SC

Gas Tax “Trickeration”

PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MONEY COMING OUT OF YOUR POCKET … || By FITSNEWS || South Carolina’s “Republican-controlled” House of Representatives wants to cut the state’s gas tax in half … Good news, right?  Well yeah … if that was the extent of the plan. Unfortunately, it isn’t.  After…

PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MONEY COMING OUT OF YOUR POCKET …

|| By FITSNEWS || South Carolina’s “Republican-controlled” House of Representatives wants to cut the state’s gas tax in half …

Good news, right?  Well yeah … if that was the extent of the plan.

Unfortunately, it isn’t.  After cutting the state’s gas tax from 16.75 percent to 8.75 cents – they would start applying sales tax to all gasoline purchases (which are currently exempt from sales tax in South Carolina).

Rather than “cutting the gas tax,” this would actually result in a $200 million a year tax hike.

It’s pure smoke and mirrors, in other words …

That’s not all, though.  In addition to this $200 million trickeration, lawmakers want voters to approve a separate statewide sales tax hike – a “one penny” increase that they say will bring in another $643 million annually for roads.

Add it all up and we’re looking at $843 million (at least) being sucked out of the state’s consumer economy each year … from consumers who are already paying the nation’s second-highest percentage of their incomes on gas (only Mississippians pay more).

Can the state’s economy (which is suffering from flat incomes and record low labor participation) really afford that?

Hell no …

So … are South Carolinians really stupid enough to fall for this “bait and switch?” Wait … don’t answer that.

Of course they are …

While the Palmetto State’s roads and bridges crumble, its lawmakers continue to pass record-setting budgets.  Included therein?  Billions of dollars for South Carolina’s worst-in-the-nation government-run school system, its duplicative and inefficient higher education system, bailouts for wealthy corporations, shady “economic development” deals and … lest we forget … dozens of exorbitantly expensive and totally unnecessary highway projects.

Rather than address any of these fundamental issues, “Republicans” here are doing what they always do … raising taxes.  And increasing spending.

In other words they are doubling down on the same policies that have failed this state for decades …

With all due respect to its new leadership, the “Republican-controlled” House should be embarrassed for presenting this plan to the public.  And ashamed of the duplicity inherent in its tax shift.

And make no mistake: Any lawmaker who votes in support of a plan like this deserves to lose his or her job.

Legislative leaders need to go back to the drawing board and not only prioritize specific transportation projects (something they were supposed to have done years ago) – but more importantly they need to prioritize core functions of government.

Also, S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley – who has to her credit opposed a gas tax hike – needs to remain consistent in her position and pledge to veto this proposal.

South Carolina taxpayers simply cannot afford to keep shelling out billions of dollars on unnecessary government while critical infrastructure needs go unaddressed.

***

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170 comments

GrandTango January 10, 2015 at 12:27 pm

I would say Bravo FITS, but normally you are so intent on Vilifying Republicans, you have to wonder what you are leaving out…or NOT telling you about your Democrat-@$$-kissers…

And You have been VERY under-reporting about the Tax DISASTER ObamaCare is to family incomes, at a time when he is lording over job cuts, and an economic mess. Not to mention the $1-PLUS PER GALLON gas tax we’ve ALL paid for six years under Obama…And the jacked up utility bills thanks to dismantling of clean, abundant coal…

Until you take on your liberal mouth-filling buddies…you need to STFU about what you THINK (Sanford and Davis told you) the SC House MAY talk about presenting…..

PS: you’re just as guilty as any “media” with this Roads CRISIS Bull-$#!t…you take any liberal PET issue (like ethics) and turn it into an URGENT concern for lawmakers…then ride them like the ignorant pop culture jockey you are…for addressing the mythology you manufactured….

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Smirks January 10, 2015 at 1:04 pm

Highest average gas price ever: $4.12/gal, under Bush.

Current average gas price: $2.15/gal. Thanks Obama!

I’m going to love shoving your broken logic right back into your face, at least until Russia cries uncle and OPEC jacks up prices again anyways.

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GrandTango January 10, 2015 at 1:20 pm

First 6 years of Bush – Avg. Gas Price: $1.83 -per Gal.

First 6 years of Obama – Avg. Gas Price: $3.28 -per Gal.

You F*#king BRAIN-DEAD idiot….I want all the F*#king money you stole from my family…you Filthy lying B@$t@*d…and that goes DOUBLE for Obamacare…

PS: What did Bush get the price back down to, by opening reserves, when he left office???

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Your Hero January 10, 2015 at 1:38 pm

George Zimmerman was arrested late Friday for aggravated assault and domestic violence with a weapon after allegedly throwing a wine bottle at his girlfriend, Florida police and his lawyer said.

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GrandTango January 10, 2015 at 2:03 pm

I’m an America…I say give him equal justice under the law. It’s you who thinks that if you’re black, you should be able to break the law, or attack other people, and get away with it. See OJ…

Your Hero January 10, 2015 at 2:07 pm

“Then came 2005, and a series of troubles. Zimmerman’s business failed, he was arrested, and he broke off an engagement with a woman who filed a restraining order against him.

That July, Zimmerman was charged with resisting arrest, violence, and battery of an officer after shoving an undercover alcohol-control agent who was arresting an under-age friend of Zimmerman’s at a bar. He avoided conviction by agreeing to participate in a pre-trial diversion program that included anger-management classes.”

