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By: Mullins McLeod
Once again, South Carolina's dysfunctional government has failed to serve the people of this state. Because state leaders failed to follow simple instructions, the General Assembly will return next week in special session - all on the taxpayers' dime - to ensure that thousands of out of work victims of the recession don't lose their unemployment compensation. As one might guess, we were the only state who didn't get this right the first time and we've waited until the last possible second to fix it.
Now, the politicians in Columbia are pointing fingers at each other and are fully engaged in the blame game. Governor Sanford is blaming his own bureaucrats. Legislative leaders say they are surely not the ones to blame. Even some of my opponents for the Democratic nomination for Governor have been holding press conferences claiming to know best how to fix this most recent debacle; others say that if people had only listened to them in the first place, this could all have been avoided. One of my opponents who is a 25-year lobbyist for groups like big tobacco, payday lending and the hazardous waste industry pounced first. His stance seems to be that what South Carolina really needs is more insider corporate lobbyists, like him, in charge.
This circus is yet another example of why South Carolina needs fundamental change.
Self-consumed recycled career politicians and powerful lobbyists have created a government that serves their interests instead of the people's interests. We've got to start putting people first again.
I am the only candidate who can bring real change to our state.
I am the only candidate who won't take a dime from special interest PACs. The other candidates are lining up for their money. When I'm Governor, I won't owe the special interests anything. I'll only be working for hard working South Carolina families. Furthermore, I will push for a strong plan to lessen the influence of lobbyists in state government. No other candidate has offered a plan this strong that will return the power to the people.
I am the only candidate in this race who is not a Columbia insider or a career politician. I am the only candidate who comes from the private sector. I've started and grown a small law firm into one of the largest firms in the state.
On day one of my campaign, I pledged to forgo running for any other office after I serve as Governor. South Carolinians have had enough of politicians who serve in one office but are solely focused on winning election to the next office. I'm running to get the job done and then I'll go back home to live under the laws I helped to enact. This race isn't about me or my career and it never will be. This race is about who can bring the change we need and create good jobs, improve our schools, and expand health care.
Our window of opportunity to change South Carolina isn't that wide. I believe that we must act now, or face decades of more dysfunction and backsliding. Our state and our people just cannot take more of the same. |
