By Tom Davis
There will be a march in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 12 to protest recent federal government actions — runaway spending, unsustainable borrowing, trillions of dollars in debt being passed on to future generations, attempts to nationalize health care and enact a ruinous cap-and-trade bill, the bailouts — and I will participate alongside thousands of other South Carolinians.
America’s tradition should always be one of expanding individual liberty, but in recent years, we have seen our federal government veer dramatically from the principles on which it — and this nation — was founded. And what we have seen in the past 200 days has been shocking. Our elected leaders seem hell-bent on deforming the relationship between the citizen and the state.
I’m glad to see senators and congressmen so shaken by the raw town-hall meetings held in recent days to debate the proposal to nationalize health care (one-sixth of our nation’s economy). These politicians are not used to dealing with outraged individuals who have finally had enough, and their education on how far the policies now being pushed in Washington have drifted from the American mainstream is long overdue.
The politicians in Washington tell us this anger is not genuine, that it is being whipped up by special interest groups. They’re wrong. I know that they’re wrong because I hear that anger at the community forums I regularly hold in Beaufort County. Folks from all over our county — from Hilton Head Island to Bluffton, from Port Royal to Beaufort to Fripp Island — are furious. They realize something that makes America unique in the world is being lost.
Actually, it’s those politicians who are beholden to the special interest groups. They have the usual suspects on board — the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the American Hospital Association, America’s Health Insurance Plans and the AARP, which is leaning toward an endorsement. But what they don’t have are the people those groups say they represent.
Look at the AARP. It has kind words for a health care plan that would cut several hundred billion dollars over 10 years from Medicare, even though that plan is opposed by seniors more than any other age group. My constituents in Sun City, who speak eloquently and intelligently against the plan, are a far more authentic voice for seniors than the leadership of the AARP busy selling them out.
And as members of Congress are discovering during their recess, cutting deals with the special interest groups’ lobbyists to cram nationalized health care down the throats of Americans will not be enough — not when they’re facing a genuine grassroots revolt by people who are being ignored by everyone who is supposed to be representing them.
The populism we are now witnessing has long been part of American politics. And while liberal intellectuals preach the virtues of populism when their leaders direct it against “the malefactors of great wealth,” they cry foul when it is turned against the aggrandizing of federal power.
The stakes now are very high, and Mark Steyn puts it well: “When governments annex a huge chunk of the economy, they also annex a huge chunk of individual liberty. You fundamentally change the relationship between the citizen and the state into something closer to that of junkie and pusher — and you make it very difficult ever to change back. Americans face a choice: They can rediscover the animating principles of the American idea — of limited government, a self-reliant citizenry and the opportunities to exploit your talents to the fullest — or they can join most of the rest of the Western world in terminal decline. To rekindle the spark of liberty once it dies is very difficult.”
Those of us heading to Washington, D.C., on Sept. 12 seek to remind our elected federal officials of those “animating principles of the American idea.” Of course, they might well decide to continue “annexing all the responsibilities of adulthood” (Steyn again). But if they do, the flames of the conservative populist revolt will burn even brighter, and there will be hell to pay come election time.
Editor’s note: The author represents Beaufort County in the South Carolina Senate. Original article can be found at www.SenatorTomDavis.com. You can also follow Tom’s “Tweets” from the Washington, D.C. march on his Twitter page (and unlike Joe Wilson, Tom actually writes his “Tweets” all by himself).
By PandaChris September 12, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Tom Davis is a great man and I hope Governor one day.
Not in 2010, as Sanford has delivered the governor’s mansion to the Dems next year.
By political hack September 12, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Tom Davis is the man. He has long been preaching the fiscal conservatism mantra and I think he could do great things for this state and our nation if he was in a higher office. But, there is always that temptation to sellout and a politician is still a politician…I’d like Mr. Davis to break the status quo.
By 1 + 1 = 3 September 12, 2009 at 12:21 pm
But he stand solidly behind the “first class’ luv gob?
By Lex Luthor September 12, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Hey Tom whats wrong with your mouth,, and when are you going to call for the Luv Guvs’ arse to resign?
By CNSYD September 12, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Is Sanfraud going with him? These “less government” guys are always so funny. “Less” government means less of the programs that they believe don’t affect them while they want more from programs that line their pockets. I guess “less government” is the new mantra. “Family values” didn’t work to well in practice.
