PETITION CANDIDATE BEST OPTION FOR TAXPAYERS OF LEXINGTON COUNTY
Unlike many so-called “reformers” in South Carolina, we do not have an all-consuming personal vendetta against S.C. Sen. Jakie Knotts (RINO-Lexington). He’s actually done us a few (non-political) favors in the past – and we’ve always rather enjoyed his company.
In fact it was a few short years ago when Knotts took us on a tour of his district – a trip that included us getting our hands on some of the best boiled peanuts we’ve ever tasted in our lives.
Mmmmm, people. Good stuff.
Anyway, not only only do we have no problem with Knotts on a personal level – it doesn’t bother us that he is a caricature for everything that’s wrong with this state … a big-boned redneck with a thick guffaw and a politically incorrect streak a mile wide.
We don’t judge books by their covers around here …
Our problem with Knotts? It’s simple: Despite his best efforts to cultivate an everyman appeal (a.k.a. the whole “he’s one of us” thing), he simply doesn’t vote in a manner consistent with the best interests of his constituents. Along with fellow RINOs Thomas Alexander, Paul Campbell, Ray Cleary, John Courson, Wes Hayes, Hugh Leatherman, Larry Martin, Billy O’Dell and Luke Rankin (to name just a few), Knotts is a reliable vote for big government – and a reliable vote against the taxpayer.
Look no further than his vote earlier this year against a proposed “taxpayer rebate fund” – which would have provided a mechanism for sending tens of millions of dollars in surpluses and government “savings” back to the taxpayers each year.
Knotts has failed to support this critical fiscal reform for two years running …
But Knotts doesn’t just vote against good legislation – he actively obstructs it. And while it may be okay to “bully” people around when it comes to acting on behalf of his constituents, Knotts willingness to torpedo debate on good bills (no, we’re not referring to S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley’s worthless restructuring legislation) is far from commendable.
Beyond his abysmal voting record, there is also a major scandal hanging over Knotts’ head given his proximity to the infamous “Lexington Ring” – a cabal of corrupt politicians and crooked cops who have (allegedly) been running an illegal video poker operation out of Lexington County for the last several years. And while it’s unclear at this point whether Knotts is one of the targets of the ongoing federal investigation into the ring – there is no doubt that he has figured prominently in its alleged activities.
That ought to be enough to give any undecided voter cause for pause …
Running against Knotts is Katrina Shealy – a Lexington County insurance agent and GOP party activist who has been embraced by the reform movement. Longtime FITS readers will recall that this website has expressed mixed feelings about Shealy in the past – and we still have several unanswered questions about how she conducted herself during the recent ballot fiasco.
Having said that, Shaley did bust her butt to garner more than enough signatures to appear on the ballot as a petition candidate – and since the general election campaign began we’ve been very impressed by the substantive positions she has taken on tax and spending issues. In fact Shealy has embraced the taxpayer rebate fund and vowed to sponsor it next year along with its legislative architect, S.C. Sen. Tom Davis (R-Beaufort).
In other words she’ll champion the same bill Knotts has been blocking.
In addition to taking strong fiscal positions, Shealy is also a solid “yes” vote on universal parental choice and real government restructuring – not the watered-down nonsense that Haley has tried to pass in previous years. That means she supports the complete abolition of the antiquated S.C. Budget and Control Board (SCBCB), not some half-measure that doesn’t accomplish any of the efficiency and accountability objectives our state so desperately needs.
In our book, Shealy’s strong position on these three issues makes her a “real reformer,” not a “reformer in name only” (of which there are plenty in this state).
Accordingly, we would encourage voters in Lexington County to support petition candidate Katrina Shealy in S.C. Senate District 23 – and retire one of several RINOS to pasture.
UPDATE: Yes, that’s our founding editor’s adorable three-year-old daughter, Johanna, holding up a Shealy sticker in the image above.
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59 comments
You’re a fool if you think Katrina Shealy is anything other than a Haley stooge. I’m not saying endorse Knotts, but I’d rather write in the neighbor’s dog.
Smirks, even if she is a Haley stooge, she is NOT Jake Knotts. That, in and of itself, makes her a better candidate. Jake has been a beacon of corruption and bully tactics for far too long in Lexington County. Vote Katrina in and if she acts like Haley or supports Haley on the really stupid Haley stuff, like trying to destroy state retirees, in four years Katrina gets to go bye-bye, too.
