SC

Beth Bernstein’s First Test

Newly elected S.C. Rep. Beth Bernstein (D-Columbia) won her legislative race last year on the strength of an aggressive anti-corruption push – oh, and the fact her “Republican” opponent was actually further to the left on fiscal issues than she was (which happens a lot in “Republican-controlled” South Carolina). All…

Newly elected S.C. Rep. Beth Bernstein (D-Columbia) won her legislative race last year on the strength of an aggressive anti-corruption push – oh, and the fact her “Republican” opponent was actually further to the left on fiscal issues than she was (which happens a lot in “Republican-controlled” South Carolina).

All of which is why we endorsed her …

Oh, and obviously it doesn’t hurt that Bernstein is super hot … and built like the proverbial brick barnyard.

Anyway, Bernstein’s anti-corruption bona fides are facing a major test this week in the wake of the S.C. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a rigged election in Richland County, S.C.

Miss this story?

Of course you did … like the liberal cowards they are, the court (whose justices are chosen by our state’s “Republican-controlled” General Assembly) waited until Friday afternoon to issue their opinion on the “Richland County Robbery.” Not only that, they upheld this illegal election without comment – effectively endorsing the disenfranchisement of thousands of Richland County voters last November.

The cost? An estimated $1.2 billion in sales taxes which will be imposed on Richland County residents over the next few years.

For those of you unfamiliar with this drama, corrupt officials with close ties to the pro-tax hike movement deliberately suppressed voter turnout in predominantly white, anti-tax hike districts. As a result of this orchestrated fraud – which included illegal shortages of operable voting machines – voters in anti-tax precincts were subjected to wait times of up to seven hours.

And thanks to this illegal voter suppression, the sales tax hike passed by a 52-48 percent margin.

How were these pro-tax forces able to get their goons into positions of power over the electoral process?

Easy: They passed a law in 2011 which handed control of the local elections commission over to the Richland County legislative delegation – which in turn handed it over to their hand-picked elections manager.

Supporters of this coup included: S.C. Senate President John Courson (RINO-Richland), S.C. Senator Joel Lourie (D-Richland), S.C. Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland), S.C. Senator John Scott (D-Richland), S.C. Rep. Jimmy Bales (D-Richland), S.C. Rep. Mia Butler (D-Richland), S.C. Rep. Leon Howard (D-Richland), S.C. Rep. Joe Neal (D-Richland), S.C. Rep. Todd Rutherford (D-Richland) and S.C. Rep. James Smith (D-Richland).

Bernstein’s opponent (former S.C. Rep. Joan Brady) also supported the change – as did S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley, who signed the bill into law in May 2011.

As one of the only members of the Richland County delegation who isn’t infected by this scandal, Bernstein has an opportunity to take a rare principled stand against this corruption. In fact doing so would not only be right, it would be consistent with statements made by U.S. President Barack Obama in his 2013 inaugural address.

“Our journey is not complete until no citizen is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right to vote,” Obama said.

Presumably he was talking about white citizens who oppose tax increases, right? Right?

Will Bernstein do the right thing?

We hope so … but we’re not putting any money down on it.

For starters she’s closely aligned to Sen. Lourie – one of the ringleaders of this coup. We’re also told Bernstein is very timid – and unlikely to ruffle feathers on an issue which involves so many powerful interests. In fact Bernstein refused to respond to our request for comment on the Supreme Court’s decision over the weekend.

That’s too bad.

Bernstein campaigned on comprehensive ethics reform – and has continued to champion such reforms since she was elected. But being a true “champion” on an issue means fighting for it even when it isn’t politically advisable – and especially when it involves corruption perpetrated by one’s allies.

Bottom line? If Bernstein lets this pitch go by, she will have lost all credibility when it comes to advancing “ethics reform” at the S.C. State House. Not only that she will have proven herself to be the latest in a long line of Palmetto politicians who folded like a cheap suit when it came time to stand up for what they claim to believe.