By Gillon September 12, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Wow, community forums in Beaufort, Hilton Head, Bluffton, Port Royal, and Fripp Island–that’s a real cross section of SC and the US. They certainly represent the mainstream of what South Carolinians and Americans are thinking. But they should be “furious”–they voted overwhelmingly to elect Joe Wilson to the U. S. Congress.
By Libb September 12, 2009 at 2:07 pm
And, if he still stands solidly behind Sanfraud, where does he also “stand” with regards to Doug Coe & The Family?
By Groundball September 12, 2009 at 2:24 pm
I don’t think that you will ever see Sen Davis in the Governor’s mansion unless he is attending a reception. Our Governor has killed the chances of this man as he has his other disciples in the legislature. It’s too bad that Davis didn’t advise the Gov’s resignation harder in private conversations before giving his support.
While this is a worthy endeavor I support, we must look for another standard bearer.
By PandaChris September 12, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Tom Davis is being a class act NOT to cut and run on his friend of many years….that is a good characteristic, not a bad one.
It is not as if it was Tom that misused state funds.
By fitsnews September 12, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Groundball-
Davis did advise governor privately to resign, if we’re not mistaken.
http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/07/01/come-to-jesus/
-FITS
By CNSYD September 12, 2009 at 3:09 pm
PandaChris, then obviously Davis cares more about his friend than the people of the state of SC. Do you have personal knmowledge of how Davis has used state funds? I don’t and doubt you do either. So all you have is speculation on your part.
By whatever will September 12, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Voucher pawn!!
By AMAZING September 12, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Tom Davis has his nose so far up Sanfraud’s rear-end that he can’t see straight.
Tom “Goon” Davis is cut from the same cloth as Sanfraud.
Tom Davis said:
“As a state senator with responsibilities to my constituents, I met yesterday with SLED Chief Reggie Lloyd and Attorney General Henry McMaster to determine whether Gov. Sanford had violated any statutory or constitutional obligations. Both have assured me that Gov. Sanford did not break any laws and that he did not spend public dollars in this process.”
“That said, and as Gov. Sanford knows, he has no margin for further error in this particular matter. South Carolina simply cannot afford any additional embarrassment.”
http://schotlinepress.wordpress.com/2009/07/03/tom-davis-statement-re-sanford-and-sled-findings/
By SC Integrity September 12, 2009 at 3:53 pm
I’m guilty of judging people by their friends so castigate me. There’s no way he’s been bosom buddies since college and didn’t see evidence and/or via common sense spot signs of Sanfraud’s hypocrisy, weaknesses, ego issues and even the misuse of public resources aka flights. Sorry, this cat can’t buy that Davis had no idea of a close friend’s tendencies. It definitely brings more questions of naivete or nefarious activity to my mind about possibly Davis’ character and decision making.
Perhaps Davis didn’t understand Sanfraud’s underlying personality disorder and progression of “because I can” magical thinking. The alarming degree of mental impairment may well still be a shock.
Don’t know anybody else’s definition of a friend but this borders on enabling imho. I wouldn’t sacrifice my character for a friend who abused his position and acted illegally. I’d be there to help him recover in any way personally but would make it very clear I don’t condone or cover-up.
Davis embarrassed Beaufort County majorly on LKL. Ben Stein was stunned someone attempted to defend a derelict who fully planned abandoning his constituents.
By Red Bank Bar September 12, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Just another SC embarassment. We grow ‘em like kudzu.
Mr. Tom never said a word when the Bushites were tapping everyone’s phone conversations and spending more money on a war of choice than Obama wants to spend on the American people.
Ole Mr. Tom voted for George Bush, Mark Sanford, and Joe Wilson. Do the decent thing Mr. Tom and resign before you inflict more of your vision of pain and ignorance on the rest of us.
By get a grip September 12, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Hey who is this Tom Davis that every one believes is so conjoined with Mark Sanford??? Has any among us not had a friend fuck up??? That is such moronic guilt by association, such total nonsense. Did Tom Davis fly to Argentina without telling anyone??? Did Tom Davis use the state plane to fly to get a haircut??? Is Tom Davis holding press conferences every three hours to bitch about how the media is covering his situation??? No??? Then STFU dumbasses!!!!!!!
By SC Integrity September 12, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Believe it or not, one in a million here, never had a friend mess up in the highest hypocritical degree and ask me to reject principles (including not stealing and serving people in need) I believe in and risk my career for his right to funsies.
Tom Davis reiterated ad nauseum in multi media that he believes Gov. Sanford should continue to serve after he was AWOL for five days and after he paid back $3300 at least that he stole from taxpayers!