Will, first of all, you have a very cute daughter. Glad she doesn’t look like her dad. She is much prettier with hair. :-)
You forgot how Jake has been instrumental in keeping CWP holders in SC hamstrung for at least four years, now. At one time, Jake was pro-CWP. Somewhere along the line he changed, and not for the better. If Jake had let well enough alone four years ago, SC would have CWP reciprocity with GA now. Instead, if you want to carry in GA, you have to get a non-resident permit from a state that GA recognizes. If that weren’t bad enough, Jake now is obstructing a bill (I believe S-1255 or something like that) which would have allowed CWP holders who are not drinking to legally carry in restaurants which serve alcohol and which are not posted against carry. Jake also has his own version of the law in play just so he can say he is really looking out for us if questioned, but which he has no intention whatsoever of trying to get passed. It is high time that Jake the Jerk become a private citizen.
@ Raspy: Utah baby!
Vote Katrina in and if she acts like Haley or supports Haley on the really stupid Haley stuff, like trying to destroy state retirees, in four years Katrina gets to go bye-bye, too.
Or, Lexington continues to vote her back in election after election just like they have with Knotts. And yes, I understand Knotts sucks, but FITS’ reasoning is why they backed Haley over Sheheen. “Well, she seeeeeems like she’s going to support this or that, so…”
You can replace Porky Pig with Daffy Duck and pretend it isn’t Looney Tunes if you want, but count me out.
At least voting for the neighbor’s dog results in a candidate that can’t help taking a dump on the carpet.
I know, ?. That’s on my “to do” list. Finances have delayed it. Had the NH permit for a while till they increased the price of it 5X.
Bottom line is that it wouldn’t be an issue if Jake had not sold us out four years ago, same as he is doing now in 2012. The worst injustice of it isn’t even on us SC residents. We can at least procure a recognized (in GA) permit and carry down there. The only way a GA resident can legally carry in SC is if they own property here and can qualify for a SC non-resident permit or if they are a current or retired cop and have HR-218 credentials. That is sad.
The upshot is that I believe Jake has finally lost his (mostly undeserved) NRA endorsement. I haven’t received one of those this year and if they want to keep my membership, I better not. I think enough people called them over the S-1255 thing and raised hell that they got the message this time.
“You can replace Porky Pig with Daffy Duck and pretend it isn’t Looney Tunes if you want, but count me out.”
Smirks, that is seriously the funniest line you’ve ever typed.
good job
I understand your point Smirks, but what other option do we have? We take a chance on Katrina and HOPE that she does a good job or we vote Jake in and continue to get exactly the same blatant corruption and porcine behaviors which have been an embarrassment for Lexington County and South Carolina for too many years. The idea is if she does get elected and doesn’t do a good job, we vote her out in four years before she gets a machine in place with a crooked Sheriff, a US Congressman, and a few more like-minded fiends. We don’t let her butt become glued to the that Senate seat as has Jakie’s.
Voting for Jake or anyone but Shealy only serves to guarantee four more years of the same shit we have been putting up with. Absolutely nothing will change if we don’t take a chance.
Yeah, I voted for Haley. I didn’t and still don’t want to see a Sheheen as Governor in SC. I promise you that I (and many, many, others) will NOT vote for Haley in two years. I may vote for the Green Party candidate or for Pat Paulson’s ghost, but I will not vote for Haley and am still not likely to vote for Sheheen. Yes, he will probably win, but at least it won’t be another four years of Haley.
I guess I can’t blame you for voting the way you feel in that regards, I just hope Shealy doesn’t end up being worse than Knotts. Honestly, it is hard to tell at this point.
I do agree with your sentiments on CWP, by the way.
If Knotts is as corrupt, and is involved in this ‘Lexington Ring’ that is about to be busted, then Knotts will be out of the senate soon anyway. If he resigns for criminal indictment, the seat will be vacant and a new set of candidates can run.
Shealy will be like a rash that doesn’t go away, if she wins. Lexington incumbents never get beat for re-election, unless they are neck deep in a scandal. S
Raspy, you are correct, Shealy is no Jakie Knotts for sure, that’s why WE ARE VOTING for Knotts. Shealy is another Haley and the thought makes me want to vomit. At least Knotts does help his contingents and checks into things. I can’t say the same for Shealy. She will be like Haley, SELF-SERVING. Vote for Knotts everyone!
DITTO!
Right Rex, by all means keep the Lexington Crime Ring in power and vote Jake. That can only be good for us all, right?
I couldn’t have said it better myself!!!! A vote for Shealy is a vote for Haley, neither of which we need nor want.
“Shaley did bust her but”
should be “Shealy did bust her butt”
Speaking of butts, if I were going to vote for the next megalomaniac that gets to loot me and pass some more stupid laws I’d pick Shealy any day over Ol Knocky.