GrandTango January 10, 2015 at 2:10 pm

You really are vacant of any substance, aren’t you??…LMAO…you are so typical of a liberal…thank you for showing us who, and what, you are….Hahahaha…very typical…

euwe max January 10, 2015 at 2:51 pm

LMAO… Hahahaha

Obama=ISIS=dems January 10, 2015 at 8:59 pm

George Zimmerman? Damn? Obama is a Radical Islamist,muslim brotherhood,CAIR,Iran supporting,Israel hating evil bitch and you bastards are worried bout George Zimmerman????

euwe max January 11, 2015 at 1:45 pm

George uses real bullets.

euwe max January 10, 2015 at 2:51 pm

I’m an America…

——–
North, Central or South?

GrandTango January 10, 2015 at 4:57 pm

Huh???

euwe max January 10, 2015 at 5:03 pm

Dumbass.

shifty henry January 10, 2015 at 5:27 pm

Max, pressure GT to see if that is a turtle on that rock.

euwe max January 10, 2015 at 5:32 pm

I know that place well – it’s a culvert for the Columbia sewer.

Smirks January 10, 2015 at 7:53 pm

I think he’s a Twilight Zone America.

euwe max January 10, 2015 at 8:25 pm

I wonder if he’s different when he’s sober.

euwe jackoff January 10, 2015 at 8:52 pm

Did you act different when you aren’t watching child porn?

euwe max January 10, 2015 at 9:23 pm

No.

LMAO! Hahahaha.

on the dole January 10, 2015 at 8:51 pm

LMAO!!! Smirks is posting on a Saturday(first time) as he was called out as an Gov’t employee.

The paranoid SOB!!! :-)

euwe max January 11, 2015 at 1:43 pm

You forgot Hahahaha.

Barry's heroes January 10, 2015 at 8:48 pm

Radical muslim terrorists were killed in France yesterday.

euwe max January 11, 2015 at 1:42 pm

If every Arab kills more than one white guy apiece before they get him, that will be over a billion dead white guys.

euwe max January 11, 2015 at 1:40 pm

They finally took away his guns.

You Missed This January 10, 2015 at 1:59 pm

Hey, dumbass. Why did the doctor slap you up side the head and not your ass when you were born?

“Setting aside partisan politics, the truth is that the president really can’t do much to affect prices at the pump. More drilling — and good tire inflation — might make a marginal difference. Higher fuel-economy standards can help, too, although they create a boomerang effect (a lower marginal cost per mile encourages more driving).”-The Blaze

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GrandTango January 10, 2015 at 2:08 pm

LMAO…then why do you start blowing off Obama every time the price of gas dips a little???….Hahahaha…You busted yourself, you F*#king Leftwing Idiot….

PS: When the government puts limits on production (see Obama)…the price goes higher…the oil speculators buy becomes worth more…less supply, higher costs…

Not sure who you are quoting (there’s no name associated)…but a lot of people tell idiots a lot of stupid things…because you believe it. Because you want to…that’s why you are a F*#king idiot…

Better Call Flip January 10, 2015 at 2:10 pm

Back to dick sucking??

Of course he is January 10, 2015 at 3:10 pm

Tango is the real life “Colonel Frank Fitts”.

euwe max January 10, 2015 at 6:14 pm

LMAO!

Smirks January 10, 2015 at 7:58 pm

I want all the F*#king money you stole from my family…you Filthy lying B@$t@*d…

I want my money back too, Dubya, you filthy lying B@$t@*d!!1!

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GrandTango January 11, 2015 at 9:28 am

W cut taxes you ignorant A$$-hole…remember those Rebate checks TAXPAYING families used to get .I’d get $300 for very member of my family.

Tax cuts, that’s one of the reasons you HATE Bush so much. He gave us back some of our money before the Democrats could get their Stinkin’ paws on it…

euwe max January 10, 2015 at 1:21 pm

It sure is fun to slap the shit out of Damned Tango!

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GrandTango January 10, 2015 at 1:21 pm

Ignorant Much???

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euwe max January 10, 2015 at 1:40 pm

You F*#king BRAIN-DEAD idiot….I want all the F*#king money you stole from my family…you Filthy lying B@$t@*d…and that goes DOUBLE for the war in Iraq…

PS: in the summer of 2008, the price of a gallon of gas peaked at $4.11

euwe pp max January 10, 2015 at 5:19 pm

Why so angry? Did you mother molest you with the baby bottle? Wait! It was the broom handle, instead — yeah.

euwe max January 10, 2015 at 5:29 pm

[lowering eyes… scruffing the dirt with the toe of my boot (c) TBG]

I.. I.. plagiarized the great Damned Tango.. as you can see below.

Smirks January 10, 2015 at 1:08 pm

How about passing a bill that puts forth a 2-cent increase (less than what these fuckers have asked for in the past) but stipulates that certain high-dollar boondoggles must be buried for the next decade or two, and mandate that the added revenue can only be used for repairing infrastructure?

Enough of this “But we need more revenue!” versus “But we need less waste!” bullshit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqc7CEE0ekE

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Elfego January 10, 2015 at 8:46 pm

Government will take what they need and will never cut back. They have too many folks to reward!

