Transparency Drumbeat Grows Louder
Quick – who’s more in favor of government transparency, South Carolina’s so-called “Republican” leaders or the cousin and political ally of one of its most effective boondogglers?
If you answered S.C. Rep. Bill Clyburn – the cousin of cash-guzzling U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn- you would be correct.
At a press conference in Aiken, S.C. yesterday, S.C. Rep. Clyburn quoted Thomas Paine, praised the S.C. Policy Council for its commitment to open government and demanded mandatory roll call voting on absolutely everything that comes through the S.C. General Assembly.
No ifs, ands or buts.
“We are in some tough times, and I tell you open government is the better way to do it,” Clyburn said. “We want to make sure it’s put in action … that we take a recorded count on every vote that we do.”
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – at least Democrats come by their big government honestly. Seriously, why can’t we get Republican leaders like Speaker Bobby Harrell and Senate President Glenn McConnell to endorse Clyburn’s position?
Oh that’s right … they’re “too busy.” Of course, the real reason for their recalcitrance is that they want to continue calling themselves “fiscal conservatives” in public while growing government at unsustainable levels on unnecessary expenses behind closed doors.
Meanwhile, yesterday was a banner day for another Policy Council priority – online checkbooks.
The city of Aiken, S.C. became the eighth local government in the Palmetto State to post its records online since the Policy Council first called attention to the issue last year.
We’d like to take this opportunity to extend props to the organization’s President, Ashley Landess (who has withstood a withering status quo attack for standing up on this issue), and to Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom, whose office has been assisting local governments interested in opening their checkbooks for public inspection.
Keep the pedal to the floor, y’alls.
WEB EXTRA
City of Aiken Puts Spending Online
Pics: SC Policy Council
Comments
By Ben on July 23rd, 2009 at 11:47 am
Let’s face it. Electing a government and then watching them do things in secret is plain stupid. Why do we keep electing the kind of slimy creatures who say anything to get elected, who talk about transparency, but get elected and close the doors and keep us in the dark?
The recent past tells me that Republicans favor secrecy, adultery, and deficit spending. Sanford wasn’t smart enough to combine secrecy with the adultery.
By Tee on July 23rd, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Why do we sit back and allow our state legislators to sit back and not provide their voting record? Better yet, how the hell are we to make them?
1) They don’t listen to our calls or read our emails
2) SC voters are too damn stupid to vote them out of office
3) When SC voters go to the polls they “feel comfortable” voting for the veteran guy/lady, because face it, we are frightened by change/something new.
4) Why provide voting records? It means they would support accountability and they would have to put their constituents first rather than their political career.
My only hope in this next upcoming election is that voters look beyond the verbal diarrhea.
By Trey on July 23rd, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Who’s the blond?
By Ron on July 23rd, 2009 at 6:17 pm
“Seriously, why can’t we get Republican leaders like Speaker Bobby Harrell and Senate President Glenn McConnell to endorse Clyburn’s position?”
Will, Tee and Ben,
Mega Dittos Gentlemen! Will, the answer to your question above in my view is that these professional politicians have been in Columbia far too long. They and many others seem to operate as if they felt “what the voters don’t know won’t hurt them”.
Also as Ben said above, “Why do we keep electing the kind of slimy creatures who say anything to get elected, who talk about transparency, but get elected and close the doors and keep us in the dark?” Tee, you said it, “voters don’t look beyond the verbal diarrhea”.
God Bless you guys and MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA and “guide her through the night with the light from above”.
By Toyota Kawaski on July 24th, 2009 at 8:41 am
First of all Fits stay out of Aiken we already have enough “laundry matt white trash” second of all everyone is laughing at Mr.Smack-ah-lack-ah and third that was nothing more than a smart growth RINO rally.
By Bill's Other Cousin on July 24th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
FITS what is a Toyota Kawaski, whatever it is, it has got to be the dumbest thing around besides being a racist. Cousin Bill is a great man and is a leader and has done alot for Aiken County and for South Carolina and he certainly is no RINO – he is democrat and proud of it.
Thank you Cousin Bill.
By Toyota Kawaski on July 24th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Bills other cousin(TONY) takes one to know one Please list Coach Clyburns laundry list of things he has done for the peoples of Aiken County.
By Toyota Kawaski on July 24th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Only non RINOS at this event were Massey,T. Young,R. Young,and Wells