What does that have to do with butts?
Well, with Peeler busting a nut in her butt now and then it takes time away from both of them doing more damage to SC citizens in the way of passing more stuff or “doing” their job. (Better them screwing each other than the taxpayer)
So let’s hear it for the Shealy butts! Go Shealy!
Right, Big T, you’re an IRMO man!!!!!!!!!
I am Big T and live in Irmo now?
lol….ok
So if Knott’s were a dainty little cul-d-sac suburbanite, with a polite little giggle, who abided by all your politically correct dictates…he’d not be what’s WRONG with this state???
Thanks for spelling out your criteria, FITS.
Knott’s only REAL problem…is that he’s too much like a democrat…and FITS, you have that SAME affliction.
Knotts is a likeable guy…not so sure sure that Shealy can be judged as personally likeable. And I’m not sure how she’ll vote.
Is BigT, Jake Knotts? That’s explain a lot.
The smartest thing ever written by Big T, you Big Dummy! But good job on this one!
Lexington has great public schools…Knotts will make sure this continues..that’s enough reason to vote Knotts! I’m tired of folks bashing our schools and pumping this private school choice bs which isn’t a choice for so many kids with terrible parents. Kids don’t have a choice when picking their parents. The majority of private schools in this state are below avg. or are not inclusive to poor and minority kids…how is that a choice? Thinking on public schools should mirror our support for the military…both are critical to national security and our future.
I’m not advocating for either. I don’t live in the district.
And Lexington schools are GREAT becase they are full of people who value education.
Parents who vote Obama think everything and anything must be GIVEN to you. They are TAKERS.
Education is earned not GIVEN by the government or anybody else…and parents who care about their children know that. The rest drag us all down.
And FITS and Obama aid their failure w/ political correctness and Race Hate…
You were doing good until the Obama, Sic Willie coalition stuff. Dude, brother, dumbass! Sic Willie is no liberal, no Democrat and no Jake Knotts. Knotts has issues but I would rather have him than any candidate endorsed by Sic. You maynot like Sic and you maynot like Obama but they aren’t the same, Lil T – da fool! But i do agree with you, I must be Sic, Lexington schools are great because of great families, parents and local leaders. But there are great schools, teachers, parents and kids all across the state. How can we ever move this country and state forward when you use such divisive words and btw what do you call the GI Bill? Government giving Americans an opportunity to better themselves. We are government, you dumb f##k! It’s our government! Your anti-government rhetoric is anti-American! Your pure hate for a President elected by the majority of people in this country is anti-American! You are no patriot! But you are an idiot! Keep it stupid, dummy!
I’m no Big T fan, but…
“We are government, you dumb f##k! It’s our government! Your anti-government rhetoric is anti-American!”
Yes, “we” are gov’t. lol…sure
Next time you need something from “your” gov’t, pick any branch responsible for it and go in with the attitude that you “own” it and that you’re part of it and let us all know how that turns out for you. Make sure you tell them exactly how you feel before you ask for it to do its “job”.
“Your anti-government rhetoric is anti-American!”
Well now, that’s a matter of perspective and context. I suppose in todays fascist climate just about any negative word about our elected rulers in gov’t is considered “anti-American”, but the fact is the gov’t is SEPERATE from the people.
They aren’t one and the same like many would like to suggest.
Looking at the history of “America” upon arrival of the Europeans(and maybe before) I can make a good case that anti-gov’t sentiment was the whole reason for its founding.
Europeans fled oppressive European gov’ts…that what drove America’s growth. The dominant European player was eventally beaten back to establish the country’s founding. The VERY DOCUMENT THAT ESTABLISHES AMERICAN GOV’T IS “ANTI-GOVT”!
It outlines very specifically that gov’t is to be limited and by its very nature implicity suggests the reason why is that gov’t in general is bad.
You’ve got it all screwed up my man.
?, I see your point and can appreciate it. I do believe criticism and questioning government is a must in a “free” country but the type hate speech offered by Lil T – da idiot – does nothing to advance our country. He has the right to do it because of who we are as a nation but that doesnt negate the fact that his thinking and words are antiamerican. Effective government is about sensible people with different ideas finding common ground for the good of all people. The Lil Ts -da idiot- in this country don’t understand this”…this point makes him anti-American.
And just so I’m clear, Lil T is both an idiot and dummy! :)
Lil T -da fool! Keep it stupid, dummy!
Thanks for your info Raspy. I have often wondered why we have no CWP reciprocity with Ga. One more reason to replace the big bafoon.
