During his first six-year stint in the U.S. House of Representatives (from 1995-2001), Mark Sanford earned a reputation as a bona fide taxpayer hero who was willing to put the interests of all American taxpayers ahead of the interests of a narrow subset of his constituents.
Obviously he earned a much different reputation as governor of South Carolina … but despite his personal missteps, there was every expectation Sanford would return to his old stomping grounds in Washington, D.C. with the same “sense of urgency” on behalf of taxpayers.
Apparently not …
On one of the first gut check votes since he won a special election to represent South Carolina’s first congressional district, Sanford voted to effectively raise insurance rates on a broad swath of American homeowners by voting to delay the implementation of a key section of a national flood insurance bill.
Sounds boring, right? It is … but if you pay insurance, it matters.
Let’s see if we can explain this a little better: Sanford’s first district – which includes the Lowcountry coastal region of the state – is home to some of the largest, most expensive waterfront mansions in America. These spacious abodes are subject to increased risk of flooding due to hurricanes and other storms – which means their owners pay more for flood insurance.
Makes sense, right? Of course it does … that’s the free market at work.
With his vote, though, Sanford has decided people who live in low-risk flood areas ought to subsidize the insurance costs for these mansions – many of which happen to be inhabited by his wealthy “Republican” campaign contributors.
Nothing like another handout for the rich, right?
Correctly, Jim DeMint’s Heritage Foundation (or at least it’s “Heritage Action” subsidiary) listed this as one of its “key votes.” Heritage also praised one of Sanford’s South Carolina delegation mates – S.C. Rep. Mick Mulvaney – for voting against the amendment (a link the group was kind enough to share with us).
This website endorsed one of Sanford’s opponents in this year’s GOP primary election for the first district, but wound up endorsing him reluctantly over a liberal “Republican” in the GOP runoff. However we refrained from endorsing Sanford against Democrat Elizabeth Colbert-Busch in last month’s general election.
Why? Because he engaged in a disgusting panderfest in the final debate of the general election in which he all but repudiated his prior support for expanded parental choice in education and went “whole hog” in support of government-funded economic development efforts (a.k.a. crony capitalism).
“We like Mark Sanford on a personal level,” we wrote, “but if he is going to turn his back on the free market ideals this website champions … then this website is going to turn its back on him.”
So far Sanford’s second stint in the U.S. Congress is not off to a good start …
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87 comments
He did the same thing as SC governor when he set up that special insurance agency for coastal homeowners. I know someone else will remember the details. If one additional state worker had to be hired to staff that program, every taxpayer in the state contributed to the salary, not just coastal residents.
Have you still not learned that the overriding concern of Mark Sanford is Mark Sanford and his checkbook?
Where are Sanford’s comments on the ongoing major scandals that are in the news daily? Have I overlooked them?
I was wondering the same thing. He has not added to his facebook since the election with the exception of giving info about the Tropical storm and congratulation to Candice Glover.
He did make some comment his first day in office about the initial scandals being an example of “government over-reach….” Same could be said of his use of taxpayer dollars for his private tryst in 2008, etc…. But he will be more careful next time. As a compromised elected official who knows what will motivate him to vote and act as he does?
He did the same thing as SC governor when he set up that special insurance agency for coastal homeowners. I know someone else will remember the details. If one additional state worker had to be hired to staff that program, every taxpayer in the state contributed to the salary, not just coastal residents.
Have you still not learned that the overriding concern of Mark Sanford is Mark Sanford and his checkbook?
Where are Sanford’s comments on the ongoing major national scandals that are in the news daily? Have I overlooked them?
I was wondering the same thing. He has not added to his facebook since the election with the exception of giving info about the Tropical storm and congratulation to Candice Glover.
He did make some comment his first day in office about the initial scandals being an example of “government over-reach….” Same could be said of his use of taxpayer dollars for his private tryst in 2008, etc…. But he will be more careful next time. As a compromised elected official who knows what will motivate him to vote and act as he does?
Gotta kinda call BS on the whole article. Would have been more convincing if your primary point had been the dismantling of the gubmint flood insurance program. Then there would be some sort of free market action going on here. As the feds offer/guarantee this crap, there’s nothing free market about it. Therefore all there votes are bullpuckey
This is a 100% federal insurance (gag) program administered by FEMA.
http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/faqs/who-do-i-contact-if-i-want-to-purchase-a-flood-insurance-policy.jsp
Question: What “free market” solution would there be to flood insurance? No one is going to pay for flood insurance unless there is a significant risk of flooding, as that’s the only time they would have to (or be forced to when getting a mortgage). That means unlike traditional insurance, where a large pool of people subsidize the costs, only those at-risk would subsidize the cost, making it expensive as fuck.
