Media

“Post And Corruption” Launches Latest Assault On Taxpayers

LIBERAL RAG PUSHES (DISHONESTLY) FOR GAS TAX HIKE … || By FITSNEWS || The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier newspaper loves to brag about its Pulitzer Prize, but at the end of the day the publication is as status quo as they come. This website has repeated exposed the shameful corruption…

LIBERAL RAG PUSHES (DISHONESTLY) FOR GAS TAX HIKE …

|| By FITSNEWS || The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier newspaper loves to brag about its Pulitzer Prize, but at the end of the day the publication is as status quo as they come.

This website has repeated exposed the shameful corruption that exists at South Carolina’s largest, oldest mainstream media outlet (HERE, HERE and HERE), noting it is “in the business of establishment protection – not investigative journalism.”

“It exists to coddle and spin on behalf of powerful elected officials and institutions – not challenge or expose them on behalf of its readers,” we added, noting how its news and editorial coverage has veered “wildly to the left in recent years.”

The paper had a great investigative reporter as recently as three years ago – but ran her off because she challenged the status quo (something she continues to do in her new job).

Anyway, all of this is leading up to the paper’s double-barreled advocacy on behalf of an increase in the state’s gasoline tax.

Unhappy with the surprisingly successful pro-taxpayer efforts of S.C. Senator Tom Davis – who is filibustering an ill-advised gas tax hike – the paper’s editorial board is spouting some familiar half-truths.

“South Carolina’s gas tax, one of the nation’s lowest, hasn’t been increased since 1987,” the board wrote.  “Meanwhile, motorists pay increasingly high costs for car repairs and accidents caused by deteriorating and inadequate highways.”

Yeah … what the Post and Courier doesn’t say is that South Carolina motorists are dirt poor – and because of that they spend more of their income on fuel costs than residents of any other state save Mississippi or West Virginia.

Why don’t they tell you that?

Because they want you to believe you can afford this tax increase …

And while we won’t argue the argument about vital infrastructure needs going unaddressed, the paper refuses to identify the real culprit for our “deteriorating” roads and bridges – namely the hundreds of millions of dollars that go toward unneeded, politically motivated projects.

Which they then claim as part of a so-called “shortfall.”

It’s bullshit.  And it’s hypocritical.

Seriously, it takes a special kind of arrogance for a paper whose newsroom beat the drum in favor of the totally unnecessary Interstate 526 expansion to now bitch and moan about a shortfall affecting real needs – like the crumbling Interstate 85 in the Upstate.  Apparently The Post and Courier is just fine with vital Upstate thoroughfares going to pieces – so long as its wealthy commuters are spared a few extra seconds of traffic.

In fact Davis made precisely this point himself in responding to The Post and Courier editorial.

“Charleston has received most of our state’s transportation money over the past decade, and its appetite for dollars is huge,” he wrote.

It is … but let’s also not forget about those “interchanges to nowhere” (in the middle of nowhere) for roads which don’t even exist.  Or the $100 million earmarked by Senate president Hugh Leatherman to widen a sparsely travelled two-lane road from Florence to Pamplico, S.C.

(Leatherman … who has some skin in the game, by the way).

So Davis is absolutely correct in stating that The Post and Courier‘s “shortfall” claim is bunk.

“Absolutely no one who’s studied our transportation system credits that figure,” he wrote.

We’ve been covering this debate for the last five months now and our position remains consistent: Government doesn’t need to raise gas taxes, it simply needs to do its job and prioritize spending – especially transportation spending.

Lawmakers don’t want to do their job, though.  They want to keep throwing money at the very system that’s produced all the potholes and deficient bridges – the same system that lets lawmakers pick up the phone and get the S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) to come troubleshoot issues inside their ritzy gated communities.

Tom Davis deserves credit – not criticism – for holding state government accountable.  For his advocacy on behalf of taxpayers he deserves to be applauded, not attacked.  And any lawmaker who votes to end his filibuster (without first pledging to vote against any gas tax hike) is a lawmaker that you should not vote for in 2016.

***

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36 comments

TroubleBaby June 3, 2015 at 10:52 am

Doesn’t the P&C get some kind of special tax break? I seem to remember some post about that.

If they are convinced that everyone should pony up to put more money in the incompetent SCDOT pockets then they can show us how committed they are by renouncing and refusing to take any more tax breaks so they can put their money where their mouth is.

If they are so concerned about roads, let them be the first to step up to the plate and show us they are good citizens by paying their “fair share”.

We all know the roads funds are “slush funds” to some extent anyway(in addition the inability of the SCDOT to use them properly)- so whether it’s in the form of a gas tax or overall tax, who cares? It all ends up being the same pot of money anyway.