“…FITS readers will recall that this website has expressed mixed feelings about Shealy in the past – and we still have several unanswered questions about how she conducted herself during the recent ballot fiasco.”
But she paid us/FITS so well we had to change our minds.
You got it! Paid with Haley’s PAC money..
Your daughter is adorable. But what is she doing surrounded by deputies? Taking after her old man and getting in trouble? Hubcaps?
When I vote for Shealy, I will not be voting “for” her. I will be voting against Knotts.
Lexington County is pathetic political mess. Good place to live, but politically it is as hypocritical as it comes.
The ONLY reason I’m voting for Shealy is that it’s a vote against Jake Knotts. I expect I’ll vote at whoever runs against her in the next election should she win.
Someone needs to ask the Knotts campaign why all of the Shealy signs go missing a day after they’re put up along Hwy 1.
just add cock at the end and it will complete who and what you are
Taxpayer rebate fund. That’s Davis speak for Jasper Port and Austrian economics in other words its total bullshit. Which is a shame cause Davis has potential.
My vote…….. BABY FITS for Senate!
BABY FITS’ Platform:
1) fiscal and economic – double allowance on each birthday,
paid weekly and in cash
2) environmental – “GREEN is GOOD” – folding money only
3) energy – let me ride my trike to Dunkin’ Donuts
4) oil exploration – let me pick which baby oil aroma I like
5) foreign policy – I do like my Honduran nanny, because
she teaches me to make the VERY BEST DESSERTS!
6) unions – no opinion on this, although I heard about the
marital union – but I don’t understand what it means
7) debates – no problem here, because with one smile I can wrap
wrap you around my little finger (just ask my Daddy)
8) gas reserves – no problem here either – OOPS! (sorry Daddy)
9) women’s rights – just like my Mommy – she is either “right”
or she gives you a “right”
10) religion – no problem here either – I’ll always be an ANGEL
Thank you for your interest, and remember:
“A VOTE FOR BABY FITS IS A VOTE FOR A BETTER AMERICA”
Vote for Knotts better than putting another Haley vote in there.
Wouldn’t it be great if SC had a “None of the above” choice on its ballot? Now that’s a constitutional amendment you could get behind.
Was this ever on any ballots? Or is my memory wrong?
This also reminds me that when I registered to vote (some years back) in Richland County, you would be denied if you were a convicted wife beater…is my memory wrong on this?
What so many people don’t realize is that Jake has tremendous power in the Senate. And he uses that power for the betterment of Lexington County. Vote him out and Lexington loses that power. Do you really think Katrina can bring anything to the table? She is a yes woman all the way and will attempt to do whatever bidding Gov. Haley has for her; but she won’t be able to get a thing done. Jake may be crass, a bore, a redneck and a jerk, but it can’t be said that he doesn’t help Lexington county and actually gets things done. If you need help, Jake has the pull to take care of it. Katrina will have NO pull(power) with anyone or any agency.
Unless you live in Lexington County next to one of the big polluters that Jakie protects by his thuggery over at DHEC. Though that may have come to an end recently.
Don’t care, I’ll settle for Knotts sitting next to Metts and Frazier in the unemployment line.
That is the same “logic” that people used to use for voting for J Claytor Arrants when he was the alcoholic legislator from another county. He was stopped regularly by SCHP and local LE and used his legislative immunity to skirt the law. Everyone went on about how much seniority Claytor had and how much “good” he did for his county. To him, it was a free pass for DUI.
Jake uses his power and seniority to benefit himself and the other boys in the Lexington Crime Ring as well as protecting environmental polluters in Lexington County who pay him enough. With friends like that, we sure as hell don’t need enemies and we sure as hell don’t need Jake Knotts.
You Republicans have done too good a job brainwashing all those boobs in Lexington County to the glories of voting only for Republicans even those you call RINOS!
Straight ticket voting will carry Jakie to another term.
We need to bring a halt to straight ticket voting in SC!!!!!
Absolutely. Straight ticket voting wrecks our state regardless of the party it is in favor of.
Smirks, I agree with you 87.55553333377775555% of the time. However, you fail to realize just how corrupt and “bullying” Jakie really is. It appears you cannot comprehend how low and bad he – and Jean Hoefer Toal – really, really are. Thanks for speaking your mind however. Most of the time, you are on the mark. Think more like a crook and you will understand a little more.
Jake is like boss hog, but at least he’s our boss hog.
Katrina is a toll for out of state interests & the insurance lobby.
not last time and not this time now can you please go back to the crazy house
Just say No to Shealy! Not Now Not EVER! A no to Shealy is A NO to Haley!
