REPORT EXPOSES NAKED SELF-INTEREST OF INCUMBENT “REPUBLICAN”
By FITSNEWS || We already knew S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley‘s government-funded, crony capitalist approach to “economic development” wasn’t working. South Carolina income levels are stagnant. The Palmetto State workforce is at a record low as a percentage of our population (hurting all races and both genders). Quality of life is on the decline.
Yet despite these miserable outcomes Haley continues picking winners and losers with our money … all the while pursuing a big government agenda on taxes, spending, education and (most notably) government-subsidized health care.
Oh, she also keeps lying about her record …
Until this week, we could chalk most of this up to your typical political sellout. A garden variety case of establishment “Republican” subservience (well, with the exception of one glaring example of Haley letting her national ambitions compromise the best interests of our economy).
Now? We’re not so sure …
Tom Ervin – a self-styled “independent Republican” – held a press conference in Columbia, S.C. this week calling Haley to account for $130,000 in campaign contributions received from two dozen companies that received special tax breaks, grant money and other “incentives” from taxpayers.
Ervin meticulously documented this “pay-to-play” scam via a 78-page report.
“Governor Haley can’t run and hide from the facts about how she has wasted South Carolina tax dollars,” Ervin wrote in a foreward to the report. “She is using a ‘pay-to-play’ strategy to pump contributions into her re-election campaign from those who have benefitted financially from her discretionary ‘closing fund.’ Haley’s corporate welfare has been at the expense of our existing state industry and businesses.”
“By giving out-of-state multinational corporations and shady businesses millions of our taxpayer dollars in so called ‘economic incentives,’ Governor Haley has rejected free market principals in favor of picking ‘winners and losers,'” Ervin continued. “This practice of doling out tax money behind closed doors must end. Our state needs the transparency and accountability that Governor Haley promised us when she first ran for governor.”
Wait … transparency? From Haley? L.O.L.
We haven’t agreed with everything Ervin has proposed during in his gubernatorial bid … but he is 100 percent on the money on this point.
In fact this website has been exposing the abject failure, rank hypocrisy and total lack of transparency associated with these government-subsidized “economic development” for years.
We’ve also been embracing individual income tax relief … an idea Ervin is also championing.
Haley’s response to Ervin?
Predictably petty … and political.
“The governor’s opponents can whine all they want, but the great news for South Carolina is … we have one of the fastest growing economies on the East Coast,” Haley campaign spokeswoman Chaney Adams told The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper. “That didn’t happen by accident. Gov. Haley’s pro-jobs agenda is working for the people of our state.”
Here’s the thing, though … it’s not working. The numbers (unlike Haley) don’t lie.
South Carolina’s policy of job creation via taxpayer-subsidized corporate handouts is a demonstrable failure … one that should have prompted a radical reversal in tax policy years ago. Unfortunately Haley – who campaigned for the GOP nomination in 2010 as a limited government Tea Partier – has embraced this failed issue and turned her back on individual income tax relief.
So … will Ervin’s report “stick” to Haley, who has earned the nickname “Teflon Trikki” for her ability to avoid adverse fallout from major political scandals?
We shall see …
Polls differ as to the current status of the race – which features Haley, Ervin, Democratic nominee Vincent Sheheen and Libertarian Steve French – but most agree Haley has a comfortable lead.
TOM ERVIN: THE REAL STORY
Banner Pic: Travis Bell Photography
53 comments
Pay to play with Nikki?! Oh yea, where do i swipe my card?
In the credit card slit located below the navel.
“Hello? Yes, I need you guys to send me another credit card. What happened to my last one? Oh, I had to set it on fire.”
“Why? Because it smelled like yeast infected curry.”
In the crack between your butt cheeks!
if you mean between HER butt cheeks, then I’m all in!!!
Does the governor really have the power to give these deals out in South Carolina??? No, she does not. It comes from the more corrupt General Assembly.
YOU ARE FULL OF IT! THESE GRANTS COME FROM HER CABINET AGENCY, THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND THE BUDGET AND CONTROL BD SHE TOOK OVER AND TRANSFERRED TO COMMERCE. THAT GAVE HER TOTAL AND COMPLETE CONTROL OF ALL THE MONIES.
