By FITSNews || Republicans technically “run” the S.C. General Assembly, but it’s become painfully obvious over the last decade that you can count the true fiscal conservatives at the S.C. State House on one hand.
Well … almost.
There are actually about ten of them in the S.C. House of Representatives (maybe twenty on a good day) and five or six of them (perhaps twelve on a good day) in the S.C. Senate.
Pathetic, right? No wonder this state has unveiled its three largest budgets ever smack dab in the middle of the worst recession in eight decades …
As former Democratic National Committee chairman Don Fowler said a few years back, “Ideologically, the (S.C.) legislature is no different from the legislature 50 years ago when it was Democratic. They changed partisan identity because that’s the way the political winds were blowing. But it’s no different than it was 50 years ago.”
Wow. True that. Double true.
Of course that dynamic won’t change until we start electing true fiscal conservatives (from both parties) to the state legislature. People like Nathan Ballentine, for example, who is one of the few “good guys” in state government. Unlike the big government RINOs who run the show in the S.C. General Assembly, Ballentine is one of the few lawmakers who actually watches out for your bottom line (and is willing to pay a price to do it).
Look, it’s incredibly easy to talk about lower taxes, spending cuts and government transparency on the campaign trail – particularly in this political climate. In fact, literally hundreds of “Republican” politicians do that every day, begging for votes using the same old rhetoric that’s been around for decades.
It’s something else entirely, however, to “walk the walk” after you’ve been elected – particularly when the “Republican” leadership at the S.C. State House seems so intent on keeping this state stuck in the dark ages (and punishing any fiscal conservatives who stand in their way).
Props to Ballentine for doing his thing … and here’s hoping we get more like him in Columbia soon …
WEB EXTRA
Nathan’s News
By Yuck. March 18, 2010 at 10:20 am
However, hooking up with Kelly Payne before he landed his smoking “train hot” wife Karen does not- in fact- make him the man. Although I do appreciate him looking out for the taxpayers’ wallets.
By Matt March 18, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Natha should be running for statewide office this year. Although it wouldn’t be a sure thing and it would sure be a loss in the House. But as a fiscal conservative who works in the banking field I think I see a future SC Treasurer.
By Martha Washington March 18, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Whatever it takes to get rid of incomp Converse Chellis…
The vast majority of SC republican legislators are no
better that Lindsey Graham.
Why don’t you do a list the ones who are good guys?
By Neil March 19, 2010 at 9:02 am
Thad Viers and Nikki Haley are true conservatives serving in the state legislature as well.
By Lowcountry Hog March 19, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Thad Viers?? Thad Viers? he doesn’t really believe that sh&t…but problem is his constituents do
By Say So March 21, 2010 at 7:09 pm
What has Nathan done for his people. No new highways are being built because of him. No economic developement is a result of his actions. No increased access for any services in his district has happened. Basically he has done nothing but oppose good ideas by people who want to get something done. He has zero influence and no raw power to get help for constituents. What good is he?
By Checking in March 22, 2010 at 4:15 pm
but his is on a powerful committee…….chaired by a Democrat…the only one in the entire House
By miller March 22, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Its true, Ballentine doesn’t spend his time figuring out how to bring pork back to the home folks. As one of the few true conservatives in SC, he realizes that pork has to be paid for out of the pockets of taxpayers. It’s comical to hear people whine one day about not getting their fair share of the pork and the next day about high taxes.
By local March 23, 2010 at 9:46 am
Miller- exactly.
If you really want fiscal conservatives, then your projects will get cut. End of story.
It is like my momma always told me, “You need to live beneath your means.”
By Pete June 20, 2010 at 9:04 am
Ballentine is riding a wave of mediocracy. He has done little or nothing for the areas he represents. He is however your typical politian if he hooked up with …”Ms. Payne” before marrying his “smokin train hot” wife, (per Yuck) But wasn’t the now Mrs. Ballentine married to someone else when he was dogging around with her. Not so transparent I think! But definitely a politician!