Just Say No to DEE DEE too!
I have and did vote for Katrina Shealy. Jakie is and continues to be a complete embarrassment to lexington county and the state of south Carolina.
It is time Jakie to go and just be an embarrassment to his family that is just as much of a disgrace to lexington county as he is.
Speaking of Jakie’s family, the county needs to step up and fire Nikki Rogers for assaulting that juvenile at the wild hare. She claims self defense. It the tape of the incident clearly shows the juvenile was restrained by several people as she assaulted him. If no charges are not going to filed on Nikki Rogers for the assault and battery, then the county of lexington needs to step up and fire her based on the clear evidence of assaulting a restrained juvenile. It is way far pass time that Jakie and his family that holds key positions in the county be held accountable for their criminal actions.
Agreed! In addition to family members of “the lexington ring”, how many more family members, wives, ex-wives and children of these corrupt members are going to be hired by Donnie Myers or Beth Carrig? Danny Fraizer’s ex-wife, Windy Fraizer, Danny Frazier’s new wife, Cynthia Frazier, Jakie Knotts’s younger daughter, Tara, all works there. Then you have Jakie’s older daughter, Nikki Rogers, who works as the 911 communication director for Lexington County. This Lexington County inbreeding of county positions is got to stop.
Damn Bro, it is a bitch to an outsider huh?
Jake fought to get amazon to West Columbia. Haley/Shealy fought against it. If only it was someone else running against Jake Knotts, but Katrina Shealy, who doesn’t even live in the district she is running for, is not the choice.
Don’t worry about Katrina, Haley is going to give her a six figure job right after the election if she loses.
Mickey, is that you Mickey?
1.) Katrina Shealy did not fight against Amazon. Explain that one.
2.) Katrina Shealy lives in the district (Jakie could not weave the lines to draw her out).
3.) If Nikki Haley were going to give Katrina a 6 figure job she would have already done it…..
By the way, Mickey, you looked mighty pretty walking with the Shealy supporters passing out Jakie literature at the Collard festival….. Guess you had to be near the Shealy crowd to get anyone to take that garbage!
Don’t give a shit, still voting against the fucking prick.
Word I have from very reliable sources is that Katrina Shealey did not take a position either for or against the 2000 Amazon jobs. Same position as Haley took. Even better is word that Jake was told to shut up by the Amazon backers for fear he would insult some Senator or say something stupid which we all know he does regularly. Rich Bolen took a lot of shit from the Tea Partiers for supporting the Amazon jobs even going so far as to try and kick him out as party chairman. The tea party faction in Lexington has revisionist history to suit their purposes since they all now support Amazon. How can people not support all those jobs? By the way, I work at Amazon and love my job.
Write in Frank “The Human Monkey Wrench” Barron for Sheriff. Neither Haley or the Ring will know what the heck to do with him. Tim James will perform the Pink Glove Dance!
I definitely am. Anybody heard the rumor Suzanne Moore is still quietly pushing a write in campaign against Carrigg?
I voted against Barron when he was running for LC Coroner in the primary. When a candidate for Coroner starts saying that the job of Coroner is to “prevent death”, I pretty much figure that I’m dealing with a hard-core loon. Given that no one else will offer for Sheriff as a write-in candidate so we might have a chance of showing Metts how sick we are of him, I will be glad to write Barron in! Heck, he couldn’t be any worse or more corrupt than Metts is and anything that gives us a change from the last four decades or so of Metts can only be good. Hell, I’d write in the local meth lab’s chief “chemist” if there was sufficient following.
BARRON FOR LEXCO SHERIFF, it shall be!
Interesting that Knotts is attacking Shealy for out of state contributers when she has received less than $500 from out of state and he has received thousands from out of state PACS. Just more Knotts bullshit. Check it out. It is all on the disclosure reports.
What’s the agenda of “The Movement Fund” – Nikki Haley’s PAC?
Holtec, one of the PAC funders, is a highly regarded designer and builder of heat transfer devices.
http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=4272763
They’ve recently completed proof of concept testing of HI-SMUR (Holtec Inherently Safe Modular Underground Reactor) and want to build a prototype at Savannah River.
Is Haley trying to build a voting block (Shealy, Vaughters) to approve construction of a new generation of nuclear power stations? And are the PAC-backers (Donald Trump, Foster Friess, Bob Perry and Kris Singh) attempting to create a privately-owned monopoly to compete against existing publicly-owned power companies?
Assuming Romney wins, is she jockeying to be the next Secretary of the Department of Energy? or head of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission?