost a billion dollars onto our current national debt, future generations have plenty to be concerned about.

But principles of sound money are the name of the game for Baldwin. He plans to eliminate the income tax and replace it with a ten percent tax on imported goods. He also plans to reduce expenditures of the federal government, in part, by eliminating several departments such as the Commerce and Education departments.

Baldwin is also implementing sound financial principles into his campaign. Though campaign funds are currently in the tens of thousands of dollars, the campaign has a policy of staying debt-free as much as possible. “If we can’t be trusted to manage our own campaign funding, we can’t be trusted to manage the finances of the government,” said Baldwin.

Reducing U. S. dependency on foreign oil, securing the borders and implementing an exit strategy in Iraq are also on the agenda. These and other political philosophies can be found on News With Views, where Baldwin is a frequent writer.

For more information on the Baldwin campaign, visit www.baldwin08.com

What's in your Tomato?

2008-06-27T19:48:00.016-04:00

The Anatomy of a Vegetable

By now most of us have learned that tomatoes are actually classified as fruit, rich with antioxidants and known for its orangey-red color.

But over the past few weeks, this edible plant has become associated with a salmonella outbreak, while its healthful properties have been overlooked. The source of this outbreak has yet to be nailed down, though FDA officials have identified more than 750 cases of salmonella poisoning and the locations from where the contamination came.

Of all the possible explanations for bacteria creeping onto and into our beloved tomatoes, perhaps we should look a little deeper than mere outside sources of salmonella contamination--this is one tact not likely to be taken by our popular media.

Genetically modified food is a subject that begs exploration in all of this confusing, contaminated mess. Though the source of the Great Tomato Scare of '08, much like the Spinach Scare of '06, has yet to be identified and may never be identified specifically, considering what happens when scientists cross a fish gene and a tomato, for instance, might cut through the confusion. Also consider the potential for bacteria to enter into the foods we eat through genetically modifying our food sources.

But what begs an even closer examination is the reported link between FDA and Monsanto officials. Monsanto is known for its patents on seeds.

Even more frightening than salmonella itself is the potential for a corporation as a vehicle for salmonella poisoning.

Cases of salmonella poisoning in tomatoes have not been linked to South Carolina produce. For more information on SC produce, visit Certified SC Grown

For the latest reports on salmonella outbreaks, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Confessions of a Stubborn Voter

2008-02-06T07:13:00.000-05:00

Why I voted for liberty over any other factor: a reaction to Super Tuesday and the events on the national stage over the past several years.

The South Carolina primaries have been over for a couple of weeks now, but I think I should share with you how my views on truth and liberty, as our founding fathers said they intended it, inform my own voter tendencies.

I've always had an stubborn streak, making choices that are either unpopular or not to be swayed. So, during this election season, I made an unpopular voting choice of liberty, not "freedom" as it's taught to us today, but 100% of liberty in every thing I do in life.

This campaign season, I chose to vote for and promote a maverick like myself, Ron Paul. But it's crazy to think, in my view, that his ideas of liberty and his creed, obey the Constitution, are maverick. Is our founding father's careful architecture of the Constitution as a document of liberty insurance really that antequated?

I'd like to think that there's a little bit of maverick in every human spirit.

Layers of surveilance, secrecy, double talk and confusion do not hold up to the simple truth, not in the long run. This is a fact that successful media and politicians know. It's a fact that rests within the human spirit, often neglected. To long for liberty and truth on any level is to be human.

That's why Patrick Henry said "Give me liberty or give me death." He knew that outside of liberty, there is nothing else. There is no safety, there is no peace. Everything is complicated and covered up.

Security, government entitlements and a host of other ideas that demand our dependence on a flawed higher power are all complicated. They require us to sacrifice our liberty, our own best defense, so we feel safe for a little while.

