NEW YEAR … SAME OLD DIVISIVE POLITICS FROM NIKKI HALEY
|| By MIA McLEOD || The month of January is coming to an end, and many of you have asked why I’ve been so quiet lately. My “quiet-time” allows me to arm myself with pertinent information and insight, so that I can continue to give you the real deal.
And although it’s hard to believe we’re into week three of the 2015 legislative session, this year is different. We’ve got a new House Speaker, new committees and, hopefully, a new opportunity to begin to change the culture—from partisan and self-preserving to people-focused and productive.
For the first time in four years, I’m actually excited about being back. New leadership. New opportunities. A renewed sense of hope. Maybe even a new beginning…
And if there’s one thing our State House desperately needs, it’s a new beginning.
But on November 4th, only moments after the polls closed, South Carolinians quickly learned that there wouldn’t be a new Governor.
Still, it seemed only fair that a second term come with a second chance to do right by all of us. So I decided to reserve comment until she was able to reveal her plans for moving SC forward.
This term would be different. How could it not be? Nationally, the economy is making a big comeback. And although she refuses to give President Barack Obama credit for his part, the truth is … no state … not even ours … operates in a vacuum.
We’re all in this together, so “politicizing” and dividing us on non-partisan issues like education, ethics, jobs, economic development, healthcare, roads and infrastructure development would be a stretch—even for her.
But politicizing and dividing are her specialties.
Take her Inaugural Address, for starters. Where else could a state’s #1 Ethics Violator rebrand herself as its #1 Ethics Reform Champion?
Only in South Cakalacky.
Pounce on the legislature under the guise of “protecting the public interest.” Invoke the name of God and the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. And yet, even that wasn’t enough to lend credibility to her era of corruption.
So much for new beginnings…
Her State of the State Address last week confirmed that. High on rhetoric, but low on substance, this rambling rant left folks on both sides of the aisle speechless.
What about the future of public education and the Abbeville case? How can she come from a rural area like Bamberg County and not even mention — let alone fight — this landmark decision and its impact, especially when equity, parity and a quality education for all South Carolina students is so critical to the future of our state?
Fortunately, the SC Supreme Court shut it down yesterday by refusing to rehear the case … a true victory for rural SC students who deserve a quality education and access to the same educational resources and opportunities, regardless of their zip codes.
And while domestic violence continues to wreak havoc on our state, how can it be a great day in South Carolina when we’ve been #1 in the nation at least three times and are now second only to Alaska for women who are murdered by their significant others?
Equal pay for women? Didn’t mention it.
A livable wage in South Carolina? Not when we take pride in being one of only five states in the country without one.
Expanding your healthcare coverage options, like fourteen of her Republican Governor counterparts in other states? Of course not.
What about our roads, bridges and infrastructure? Even she admitted that SC has the third lowest gas tax in America, visitors to our state would pay a portion of it and increasing the gas tax would boost revenue streams for our roads and highways. Then, she vowed to do what she usually does when there’s a bright idea that’ll move our state forward.
Veto it.
Sorry, Governor … our crumbling roads and bridges deserve a plan that at least covers the cost to rebuild and repair them.
So … after sitting through page after page of nothingness, I too, was speechless. And if the Governor’s Address was expected to include anything remotely close to a substantive, viable plan for South Carolina, obviously … so was she.
Mia McLeod represents District No. 79 in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
59 comments
Dear Representative McLeod – Equal pay for women? Is your pay less than your male counterparts? This issue is passé,
“Even she admitted that SC has the third lowest gas tax in America, visitors to our state would pay a portion of it and increasing the gas tax would boost revenue streams for our roads and highways.”
The SCDOT is so dysfunctional the extra money wouldn’t get used properly.
Fix the agency by starting with a top to bottom audit.
Also, the “argument” that SC has low gas taxes compared to other states is fallacious when you don’t know what it takes to maintain a reasonable road network(which is not the 4th largest in the US btw).
SC also has one of the lowest cost of living in the US, so naturally the cost of things like roads should be naturally lower too.
“For the first time in four years, I’m actually excited about being back. ”
Well, that didn’t last long, did it? Maybe more gov’t isn’t the answer to all these problems.
You mean one of the lowest standards of living? Do you really think that things like the costs of roads vary by state?
“Do you really think that things like the costs of roads vary by state?”
Yes, of course.
“You mean one of the lowest standards of living?”
It probably both standard and cost, thank you for demonstrating yet another reason we shouldn’t be taxing people here like other states do.
“Do you really think that things like the costs of roads vary by state?”
It wasn’t long ago this site linked to a Reason report that said our roads are one of the least costly in the nation.
Of course the costs of roads vary by state, you idiot. Just as costs of housing varies by state; just as cost of gas varies state by state; just as cost of concrete…
Housing varies primarily because of the cost of land, not materials. Gas varies because of taxes and demand. You may have noticed a barrel of oil costs what it costs and isn’t influenced by what state it winds up in. Of course, it may well be that the reason our roads are in such bad shape is that we allow sub par construction that falls apart quickly. That would be cheaper.
“labor”
Wrong again. Let me help you understand. Labor is an important factor in the cost of construction. And it varies widely from state to state. As for gas, transportation of the gas to the station is an important factor you left out. Notice gas prices increase as the gas stations get farther from the Interstate.
“Wrong again. Let me help you understand. Labor is an important factor in the cost of construction.”
Calling you an idiot is an insult to idiots.
“Calling you an idiot is an insult to idiots.”
I’m not sure if I should be offended or not.
“Notice gas prices increase as the gas stations get farther from the interstate.”
Not in my experience. Gas prices are always higher near the interstate and taper off as you drive away from the interstate. The main reason for this is so that the gas station operators can make as much money as they can on those who are just making a pit stop and then moving on down the interstate. Locals will shop around.