Hopefully that won’t be the case, but we’re not holding our breath …

***

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72 comments

jimlewisowb March 25, 2013 at 11:21 am

Solid as a shit brick house last month

Super hot milf last week

This week just another Fucking Cockroach

Reply
Randall March 25, 2013 at 3:26 pm

looks flat chested to me

Reply
jimlewisowb March 25, 2013 at 11:21 am

Solid as a shit brick house last month

Super hot milf last week

This week just another Fucking Cockroach

Reply
Randall March 25, 2013 at 3:26 pm

looks flat chested to me

Reply
Recovering Lobbyist March 25, 2013 at 11:26 am

This is nothing new for the S.C. Supremes. A few years ago they upheld a local ordinance that clearly violated the S.C. Development Impact Fee Act. In the ruling they said the ordinance kind of complied, so it was ok. Just like Queen Jean kind of complies with South Carolina’s traffic laws.

Reply
Recovering Lobbyist March 25, 2013 at 11:26 am

This is nothing new for the S.C. Supremes. A few years ago they upheld a local ordinance that clearly violated the S.C. Development Impact Fee Act. In the ruling they said the ordinance kind of complied, so it was ok. Just like Queen Jean kind of complies with South Carolina’s traffic laws.

Reply
CorruptionInColumbia March 25, 2013 at 11:32 am

“Our journey is not complete until no citizen is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right to vote,” Obama said.

I think what he meant was that when all is said and done, no one will be allowed to vote anymore, therefore no one will have to wait in line for hours…, or even minutes.

Reply
CorruptionInColumbia March 25, 2013 at 11:32 am

“Our journey is not complete until no citizen is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right to vote,” Obama said.

I think what he meant was that when all is said and done, no one will be allowed to vote anymore, therefore no one will have to wait in line for hours…, or even minutes.

Reply
vicupstate March 25, 2013 at 11:37 am

Exactly what is it you want her to do? It was a Supreme Court ruling, not a legislative move.

Reply
Right March 25, 2013 at 11:40 am

Show him her tits.

Reply
Matt March 25, 2013 at 1:36 pm

But her great tits and ass are not where her fear of Dem. party leaders is. It’s her head. I disagree with Smirks, though, and know what she can do. She can at least issue a statement and hold a press conference.

Reply
9" March 25, 2013 at 7:33 pm

and fuck ’em while she’s sucking his dick.be careful,though;it was a sexy jewish princess who made my last boyfriend gay.she caused the bed to fall into little pieces while she was bustin’ her nut…

Reply
Smirks March 25, 2013 at 12:13 pm

That’s a great question. What can the legislature even do? Calling for a redo of the election isn’t a power of the legislative branch. Besides, wouldn’t anything they pass now be after the fact?

Reply
vicupstate March 25, 2013 at 11:37 am

Exactly what is it you want her to do? It was a Supreme Court ruling, not a legislative move.

Reply
Right March 25, 2013 at 11:40 am

Show him her tits.

Reply
Matt March 25, 2013 at 1:36 pm

But her great tits and ass are not where her fear of Dem. party leaders is. It’s her head. I disagree with Smirks, though, and know what she can do. She can at least issue a statement and hold a press conference.

Reply
9" March 25, 2013 at 7:33 pm

and fuck ’em while she’s sucking his dick.be careful,though;it was a sexy jewish princess who made my last boyfriend gay.she caused the bed to fall into little pieces while she was bustin’ her nut…

Reply
Smirks March 25, 2013 at 12:13 pm

That’s a great question. What can the legislature even do? Calling for a redo of the election isn’t a power of the legislative branch. Besides, wouldn’t anything they pass now be after the fact?

Reply
Jay March 25, 2013 at 11:38 am

Betcha a penny she does nothing.

Reply
Jay March 25, 2013 at 11:38 am

Betcha a penny she does nothing.

Reply
Right March 25, 2013 at 11:39 am

“Oh, and obviously it doesn’t hurt that Bernstein is super hot…” Doesn’t hurt what? Pushing through ethics reform? Won’t help her. Getting your endorsement? Apparently.