On the plus side, it would reduce the number of homes built in floodplains as they would be expensive as crap to insure, but it would fuck over anyone currently living in an area even remotely flood prone as they wouldn’t even be able to reasonably sell their house.
I doubt insurance companies would ever just “include” flood insurance either, as insurance companies who didn’t would be at an obvious advantage.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A24-27&version=NIV
Build where you want. I don’t give a hoot.
Good point. Government interference in any insurance market is ridiculous.
You mean like crop insurance?
Gotta kinda call BS on the whole article. Would have been more convincing if your primary point had been the dismantling of the gubmint flood insurance program. Then there would be some sort of free market action going on here. As the feds offer/guarantee this crap, there’s nothing free market about it. Therefore all there votes are bullpuckey
This is a 100% federal insurance (gag) program administered by FEMA.
http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/faqs/who-do-i-contact-if-i-want-to-purchase-a-flood-insurance-policy.jsp
Question: What “free market” solution would there be to flood insurance? No one is going to pay for flood insurance unless there is a significant risk of flooding, as that’s the only time they would have to (or be forced to when getting a mortgage). That means unlike traditional insurance, where a large pool of people subsidize the costs, only those at-risk would subsidize the cost, making it expensive as fuck.
On the plus side, it would reduce the number of homes built in floodplains as they would be expensive as crap to insure, but it would fuck over anyone currently living in an area even remotely flood prone as they wouldn’t even be able to reasonably sell their house.
I doubt insurance companies would ever just “include” flood insurance either, as insurance companies who didn’t would be at an obvious advantage.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A24-27&version=NIV
Build where you want. I don’t give a hoot.
Good point. Government interference in any insurance market is ridiculous.
You mean like crop insurance?
“Flipping already”…..that’s what Chapur said when Mark got a divorce and didn’t marry her.
Her bio at infoBae indicates that she is an Argentine living in the US, so I guess they are stuck with each other! She thinks Washington DC, (the Adultery Capital of the World,) “is wonderful.” Their body language (he always seems to have his back to her) seems strange but now she gets to deal with the real Mark Sanford.
What’s the street talk regarding the Sanfords?
“Flipping already”…..that’s what Chapur said when Mark got a divorce and didn’t marry her.
Her bio at infoBae indicates that she is an Argentine living in the US, so I guess they are stuck with each other! She thinks Washington DC, (the Adultery Capital of the World,) “is wonderful.” Their body language (he always seems to have his back to her) seems strange but now she gets to deal with the real Mark Sanford.
What’s the street talk regarding the Sanfords?
Voters returned Sanford to public life after he abandoned the state as its governor, and now South Carolina will receive the representation it deserves.
Voters returned Sanford to public life after he abandoned the state as its governor, and now South Carolina will receive the representation it deserves.
What’s the deal with this pic, Botox?
What’s the deal with this pic, Botox?
So at what point will those who voted for and/or supported Sanford admit they fucked up? As long as it took Haley voters/supporters? When will they admit they were wrong? When will they admit they blatantly ignored the writing on the wall? When will they say how they are totally going to fix their mistake come next election? What will be their excuse when they say, yet again, “I’ll just hold my nose and vote for him I guess…” and what will they say to excuse this then?
God damn, and we could have had ECB’s ass easily replaced in 2014, but no, can’t vote not Republican no matter how shitty the Republican is! Graham, Haley, Sanford, Wilson, every last one of them are going to keep their jobs. Way to go, SC.
Agreed. Never underestimate the stupidity of South Carolinians.
Actually, those people who voted for him are the very people who are having their flood insurance subsidized by the rest of us. They are probably happy with him.
They might just about the same time everyone that voted for Obama in the last election admits they fucked up too. (Im an independant not a replublican, and both sides fucked up in the last elections)
So at what point will those who voted for and/or supported Sanford admit they fucked up? As long as it took Haley voters/supporters? When will they admit they were wrong? When will they admit they blatantly ignored the writing on the wall? When will they say how they are totally going to fix their mistake come next election? What will be their excuse when they say, yet again, “I’ll just hold my nose and vote for him I guess…” and what will they say to excuse this then?
God damn, and we could have had ECB’s ass easily replaced in 2014, but no, can’t vote not Republican no matter how shitty the Republican is! Graham, Haley, Sanford, Wilson, every last one of them are going to keep their jobs. Way to go, SC.