Choosing security, when it is at its most seductive stage, is like when the protagonist, Winston, in "1984" visits the initially seductive prostitute. After seeing her in the lamp light, Winston realizes she's not so attractive, but has sex with her anyhow. "But I went ahead and did it just the same," wrote George Orwell's "Winston" in a forbidden diary.

Winston's recollection of this act represents the way in which the British gave up their human freedoms in exchange for the protection Big Brother offered. And it is a metaphor for the way we trade our liberties for the seduction of security and many other ideas even today.

But my hope--and this is my purpose for writing and voting the way I do--is that we will see the prostitute for what she is before it's too late.

South Carolina Votes: the Democratic side

2008-01-29T10:50:00.000-05:00

Senator Barack Obama secured a victory in South Carolina last Saturday as estimated Democratic voter turnout was at record levels in the state.

Senator Hillary Clinton came in second, with Sen. John Edwards taking third in the state he won in 2004.

About 80 percent of African-American voters and just under 25 percent of white voters in South Carolina chose Obama over Clinton and Edwards in a competition that has had talk of race and gender at its core.

But in his victory speech on Saturday, Obama reminded supporters that his message of change is for all South Carolinians, all Americans. "The choice in this election is not between regions or religions or genders. It's not about rich versus poor, young versus old, and it is not about black versus white," said Obama. "This election is about the past versus the future."

Also at the core of the Democratic race is talk of change versus experience. Recent polls may indicate dissatisfaction among South Carolina Democrats with candidates of experience. Here, Democrats picked change.

Midlands Votes

Cayce
Lacey Thompson said she planned to vote for Barack Obama. "The reason I'm going to vote for him is because, so far, he seems to be the one that's consistent," she said.

Thompson said that, although she believes Edwards is sincere in terms of being a champion of the people, his 400 dollar hair cuts detracted from his image as a candidate who favors the middle class. "I'm an ordinary citizen and I can't afford a 400 dollar hair cut."

Thompson also said she thinks Clinton is to emotional and has shown herself to be "wishy-washy."

Columbia
One Columbia man, who chose not to reveal his name, said he voted for John Edwards. "I think he can win the Democratic presidency better than the other two," he said.

The man's significant other, also anonymous, favored Hillary Clinton, however. "I think she's the one that suits the job best. She knows the issues a lot better, especially in Iraq and foreign policy. And I think she's going to do better with health care," she said. "I think she's just more specific about what she'll do."

Irmo
D. Thomas votes for John Edwards, she said, "because I like him."

Lexington
Betty Morris voted for John Edwards "because I need health insurance," she said. Morris also said she had a difficult time making up her mind between Clinton and Edwards.

The Commentary: South Carolina Democratic Debate

2008-01-21T20:20:00.000-05:00

Photo by Ted Pio-Roda of CNN
Senators Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards (R) greet their audience.

Myrtle Beach, S. C.

Another Case of "He said, She said."

Senator Hillary Clinton's controlled demeanor connotes poise, confidence and competence. But recently, she has wielded a variety of tools that we had not yet seen prior to the Iowa caucuses. We've seen her creative side a lot lately. We've seen her cry, we've seen her "kiss and make up" with her competitors, we've witnessed her say her feelings were hurt.

But Monday night, Sen. Clinton was the controlled demeaner, the one doing all the hurting. Senator Barack Obama was knocked off balance most of the evening, and Sen. John Edwards went in for the kill.

Clinton exposed points in Obama's record as problematic, particularly when she alleged he spoke of the Republicans favorably and when she brought up his vote of "present" in the legislature instead of a clear "yes" or "no."

Despite Obama's attempts to defend himself by explaining that that's how he cast his votes in the Illinois legislature, Clinton pursued the point harder. "It is very difficult having a straight-up debate with you, because you never take responsibility for any vote, and that has been a pattern."