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FastEddy23 January 11, 2015 at 12:00 pm

How about a big fat tax cut instead … Everybody talks about g’ment waste, fraud and abuse, but nobody ever does anything about it.

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Bay January 10, 2015 at 1:18 pm

serious question – why not impact fees?

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GrandTango January 10, 2015 at 1:56 pm

The impact of all these F*#king leftwing Yankees migrating here, and crowding the roads???…OK….

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Serious answer January 10, 2015 at 7:37 pm

A gas tax is an impact fee on those who use the roads.

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GrandTango January 10, 2015 at 1:46 pm

I have an idea..since FITS and the liberals’ Roads “CRISIS” is much more a problem of overcrowding than it is condition…why not assess an out-of-state fee to every transplant to SC???

Also: Charge a Toll to every non–SC driver on I-95…and use the money to widen it???

We have out-of-state college tuition fees…the roads need attention because we have Yankees migrating here from failed liberal, Rust-Belt Union states… They vote Democrat…and have F*#ked up the H#!!-Holes from where they come…

If Migrants are causing the need to “FIX” the roads…let them PAY for it…And I’d say charge Northern transplants MORE than fellow-Southern State newcomers…because Yankees will cost you more, because they believe in higher taxes, and B!t*hing about everything that is not done like they do it up there….

A tax on Yankees and liberals may keep our institutions (like The State newspaper) from being overrun…FITS may re-locate too, since he hates SC so much…

I wonder if a tax on Carper-Baggers would send Tom Davis packing???…LMAO…

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euwe max January 10, 2015 at 2:50 pm

I have an idea..

——–
LIAR!

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GrandTango January 10, 2015 at 3:39 pm

Can you give support…or are you too stupid to do that?

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euwe max January 10, 2015 at 3:59 pm

you wouldn’t know an idea if it bit your foot off.

LMAO… Hahahaha.

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Eat Shit and Die January 10, 2015 at 5:17 pm

You are one fucked up sick in the head troll.

euwe max January 10, 2015 at 5:30 pm

do you think I should increase the scopolamine? My teeth *are* grinding a little bit.

lulz January 10, 2015 at 3:07 pm

“A tax on Yankees and liberals”

lmao…you’re such a cartoon…and on Saturday’s even as an adult, I still enjoy my cartoons…so carry on.

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GrandTango January 10, 2015 at 3:41 pm

Is VAPID the only gear in which you operate? …LMAO…or do you sometimes offer something of substance???…

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euwe max January 10, 2015 at 6:14 pm

OH…. LMAO!!!! Hahahahaha

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Elfego January 10, 2015 at 6:37 pm

People that retire or relocate here from Northern States can live like Kings or Queens and a small retirement package from up North!

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GrandTango January 10, 2015 at 6:45 pm

Aren’t many of those retirement packages going bankrupt???…it’s why Obama took GM and gave it to the union that F*#ked it up in the first place…That’s what socialists do…

But if that is true…Tax the F*#k out of them…if they want to come down here and gum up the works…D@*n if I need to pay for these idiots to screw up SC, after they’ve screwed up their states voting Democrat…They’ll make our whole state like the Democrat-Corridor of Shame…

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Elfego January 10, 2015 at 8:48 pm

You cant hand pick who to charge a toll but most SC people can by pass I-95!

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FastEddy23 January 11, 2015 at 12:11 pm

White man speaks with forked tongue.

GT suggests yet another tax, which always and forever leads to more taxsuckers.

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GrandTango January 11, 2015 at 2:14 pm

If we can tax Ignorance, mostly only Democrats will be paying…That’s a FAIR Tax, since they cost so much…and steal so much tax money…

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Rocky January 11, 2015 at 10:05 pm

Well I bet for sure you’d pay more than me – for once.

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FastEddy23 January 12, 2015 at 12:09 pm

Better: just tax g’ment employees … its called a pay cut.

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Rocky January 11, 2015 at 10:04 pm

You mean those states with low unemployment and high wages. They’re not moving here, you stupid idiot, they’re passing through and spending money shopping on King Street in Charleston on their way to Florida – stupid. The only ones who move here are the ones who have to come file the Boeing jobs because the local labor-force is too stupid to take those jobs.

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Clarendonian January 10, 2015 at 1:48 pm

This silliness of trying to solve transportation infrastructure problems by raising revenue for roads and bridges with sales tax increases while cutting or even maintaining at current levels the current fuel taxes, leaves me discouraged and shaking my head both as a citizen/taxpayer and businessman.

Why not raise most of the revenue from those who use the infrastructure? Why burden low income citizens with excessive sales tax increases that any fool knows are patently and offensively regressive?

We are in a sad state of affairs when our Governor and General Assembly are individually and collectively ignorant enough and selfish enough to even consider this as a serious approach to the problem.

There is no leadership in Columbia, only followers who fail at the task of governing, not abdicating their responsibilities as elected representatives and shrinking from the tasks that lead to common good of our State.

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Clarendonian January 10, 2015 at 1:51 pm

edit

……task of governing “and who are now” abdicating…….

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Cash January 10, 2015 at 3:48 pm

In other words, raise taxes. Waste money. Make good ole boys rich.

That is an old song. Heard it before.

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Mark January 11, 2015 at 6:34 am

my .ister-in-law makes $88 /hour on the laptop . She has been laid off for nine months but last month her pay check was $15077 just working on the laptop for a few hours. learn the facts here now;.There is

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Sharon January 11, 2015 at 7:58 am

No lets not take federal money and fix our roads that would be silly.