Reply
Will Folks aka Sic March 25, 2013 at 11:47 am

We endorsed Bernstein because she was to the right of her Republican opponent on tax and spending issues, period.

Reply
jimlewisowb March 25, 2013 at 12:24 pm

yep, looks like she went so fucking far right she is now swinging left

who wuda thunk it, she is a switch hitter

har, har, har

Reply
katlaurenscounty March 25, 2013 at 2:04 pm

If she is, why are you keeping the data to yourself? Oh, she’s to the right because she said so?

Reply
Right March 25, 2013 at 11:39 am

“Oh, and obviously it doesn’t hurt that Bernstein is super hot…” Doesn’t hurt what? Pushing through ethics reform? Won’t help her. Getting your endorsement? Apparently.

Reply
Will Folks aka Sic March 25, 2013 at 11:47 am

We endorsed Bernstein because she was to the right of her Republican opponent on tax and spending issues, period.

Reply
jimlewisowb March 25, 2013 at 12:24 pm

yep, looks like she went so fucking far right she is now swinging left

who wuda thunk it, she is a switch hitter

har, har, har

Reply
katlaurenscounty March 25, 2013 at 2:04 pm

If she is, why are you keeping the data to yourself? Oh, she’s to the right because she said so?

Reply
EJB March 25, 2013 at 12:15 pm

Calling a bad man bad is easy, telling your friends they are doing bad is where courage comes in.

Reply
EJB March 25, 2013 at 12:15 pm

Calling a bad man bad is easy, telling your friends they are doing bad is where courage comes in.

Reply
BigT March 25, 2013 at 12:25 pm

Hey FITS, The NYT is reporting the GOP is trusted over Obama on the economy…
It may be about time to catch your Stupid @$$ and quit promoting democrats…even the idiots may be figuring it out…about time you did too…

Reply
Farmer's Daughter March 25, 2013 at 12:48 pm

Just because she’s a Dem? Will’s right on this one BigoT.

Reply
BigT March 25, 2013 at 1:11 pm

This must be your first day reading this site…

Just because she’s a dem, FITS is on her side…that’s the trend here, more times than not…
The Obama administration is just so Screwed up, FITS feigns opposition to it to keep himself from looking a complete Dumb@$$… it’s obvious to even one as politically punch drunk as FITS, how bad a president Obama is…but when the election was in play…FITS said there is no difference between Obama and Romney…how freakin’ STUPID is that?…FITS is pretty worthless as a legitimate political analysis….(Clue: He’s backing Sanford)…

Reply
shifty henry March 25, 2013 at 1:30 pm

BigT, when will you be providing us with the inside scoops from the campaign trail? I’m looking forward to your posts – hope you can get the two weeks off you mentioned.

Reply
BigT March 25, 2013 at 3:00 pm

When you are STRONG of mind and honest…you can get more done through communication and articulation of ideas, than you can going door-to-door.
Also: I’m thinking Bostic should be able to beat Sanford w/o help from a lot of ground workers. But Bostic MUST rip Sanford’s B@!!$ out. If he does not, we all suffer.
As for me: if Sanford ends up winning, i think it will be a boon for my exposure. I’m already LMAO imagining FITS feeble defenses for his master, as I crack his weak, and carping little @$$…That will be fun, anyway…
IOW: Sometimes having idiots, like FITS and Sanford around, helps make me look even more significant and my words so much more profound…
I’ve watched Sanford closely..if he is in the public eye, I can pontificate and wax eloquent what i know regarding his well-worn, narraccistic patterns…

shifty henry March 25, 2013 at 5:07 pm

Ok, I get you, although I was anticipating some daily dispatches on what the local buzz would be…..

dwb619 March 25, 2013 at 7:49 pm

His mama will probably pay him just to get him out of the house.