But Obama did fend off the Clintons' attacks, both from the attacks during the debate and from the attacks during the days prior. When Obama argued with Clinton over whether it was she or her husband who spoke of Reagan favorably, and Clinton reminded him that she was the one he was debating with, he said, "Well, I can't tell who I'm running against sometimes." Obama's self-defense on this point was critical, since former President Bill Clinton has recently been turning up the political heat against him.

The aggressive back and forth between Obama and Clinton for the first hour of the debate served Edwards well. On more than one occasion, the sparks enabled him to criticize the squabbling and talk about the real reasons for the debate: South Carolinians and Americans.

From the front lines, it was apparent that Edwards won the debate. But the debate was a concession the cool and calculated Clinton could afford to take since the majority of South Carolina Democrats are expected to vote for Obama.

Please leave your feedback on the debate below this title

2008-01-21T19:21:00.001-05:00

Third Parties: Divisions or Representatives for the "Little Guy?"

2008-01-21T19:18:00.000-05:00

The long-standing criticism of third parties as mere mechanisms that detract from viable candidates begs the question, who represents the "little guy?" In South Carolina's 2004 general election less than two percent of those voting voted for third party candidates of the Constitution, Libertarian and other parties.

But with more Republican and Democratic candidates running this year than most voters can remember, voters who are disgruntled and fed up with the left-right business of America's reigning two-party system are wondering if there's a place they can go to seek fair representation.

South Carolina Democratic National Chairwoman, Carol Fowler said in an interview that she thinks people ought to have all the choices they desire.

Despite the monopoly the Democratic and Republican paries have over the minds of most voters, perhaps there is still a place for out-of-the-box thinkers to vote.

S. C. Libertarian Party Chairman, Tim Moultrie is an example of a would-be politician working towards supplying voters with alternative options for public office. Moultrie has bid for public office nine times, the latest of which was for State Superintendent of Education. He campaigned for Ronald Reagan in 1980 but says the Republican and Democratic parties are becoming increasingly similar. "Republicans and Democrats have become effectively socialist," he says.

But for voters who want more than effective socialism, there are candidates who stand only as unpopularly as they need to in order to adequately represent those who may be potentially disenfranchised. Moultrie says he runs as a Libertarian "to give people the option of changing [government.]"

Moultrie knows it's tough to run as a Libertarian, particularly in South Carolina. But he says there is a place for the Libertarian Party long-term. But for now, he wants people to understand that "freedom is tangible." And he explains freedom as an individual's ability to make a choice without regulation from government without the right to impinge on other's rights.

For many, Libertarianism is defined by its root word, liberty, and offers hope of actually being able to impact the political system.

South Carolina Votes: the Republican side

2008-01-21T17:13:00.000-05:00

Senator John McCain victoriously addressed a room full of supporters in Charleston, Saturday after taking a second win. "It took us a while, but what's eight years among friends?" said McCain.

The win was an influencial one, considering it's tough to win the nomination without winning the South, and considering South Carolina's primary came first.

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee took second in the Republican, Southern Baptist-leaning state, but graciously congratulated McCain.

Still, a clear front runner has yet to emerge in the race, since Huckabee, McCain and Romney have taken first at least once so far.

Senator Thompson still appears as a mediocre candidate, partly because of his slightly more-than-laid back demeanor, which has kept him from the top three more than once. It remains to be seen whether he can continue to compete without enough momentum to carry him into Super Tuesday and, before then, Florida, which fmr. NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani is heavily invested in.

But since the Giuliani strategy of holding back in the early primaries has kept him at the bottom, Rep. Ron Paul been able to pick up enough of that momentum to win second in Nevada on Saturday. Romney took first. Paul also beat Giuliani in South Carolina, with four percent of the vote, as opposed to Giuliani's two percent.

Midlands Votes
Lexington:
Amy Shell voted for John McCain, she said, "because I think he would do a good job."

West Columbia:
An anonymous pastor voted for Fred Thompson. "I want to see the lowest of the four candidates that has a chance," he said. "He’s the most conservative and there’s a lot more that needs to be said in the next few months. And if you don’t keep them all running, then just a few get to talk."

