Election Day in SC - Primary

Basic election info for SC - Polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

2010 Democratic candidates for SC (pdf)

Governor:

Jim Rex

• State Education Superintendent
• Supports reproductive rights for women
• Opposes oil drilling off SC coast but supports drilling for natural gas
• Twitter: @jimrex

Vincent Sheheen

• State Senator
• Does not commit to being for or against reproductive rights but says he wants to "reduce abortions" and is personally against
  
• Opposes oil drilling off SC coast but supports drilling for natural gas
• Twitter: @vincentsheheen

Robert Ford

• State Senator
• Supports reproductive rights for women
• Supports offshore drilling for oil & gas in SC
• Supports school vouchers
• Wants to "save" SC with video poker
  

Senate:

Vic Rawl - The Best Senate Candidate You've Probably Never Heard Of

• Supports reproductive rights for women
• Supports repeal of DADT
• Twitter: @Rawl4Senate

Alvin Greene - A Phantom Candidate?

Action Alert: SC Senators Vote Against Constitutional Rights of Rape Victims

Both of South Carolina's Senators voted against the Franken amendment to allow rape victims to have their day in court, even if they work for a government contractor. It passed anyway.

Tell the Senators what you think of their votes:

• Sen. Lindsey Graham on Twitter
• Sen. Graham's contact info for snail mail, e-mail and phone
• Sen. Graham will host a Town Hall Meeting on October 12 at 6:15 pm in Greenville, SC.

• Sen. Jim DeMint on Twitter
• Sen. Jim DeMint's contact info for snail mail and phone (online form for e-mail here)

SC: The Butt of Another Joke

A new report ranks the states in their efforts to fund smoking prevention programs using the money from the gigantor tobacco settlement.  Out of the 50 states, South Carolina is ranked 51st.  *Shakes fist at pesky District of Columbia*

So to what do we owe the honor?  A little history:

The tobacco settlement was reached a decade ago so states could recoup some of costs of treating smoking-related illnesses, with total payments estimated at $246 billion over the first 25 years, according to the report. South Carolina has gotten $912 million in settlement funds so far.

The settlement proceeds were split into four trust funds, one of which was to be spent on health concerns. In 2003, lawmakers withdrew $100 million from the health fund to help offset a budget deficit then, according to the report, and to help with Medicaid. The other funds were designated for economic development, aid for tobacco farmers and water and sewer projects.  [emphasis added]

OK well let's not dwell on the past.  What does Fiscal Year 2009 look like for SC?

For FY2009, South Carolina will receive $1.0 million in federal funds for tobacco prevention and cessation. The state Legislature allocated no funds for tobacco prevention programs for FY09.

Oh.  And:

No tobacco settlement funds have been dedicated to tobacco prevention since 2003.

Well at least we're consistent!  So we got that goin' for us.

Bottom line:  SC will receive $114 million dollars in FY2009 from tobacco settlement payments and our measly cigarette taxes (7 cents a pack - Dang, 51st again).  Of that, we're spending $0 on smoking prevention programs.  But we will pay over $1 billion in smoking related health care costs.  I hate to invoke the Chewbacca Defense but:  That does not make sense.  As someone who lacks health insurance due to the outrageous cost of premiums in SC, I'm jes wondering:  can I get a bailout over here?  

The SC Legislature needs to get their act together pronto.  If they don't, I am considering driving them to Nebraska and dropping them off at a hospital.  Because they certainly won't find any safe haven in my voting booth come election time.

SC Ballot on November 4

This is what will be on your statewide ballot on Election Day. You may also have local ballot measures (such as tax proposals to fund schools) so you'll want to check for those in advance. And of course your Representatives will vary by district. Here is a list of EveryFrickin'Body on the ballot in the entire state.

In the Senate, the incumbent is Lindsey Graham (R) and the challenger is Bob Conley (D). I blogged a summary of their debate here.

Amendment 1 is explained here:

Obsolete language in the South Carolina Constitution establishes an age of consent of 14 (!) for unmarried girls, giving South Carolina the lowest age of consent in the country. A new referendum would remove this language from the state constitution, essentially establishing 16 as the new age of consent.

If you vote YES on Amendment 1: The age of consent in SC for unmarried girls will be changed from 14 to (probably) 16. (Age of consent will be set by the state legislature which they generally set at 16.)

If you vote NO on Amendment 1: The age of consent in SC for unmarried girls will remain at 14.


Amendment 2 is asking if we want the state government to invest the money in pension plans of state employees in the stock market.

If you vote YES on Amendment 2: The state government will have authority to invest state retirees' pension funds in stocks.

If you vote NO on Amendment 2: The state government can not invest state retirees' pension funds in stocks.


Amendment 3 is asking if we want the state government to invest the money in pension plans of local government employees in the stock market.

If you vote YES on Amendment 3: The state government will have authority to invest local government retirees' pension funds in stocks.

If you vote NO on Amendment 3: The state government can not invest local government retirees' pension funds in stocks.

SC Senate Debate Summary

Goodness me. We in SC are stuck between an 'Oh No' and an 'OMG!'

Last night was the debate between Senator Lindsey Graham (R- SC) and his Democratic challenger Robert Conley. Here is a summary of their talking points and some quotes to the best of my memory (I took notes!):

Robert Conley: mentioned "communist China" and illegal immigrants several times, the latter basically in a "They took our jobs" (a la South Park) kinda way. He is vehemently against any path to citizenship for illegal immigrants.

Global warming: Conley said it's the "arrogance of man" to think we're responsible for the climate change. (It's the sun's fault, in case you were wondering.)

Earmarks: He would not accept federal earmarks. Said Congress needs to be innoculated against trichinosis. ha ha.

Foreign policy: "If we continue to occupy Afghanistan, it's going to accelerate the demise of the United States." (Dude!)
Also thinks we shouldn't ask our military to be involved in nation building because that's not what they are meant for - "The purpose of our military is to kill people and break things." (Dude! redux)

When asked if there was any sitting Senator who was close to the "ideal Senator", he said no but that he anticipates working closely with Jon Tester (D - MT) and Tom Coburn (R - OK).

Closing statement: several "America first" statements as well as a "no more bailoffs (!) for Wall St."

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Lindsey Graham: mentioned John McCain numerous times and said he hopes McCain becomes President for many reasons but mainly so he can appoint conservative judges.

Social Security: Graham said he makes $160,000 a year and in order to fix Social Security, he'd be willing to accept $10 less per month in his Social Security check so people who make less can get their checks too. (Wow, you sure you want to go that far Senator?) He said the retirement age must be raised also.

Earmarks: Yeah, he'll continue to take 'em but he wants transparency and no earmarks that people don't know about.

The Surge: Strategy.

Closing statement: The idea that by being in Afghanistan "we've made bin Laden mad at us" is "just a bunch of bull".


So there. Dang, where is Bachelor Number Three?

Hail Mary!

Amidst all the Chicken Little hysteria from our ah, leaders this afternoon - my beloved Senator Lindsey Graham is on TV right now talking about "financial Pearl Harbor".

Jesus Tap Dancing Christ.