BigT March 25, 2013 at 12:25 pm

Hey FITS, The NYT is reporting the GOP is trusted over Obama on the economy…
It may be about time to catch your Stupid @$$ and quit promoting democrats…even the idiots may be figuring it out…about time you did too…

Reply
Farmer's Daughter March 25, 2013 at 12:48 pm

Just because she’s a Dem? Will’s right on this one BigoT.

Reply
BigT March 25, 2013 at 1:11 pm

This must be your first day reading this site…

Just because she’s a dem, FITS is on her side…that’s the trend here, more times than not…
The Obama administration is just so Screwed up, FITS feigns opposition to it to keep himself from looking a complete Dumb@$$… it’s obvious to even one as politically punch drunk as FITS, how bad a president Obama is…but when the election was in play…FITS said there is no difference between Obama and Romney…how freakin’ STUPID is that?…FITS is pretty worthless as a legitimate political analysis….(Clue: He’s backing Sanford)…

Reply
shifty henry March 25, 2013 at 1:30 pm

BigT, when will you be providing us with the inside scoops from the campaign trail? I’m looking forward to your posts – hope you can get the two weeks off you mentioned.

Reply
BigT March 25, 2013 at 3:00 pm

When you are STRONG of mind and honest…you can get more done through communication and articulation of ideas, than you can going door-to-door.
Also: I’m thinking Bostic should be able to beat Sanford w/o help from a lot of ground workers. But Bostic MUST rip Sanford’s B@!!$ out. If he does not, we all suffer.
As for me: if Sanford ends up winning, i think it will be a boon for my exposure. I’m already LMAO imagining FITS feeble defenses for his master, as I crack his weak, and carping little @$$…That will be fun, anyway…
IOW: Sometimes having idiots, like FITS and Sanford around, helps make me look even more significant and my words so much more profound…
I’ve watched Sanford closely..if he is in the public eye, I can pontificate and wax eloquent what i know regarding his well-worn, narraccistic patterns…

shifty henry March 25, 2013 at 5:07 pm

Ok, I get you, although I was anticipating some daily dispatches on what the local buzz would be…..

dwb619 March 25, 2013 at 7:49 pm

His mama will probably pay him just to get him out of the house.

Bubbas Brother March 25, 2013 at 12:50 pm

She and Paul Rand need some grooming lessons…but I do love the “just got done with my afternoon nookie, er uh nap…” look she’s sporting!

I’d love to know exactly what it is you want the State House to done about the Richland County (Taxpayer) Rape Will. Personally I think some tar, feathers and a rail or fourteen are in order but I’m pretty sure we have a law against lynching…

Reply
The Colonel (R) March 25, 2013 at 12:50 pm

She and Paul Rand need some grooming lessons…but I do love the “just got done with my afternoon nookie, er uh nap…” look she’s sporting!

I’d love to know exactly what it is you want the State House to done about the Richland County (Taxpayer) Rape Will. Personally I think some tar, feathers and a rail or fourteen are in order but I’m pretty sure we have a law against lynching…

Reply
katlaurenscounty March 25, 2013 at 2:02 pm

Concluding anything about Bernstein based on FITS pieces is nonsensical. Politicians don’t serve citizens.They serve the party. According to FITS first piece, FITS support of Bernstein based only heresay of allegations of Bernstein words (aka campaign bullshit). words are cheap and not credible, ESPECIALLY for politicians. Now Bernstein should serve citizen needs by bucking party cohorts??? Public servants, not politicians, go against party cohorts to serve citizens. “Lost credibility?” FITS own first ‘endorsement’ didn’t report any for Bernstein. Even if Bernstein’s credibility for ethics reform isn’t tarnished by her membership in the legal profession cesspool, grownups don’t assert Bernstein has professional credibility because of the way she looks. Job performance credibility of a public servant is built where the rubber meets the road. Quantifiable action. Where shyster lawyers and politicians never go. Apparently, neither does FITS.

