By FITSNews || U.S. Representative and S.C. gubernatorial candidate Gresham Barrett unveiled his big “jobs” plan on Monday, and not surprisingly it included absolutely nothing in terms of tax relief for working South Carolinians.
What did it feature?
A bunch of new government positions, task forces and … wait for it … a “blue ribbon committee” that would study the state’s tax code, which is exactly the sort of taxpayer-funded circle jerk that lawmakers just approved in 2009.
Seriously, does Barrett not read the S.C. newspapers up in Washington D.C.? Or is he busy focusing on other things up there?
Anyway, here are just a few of the “low lights” from Barrett’s big government approach to “economic development …”
* Create a workforce specialist advisory position in the governor’s office
* Create a public/ private training council under the governor’s office
* Create a small business ombudsman’s office in the governor’s office
* Create a “blue ribbon” committee to study the state’s tax code
* Create a JOBS committee to study the state’s incentive packages
Sheesh … that’s a lot of taxpayer-funded “economic developing,” people.
In Barrett’s defense, his plan does propose a spending cap that would limit the growth of state government to “population plus inflation,” although we’ve all seen how easily Palmetto politicians can wriggle their way out of spending caps.
Frankly, we would prefer to see the implementation of a revenue cap that automatically rebated taxpayers if revenues were to eclipse a certain threshold in a given year. Of course capping revenues doesn’t address the billions of dollars worth of fees assessed each year in the Palmetto State (many of which are targeted for increase this year), so there would need to be some sort of a fee cap associated with the plan as well.
Barrett also proposed expanding public-private partnerships at our state’s port facilities (something we have always supported), although his plan fails to specify how this would be accomplished, and it takes no position on the Jasper County port project – which is something our state should have built decades ago.
Bottom line?
Barrett’s “jobs” plan is only slightly less pathetic than S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster’s proposal, which set a new standard for meaningless political pablum.
UPDATE: For those of you requesting a “side-by-side” comparison, here’s McMaster’s plan. As far as we know, the other two Republicans haven’t offered their specific jobs plans yet. Here’s a link to Democrat Mullins McLeod’s plan, and here’s Democratic candidate Dwight Drake’s plan.
By Genomic Repairman January 25, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Seriously I think if some Republican faction registered a cardboard box as a candidate for Governor it could do a better job than either of these two dicklicks.
Go corrugated in ’10!
By Liberty For Me January 25, 2010 at 2:54 pm
“Genomic Repairman”..That was classic.But I think the real joke is just the irony in title of the story…TOO FUNNY!!
By Liberty For Me January 25, 2010 at 2:57 pm
OHH and he forgot one..
•Create a “blue ribbon” committee to study how morons make it into office
By CNChapin January 25, 2010 at 2:59 pm
What the hell is it with these jerk-offs all thinking that we need them to create jobs for us!? How about get out of our damned pockets and eliminate excessive regulation so we can easily create jobs. Government does not directly create ANY jobs other than governmental ones and we can’t afford to pay the employees we already have. The governor is not our mommy/daddy. We don’t need anyone to take care of us. We need the government to get the hell out of our way so we can take care of ourselves.
Barrett has the typical progressive $hit-for-brains mentality. Hey, Barrett, stop breathing our air! You’re not worthy enough.
By Rylyn January 25, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Why don’t you publish a comparison of all the candidates proposals so we could make an educated decision.
By No Name January 25, 2010 at 3:29 pm
With a pathetic offering like this …what are you waiting for.
Publish the damn evidence of this guys ” John Edwardness” and get it over with …the Citadel Mafia does not beleive that there is any evidence….but how about an on the record question at the debates.
“Mr Graham have you ever had any realtions with this person and will that person confirm that right after you say that it never happened…?
By Tiger Dan January 25, 2010 at 3:45 pm
What exactly is your criticism of Barrett’s job plan?
Do you not think that it will create jobs?
If not, why? What would your “jobs plan” look like?