Columbia:
Joel and Kitty Hurdle chose Mike Huckabee. "I kinda respect him and his character. And he has a lot of the same values on issues that I agree with," said Joel.

USC Aiken gives Republican Candidates the "Last Word" in S. C.

2008-01-16T16:20:00.000-05:00

Republican candidates are gathering tomorrow at USC Aiken's Convocation Center to have the "Last Word Before the First-In-The-South Primary," according to the Aiken County GOP.

Doors open at 6:30 p. m., but candidates will be giving 15 minute speeches starting at 8, trying to garner last minute support from an expected audience of about 4,000.

Dr. Hugh Cort will be the first candidate to address the crowd. The event will be a great opportunity for candidates like Cort and Cap Fendig, from Georgia, whose names are still new to the S. C. voter's consciousness, to tell Southern voters what they have to offer.

But winning the election is not necessarily Cort's goal. He says his purpose for running is to get America back to God, stop Iraq from future attacks and stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. "I'm the only candidate who is talking about Osama's coming attack on America," says Cort. For more information on Cort's experience in counterterrorism, click here.

After Cort speaks, candidates will talk in alphabetical order. The event will be broadcast over C-SPAN and CNN. The convocation center is at 471 University Parkway in Aiken. For more information on the "Last Word," click here.

Looking Back: The last S. C. Republican Debate

2008-01-16T15:35:00.000-05:00

At the last debate before Saturday's Republican primary, the candidates showed they were ready to win. Here's a summary of what I thought some of the highlights were:

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney
The attack strategy Romney used to beat Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee clearly did not work for him. He held back a little during the debate, though he did kick the debate off by criticizing McCain for telling Michigan residents their lost jobs were probably gone for good. The attack, I mean optimistic strategy worked a little better for him this time around and earned him a win in Michigan.

Fmr. NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani
The status of this "front-runner" continues to be a mystery. Giuliani has been beaten a couple of times by Congressman Ron Paul and has focused his attention on Florida and some of the other states voting later. He was less than sterling in his performance during the debate, except for the occasional squirmish with a competitor. But, when asked to defend his conservatism, Giuliani did what most of the other candidates did: he summoned the Reagan coalition.

Sen. Fred Thompson
Thompson seemingly came out of nowhere Thursday night, probably well aware that he needs to do well in South Carolina if he's to have a chance at winning the nomination. He employed the Romney attack strategy and went after Huckabee, calling into question his alleged beliefs that America has an arrogant foreign policy and in taxpayer-funded programs for illegal immigrants. "That's not the model of the Reagan coalition, that's the model of the Democratic Party," said Thompson.

Huckabee
Huckabee, ever the Baptist charmer, responded to Thompson, "The Air Force has a saying that says that if you're not catching flak, you're not over the target. I'm catching the flak, I must be over the target." He continued on to set the record straight, illuminating his successes in cutting taxes 94 times. Of course, he didn't mention the youtube video footage of his promise to raise almost any tax the legislature saw fit.

Paul
Congressman Paul and Huckabee received at various points what supporters might call ludicrous questions. When asked about 9/11 Truthers' support and whether he asks them to stop spreading their views, not only did he refuse to tell the movement what to say and think, he called out moderator Carl Cameron. "But the only thing I have control over is what I believe and what I say," said Paul. "I can't tell them what to do. So I don't endorse what they say and I don't believe that, so, please, could I participate in the current debate rather than picking this out?" He continued on to participate in the debate, criticizing the loss of fiscal conservatism.

Paul continues to stand as the lone ranger against the other candidates, particularly on the issue of foreign policy. Thursday he said he thinks we ought not broker a peace deal between Israel and Lebanon and that we ought to trade peacefully with the rest of the world.