Reply
katlaurenscounty March 25, 2013 at 2:02 pm

Concluding anything about Bernstein based on FITS pieces is nonsensical. Politicians don’t serve citizens.They serve the party. According to FITS first piece, FITS support of Bernstein based only heresay of allegations of Bernstein words (aka campaign bullshit). words are cheap and not credible, ESPECIALLY for politicians. Now Bernstein should serve citizen needs by bucking party cohorts??? Public servants, not politicians, go against party cohorts to serve citizens. “Lost credibility?” FITS own first ‘endorsement’ didn’t report any for Bernstein. Even if Bernstein’s credibility for ethics reform isn’t tarnished by her membership in the legal profession cesspool, grownups don’t assert Bernstein has professional credibility because of the way she looks. Job performance credibility of a public servant is built where the rubber meets the road. Quantifiable action. Where shyster lawyers and politicians never go. Apparently, neither does FITS.

Reply
Squishy123 March 25, 2013 at 2:10 pm

She’s “hot” in the present company she is in at the State House… overall, not so much.

Reply
Squishy123 March 25, 2013 at 2:10 pm

She’s “hot” in the present company she is in at the State House… overall, not so much.

Reply
katlaurenscounty March 25, 2013 at 2:17 pm

@vicupstate et al: As a lawyer, and as an elected official, she has a duty and the skills and obligation, if the ruling is outside the bounds of law such that is restricts substantive rights; impugns law; blah blah, to take action administratively, and otherwise. She could Petition for reconsideration or use other legal means. She could do an analysis and do a press conference asserting her position. But she would have to go against the entire legal profession in SC. Not likely. Since she has a legal profession insider, I doubt she would ever do anything publicly to refute the Court.

Reply
katlaurenscounty March 25, 2013 at 2:17 pm

@vicupstate et al: As a lawyer, and as an elected official, she has a duty and the skills and obligation, if the ruling is outside the bounds of law such that is restricts substantive rights; impugns law; blah blah, to take action administratively, and otherwise. She could Petition for reconsideration or use other legal means. She could do an analysis and do a press conference asserting her position. But she would have to go against the entire legal profession in SC. Not likely. Since she has a legal profession insider, I doubt she would ever do anything publicly to refute the Court.

Reply
Granny McCall's Nephew March 25, 2013 at 6:31 pm

I didn’t think that “Columbia” [post reads “D-Columbia] had its own “delegation” — I thought (Don’t know why, nobody else rast of the Three Rivers Confluence seems to have a thought mechanism) that She Be Richland Rep.
Makes me more thankful that I live further west….

Reply
granny McCall's Nephew March 25, 2013 at 6:32 pm

* East

Reply
Granny McCall's Nephew March 25, 2013 at 6:31 pm

I didn’t think that “Columbia” [post reads “D-Columbia] had its own “delegation” — I thought (Don’t know why, nobody else rast of the Three Rivers Confluence seems to have a thought mechanism) that She Be Richland Rep.
Makes me more thankful that I live further west….

Reply
granny McCall's Nephew March 25, 2013 at 6:32 pm

* East

Reply
Buford Pusser March 25, 2013 at 7:46 pm

Why did you leave Nathan Ballentine off the list in this article? He is on the Richland County
legislative delegation AND you put him on your earlier list here – https://www.fitsnews.com/2013/03/22/robbery-completed/

“Well, we can thank S.C. Senate President John Courson (RINO-Richland), S.C. Senator Joel Lourie (D-Richland), S.C. Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland) and S.C. Senator John Scott (D-Richland), along with S.C. Reps. Jimmy Bales (D-Richland), Mia Butler (D-Richland), Leon Howard (D-Richland), Joe Neal (D-Richland), Todd Rutherford (D-Richland), James Smith (D-Richland) and Nathan Ballentine (R-Richland) – all of
whom were present when the decision was made to hand over the reins of Richland
County elections to McBride”

Looks fishy, why would you cover for him?