In your — hopefully fact-based — response, please don’t use meaningless platitudes such as “big government” or “free markets.”
Also, I’d appreciate your not relying on casual empiricism.
By Mike January 25, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Typical Job Growth goverment program.
Create a workforce specialist advisory position in the governor’s office
* Create a public/ private training council under the governor’s office
* Create a small business ombudsman’s office in the governor’s office
* Create a “blue ribbon” committee to study the state’s tax code
* Create a JOBS committee to study the state’s incentive packages
Lets see that’s probably 25 or so “jobs” Barrett can dole out to a bunch of political hacks and idiot sons of weatlhy contributors.
By fitsnews January 25, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Tiger Dan:
We’re not running for governor, but if we were here would be our platform.
http://www.fitsnews.com/2008/04/27/south-carolinas-ninety-five-theses/
Now, kiss our black asses.
-FITS
By Tiger Dan January 25, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Thank you for your response. Although you aren’t running for governor, you are holding yourself out as a job-creation expert. Could you please answer my first three questions: (1) what exactly is your criticism of Barrett’s job plan, (2) do you think it will create jobs, and (3) if not, why?
By CNSYD January 25, 2010 at 5:17 pm
CNChapin, exactly what “excessive regulation” would you eliminate?
By Pat Hendrix January 25, 2010 at 5:24 pm
By my count, that will produce about 20 jobs.
Hey, it’s a start, Gresham!
By barney fife January 25, 2010 at 5:51 pm
He left off “Create more jobs, by leaving the private sector alone!”
By Genomic Repairman January 25, 2010 at 5:54 pm
I’ll answer Tiger Dan:
This could possibly create 20-30 jobs in the public sector. The money spent on a small business ombudsmen office would be better spent handing out small business loans, you know to spur on the private sector (they are the ones that really drives job creation). All Barrett has done was set forth a list that looks like he is doing something but will only create more bureaucratic hierarchy that will just push paper around and come up with endless recommendations and not jobs. His plan pretty much does nothing to further our economy except expand the governor’s office and its purview.
No platitudes rendered and none shall be taken.
Now you tell me how you think his plan will create jobs.
By Genomic Repairman January 25, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Oh yeah and kiss my brown ass!
By countryboy January 25, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Don’t know a thing about this man. Is he wealthy? If so was it self made or was he born into wealth? Reason I ask is, right off the bat “Gresham” sounds like a name wealthy people would name a son. If he came from wealth, “Gresham” likely doesn’t know jack about real jobs/work (as opposed to the BS government positions he is proposing).
By Liberty For Me January 25, 2010 at 7:09 pm
Genomic Repairman..Let me also add because he is a RINO and not sincere about anything.
Lets put it this way.When you are in front of a judge and are caught in a lie,he would assume anything you say after that is also a lie.That being said,his history is what makes this whole story a joke.
By Tiger Dan January 25, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Genomic Repairman:first of all, I asked both for no platitudes and no casual empiricism. I appreciate the implicit hedging in your response; however, it’s still not based in fact.
Secondly, are you proposing that the state government directly loan (more) money to small businesses? I doubt that idea will have much support amongst the libertarian community who seems to read this blog.