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FastEddy23 January 11, 2015 at 1:15 pm

No, let’s abolish the IRS instead. That way South Carolina would have plenty of its own money to spend on “infrastructure” … or not.

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euwe max January 11, 2015 at 1:34 pm

damn, man. Just pay your fucking taxes… and get stoned or something… you’re obsessing.

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Republican Follies January 11, 2015 at 2:04 pm

He’s a Republican.

They have wet dreams about getting rid of the IRS.

euwe max January 11, 2015 at 2:33 pm

“It’ll double my profits!”

…until everything goes to shit.

hooray! January 11, 2015 at 5:04 pm

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/blue-billionaires-on-top-114151.html

We’re saved! Turns out, the Dems have all the money and are always willing to share….

FastEddy23 January 12, 2015 at 12:08 pm

As it seems you are as well: “those damn republicans” …

euwe max January 12, 2015 at 12:17 pm

That’s not an obsession – it’s a public service!

FastEddy23 January 12, 2015 at 12:35 pm

:>}

Rakkasan January 12, 2015 at 8:19 am

Here are the options: 1>Cut taxes. 2. Shrink gov’t. 3. Reduce/eliminate regulations. Rinse and repeat. Add a variety of versions of “no” like “we’ll have to study this”.
Legislators and elected officials can do this forever while telling you that “they’re working hard for the jobs, freedom, truth, justice and the American Way. They can do this forever–without solving problems. Evidence? Really? They can say they are working hard with a straight face because, well, they sometimes do a lot of “something” But is it the “right” thing? Are the problems getting solved? Are goals reached? Only if it is posturing, spouting ideology, and getting re-elected.

How long will it take GT to call me Commie or Marxist?

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vicupstate January 12, 2015 at 9:24 am

DOT needs reform, particularly getting the politics out of maintenance and construction, although that might be a pipe dream. But the amount of gas tax currently collected is insufficient, even if the so called ‘waste’ was eliminated.

Gas taxes are a user fee and should be the means to pay for roads instead of a general sales tax. Because the gas tax is not tied to inflation, and autos are more efficient now, the revenue stream has not kept up with the demand for repairs and expansion. The gas tax is a flat fee that hasn’t changed since 1987.

It is also much more expensive to repair a road that has truly deteriorated, than it is to simply apply maintenance as it is normally needed. By putting off the maintenance, you end up paying a lot more in the long run. That doesn’t even include the additional front-end alignments, tire repairs, etc. that are paid privately by waiting too long for proper maintenance.

As long as we simply ignore the problem and beat the ‘government should do nothing’ drum, it will only get worse.

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USA January 10, 2015 at 3:10 pm

It ain’t the price of gas. It’s the super low wages South Carolinians accept as pay. Quit working for peanuts and you could afford a penny tax hike. Is everybody in poverty there?

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I See Fools January 10, 2015 at 5:58 pm

Its a very poor and crime infested state. Always last in line and always at the bottom of the barrel in most everything. And they keep electing the same old corrupt douche bags to government offices.

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USA January 10, 2015 at 6:03 pm

Oh well, there’s one in every family it seems. We just have to keep dragging SC along, kicking and screaming, into the future. Wish they wouldn’t mooch so much of our Federal tax dollars, though. Is it too late to take up that succession offer?

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FastEddy23 January 11, 2015 at 11:56 am

And that calls for a big fat tax cut … Like a cut in sales taxes, not an increase. Sales taxes hurt the poor and middle classes the most.

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grasan January 11, 2015 at 12:36 pm

Why do you think Boeing chose North Charleston? Hint, it wasn’t the price of gas.

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Lexus January 10, 2015 at 3:32 pm

I will never again buy a car from Gary S. He has been my representative, vendor and friend for a long time, but he just lost my vote. He should know only the consumer pays taxes…everyone else just passes them through the supply system.

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FastEddy23 January 11, 2015 at 12:07 pm

Government does not pay taxes, either … And that’s the problem.

How about a big fat tax on g’ment employees? (It’s called a pay cut.)

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Yelsewh January 13, 2015 at 4:25 pm

This is demonstrably false. Business always bear some of the cost. See: price elasticity of demand.

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Mark January 10, 2015 at 3:39 pm

All a shell game-add some, take some away, flash the light and poof, magic!

The House has been weakened by scandal and guilt, and is now being dictated to by the Senate. Hugh Leatherman is the true leader of the House of Representatives.

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GrandTango January 10, 2015 at 3:51 pm

If the House was WEAKENED, why would it be conceding to perpetually unfit Democrats to raise taxes (If – big IF) FITS claim has any validity?)…

To the contrary…if the House is scrambling to take money from people…it’s because the media has worked a certain number of idiots (like FITS and his dolts) into believing the roads are crumbling, despite much evidence…

Again: if it’s road overcrowding, why not assess the migrants – especially the non-SC-like- migrants who are CAUSING overcrowded roads…???

As it is: Idiots like FITS and the leftist media create a “CRISIS” then bash the GOP legislators for trying to address their manufactured panic issues…

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tomstickler January 10, 2015 at 3:48 pm

The other tune I keep hearing is “Only after we get rid of all the waste and inefficiency in SCDOT will we consider allocating funds for repairs.”