This reminds me of Buffett complaining that he pays less in taxes than his secretary yet continues to work the system for all of his tax breaks/benefits.

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SYNTwist June 3, 2015 at 11:22 am

P&C gets a special tax break? On what basis? That they serve the status quo. I can’t think of any reason P&C should get a special tax break. Any idea what the tax break is?

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TroubleBaby June 3, 2015 at 11:26 am

I remember Will writing about it months ago in the context of them being manipulated to print good PR for certain pols controlling the tax breaks to them.

Maybe someone here can remember, I can’t.

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SYNTwist June 3, 2015 at 11:35 am

We need to look that crap up, maybe Will can find a way to take advantage of that break – hahaha!

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TroubleBaby June 3, 2015 at 12:03 pm

It would require him to be a sycophant to them….doubtful.

bobbymac June 3, 2015 at 1:38 pm

I believe all newspapers get a sales tax exemption in SC.

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TroubleBaby June 3, 2015 at 1:45 pm

Yea, but it was a little more than that if my memory serves correctly.

Native Ink June 4, 2015 at 9:00 am

The P&C is rolling in money because of the real estate they own. Development rolled right up to their doorstep on upper King Street, and they are cashing in big time.

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Dr. Feelsbadman June 3, 2015 at 10:53 am

Davis just does not want a long term solution. Why? Long term solutions will require funding, which means tax increases, and that is simply unavoidable no matter what long term solution you present. He would rather stick a band aid on it and kick the can down to next year’s road than to find a suitable fix for it. Better for DOT to stay broken and get band aids than to actually treat the patient.

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CNSYD June 3, 2015 at 11:30 am

Typical carpetbagger Davis ploy. Folks is so love blind he can’t or won’t see the truth about Davis (remember the Queen Jean vote?).Don’t ever forget that Davis and Folks were disciples of Sanfraud.

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nitrat June 3, 2015 at 11:43 am

And, they are both as deceitful as Sanford.

And, anyone who describes the P & C as ‘liberal’ loses more of the little bit of credibility he has left the minute he types such idiocy.

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MSM promotes socialism June 3, 2015 at 11:54 am

He meant The Sun News in Myrtle Beach? That ‘liberal rag’ uses its investigative reporters and news articles to try and destroy conservative Republicans, in my opinion.

You can’t tell the difference between the editorial page and news reporting at that paper.

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pogo promotes socialism June 3, 2015 at 1:04 pm

Our goddess Nikki, who art in the governors mansion, hallowed be thy taxes. Thy gypsydom come, thy Will Folks be done, on earth as you did in your SUV.

TroubleBaby June 3, 2015 at 3:12 pm

? lol…now that’s some funny shit.

Stereotypical Conservatives June 3, 2015 at 1:13 pm

“Liberal rag” is just a stereotype against newspapers by conservatives who don’t read anything more than their TV guide. I can see someone criticizing The State, but P&C is nowhere near that bad.

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Just Another Guy June 3, 2015 at 10:53 am

It amazes me how hard they are selling this tax, yet can’t get it sold. Good for the people of South Carolina.

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get er done! June 3, 2015 at 11:15 am

Raise the gas tax-eliminate or cut the state income tax.EVERYBODY should contribute-not just Republicans.

Democrats ride the perpetual welfare train of Section 8 housing,food stamps and free health insurance and pay NOTHING.

Make em pay a few extra cents when they put $2 bucks in the 1982 Caddy with $1000 rims to go eat for FREE,go to the doctor for FREE,buy their Black Velvet, cigs and lottery tickets.

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Crooner June 3, 2015 at 11:39 am

Racist much?

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get er done! June 3, 2015 at 11:49 am

What was racist about the comment? A majority of Democrats are white.A majority of those on welfare are white…and Democrats.

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Crooner June 3, 2015 at 11:59 am

’82 Caddy
$1000 rims
Black Velvet
Though I’d point out an ’82 Caddy doesn’t get very good gas mileage, so…

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get er done! June 3, 2015 at 12:06 pm

Really? You know what kind of music white kids listen too and buy today?

Get that race shit out of your brain.Will make you a victim your whole life.

pogo the taxaholic socialist June 3, 2015 at 1:18 pm

I ain’t racist! I think everyone should be taxed to the point where they are poor! Those middle class families crying because they can’t afford anything anymore thanks to higher taxes provide me with lube for my hot and heavy nights with GrandTango! Oh my!!! LMAO!!! LMAO!!!

pogo the taxaholic socialist June 3, 2015 at 1:15 pm

Taxes taxes taxes! Keep raising them until we have nothing left! Government should confiscate everything! More more more! Our taxes aren’t high enough already, tax us until we drop! LMAO!!! LMAO!!!