BETTER CHECK YOUR FACTS!!!
I use to work with Commerce and Haley wanted say so and complete control. I left after seeing Haley’s corruption, knowing it would blow up in someone’s face eventually.
The chickens are coming home to roost!
Her Secretary of Commerce and Director of Revenue control this. But I’m not sure she has control of them.
Are you kidding? Can’t control them? Hitt is her little money doling lap dog! Still to early to know on Reames. Jury is still out on him admittedly.
Are you kidding? Can’t control them? Hitt is her little money doling lap dog! Still to early to know on Reames. Jury is still out on him admittedly.
And she works hand in hand with the crooked leaders of the General ASsembly!
true!
Fuckin’ Ervin da man!
Take note Dems, this the guy you should have begged to run, not Gilligan.
*this is the guy
Ervin would be a far, far better Gov. than the corrupt, unscrupulous, feckless Haley!
If Ervin would be elected, he owes NO ONE but South Carolina voters!
If Haley is elected, she owes her allegiance to contributors in New York, New Jersey, Georgia, Washington DC!!!!!!
Who do you want your Governor to represent? DC, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts?
“Gilliagan” — that Vinnie, alright.
it is sad to see how easy it is fro Haley to brush off legitimate criticism.
4 years ago she was worried about having her car reposed. now she is making million dollar loans to people for the interest investment.
It is so easy to steal the taxpayers blind.
It’s South Kackalackie and its low intelligence voters that keep voting her in. They deserve to have their trailers ransacked.
Haley is a fraud and a sellout!
Yep. Good one, Ervin. Great job. That’s how our democracy is supposed to work. Classy, critical and timely attack, and very serious questions raised on Haley’s integrity ahead of the debates. But does Haley care about integrity? Should we ask Goldfinch to define integrity and Haley to vouch for Goldfinch’s word on it?
Wonder what else Ervin has in his quiver for the debate night. Hats-off. Now are we going to see Sheheen rush-in to pile up the heat on Slicky Nikki, and call her out on Ervin’s hard work?
Thus far, haley has refused to debate. She could never defend her abysmal record!
this is the weirdest election cycle i can recall in terms of the Governor’s race, Sheheen seems to be mailing it in, no urgency at all, does he even want to win?
are there going be exactly ZERO debates? WTH?
i like Sheehen, seems like a good guy, but putting up the guy that ran and lost and who comes with the requisite career politician baggage, fair or unfair, was just mondo dumb
SC’s Democratic Party is rudderless, clueless, useless
Ervin is the ONLY alternative!
If Haley gets 4 more years there will be many voters wanting to kick themselves, just like with Obama!
obama+ohaley=Ocrap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I want wisdom and experience, proven leadership and organizational skills. Ervin to me is the best choice. But the younger voter blind as a bat crowd will go for Haley or Sheehan. Most voters go on young looks and charm. The rest they don’t care. That is why one has to sling mud in these days and times … waving there arms around and telling listeners and viewers to look past the charm and smile, and focus on whats under the hood. You sure don’t buy a used car by its glossy paint job and shinny rims … do you? You want to be sure there is no costly hidden troubles underneath all of that before you commit to ownership.
The reason the won’t be a debate is because the Governor refuses to defend her our record. It isn’t Sheheen’s idea to not have one. Why he doesn’t make an issue of it, I don’t know.
There are lots of Governors Senators and Congressmen that lost before they won. Newt Gingrich and Jeb Bush being just two.
Democrat’s in South Carolina are useless, spineless, and simply campaign as “compassionate republican’s” because South Carolina is a Republican stronghold. Don’t expect ANY “democrat” in South Carolina to do or say anything against anything that happens.
I’ve lived in South Carolina for 20 years. Nothing has changed but the names of the crooked Republican that was elected.
With spineless democrats and ignorant voters that are more worried if two guys can marry instead of the fact the state is continually at the bottom of every single category; what can you expect?
Bravo. Not bad for your first comment on Disqus. I do like how you point out that over the last 20 years, nothing has changed.