Sen. John McCain
McCain responded to Paul saying, "I'm not interested in trading with Al Qaida. All they want to trade is burkas. I don't want to travel with them. They like one-way tickets." Barring the comment, McCain looked presidential and authoritative. He spoke confidently and with leadership, qualities he needs to do well in Saturday's primary.

Please leave your feedback on the debate below this title

2008-01-10T22:57:00.000-05:00

A chat with S. C. RNC Chairman Katon Dawson

2008-01-10T19:19:00.000-05:00

I had the chance this afternoon, along with some other media, for some Q&A with Katon Dawson, the chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party. A few selected questions are below along with Dawson's take on some of the candidates, tonight's upcoming debate and where South Carolina fits in, in terms of electing our next president.

Q. Who’s most Reagan-like?

“He’s a benchmark for Republicans."

"You’re not going to go wrong in politics when you’re talking about Ronald Reagan, but when you’re all talking about Ronald Reagan, you’ve got to make a difference.”

“I’m going to leave it up to primary voters to make their decision, but I think about 40% of our primary voters are undecided because of the quality and the value of our candidates”

Q. Will South Carolina be Fred Thompson's last stand?

"That's up to the voters, but I suspect there's an expectation level he's going to do well...he's working hard."

Q. What is S. C.'s place in the upcoming election?

“I think we’re a crucial state…I think we’re opinion makers.”

“You can’t win a presidential election without winning the south”

Q. How do you think some of the more "moderate" Republicans such as Romney and Giuliani will come out of South Carolina?

"I don't know if you can call any of my candidates really moderate."

"We've tried to stay away from labels."

Dawson talked about how the Democrats talk about raising taxes and socialized medicine, in contrast with the bent towards fiscal conservatism typically found in the South.

“We’re going to be the recipient of a very liberal-leaning presidential campaign that I think myself personally is a benefit to the Republican party of South Carolina. Obviously it has been in the last election cycle."

Q. Young voters for Obama?

considering, again, high taxation and socialized medicine in contrast with conservative Carolina. The Democrats don't line up with our values in South Carolina, says Dawson.

“They’ve got a recipe for disaster.”

Q. How do you see the debate going tonight

“I see the debate as very hard hitting tonight…I can tell you from the flavors of the campaigns, these guys are ready for a brawl.”

“This is the last debate. I think there are going to be tough questions. I think there are going to be some really tough answers.”

Q. What do you make of Ron Paul’s financial support in contrast with actual polling numbers?

“Absolutely amazing. Ron Paul is a phenomenon that I am envious of and admire. When you see New Hampshire, he was left out of the debate and you look outside and you look outside the window of Fox News and you see the signs coming up and down. It was something that I found very unique.”

“I think there’s a phenomenon going on there. I certainly welcome his voters to the Republican Party. Some of them are very new to the Republican Party. Do I agree with them? Not my position to try to change their minds, it’s my position to get a nominee elected. But with that being said, if their candidate is not successful, I welcome them into the debate. I welcome their ideas because that’s what’s made us a bigger, stronger party.”

“And that’s one thing that’s been sort of sexy about Huckabee. He’s had an appeal to some different type voters.”

“Over all, the whole range of our candidates right now and the differences in them have made our party bigger in South Carolina.”

In Closing

The last South Carolina Republican debate attracted more than 700 credentialed media, 29 different countries, and satellite trucks wall to wall. It’s an even bigger debate this time.

“What South Carolina says is gonna matter to the entire country.”

Q. How soon after the primary are you going to start looking for an RNC chair?

"Let's go win the White House first. We've got that vote in January of '09"

Gov. Sanford Introduces $6.8 bill. Spending Plan

2008-01-10T16:55:00.000-05:00

Gov. Mark Sanford introduced a $6.8 billion state spending plan on Monday for the fiscal year 2008- 09. The fiscal year begins July first, and the plan reduces state spending by $326 million or 4.6 percent, compared with last year's spending levels, provides an optional income tax rate cut, and includes funding for such items as 300 new law enforcement officers and $50 million for the Conservation Land Bank.