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Native Ink June 4, 2015 at 9:05 am

LOL. Has anyone tried to figure out who’s actually wealthier? Democrats or Republicans? Since most middle-class professionals are Democrats and oligarchs like the Kochs pay very little in taxes, I suspect Democrats probably contribute more in tax revenue than Republicans.

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Buddy Miles June 3, 2015 at 11:39 am

Let ’em work, Let ’em live, (Let ’em finish).

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Let 'em finish June 3, 2015 at 1:14 pm

On the face? Chest? Ass? Need a towel?

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Philip Branton June 3, 2015 at 12:01 pm

*****…..meanwhile, over at Brian Hick’s lunch table……***

Brian: “My God……..this paper is just about as embarrassing as that big mound of dirt next to I-26 being dozed by the Parks and Recreation crowd for a skateboard park….!!! Does anyone stop to consider that big mound of dirt next to Folly Road for the completion of I-526 that’s been waiting for attention for how long….!!! ”

Mayor Riley: “…..Brian, …….SHUT UP…!! …..or you will never be graced by me for another interview while I am sitting at the Citadel…..!!!!

Mayor Summey: ” Yeah, Brian……my grandkids need a skatepark to take the “Riley Trolley” too….!!”

Brian: “Ta think that skateboard park is being built upon contaminated dump land and taxpayers have no clue about SKYTRAN and its public transportation economic impact instead of all this stupid road widening reminds me of the scam FIFA is running….!!! ”

Mayor Riley: ” Too bad Brian that you and Wil Folks don’t have the guts to be like John Oliver and have us both resign in shame for our Holy City “Fifa Scam”….!! ”

Mayor Summey: ” Brian, tell your boss to shove a 900 Million “FiFa” vote where the sun don’t shine….!!! ”

Brian: “Oh yeah…….well, wait till I make a call to Wil Folks and some SCS engineers ………”

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erneba June 3, 2015 at 1:20 pm

“It exists to coddle and spin on behalf of powerful elected officials and institutions..”
Yes, most media organizations have strayed from the impartial reporting of NEWS and evolved into partisan organization intent on making and shaping NEWS.
And they used to make a pretty good ass-wipe in the early days of newspapers.

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Marie Barf June 3, 2015 at 1:26 pm

Exactly. It’s always about confiscating more and more and more and more and never about holding career bureacrats feet to the fire to prioritize and spend more wisely. You know…what families in the real world have to do.
Then again…when it’s not your money you don’t give a rats ass how much is spent or where it goes. And when you get a in a bind…PRESTO!! Just go confiscate some more.

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G Creek Billy June 3, 2015 at 7:29 pm

I love that Ron Brinson, a former writer for the Post and Courier and present Councilman of North Charleston accused a politician of killing people because he said no to the gas tax. 6 months later Ron Brinson’s police force shot and killed an unarmed man in cold blood.

Think about that fat assed, big government, big spending, Ron Brinson, talking shit about someone over a political disagreement when in fact he was the guilty one. His lack of leadership caused a murder.

Ron Brinson, eat shit and die you P and C murdering scum.

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The Cute One June 3, 2015 at 8:40 pm

Brinson has been fleecing the taxpayers for decades. I knew him in New Orleans. I feel sorry for the tax payers of North Charleston.

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vicupstate June 4, 2015 at 8:55 am

While it is true that Charleston gets more than it’s share of DOT funding, it is also true that Charleston pays additional sales taxes to provide matching funds for these projects. Same is true of Florence and York as well. Any county could have done the same thing but choose not to.

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Native Ink June 4, 2015 at 9:12 am

Charleston made improvements to its local roads, but because of S.C.’s strange road system, those local roads are actually state roads. (I’ve heard that any road with a yellow stripe is likely a state road even if it just runs through a neighborhood). Charleston then used those improvements as a match for more funding. The most notorious example was the I-526 extension, notorious because the politicians never told voters that was their intention for the tax hike. Anyway, you could say Charleston is providing matching funds, or you could say they are double dipping. They use local projects as matching funds for more money from the state.

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vicupstate June 4, 2015 at 8:00 pm

They have/are paying more in taxes. If local money was used for a state road, why would that not qualify as a match? It’s all 6 or one half-dozen of the other.

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Native Ink June 6, 2015 at 1:42 pm

Most people think of matching funds as me putting in half the money and you putting in the other half, not me doing something I want for myself and then saying that was my match for something else I want.

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Native Ink June 4, 2015 at 8:58 am

Apparently the P&C is a case study in spineless journalism. Just google it along with Columbia Journalism Review. There are several articles about how the P&C refused to go after Bobby Harrell and chased off their best young journalists for daring to investigate corruption in the statehouse.

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