Every politican is in some way proven to be guilty by association. We can’t pick our families as that can be an unfair assessment, but it’s reasonable to judge by a birds of a feather standard to a certain degree.
By Groundball September 12, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Sorry to post and leave, but I’ve been watching some college football. Not taking a shot at Davis, but feel that, right or wrong, Sanford has cast a shadow over his friends and allies, especially those in his inner circle.
By SC Integrity September 12, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Here’s the obvious. It’s possible we wouldn’t still be talking about Gov. Sanford if dear friend Sen. Davis would’ve stood for what was right and legal leadership by telling Gov in June the obvious, he’s unfit, illegal and unacceptable. Although we don’t know the exact level of Sanfraud’s mental impairment, Davis’ refusal to enable could have taken him over the edge.
Especially since Sanfraud insists there were several times he was close to resigning! Where was Davis in those moments? Sanfraud didn’t call on him then? And what did Davis say, continue on buddy.
Davis had ample opportunity to both be a true friend and a public servant and he failed that test. He will play a part in how Sanfraud goes down, one way or another.
By Skidmarks September 12, 2009 at 7:02 pm
“Look at the AARP. It has kind words for a health care plan that would cut several hundred billion dollars over 10 years from Medicare, even though that plan is opposed by seniors more than any other age group.”
Nope. No cuts to Medicare by health care reform as proposed. Much less “several hundred billion dollar” cuts. Medicare expenditures are reduced by paying docs and hospitals less. And they should make less.
And in your sentence, “that plan” refers to its antecedent noun which is “Medicare.” So, seniors oppose Medicare, Tom? Horse pucky.
Are you the one who coached Sanford in using the English language? Go stick your head in the toilet, Tom.
By rick September 12, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Easy, get a grip, RBB and his kind are always bitchin about anybody and everybody except the anointed one. No sense in getting upset over trolls. There’s nothing about South Carolina that I’ve ever read from these clowns that was positive…they live in a world of anger, its a shame but soon they’ll have even more to be angry about.
By Red September 12, 2009 at 8:47 pm
I agree with red bank bar above.
Where was Tom Davis’s outrage during the Bush Administration?
The real tea party folks were taking Bush to task for bankrupting our country, engaging in bogus foreign wars, expanding the worthless federal program of No Child Left Behind. tapping our phone lines, giving trillions to their banker buddies, and devaluing the dollar.
I guess it’s easier for a SC politician to blame it all on the newly elected black president.
Hell, by the time Bush was in office for this long he had already let Osama bin laden attack our country.
By BIN News Editorial Staff September 12, 2009 at 8:58 pm
sic(k) willie,
You wrote that “Davis did advise governor privately to resign.” If it was private advice, how in the world would you know? Did you make it up?
sic(k) one, you are nothing but a political pimp and porn master.
You have been sucking down consulting money from Davis and sanfraud all along. You have them both on speed dial. Not sure if sanfraud is still taking your calls, but it’s a safe bet you and Tom-tom talk frequently.
It’s a known fact that Tom-tom is still whispering in your ear.
Is marky-mark still whispering to you? Probably not.
By Nyet September 12, 2009 at 9:13 pm
get a grip –
Your link isn’t working @ http://gripit.net/
Has it been flagged?!?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2311664/posts
###
P.S.
“Lil’ pitchers have big ears.” Sic One has children old enough to read this stuff now — so the impulse control cuss control crew tries to encourage PG-ness. Mucho Gracio.
By Nyet September 12, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Ahem…s/read…
“impulse control cuss patrol”
By T is for BLANK September 12, 2009 at 9:19 pm
I’m pretty sure Davis issued a statement where he admitted telling the luv gov to resign, is that not correct?
So, I’m pretty sure those that say he is still behind the gov 100% = fail. But nice try though.
By AMAZING September 12, 2009 at 10:00 pm
“get a grip” needs to get a grip, Tom.
Tom Davis should be calling out Sanfraud. But No, the goon is defending Sanfraud.
Tom “The Goon” Davis defended Sanfraud on every news channel, i.e. CNN, FOX News and every other news channel. Tom “conjoined-at-the-hip-with-Sanfraud” Davis is like Sanfraud’s wife.
Or, is it? Davis is Sanfraud’s b*itch? Or is Sanfraud Davis’s b*itch? Who knows? Let’s see, same college, same wedding, same employer, same basement, same bat channel …uh uh uh let’s see Chief of Staff for Sanfraud …uh uh uh let’s see …Sanfraud supported Davis for his campaign for Senator from Beaufort …BTW, who did Sanfraud thank first when he admitted his affair, TOM DAVIS …TOM DAVIS …TOM “hooked-at-the-hip” Davis …
Sanfraud said: I would like to apologize first to a very dear dear friend, Tom Davis …WHAT? WHAT? Sanfraud had a freakin’ affair and who does he apologize to first? You guess it, Tom Davis.