Agreed. Never underestimate the stupidity of South Carolinians.
Actually, those people who voted for him are the very people who are having their flood insurance subsidized by the rest of us. They are probably happy with him.
They might just about the same time everyone that voted for Obama in the last election admits they fucked up too. (Im an independant not a replublican, and both sides fucked up in the last elections)
10 percent of all properties in the US are responsible for 90 percent of all losses under the National Flood Insurance Program.
10 percent of all properties in the US are responsible for 90 percent of all losses under the National Flood Insurance Program.
So you’ve not endorsed Sanfraud for the 436th time. Just how much would you write about those you do endorse.
So you’ve not endorsed Sanfraud for the 436th time. Just how much would you write about those you do endorse.
He lives in a coastal home, does he not?
Yes, known as the drowning pool.
He lives in a coastal home, does he not?
Yes, known as the drowning pool.
Sorry Will but I still can’t understand this. How and why would you endorse someone for the runoff only to not-endorse them in the general. Isn’t that about the same thing as staying the fuck out of it in the first place. I guess I’m a bit dim.
I did vote for and scatter some signs for John Edwards in the democratic primary because I had become aware of his indiscretions (some staffers were jumping ship in Charlotte and running their mouths) hoping that he would get the nomination almost assuring a Republican President. I had an agenda but I can’t understand yours. What gives?
Sorry Will but I still can’t understand this. How and why would you endorse someone for the runoff only to not-endorse them in the general. Isn’t that about the same thing as staying the fuck out of it in the first place. I guess I’m a bit dim.
I did vote for and scatter some signs for John Edwards in the democratic primary because I had become aware of his indiscretions (some staffers were jumping ship in Charlotte and running their mouths) hoping that he would get the nomination almost assuring a Republican President. I had an agenda but I can’t understand yours. What gives?
Why are you surprised?
Why are you surprised?
You are surprised that Sanford would vote to save himself some money by allowing American taxpayers to subsidize the insurance costs he pays for his personal coastal property?!!
This is the guy who while governor checked the personal property tax rates for Richland, Charleston, and Beaufort counties before he registered his boat, and who tried to get out of paying his fair share of property taxes on his Sullivan’s Island beachfront property by claiming that was his permanent residence, at the same time that he was living free off the taxpayers at the Governir’s Mansion.
Remember, in his self-absorbed mind, what’s good for Mark is always the major, and only, consideration.
You are surprised that Sanford would vote to save himself some money by allowing American taxpayers to subsidize the insurance costs he pays for his personal coastal property?!!
This is the guy who while governor checked the personal property tax rates for Richland, Charleston, and Beaufort counties before he registered his boat, and who tried to get out of paying his fair share of property taxes on his Sullivan’s Island beachfront property by claiming that was his permanent residence, at the same time that he was living free off the taxpayers at the Governir’s Mansion.
Remember, in his self-absorbed mind, what’s good for Mark is always the major, and only, consideration.
What do expect from this guy. He is fraud and liar, but you clowns elected him into office. TYPICAL REPUBLICAN INSANITY. When are you idiots going to learn you vote the candidate, not the party. Live with it.
Obama is a democrat and look at the TOTAL mess the country is in…. Need I say more…
You better pray, if you care about your country at all…that we completely over-run the corrupt democrats, and get REAL, Platform-respecting Republicans (not FITS-Moderates) in EVERY office…It’s our ONLY hope…
Keep dancing “Grad Tango”! Apparently you forgot most conveniently that “Obama”, love to see you NEVER use “PRESIDENT OBAMA”, inherited this MESS from Bush-Cheney!!!!!
…but you have to agree that “idiot” democrats are just as guilty of voting the party…. And Fred, you must be new to the blog, because these posters largely DID NOT vote for Sanford even though they may have been conservative or libertarian Republicans
Hurl away, I’m addressing the Sanford issue which is the topic of this article, not politics in general. Let’s focus on the subject and address the issue that Sanford id a slime ball pure and simple, and will NEVER change. He is a political whore, lousy father and husband and apparently a shitty lay??????
Oh is that what Belen told you?
“When are you idiots going to learn you vote the candidate, not the party.” When we all (Repub,& Democrat alike) learn to do the same. Probably not going to happen anytime soon.
ooh Fred, you give yourself away! Do you have first or second hand knowledge of loverboy’s technique? All we have ever heard is that he is hung like a garden hose.
What do expect from this guy. He is fraud and liar, but you clowns elected him into office. TYPICAL REPUBLICAN INSANITY. When are you idiots going to learn you vote the candidate, not the party. Live with it.