Reply
Buford Pusser March 25, 2013 at 7:46 pm

Why did you leave Nathan Ballentine off the list in this article? He is on the Richland County
legislative delegation AND you put him on your earlier list here – https://www.fitsnews.com/2013/03/22/robbery-completed/

“Well, we can thank S.C. Senate President John Courson (RINO-Richland), S.C. Senator Joel Lourie (D-Richland), S.C. Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland) and S.C. Senator John Scott (D-Richland), along with S.C. Reps. Jimmy Bales (D-Richland), Mia Butler (D-Richland), Leon Howard (D-Richland), Joe Neal (D-Richland), Todd Rutherford (D-Richland), James Smith (D-Richland) and Nathan Ballentine (R-Richland) – all of
whom were present when the decision was made to hand over the reins of Richland
County elections to McBride”

Looks fishy, why would you cover for him?

Reply
Buford Pusser March 25, 2013 at 7:52 pm

Why did you leave Nathan Ballentine off the list in this article? He is on the Richland County
legislative delegation AND you put him on your earlier list here – https://www.fitsnews.com/2013/03/22/robbery-completed/

“Well, we can thank S.C. Senate President John Courson (RINO-Richland), S.C. Senator Joel Lourie (D-Richland), S.C. Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland) and S.C. Senator John Scott (D-Richland), along with S.C. Reps. Jimmy Bales (D-Richland), Mia Butler (D-Richland), Leon Howard (D-Richland), Joe Neal (D-Richland), Todd Rutherford (D-Richland), James Smith (D-Richland) and Nathan Ballentine (R-Richland) – all of
whom were present when the decision was made to hand over the reins of Richland
County elections to McBride”

Looks fishy, why would you cover for him?

Reply
dwb619 March 25, 2013 at 7:52 pm

The lady bears a strong resemblence to a former Miss South Carolina from the early 70’s.

Reply
Buford Pusser March 25, 2013 at 7:52 pm

Why did you leave Nathan Ballentine off the list in this article? He is on the Richland County
legislative delegation AND you put him on your earlier list here – https://www.fitsnews.com/2013/03/22/robbery-completed/

“Well, we can thank S.C. Senate President John Courson (RINO-Richland), S.C. Senator Joel Lourie (D-Richland), S.C. Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland) and S.C. Senator John Scott (D-Richland), along with S.C. Reps. Jimmy Bales (D-Richland), Mia Butler (D-Richland), Leon Howard (D-Richland), Joe Neal (D-Richland), Todd Rutherford (D-Richland), James Smith (D-Richland) and Nathan Ballentine (R-Richland) – all of
whom were present when the decision was made to hand over the reins of Richland
County elections to McBride”

Looks fishy, why would you cover for him?

Reply
dwb619 March 25, 2013 at 7:52 pm

The lady bears a strong resemblence to a former Miss South Carolina from the early 70’s.

Reply
Wish Her Luck March 25, 2013 at 7:57 pm

In this picture she looks a bit like a sane Karen Floyd.

Reply
Wish Her Luck March 25, 2013 at 7:57 pm

In this picture she looks a bit like a sane Karen Floyd.

Reply
kc March 25, 2013 at 9:05 pm

Sic, you dumb-ass.

Reply
kc March 25, 2013 at 9:05 pm

Sic, you dumb-ass.

Reply
kc March 25, 2013 at 9:07 pm

What happened in Richland County was inexcusable. I find it funny, though, that Sic only started caring about voter suppression when his side lost a vote.

Reply
kc March 25, 2013 at 9:07 pm

What happened in Richland County was inexcusable. I find it funny, though, that Sic only started caring about voter suppression when his side lost a vote.

Reply
shifty henry March 26, 2013 at 8:57 am

Anybody else notice the resemblance between Bernstein and Peeler?

Reply
shifty henry March 26, 2013 at 8:57 am

Anybody else notice the resemblance between Bernstein and Peeler?

Reply
coolhandluke March 26, 2013 at 9:49 am

Slick, what makes you think she “HOT”? Cause she’s female? I can’t see it, she is IMO perhaps average.

Reply
coolhandluke March 26, 2013 at 9:49 am

Slick, what makes you think she “HOT”? Cause she’s female? I can’t see it, she is IMO perhaps average.

Reply

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