Tom “Hooked-at-the-the Hip-to-Sanfraud” Davis.
Tom “Get-a-Grip” Davis.
By James the Foot Soldier September 12, 2009 at 11:49 pm
skid – sorry – senior citizens aren’t fooled by your or obama’s lies anymore.
From dailyrecord.com:
http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20090823/OPINION03/90821077/1096/OPINION/How+will+health+care+reform+affect+Medicare?+
“The most troubling comment I have learned was made by former Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle. According to Bloomberg News, he said: “Health-care reform will not be pain free. Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them.” This is an unequivocal implication that Medicare cuts will erode medical benefits for seniors.
It is unconscionable to have the largest funding source for the new health plan be Medicare/Medicaid cuts. Social Security is the main source of income for some seniors. Some have fixed but meager pensions. Hence, the annual average income of the senior population is far below the national income average. And yet, it is this group that is asked to sacrifice health care to pay for the health plan”
Sealing $500 BILLION from the Medicare Trust fund that should be used to provider hospital, nursing home, and home health care for America’s senior citizens living on fixed on incomes to subsidize healthcare coverage for able bodied folks making up to $80,000 is criminal.
Keep your filthy hands off grandma’s healthcare.
Pingback: Quick Read Sunday « SCHotline Mobile
By old bike dude September 13, 2009 at 9:40 am
Sorry sic but Tom Davis is wrong. He’s in bed with Sanford. He’s just another Joe Wilson. His friends in Sun City…what a laugh. Oh they are his friends, it’s just that every last one of them are “come heres” and they brought their yankee bullshit with them.
My vote for Tom Davis may be the worst vote I ever cast. I won’t make that mistake twice nor will those I advise.
btw for those defending Davis’ lack of action on his friendship with Sanford. This isn’t about “friendship”, this is about doing the right thing. Tom Davis had the opportunity to do the right thing on day one of the LuvGuv saga and he blew it.
By baker September 13, 2009 at 10:35 am
I think “Red’s” comment is compelling.
By ethel krabitz September 13, 2009 at 10:54 am
Tom Davis is a man of integrity. We all have friends who make embarrassing choices and mistakes, and we are not held personally responsible for their errors. Tom is doing a great job for the people who elected him.
By BIN News Editorial Staff September 13, 2009 at 11:15 am
sic(k) willie no longer has the courage to talk back to us. He is a coward. But at least he knows he must post our insightful comments. After all, our staff taught him the need for blog “moderation.” Love ya, sic(k) one.
By No Name September 13, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Can someone please out…. for those of us that do not know…who is BIN and who pays them to stay at this constant maronicpounding.
I applaud FITS for allowing them to say anything…and at times it is… if not entertaining…. at least telling…but I would appreciate a scorecard at this stage in the game.
Bauer Club
McMaster Team
Barrett Platoon
Wilkins Warriors
Harrell Inc.
McConnel Yacht Club
Jenny Conclave
Sanford
By CNSYD September 13, 2009 at 3:27 pm
old bike dude, right on! If Davis listens to the carpetbaggers in Sun City he needs to be put out of office. If the rest of the US is so wonderful, then why the hell did all these Sun City people move here if it is such a cesspool? Same deal happened at Kiawah. Retired Yankee CEOs moved in and wanted to tell everyone what to do.
By Nyet September 13, 2009 at 6:18 pm
No Name,
None of the above — BIN is paid to foster the enslaving of our children in public schools:
Creating little godless commies with our tax dollars and precious progeny.
By SC Integrity September 13, 2009 at 7:07 pm
To Ethel and anyone else who does not realize Davis’ inescapable involvement in Sanfraud’s aftermath…
Davis personally took it upon himself to talk his friend back into our good graces, downplay the illegal wrongs he committed and attempted to re-package and sell repentant Sanfraud. In fact, upon listening to clips of Davis on major media, it appears Davis may have initially been involved as a spinmeister.
Any of this sound familiar?
June 24th WSAV “We’re all human, we all fall, stumble and the best you can do is own up to mistakes, ask forgiveness move on and hope it makes you a better person.”