…but you have to agree that “idiot” democrats are just as guilty of voting the party…. And Fred, you must be new to the blog, because these posters largely DID NOT vote for Sanford even though they may have been conservative or libertarian Republicans
Hurl away, I’m addressing the Sanford issue which is the topic of this article, not politics in general. Let’s focus on the subject and address the issue that Sanford id a slime ball pure and simple, and will NEVER change. He is a political whore, lousy father and husband and apparently a shitty lay??????
Oh is that what Belen told you?
“When are you idiots going to learn you vote the candidate, not the party.” When we all (Repub,& Democrat alike) learn to do the same. Probably not going to happen anytime soon.
ooh Fred, you give yourself away! Do you have first or second hand knowledge of loverboy’s technique? All we have ever heard is that he is hung like a garden hose.
Anyone else find it strange that all the corruption in the Obama Administratiion came out right after Sanford won???
Could it be they figured if ECB could not beat this sorry excuse for a Republican, that a democrat Congress in 2014 is a lost cause.
I think Sanford is a sign that the democrats are COOKED…and they know it. So they are conceeding. Hopefully we can get the Senate, and beat down Obama even more then he’s getting his @$$ kicked right now. That would be the BEST cause that Sanford could represent for America…Death of the democrat rule for the Filthy Obama Administration..
Dude, you’re cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.
Just a theory…Why do think so much evidence of Obama Corruption has been exposed at one time???..
And don’t you get the feeling, that the democrats have no hope, and they know it, of winning Congress…and may very well lose the Senate, thanks to the Filth that has been revealed???
That party seems demoralized…and it started w/ ECB’s embarrassing loss to Sanford…
That you Rove…still dreaming?
The Gestapo tactics of Obama don’t Alarm you???…Do you hate your fellow Americans that much???…Are you that Un-American…???
Yeah, I remember in 2004 the DEA spent 12 million and used 2,000 officers (even broke out the helicopters) to take down a man selling a glass bong to S. Dakota. The man wasn’t a mafia warlord, he was Tommy Chong and the bitch that ordered that insane wasteful bullshit got promoted…Welcome to the home of the free and brave motherfuckers…
They say habitual use of marijuana causes extreme paranoia…and I think you and Tommy Chong TRULY support that contention…
You idiot liberals go to fantasy cases (in your head) to try to defend the indefensible NAZIs who control your idiot minds…
You are the epitome of Hitler-type drones…
Think I’m making that shit up?
Big T, never researches anything. He just makes stuff up all the time.
Not a dimes worth of didderence in Sanford and Colbert-Busch……..except, she can probably keep her pecker in her pants!
Not a dimes worth of didderence in Sanford and Colbert-Busch……..except, she can probably keep her pecker in her pants!
You get what you vote for. I truly believe that. This was a flawed man with flawed prerogatives. He does what HE pleases. And always will.
You get what you vote for. I truly believe that. This was a flawed man with flawed prerogatives. He does what HE pleases. And always will.
Sanford is committed to protecting the interests of the
well-heeled, even if average taxpayers have to pick up the tab. This reality outweighs any ideological purity
on fiscal matters. It shouldn’t be surprising to anyone — he’s a
Republican, that’s who they are.
IF you are a taxpayer, you are no longer average and you are just as likely to pick up the tab of the progressive social programs that go way beyond the concept of safety net. Welcome to reality where Republicans are not the only problem.
Sanford is committed to protecting the interests of the
well-heeled, even if average taxpayers have to pick up the tab. This reality outweighs any ideological purity
on fiscal matters. It shouldn’t be surprising to anyone — he’s a
Republican, that’s who they are.
IF you are a taxpayer, you are no longer average and you are just as likely to pick up the tab of the progressive social programs that go way beyond the concept of safety net. Welcome to reality where Republicans are not the only problem.
You all voted for this liar , adulterer, fraud, so you all will be getting what you deserve , lies, deceit, cheat and all. Way to o South Carolina! You all are the true epitome of American stupidity ! Don’t feel sorry you all got a narcissist adulterer congressman in Mark Sanford and his Argentinian whore to represent you in crazy Washington, DC.
You all voted for this liar , adulterer, fraud, so you all will be getting what you deserve , lies, deceit, cheat and all. Way to o South Carolina! You all are the true epitome of American stupidity ! Don’t feel sorry you all got a narcissist adulterer congressman in Mark Sanford and his Argentinian whore to represent you in crazy Washington, DC.