My understanding is that prices go up depending on distance the transports need to travel from the terminal to deliver their load and whether the station is getting it’s gas from a jobber or from a branded gas supplier such as BP or Shell or whatever. So you will pay more for branded gasoline.
@Crooner – you done lost this argument. Smoke break’s over so get on back to work now.
Haley views the governor’s office as a stepping stone to bigger things for her and her family. So she is naturally more concerned with how she is perceived by her supporters than actually making progress for SC.
hmmmm. Ya think Mia McLeod views her position as a stepping stone?
How in the hell does one step up from laying on one’s back
Fucking Cockroach
Rolling over?
I might say that presents a mighty good time to explore one’s canine sexual tendencies as well.
I think that she used to see it that way but really, what’s her next move? She’s not going on to national office. A cabinet position in a Republican administration? Maybe. Lobbying? HA! You need influence to be successful at that and she has none without her office.
You’re giving her more credit for introspection than she deserves.
Fair enough. It’s the way I’d assess the situation. Actually, if I were Nimrata, I’d hire someone to give me the straight truth.
And for Domestic Violence – what the hell can Governor Haley do about that except to send her own hubby to jail if he decides to beat her!
Heighten awareness? Of course, she would have to be careful not to offend her constituency, as many of them view women as property.
What more can we do to heighten awareness? There are billboards everywhere, ads on TV, newspapers, magazines.
“South Cakalacky” – no respectable statesman should refer to her state in a demeaning way.
You’ve seen a respectable statesman? The Bigfoot guys are going to be jealous!
You have a point. But she should TRY to show respect for her state.
It doesn’t help bring new industry to our state when our very one of our Statesmen make fun of it.
You’re right. She should have written “Sakerlina”
“…respectable statesman….”
another oxymoron sees the light of day
“statesman”
Why do you hate women?
Because I’m a woman and ALL women hate other women. It has to do with PMS and hormones.
Ha! Good one.
Even God fears women on the rag.
Welcome Mia. It’s about time this website had some diversity in it’s ranks and this article was well done and right on point. I look forward to seeing more :-)
P.s. Don’t mind the haters, they still wish it t’were 1860 again.
Ah the good ol’ days, when pappy would buy you a slave for your 16th birthday and people would drop dead of old age at the age of 42.
Or if you’re Strom Thurmond you get to knock up an underage black girl, sweep it under the rug and send her packing to the west coast to chill out and shut up for the next 80 years.
It was probably a good life though.
Good thing there aren’t any baby daddies around these days. “brothas and sistas”… because for all they know they might be.
Bullshit! If she hadn’t put her pix up there, most readers wouldn’t know she’s black woman. You are racist for even alluding to a racist/sexist mindset.
If she hadn’t put her pic up there you wouldn’t have had any way to rant and rave at me about faux reverse racism.
Wrong. I know Mia McLeod and have for years. Ever since I’ve know her, I was aware of her gender and race.
No most just wish you would return to 1860. Why dont you suck a fart out while your nose is stuck up there?
Why does the SC legislature need to meet for several months out of every year while other states can meet for a few months EVERY OTHER YEAR and accomplish more? Including budgets for two years.
”
Nationally, the economy is making a big comeback. And although she refuses to give President Barack Obama credit for his part”
Well I guess she should mention the trillions of dollars the country has gone into debt over the past six years. Any country will be doing well as long as the government keeps printing money. How many people are on welfare now compared to when he entered office? Check Main Street instead of Wall Street before commenting on the economy.
Like is grand as long as the credit card doesn’t come back “declined”. Who better to know that than Obama?
His mother-in-law who has a secret service detail and free trips aboard AF1 and taxpayer paid accommodations wherever Obama and Mooshell go.
BTW, how many “extended family” are allowed to live in The White House.
Only the light skinned house negro knows the answer to that.
“Divisive Politics”….????
The Irony….LMAO…..
And of all people to point it out?
Irony.
There’s a BIG F*#king difference in standing up for a majority of the people..and Divisive politics, you ignorant F*#k..
You demonstrate why I have such a problem w/ Liberal-Tarians, or go-along, to get-along types. You have NO core…and nothing matters to you…except appeasing BAD people…
The liberals have convinced you Fence-Rider idiots, that standing up for what is right, is obstruction, or somehow not acceptable..So you end up being manipulated pawns for implementation of their corrupt, immoral and anti-Ameican, Bull-S#!t..
You’re as big a F*#king problem as the Obam-ites…
You never persuade when you’re insulting.
We don’t need to persuade you. Anyone with half a F*#king brain can look at the Total Disaster the country is in, morally, socially and economically…and be persuaded…If not, you’re a lost F*#king cause…
The only thing left to do is DEFEAT you. Obliterate you. You’re wrong, Stupid and Dangerous…The just should not compromise with failed, dishonest and ignorant people…that’s how we got to where we are….
Is this Mia McLeod of the Clan McLeod?
There can be only one.
Plain and simple, Haley is a full blown psychotic. Keen minds see right through her baloney.
So … after sitting through page after page of nothingness, I too, was speechless.
If only.
So basically, this editorialist is stating that the Govt needs to spend its way to prosperity… uh, right… and Haley is the stupid one? (and heck, I’m not even a Haley fan)
“And if there’s one thing our State House desperately needs, it’s a new beginning.”
why dont you start that process by exiting stage left? That would be a great “new beginning”
Obama’s economy is as false as he is. Wait and see.
“… a true victory for rural SC students who deserve a quality education and access to the same educational resources and opportunities, regardless of their zip codes.”
Mia, my question is this: Will you also support a requirement that property tax rates be equalized, and that money be spent based on student population? Or are you going to argue that some animals are more equal than others?