June 25th, CBS “South Carolinians have a tremendous capacity for forgiveness.” DING DING DING
“We’re human, we all have failings, and all we can do when confronted with these feelings is own up to them and acknowledge the hurt we caused others.”
“We all sin, we fail, you repent and hopefully there’s reconciliation.”
Think of Davis’ involvement similar to an AA sponsor. Assume he sought to initially do right and be helpful but soon enough the addict talked him into enabling, covering up and ultimately supplying the substance needed to feed his addiction. As a result the addict’s subsequent actions reflect upon him, since the relationship encouraged further sickness.
Ultimately only a few possibilities explain Davis’ involvement.
a) Davis’ conscience is weak or not informed indicating he caves into peer pressure or is clueless on what’s legal/illegal.
b) He’s easily manipulated or naive.
c) He made a deal with the devil and willing chooses deceit.
No matter what the reason we deserve better decision making and leadership than both Sanfraud and Tom Davis.
By another opinion September 13, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Tom Davis might as well live in Sun City with the rest of the carpertbaggers (Davis is from New Jersey). Davis has blindly stood by his college friend the Luv Gov. What has the Luv Gov got on Davis? Could he be one of those friends that went with him to blow off steam when the Luv Gov “crossed the line.” Davis is history. He will be a big target next election. I remember watching him trying like hell to explain what he and Ryberg were trying to do with the budget. Anybody with any financial sense could see right through them playing hanky panky with funds in DSS.
By Interloper September 13, 2009 at 9:36 pm
What I really want to know about Sanford and Davis is: Are they secret lovers?
By Dismayed September 13, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Tom Davis wants less government for everyone but himself and his friends. For him, for Sanford, for all the rest of the C Street gang, he wants a government that will support lots of nice trips to China and Argentina and opportunities to make sure that laws are structured to benefit them.
By Terrence September 14, 2009 at 6:48 am
I’m gonna vote for Tom again and again and again. Limited government kinda guy and I like him. You naysayers are completely ignoring the fact that he said he urged the governor to resign. It’s not Davis’ fault Sanfraud is still in office people, it’s Sanfraud’s fault…Get with reality…
By rick September 14, 2009 at 8:52 am
Carpetbaggers? And who sold them the land? Who sold out their friends and neighbors? Oh wait, thats right, in South Carolina we whine when de yankee we done sold our land and homes to because we be greedy has de arrogance to tell us we be f@ucked up as a soup sanwich. You don’t want to deal with carpetbaggers, don’t invite industry that your educational system can’t support, don’t sell them food or housing or land so they and their youngsters can survive, don’t marry them and import them….in other words, when your as big a whore as Florida is, you can’t complain when your not respected in the morning. Florida went this way in the 50′s and 60′s….guess what, the carpetbaggers remade Florida in their image…the same will happen here, so cry me a river while you sell me your heritage.
By Toyota Kawaski September 14, 2009 at 9:54 am
Voucher Scum.Instead of posing for the glamor shot in front of shrimp boats why don’t you do more to help that industry? You and Ryberg love me some me
By Martha Jefferson September 14, 2009 at 11:07 am
My husband would be proud of this man. He would call him brother and no less. The principles he espouses are the very same that are at the foundation of American Government. For once a modern politician is reaching back to the ideals that made this country what it is. Thomas’ dear friend Ben had a time with the ladies – I pray that his associations would not bare witness on my husband.
“Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will. But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add ‘within the limits of the law,’ because law is often but the tyrant’s will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual.” –Thomas Jefferson to Isaac H. Tiffany, 1819.
By CNSYD September 14, 2009 at 11:13 am
Martha, are you aware of Sally Hemmings? Apparently not. What “rights” did Tom allow her other than to share his bed and bare his child?
By CNSYD September 14, 2009 at 11:19 am
rick, we should have been smart like the Hawaiians. Lease the land but never sell it. I still have never gotten an explanation from these carpetbaggers as to why they would leave Yankee land, which is obviously almost heaven, to come to such a screwed up place like SC where they have to correct all our faults. I guess there were no faults to correct back in their homeland.
By MW Scott September 20, 2009 at 6:53 am
I am a African American, I’m proud to be one, not like your chairman Michael Steele, but nevertheless, for some selling your sold come on the heals of give me a job. I recognize why the Republican Party is moving for smaller government, because it will encourage lessor services for brown and yellow people. We the people, we the Americans, we the South Carolina residents will unite in every election from here on, to eliminate those who think not of the total community, but just your own,we will go to churches, we will go to homes, we will set up car pools, we will eliminate racial hatred from the halls, starting next year.