That’s a variation on “Beatings will continue until morale improves.”

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GrandTango January 10, 2015 at 3:52 pm

Until we stop listening to F*#King leftwing idiots in the media…NOTHING will get better…

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euwe max January 10, 2015 at 9:15 pm

[slaps more shit out of Damned Tango]

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Elfego January 10, 2015 at 8:45 pm

I my opinion DOT is used to direct money to those in politics as pay back. It is amazing at the money certain people make off the government and how they are tied in.

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FastEddy23 January 11, 2015 at 11:54 am

More than amazing, it is criminal.

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FastEddy23 January 11, 2015 at 11:53 am

… So, just lay them all off instead.

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Bible Thumper January 10, 2015 at 4:01 pm

“South Carolina’s “Republican-controlled” House of Representatives wants to…….”
While other Republicans have said they want to raise gas taxes, only Rep. Gary Simrill, R-Rock Hill to my knowledge has expressed support for this plan.

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GrandTango January 10, 2015 at 5:05 pm

FITS has a habit of going out to find the MOST RINO Republican, and painting the whole party w/ that brush…while he is about the MOST RINO, or left-leaning Liberal-Tarian in their party…(if you can call 1-to-2% a party)….

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euwe max January 11, 2015 at 1:31 pm

who is the LEAST RINO? David Duke?

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GrandTango January 11, 2015 at 2:12 pm

No, Democrat Sen. Robert Byrd. Duke was never elected to anything that I know of…

KKK “Sheets” Democrat Sen. Byrd was eulogized by Bill Clinton as a GREAT man, and a b and of Democrat Demons joined in to Praise your racist, party of Slave-Holding, past…

Go get educated, Dumb@$$…

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euwe max January 11, 2015 at 2:32 pm

So Byrd is your ideal non-RINO? Wow!

Know it All January 10, 2015 at 4:08 pm

I am from York County and call tell you that Gary Simrill is only pushing this to sell more cars. Simrill=Mulvaney=Lindsay Graham. All of them are one in the same. We will clean the two our from York County next election.

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Yeah, Right... January 10, 2015 at 4:15 pm

Sure you will…SC keeps electing the same damn fools.

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GrandTango January 10, 2015 at 5:04 pm

The other states elected Obama…you F*#king idiot…

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Copy Editor January 11, 2015 at 1:49 pm

Other states elected Obama, you fucking idiot.

There, I fixed it for you!

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Rocky January 11, 2015 at 10:02 pm

You mean the states with low poverty rates, low unemployment and nice roads.

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GrandTango January 10, 2015 at 5:03 pm

Wasn’t John Spratt you last Congressman? He was about worthless as you could get.

You sound like an ignorant Dumb@$$….because if you don’t elect Republicans, you could elect a Democrat. And they have F*#ked up the country as bad as it ever been in my lifetime.

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Pre-Exsisting Condition January 10, 2015 at 6:40 pm

One man’s fucked up is another man’s things are great.

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Pre-Existing Condition January 10, 2015 at 6:42 pm

*Existing

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Mayor Riley Has A Little Dick January 10, 2015 at 5:15 pm

Stop pissing away money on SC State College …. Stop Pissing Away money on pork trips to India …. Stop taking kickbacks in campaign donations …. SC Federal Prosecutor Bill Nettles is in the pockets of ORGANIZED crime (Legislatures) ….. Bobby Harrell aint telling nobody a fucking thing. And if he was, nobody is going to be arrested by the FBI or SLED because of it. SOUTH CAROLINA IS ONE FUCKED UP BOTTOM OF THE TOILET PLACE.
.
Tell the world to stay the fuck out of South Carolina because the CRIME is OUT OF CONTROL and SC is just about the MURDER Capital of the USA.

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Kerry January 10, 2015 at 5:34 pm

The House and Senate are up next year. Let the greedy bastards vote yes on more taxes, that way we can clean house! We need real conservatives, not the Leatherman type of big spending scum that have control of the government!

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Smirks January 10, 2015 at 7:51 pm

Let the greedy bastards vote yes on more taxes, that way we can clean house!

The only entity that cleans the State House appears to be the DoJ.

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aikencounty January 12, 2015 at 8:41 pm

I wish they would hurry up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Bible Thumper January 10, 2015 at 5:50 pm

Tax EV and hybrids. They’re not paying their fair share.

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I See Fools January 10, 2015 at 5:56 pm

I’ve noticed that many in state government and in the larger county governments that are paid over $60,000 a year have been getting some pretty nice pay raises these past few years. One manager (with only a paralegal degree) for a public defenders office is now being paid $72,000.00 a year while many attorneys who work in this same office are paid $60,000.00 a year. This, of course, is just an example as my research has uncovered tens of thousands of local and state government employees have been getting pretty hefty pay raises on top of their already many other perks. We are being fleeced and sucked dry more and more by these greedy government skanks we elect to run things. And now all the corruption has come together for a common cause to raise gasoline tax revenue. They are insane fools. The people will come out in mass force to kick their asses.

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Smirks January 10, 2015 at 7:46 pm

From what I’ve seen, the hardest workers in state government are paid the least, which is a real shame. Extremely talented people who actually work their asses off get shit on so the managers can take home their huge checks.

Then again, similar stuff happens in various private organizations too. Bullshit is worth it’s weight in gold, one only need to be full of it and find the right buyer.