To read more about the fiscal 2008-09 spending plan, see The Columbia Star

Candidates You might not have Heard of Yet: Wayne Root

2007-12-09T18:15:00.000-05:00

Wayne Allyn Root is a self-proclaimed S. O. B., or son of a butcher, businessman, TV personality and "recovering Republican." And he's vying for the presidency as a Libertarian in 2008.

Root is a professional gambler from Las Vegas and hosts Winning EDGE, which highlights betting tips and analysis of college and pro football games.

The combination of making bold moves and a philosophy that people should have social and economic autonomy is what Root thinks will make him a great Chief Executive. "I am a maverick," said Root in an interview. "Americans love Mavericks." To name a few Mavericks, Root pointed out Jesse Ventura, a former wrestler and Minnesota Governor, and Arnold Swartzenager.

Like a true maverick, Root actually hopes to downsize the size and power of the government and let the people govern themselves more.

Calling on the Constitution, Root said, “The day that I take office, I will give power back to the people—where it belongs.” He said the government has no right to act as “Big Brother” and tell us how to live our lives.

He is critical of politicians like John Edwards, the Clintons and Rudy Giuliani, all of whom he said fall in line with the status quo and take advantage of the taxpayer.

Root said his platform is simple. "Open your wallet. Look inside. I do not want what's in there. It’s your property. It doesn’t belong to government," said Root. "You should be allowed to keep as much as possible of your own money."

Root used to associate himself with the Republican Party. He recalled being at a Whitehouse Hanukah party with President Bush only two years ago. Root wrote a book about his fiscally conservative beliefs called “Millionaire Republican.” Today, he calls himself a “reformed, recovering lifelong Republican.”

A critic of the two-party system, Root said, “I didn’t leave the GOP. The GOP left me—and tens of millions of other voters.”
Root expects to be successful among voters in the West and anywhere he said government dominates the voters’ lives. Root thinks overtaxed, over-governed Americans will love his message. “Everyone wants to be free,” said Root.

Root will be campaigning nationwide starting in January. To keep up with his schedule, or for more information, visit www.ROOT4America.com.

Hunter Continues his "Secure the Border" Tour in Columbia, N. Augusta, Upstate

2007-12-06T11:06:00.000-05:00

Duncan Hunter (L) Signs Autograph for Ret. Military Member, Mike Wiltse of Evans, Ga.

Duncan Hunter continued his "Secure the Border" tour the state last weekend, discussing his plan to strengthen U. S. security through border control, winning the Iraq War and leveling the playing field in trading with China.

Hunter is a Republican presidential candidate and congressman from San Diego, who is a ranking member of the Armed Services Committee and a Vietnam Veteran.

Hunter on Border Security:
When it comes to illegal immigration, “an enforceable border is key,” said Hunter on Friday at his North Augusta campaign stop. And an enforceable border has been one of Hunter’s primary focuses since he took office in 1980.

Hunter contributed to the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform Act, which mandated that 14 miles of a triple-border fence be built along the San Diego-Mexico border. After the fence was built, drug smuggling decreased by 90 percent, said Hunter. He also wrote the Secure Fence Act to extend the fence more than 850 miles.

The Iraq War:
Hunter also supports securing the country’s freedom through staying the course and winning the Iraq War.

But nationwide concerns over privacy violation in the name of national security beg the question of how to balance privacy rights and safety. Err on the side of security is Hunter’s philosophy. “If there’s not national security, there won’t be any social security,” said Hunter in an interview. Hunter explained social security in terms of social issues.

Expense is another concern for Iraq War critics. Hunter recognizes the concern and wants to bring high paying jobs that have been outsourced back into the country. The idea is that a healthy economy can afford to fund defense.