By Millie January 25, 2010 at 8:05 pm
I was on the phone with your town hall meeting. My questions is about job creation is this state. I can easily be done by re-doing our road system, except for Charleston, the phrase (you can’t there for here” had to come from SC). I moved to Hilton Head in 1991, my husband had been there since 1983. 26 years later and we still have a 2 lane road to evacuate to Aiken SC. One time it took 7hrs to travel Route 278 to Aiken a trip that normally takes @ 2hrs. Now we have relocated to Aiken, and we still have to take all these back roads which are too lanes. We could get alot of new business to come and set up shop in South Carolina, in other areas beside Greenville (who has a great road systm) or Charleston. we need accessability to areas in South Carolina that are desirable for companies. My second question is on reformation of the government assistant program “Food Stamps” or EBT. I don’t know if you are aware of the abuse. First I would like to see new guidelines. I work in a Food Store. And I believe if you need help with food, you should get it but its my tax dollars that are supporting this program and it needs some revamping. $200 on Holloween candy, $90 on birthday cakes, buy cooked shrimp or other sea food, then want it chilled, so they don’t have to pay the $20. Not to mention the sharing, or selling of one card with friends. We see NO ID, we do not know if the person using that EBT card is the rightful user. It has been said to me by several people that its very easy to get food stamps in SC, that is not a good thing to hear. I love this State its beautiful and has alot to offer, I have mad some live time friends here, and it bothers me that in the 19 years that I have been here, I have not seen much progress. In 1996 I voted to get rid of the Personnal property tax on cars It passed and Ii read in the papers that it would take 8 years to do away with the car tax. In 1998 we revoted on the same issue? It passed, 11 years later we still pay Personnel property tax on cars? South Carolina can become the most sort out state in the US,it has everything from the mountains to the shore, 4 seasons, green trees all year round, Better roads brings more jobs, more companies, and hopefully better salaries. Good luck, with your campaign, and God Bless.
By Old Bike Dude January 25, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Just a thought. We are near or at the bottom of most important social categories except unemployment of which we are near the top. Yet we continue to send the same dickweeds to Columbia and to Washington.
Bohonkey Pimpstick can kiss my white ass.
By Sicster January 25, 2010 at 8:52 pm
I read the plan. Incenting the dept of commerce to create more jobs sounds like a great idea. Current Gov just stands in the way of progress.
Go Gresham!
By The BOSS January 25, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Pat Hendrix should love this guy! His plan sounds like one Obama will announce on Wednesday. As for me, no tax breaks, no vote!
By Roger Roger January 25, 2010 at 10:10 pm
countryboy – he owned a furniture store…that’s pretty much as real jobs/work as you can get
By laurin January 26, 2010 at 12:24 am
Sheheen’s plan is here: http://vincentsheheen.com/issues/economy
By Ynotfirst January 26, 2010 at 6:28 am
Barrett does not tell the truth. That’s his first and biggest problem.
By countryboy January 26, 2010 at 6:52 am
Roger Roger- Yep, I looked up his biography. Owning a furniture store is a real job/work. He’s a Citadel grad and served in the Army so the dude may be o.k. Damn sure better than “Andre”.
By Elmer January 26, 2010 at 6:57 am
Are people dumb enough to keep believing the state and federal government are going to create private sector jobs?
If these politicians are so dam good as to be able to create jobs, then why is unemployment through the roof? Is there a secret magic government formula somewhere our politicians have misplaced ?
By WorkingTommyC January 26, 2010 at 7:38 am
The sad truth of the matter is that there are NO experts at creating jobs.
The vicissitudes of the marketplace rule and all we can do is get out of the way and let it happen.
That means getting rid of as many taxes as possible, going to a sales tax that allows the state govt. to prosper only when the people and small businesses prosper and then mandates a balanced budget which includes putting away part of the money for a rainy day.
By Toyota Kawaski January 26, 2010 at 8:26 am
Millie please relocate out of Aiken County and back to HHI we dont need anymore Yankees in Aiken County.Call me ill help ya back.
By Genomic Repairman January 26, 2010 at 9:49 am
Creating job councils and blue ribbon panels creates about as much economic stimulus as just burning the money used to fund these projects. And I don’t agree with the govt. giving money to small businesses but its better than supporting the good ole boy network by supplying more of their friends with jobs by way of all of these panels.
By CNSYD January 26, 2010 at 10:49 am
Toyota, we finally agree on something….almost. Millie needs to cross the river and move out of the state. Maybe she can take Ryberg with her.
By Peter January 26, 2010 at 5:20 pm
The reason why unemployment is so high, is not due to a lack of jobs per se. It is because small business owners can’t afford to up keep their business, which in turn leads to layoffs, and further unemployment. Small businesses account for most of the jobs in our nation, and in order to keep that going they need more funding, not some bogus job for a few lofty individuals.