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Sam January 11, 2015 at 7:12 am

I am in state government and can tell you there is little connection between work product and pay. Some of the laziest people of earth make more than the most industrious. Now, many government employees make more than their private business counterparts while they work less hours, retire earlier and enjoy more benefits.
It needs to be fixed.

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euwe max January 11, 2015 at 1:29 pm

Just pay me the difference, and I’ll look the other way.

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Same ol' Same ol' January 11, 2015 at 11:15 am

That’s true anywhere. Sometimes I’m just amazed.

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M326 January 11, 2015 at 3:54 pm

I agree, at the upper levels in our government, salaries have increased substantially. That is not true for the line worker. DSS is a prime example. They can’t attract decent caseworkers for the pittance they pay. The last Director, however, made something over $165,000 for four years before demonstrating she did not know how to run the agency. This is the result of restructuring which gave the governors the ability to appoint political hacks as the heads and deputies of these agencies. And you know how expensive political hacks are getting to be.

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BS meter on full mode January 11, 2015 at 4:55 pm

Political hacks have been running DSS for 35 years. I know, I worked there almost that long. Some had more degrees than others, but all were idiots, hence the problems we have now.

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M326 January 12, 2015 at 6:15 am

Why would you work so long in a place so mismanaged and run by idiots? Makes one wonder who the biggest idiots are–those that run the place or those that work there for extended periods.

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I See Fools January 10, 2015 at 6:11 pm

All the growth in hotels which means more tax revenue for the state. All the tourist in their cars buying gas in South Carolina, which also means more taxes for the state. All the booze and beer sales from tourist, which also means more taxes for the state. All the tons of people moving to SC from other states, which means more in taxes for the state. But the GOD DAMN people running things for us can’t even wisely manage and control their own OUT OF CONTROL selves. Imagine that. We have a bunch of fuck ups in government.

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euwe max January 11, 2015 at 1:28 pm

Here in Texas, we have it all figured out – we elected Louie Gohmert!

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M326 January 11, 2015 at 3:49 pm

You clearly don’t understand the economics affecting the state. Some tax revenues have kept pace with growth. Revenues for roads have not kept pace due to (until recently) the high cost of fuel discouraging use, better mileage by vehicles which reduces the amount of fuel to get to the same place thus reducing tax revenues and the increasing use of bigger and bigger transport trucks causing more wear and tear. Also, all those immigrants create higher demand for other government services such as schools, police, fire, courts, health services, etc. so there are plenty of places for those extra taxes to go. If you want change, did you vote? And if so, did you vote for an incumbent in any office? I ask: who is to blame? I did vote and I did not vote for any incumbent. I, apparently, am in a minority.

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Kerry January 11, 2015 at 4:53 pm

You voted for the open borders, big spending, tax’em all Democrats. I voted for the half-open borders, almost big spenders, tax some of their wealth Republicans.

Your guys are bigger losers than my guys. You just believe in big fat government. Screw that, I don’t believe in it or need it.

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M326 January 12, 2015 at 6:09 am

If a Democrat was an incumbent, I did not vote for him/her. I did not reference political parties. I referenced the current crowd in office. Apparently you aren’t very pleased with them either so where are we apart?

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jimlewisowb January 10, 2015 at 6:21 pm

“……..Republicans” here are doing what they always do … raising taxes. And increasing spending…..”

Surely you meant to type “Democrats” – it is against the Code for Republicans to raise taxes and increase spending – har, har, har

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FastEddy23 January 11, 2015 at 12:02 pm

It’s not just the republicrats, it’s All Of Them!

Until you all stand up and demand a whopping big tax cut, it will continue to be the same ol, same ol, forever.

Cut Those tax sucking Helots off at the pockets, otherwise, They will continue … and continue …

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Scooter January 11, 2015 at 4:29 pm

I wish that they would do away with capital gains taxes.

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Vince Nicholson January 10, 2015 at 9:19 pm

More money for Nikki, get a republican life in SC

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Larry Bishop January 11, 2015 at 7:56 am

http://www.thestate.com/2015/01/10/3920295/average-sc-legislator-makes-31000.html?sp=/99/205/&ihp=1

They cut everyone else’s pension but they live like hogs in slop.

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euwe max January 11, 2015 at 1:48 pm

I wish I had some slop… my family was so poor, we made do with mud.. we couldn’t afford slop.

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Vince Nicholson January 11, 2015 at 8:21 am

Taxpayers will be paying more, nothing new here, move on.

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M326 January 11, 2015 at 8:49 am

The fairest way to raise money for roads is to tax those who use them. This is the tax on fuel. Tourists, truckers and others outside the state will buffer the direct impact on residents because it shares costs with those outside the state which a sales tax is less likely to do. My solution:
1. raise the fuel tax to a few cents under that of Georgia and N. Carolina–we will still have one of the lower rates in the nation;
2. put a moratorium for 5 years on any new construction and limit expenditures only to repair, replace or maintain current roads.
Come on folks, our infrastructure is going to ruin. Regardless of the crazy schemes legislators may use to disguise it, a tax increase is the only way to pay for it. Do it the cheapest (for our residents) and fairest way possible. Tax the users.

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Republican Follies January 11, 2015 at 10:52 am

Realism is not welcomed here.