The United States’ relationship with China:
Before heading to North Augusta, the Representative held a conference on the Statehouse grounds to address his concern over a proposed merger between 3Com, a manufacturer known for computer network products, and Chinese telecom company, Huawei Technologies. Huawei has a partnership with Bain Capital, an asset management firm founded by Mitt Romney.

Hunter criticized the merger because of the potential threat he said it poses to national security. He plans to ask Romney to use his influence to stop the merger.

Hunter also said China is cheating on trade with hidden tariffs. To level the playing field, he proposed “mirror trade,” which means America would reflect the tax of any given country we trade with.
The Representative also visited Spartanburg and Clemson during his visit to S. C. He plans to campaign here a few more times before the Jan. 19 primaries, honoring his promise to campaign in all 46 counties.

Candidates You might not have Heard of Yet: Hugh Cort

2007-11-20T18:26:00.000-05:00

The issues of national security and terrorism are central to Hugh Cort's campaign. Cort is a Republican and an outspoken Christian who is an Alabama psychiatrist. He decided in 2004 to run for president partly because of his knowledge of and experience in counterterrorism.

Cort became a student of counterterrorism after Sept. 11 and developed a contact list of counterterrorism experts like Paul Williams, who wrote "Osama's Revenge: the Next 9/11," and retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney, who is a FOX News military analyst.

Cort also delivered a speech in March at the Intelligence Summit in St. Petersburg, Florida. The speech highlighted the concerns of Cort and others regarding a possible future attack on the U. S. in which Bin Laden would wage nuclear warfare on some of the nation's largest cities.

Cort knows his news is alarming. But he says, "I'm not trying to scare people, I'm trying to warn people."

And if Cort is to be president, he plans to enforce national security and physical safety through adequate preparation for such an attack. Preparation entails instituting the McInerney Plan, which would target Iran's nuclear facilities, and educating the people on how to protect themselves in case of a nuclear attack.

Another facet of national security is the issue of illegal immigration, which Cort plans to address by placing a fence along the U. S.-Mexico border.

While Cort has become a sort of counterterrorism expert, he is fairly green in the political arena. He ran for office to be an Alabama state representative in 2005 and lost. According to Cort, however, political experience doesn't guarentee success. "The politicians have let us down," he says.

In addition to a focus on national security, Cort looks at domestic issues through the lens of his faith. "I want to get America back to God," says Cort. For Cort, getting America where he wants it to be means banning abortion and gay marriage.

And in this Republican leaning state, Cort plans to appeal to South Carolinians who are traditional Republicans, and to those who are concerned with terrorism and illegal immigration. "I think South Carolina is going to be our bread and butter," says Cort. He also says the slow Southern style and accents make him feel right at home.

Candidates You might not have Heard of Yet: Cap Fendig

2007-11-14T01:31:00.000-05:00

Mirror, What's the Fairest Tax of all?

Taxation in America might be “fairer” if Republican candidate, Cap Fendig were president.

An advocate of the Fair Tax, which is a sales tax that would replace the Federal income tax, Fendig has focused his campaign on the issue of tax reform since he kicked off his campaign last September. If our treasury is empty, the nation cannot provide necessities like security and education, said Fendig in a phone interview.

Fendig is currently a county commissioner in Glynn County, Georgia. Prior to running for president, he ran St. Simons Transit, a St. Simons Island tour company, which he recently sold to focus on campaigning.

But Fendig said he met scores of people on a daily basis who were concerned with the direction in which the nation is headed. “I heard America’s heart cry and I agreed with what they were saying,” he said. “I found there was widespread discontent across the nation.”

ON THE ISSUES:
While the country has been crying for solutions to problems in health care, the Iraq War and national security, immigration, and a host of other issues, Fendig’s answer, “taxation,” is not initially appealing.

When it comes to health care, Fendig plans to tax goods, rather than income, and scale back on benefits because of crumbling infrastructure in programs like Medicare and Social Security. But his plan would also focus on prevention, and incentives for early detection and screening.