For that matter, it doesn’t matter what letter is after their name…the idea of “by the people, of the people, and for the people” has long left the building.
We need radical reform in SC. Tinkering around the edges of this broken and corrupt political system won’t change anything. Unfortunately, nothing will happen because the voters are ignorant and credulous, the media docile, and the business and educational elites are in on it.
Can I get an Amen? Democrats in SC are utterly useless. They’re not even a opposition minority to the thievery.
What’s more feckless than a SC Democrat?
I agree about the pace and enthusiasm in this election cycle so close to teh elections. Apart from what you say…..I also see that the republicans have suddenly switched to a “do no harm” mode. Talk less…debate less..avoid media..mode. They probably feel pretty confident of a republican ‘wave’ right now…..but no one sees any wave anywhere. It might also be related to the recent federal probe on the lawmakers.
To your debate statement…..I thought I saw a Post & Courier article that all 5 candidates will be debating twice and the debate is televised (Oct 14 and Oct 21).
He acts like a dumb immature frat kid whose daddy gave him everything. We know the type.
Haley is doing what politicians do, and that is to personally profit from her job.
She lives in a beautiful mansion, has drivers, free food for her family, flown around on state plans and loaded private planes. She has box seats, money in the bank, etc.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
This might be interesting to me but it’s too damn hard to scroll through trying to read it.
Will…no offense…but did you REALLY tag that?! I’m envious as all get out if so! Hottest politician in the country today. Can’t stand her politics but I’m diggin that booty!
she’s all about that bass, bout that bass … although in 2007 there was some treble.
LOL! Well, to be honest, that treble…or puddin, as I like to call it…is what the fuss is all about!
Just like the polls showing the majority, who voted for Obama, wish they had voted for Romney!
If haley is reelected, I’ll bet within a year, the majority will wish they had voted Ervin!
Haley has been, is , and forever will be a liar, unethical, immoral and a person of questionable character!
She is just like:
Ard
Sanford
Eckstrom
the Peelers
Harrell
White
Bauer
Obama
the Clintons
Carter
We can expect inept government, lies, cover ups, immoral activity, unethical activity, self serving decisions, etc., should she be reelected!
Will….c’mon: was Nikki on the kinky side? Any details? C’mon, I’m BEGGIN!
This idiot will be a total self serving idiot if given 4 more years.
“REPORT EXPOSES NAKED SELF-INTEREST OF INCUMBENT “REPUBLICAN”
I can see her standing for days naked in front of the mirror admiring herself . . .
mmmmmmmm
Bet she looks good in transparency – eh?
Would some say she’s Dehli-isious?
just real horny real old men, Rocky.
Hmm….ya know Mr. Folks……….you may want to call down to Horry County and talk to Nelson Hardwick about this RAIL LINE….
http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20141010/PC1610/141019936/1177
…if you think some Fuel receipts will choke Harrell………dare to wonder how a story on this can choke a “chicken”..?
I have two questions I would like to have answered: first, why is the contact phone no. for the Original Six Foundation a land-line based in Bamberg? second, why do her parents have a near half million dollar judgement against them in Orangeburg County…according to SC Judicial web site?
If only it was not a land-line all your suspicions would be answered. Why Bamberg? Sounds shady. Allendale or Calhoun OK, but Bamberg? There is something crooked here.
Why is it called “Original Six”? What about the secret sibling held prisoner in Sikh temple in India. That makes seven. What does all this have to do with ISIS? Logan Smith was getting to the bottom of this, but now he’s disappeared. What’s going on?
I Don’t Want Haley Back. I want someone who has wisdom and experience with running things. I want someone who is not a sell out to big business … realtors do not contribute anything to the whole. They are like lawyers – bottom sucking scavenger fish.
If we are one of the fastest growing economies in the South? And with the increase in population growth seen since the 2010 census and census before that, then why do gas taxes need to be raised when tax revenue have gone up but wages have dropped back to the year 2000 levels? Who do these people think they are trying to dupe? Numbers do not lie. Politicians like Haley, do.
Haley opposes a gas tax increase and hasn’t raised or proposed any tax increase.