Taxes can NEVER be raised and Everybody is al liarexcept Fits and his minions .

Proceed.

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M326 January 11, 2015 at 11:32 am

Sorry…I forgot!

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Max January 11, 2015 at 2:38 pm

As the population grows the State gains more money. Not that the State admits that.
That additional tax money is supposed to keep pace with the needs of the populace. Not only do the budget writers spend all them money, they spend it on nonbasic needs, placing roads, bridges and other basics behind most anything you can think of!

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M326 January 11, 2015 at 3:39 pm

As the population grows there is also a growing demand for more government services: schools, police, fire, courts, roads, health, etc. Throughout history some money has been redirected to nonbasic needs but the lion’s share of this money has gone to the increasing demand for government services–some of them pretty basic.

FLR January 11, 2015 at 4:37 pm

Wrong again.

Examine the full budget of SC and you will find that the basic demands of the people are not met while billions are being spent on silliness like the “war of drugs”, a state sponsored monopoly of schools and endless and pointless regulations.

I performed this excerise a few years back and was completely surprised. My numbers are old so I will not use them now, but the trends have not changed.

M326 January 12, 2015 at 6:25 am

As I said before, let the facts speak for themselves. I read them differently than do you. But then…I am sure you are right. Right.

M326 January 11, 2015 at 4:04 pm

I am curious regarding your statement: “Not that the State admits that.” The State annually publishes the revenue it has taken in and expects to take in during the next fiscal year and from what sources it comes. It is part of the state budget and easy to find if you take the time to enlighten yourself.

euwe max January 11, 2015 at 1:24 pm

Libertarians are smarter than we are – they see to the heart of the matter – that roads pay for themselves. In fucked-up land, all of the money that goes into maintenance ends up in someone’s pocket, instead of in the road itself.

In Libertarian land, the roads are privately owned, and paved with gold by the invisible hand of the free market.

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M326 January 11, 2015 at 3:34 pm

Agreed. It is hard to underestimate the intellectual level of Libertarians. However, I doubt even Libertarians want to privatize the road system. There are just some things government does better than the private sector. Roads are probably one of them.

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FLR January 11, 2015 at 4:38 pm

Certainly a piggish statement from an arrogant leftist.

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Leftist January 11, 2015 at 6:23 pm

Ah, blow me.

FLR January 11, 2015 at 2:34 pm

Dress it anyway you want, but it is still a transfer of wealth from hard working people to greedy, lazy, unaccountable politicians and bureaucrats.
You can give them your last nickel if you want, but they can’t have mine till they demonstrate they can spend it wisely.
FLR

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M326 January 11, 2015 at 3:30 pm

FLR, the ultimate solution to this will be a tax increase. It will be tied to the sale of fuel in either a straight-forward way or some scheme to make it not look like a fuel tax increase which will actually cost the citizens of SC more. It’s not like you will have a choice. You will either pay it or stop buying fuel. By the way, the USA taxes its citizens less than any other Western country and SC taxes its citizens less than most other states. Nobody likes to pay taxes but the facts clearly show we in SC are taxed at one of the lowest rates in the world.

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FLR January 11, 2015 at 4:31 pm

Merely stating a dollar value in an obscure document does not inform the pubic of any fact or trend of importance.

The US certainly does not tax its citizens less. That canard is well nurtured by big government types but belies the fact that when all taxes, including those passed along by cooperations and real estate taxes are included, America fares poorly.

America has lost its edge, and has done so for no apparent reason other than to satisfy the blithering of the wasteful and greedy. We are poorly educated, utilize poor infrastructure, and have the multitude of social ills in larger scope than when LBJ declared his war on poverty.

So blither on, sport, blither on.

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M326 January 12, 2015 at 6:21 am

You must have access to a completely different set of facts than do I. I see nothing that supports your statements. But then…I am sure you are right–the H** with the facts.

vicupstate January 12, 2015 at 9:27 am

So the men that work in the hot sun/cold air building a road are lazy and unworthy. I wonder if you would do their job for their pay.

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FastEddy23 January 11, 2015 at 11:48 am

All inflation is caused by government, government prints the money and government can too easily print too much.

That proposed tax on gas is to make up for government caused inflation over the last decades, Not Because Government Needs More.

Government taxes on gas are already more than 40%.

Any increases in gas taxes will cause huge losses in jobs, value of money … The $20 Happy Meal is just ahead, keep right except to pass.

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grasan January 11, 2015 at 12:35 pm

Boeing and a huge Mead Westvaco development in Summerville, yet no clue about addressing the growing congestion on I-26. Public transportation is a joke and our roads are in a fine state. Agreed that the funding needs to come from those who will benefit. Tax breaks for them and increases for us.

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John January 11, 2015 at 2:41 pm

They steal too much. Cut them off. Ms. Bobbitt style.

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Matt January 11, 2015 at 4:48 pm

Great one…hahaha

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Dan January 11, 2015 at 4:58 pm

I am shocked Gary Simrill would try such a silly idea. Either he is dumber than I thought or he has fallen in with the big spenders, which would mean he has instructions from Jay Lucas.
This does not look good for the next session. I smell tax hikes all the war around.