And Fendig's plan would ideally eliminate some of the red tape in the Medicare and Medicaid systems.

In order to solve our problems with immigration and national defense, Fendig would secure the border, track those who are coming into the U. S. on work visas, and defend the country against those who might combat the American way of life.

Regardless of the outcome of the upcoming primaries, Fendig said he hopes to “reinforce mainstream Republican values.”

Fendig is optimistic. From amidst a party at odds, he reminds skeptics that “no [Republican] candidate has won the heart of the voters.”

Ron Paul Brings his Message of Liberty to S.C.

2007-11-03T19:58:00.000-04:00

Columbia Fans "Say Yes to 'Dr. No'"

(COLUMBIA) Republican presidential candidate, Ron Paul visited the Midlands this weekend to celebrate the grand opening of his Columbia campaign office and to address supporters at Riverwalk Park's amphitheater near the Gervais Street bridge. The amphitheater, which seats 400 to 500 people, was filled to capacity with a small crowd standing behind it.

"Dr. No," as Paul is often called in Congress because of his reputation for voting against anything he says doesn't fit the Constitution, brought the same message of Liberty and the rule of the Constitution to South Carolinians that he has promoted during his 10 terms in Congress.

And while some say Ron Paul doesn't have a chance at the Republican nomination, he has received a high level of support in text polls, has raised about $10 million in support during his campaign and has placed in the top three in most of the straw polls. "Evidently, there were a lot of people around this country as frustrated as I was, and they were waiting for an opportunity," said Paul during Friday night's rally.

"I do not Want
to Run Your Lives"

Paul has also been recognized for receiving support from young voters. He said he thinks this support stems from young adults' realization of the problems that are forthcoming in social security and other entitlements. "I believe it's very clear to the young people that they are inheriting this system," said Paul.

A "non-interventionist" foreign policy and anti-Iraq war stance have also set Ron Paul apart from his Republican contenders, who say they want to do the right thing and finish the job overseas. But Paul encouraged supporters to respond to the idea of withdrawal from Iraq as un-American by asking, "How are you going to pay for it?" The message is that Americans are overtaxed, and the country is dependent on some foreign countries for finances. "We had better get our house in order," said Paul.

In an interview Paul said that his belief in the constitution has left him to stand alone in Washington on many occasions, but his willingness to hold to those convictions has been popular with the people. "I go outside of Washington, and there are a lot of people and a lot of applause."

Paul also received much applause during the grand opening of his Greenville office on Thursday, and more than 500 students gathered to hear him speak at Clemson University on Friday.

Biden to Visit Upstate S. C.

2007-10-30T20:33:00.000-04:00

Senator Joe Biden, a Democratic presidential candidate from Delaware, will visit Upstate South Carolina this weekend to reach out to S. C. voters.

The packed itinerary will begin Friday with a 4:30 p.m. meet and greet reception at Limestone College in Gaffney. The assembly is an open event at which Biden will address the public's questions and concerns.

Among the issues Biden has focused on this campaign season are health care and a plan to get the U. S. out of Iraq. The plan calls for limited central government in Baghdad and the withdrawal and re-deployment of most U.S. forces by next summer. Biden's plan passed with a vote of 75-23. Twenty-six of those in favor are Republicans.

Biden's state campaign director, Trip King says Biden is a valid competitor for the Democratic nomination "because of his ability to reach across party lines and get things done."

But because South Carolina is a Republican leaning state, garnering support here may be a challenge. King acknowledges this, but he says "[Biden] does feel he could be competitive here."

Biden's other engagements this weekend include attendance at the NAACP banquet in Greenvile. The banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday at the Carolina First Center. And Biden is the keynote speaker at Anderson County's Democratic Party monthly breakfast. This event is open to the public and will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Golden Corral on Clemson Blvd.

Click here for Joe Biden's complete itinerary for this weekend and beyond.