Prior to the Port of Charleston losing its biggest customer last December, nobody (except us) was paying any attention whatsoever to the way the S.C. State Ports Authority’s antiquated management structure was running our state’s most competitive asset into the ground.
Now, in typical knee-jerk fashion, everybody and their brother is weighing in on the issue.
Of course, lost within the flurry of competing “port reform” proposals is a curious dichotomy that showcases the utter and complete ideological bankruptcy of the so-called “Republicans” running this state.
While GOP “leaders” like Glenn McConnell and Hugh Leatherman are busy throwing out additional government regulation and legislative meddling as their solution, Senate Democrats are the ones who are talking about letting the private sector actually do its job for a change.
From Wolfe Reports:
“We’re still kind of going through (the GOP proposal),†Phil Bailey, of the Senate Democratic Caucus, said. “Everybody agrees that there’s a massive problem with the State Ports Authority. There’s some thought, even within the Democratic Caucus, that privatization might be an answer.”
Thank you, Senate Democrats, for promoting free markets while Republicans are arguing amongst themselves over the best way to interfere with them.
But let’s face it … we’re at the point where none of this is particularly surprising in South Carolina, the so-called “reddest state in the nation.”
GOP leaders love to talk about fighting for “lower taxes and less government,” but when it comes time to actually follow through on either front, their most likely to be found running in the opposite direction.
By The one party system at work February 4, 2009 at 8:56 am
This is a prime example of there being little difference between Republicrats and Demopublicans. They both stood by and silently watched us run off a private company wanting to build a $450 million dollar terminal in Jasper County.
Now they both want to act like they are “helping” but have no real clear ideas as to how to help.
Changing the board members of a Soviet styled enterprise and coming up with a 20 year plan reeks of communism.
Now we can watch the oldest trick in the communist book- as our state leaders figure out how to lease or sell these state assets to their friends so they can benefit at taxpayer expense.
By Clyde Smoak February 4, 2009 at 9:05 am
For some reason you and your friends in the State House are blaming the Ports for everything. Looks to me like you think relinquishing state control to union labor is the answer. Sounds more like an Obama Democrat than a Republican….I dare you!
Let’s look at the real problem and put the blame where it should be.
With any business or government it starts at the top.
Governor/CEO(Mark) – The number one recruiter/salesman for this state. When he doesn’t do his job, we all fail!
Department of Commerce – The number one sales teams in the state. When they don’t do their job, we all fail!
Legislature – The body that enables the State and the Governor to be successful. When they are at a stand off with the Governor, we all fail.
Ports – A tool to assist the Governor, Commerce and Legislature in their efforts to recruit industry. The engine not the driver. When the Governor, Commerce and Legislature fail to do their jobs, Ports fail.
My dear boy it is easy to criticize things we don’t understand. I have an idea, maybe it is time for Mark Sanford, Commerce and the Statehouse to stop pointing fingers and actually do the job they were hired to do.