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GrandTango January 11, 2015 at 6:27 pm

Pick-6 Newton and the SCAM-Thers get their @$$#$ kicked, and FITS is talking about gas prices???…

I think FITS praised Newton as the best ever to play, in college, or something to that effect when Charlotte was winning some games last year. I had to tell the brain-dead Idiot that it was the Panthers D, and Luke Kuechly, winning those games, not FITS-god..Scam Newton…(you can probably find those posts, if you look)…

So this year, as the Panthers sucked the gas-pipe under their SELFISH, A-Hole cheating QB, FITS decides he does not like Scam, all of the sudden…But the media is still in love w/ him…Kevin Barnhardt on FOX was begging for some Camy Juice last night, like FITS used to do… I L-edMAO when he went silent on Cammy’s Pick-6…I waited for them to blame the WR, like Cam has a habit of doing…

Loved Patriots winning too over the Ravens. The media HATES them, and loved Baltimore because they had a murderer on the ball-club, whoi beat the rap…and if the media hates a team…I go against the pop-culture Dumb@$$#$…Bet FITS HATES the Pats too….and probably a lot of his minions do…because the media tells them to.

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To New (McDonald's) Endeavors! January 11, 2015 at 6:36 pm

Too bad you didn’t put that on YOUR blog…oh, that’s right, it wouldn’t have been read…LOL…

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GrandTango January 11, 2015 at 6:43 pm

Maybe you don’t know what my Blog is???…LMAO…and maybe I’m doing REAL WELL…

Not to mention: FITS is the one who has been all over the road w/ Cammy…

And by that title, are you saying you noticed that the nose-diving (in market share) McDonald’s is now running commercials during the NFL games acknowledging God, prayer and saluting veterans, trying to turn it around???…

You know Obama has to HATE that…I bet the liberals were steaming…That is a BAD sign for Democrats and their future in politics

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Happy Meal January 11, 2015 at 6:44 pm

Ha! I’ve never seen a troll try so hard to be relevant…

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GrandTango January 11, 2015 at 6:46 pm

The irony…the irony…LMAO…
You people really are that stupid aren’t you???…Hahahahaha…

euwe max January 12, 2015 at 2:46 am

LMAO… Hahahaha

mamatiger92 January 12, 2015 at 8:28 am

you forgot Dumb@$$#$

euwe max January 12, 2015 at 8:41 am

Join the Damned Tango Week Marathon and see how many repetitious, brain-dead unnecessary shifted number key idioms you can find.

If you’re selected – you’ll get a prize.

Ronald, The Cute Drug Dealer January 11, 2015 at 6:58 pm

You fell for that corporate bullshit? They’re one of the leading causes of what’s wrong with Americans: Fat, poor, diabetic, lazy and really fucking stupid…

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GrandTango January 11, 2015 at 8:06 pm

Yeah…good point..We allegedly elected Obama….TWICE… (;

PS: Kinda shows you are a Democrat (ignorant) to interpret that “I fell for” anything. I’m just commenting on a marketing strategy that is reflective w/ your god’s collapse…

euwe max January 12, 2015 at 2:47 am

It’s not authentic without a Hahahaha.

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Trapper January 11, 2015 at 6:48 pm

He left that shit site about a month ago, so he’s back here bringing on his comedic monologues.

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Flippy Costco January 11, 2015 at 8:19 pm

Just increase the gast tax a few cents, and fix the freakin’ roads and add some lanes to the interstate. We have a poverty rate in this state that rivals countries like Ecuador and Peru. For Christ’s sake, can we stop being a third world state?

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TontoBubbaGoldstein January 12, 2015 at 5:54 am

… trickeration…

Kirk Herbstreit called. He wants his word back.
T-Rav keeps calling about his CATO cds.

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euwe max January 12, 2015 at 7:26 am

Has he checked the cd player in his jeep?

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euwe max January 12, 2015 at 7:32 am

I propose Damned Tango Week…

Monday:………..prize for the best imitation
Tuesday:……….prize for causing the most extreme meltdown
Wednesday:…..prize for the most insanely wicked slap-down
Thursday:………prize for best summary of his political and religious views
Friday:…………..prize for most complete compendium of his reply “schtick”
Saturday:……….prize for funniest reply
Sunday:…………prize for best reply of the week

Might as well change the musak.

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Jonny Logic January 12, 2015 at 10:17 am

Still waiting on Nikki’s super-secret, super great, can’t miss plan to improve our crumbling roads.

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Yelsewh January 12, 2015 at 10:31 am

We can’t pay for roads with fairy dust and the fact that the DOT isn’t the most efficient organization in the world doesn’t mean that we don’t need repairs and new roads. Since there’s no political will to raise the motor fuels tax and index it to inflation a sales tax is the next best alternative. If course we could toll all new roads instead of that suits you buy I’d suggest you visit states like CA, NJ, and TX before you go that route.

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FastEddy23 January 12, 2015 at 12:36 pm

Of course. But there is no reason to add a new tax or increase those in place.

Getting the feds & states out of the railroad passenger business would help immensely, fur sure. (Part of this latest effort to increase fuel taxes is to build half-assed, half “high” speed” rail on both coasts and scattered throughout the country … which nobody will use. This is a bit like g’ment subsidizing the buggy whip businesses.)

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South Carolina is a Cesspool January 12, 2015 at 3:59 pm

South Carolina state government already takes in billions of dollars each year in gas taxes. What are they doing with the money? Wasting – stealing – abusing – misusing – embezzling, of course.

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