I’m not a big fan of our dear South Carolina Lt. Governor Andre Bauer. I did not vote for him, I have not voted for him and even though I usually vote Republican, if he’s on a ticket, I’ll vote Democrat just to keep from voting for him. Of course, it is the same way with Lindsay Graham, but we won’t get into all that. My most recent disgust with Lt. Gov. Bauer is a remark that he made at a recent Townhall meeting where he actually compares the impoverished of the great state of South Carolina to stray animals. You can read the article here: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20100123/NEWS/1230308/-1/rss Of course, when they gave him a chance to clear up his remarks, he didn’t do much along the lines to help himself.
Many of his remarks just do not hold water. Sure, there are lower test scores in schools that have a higher number of students on Free and Reduced Lunch, but Lt. Gov. Bauer, have you been into those areas or are you basing your facts on a demographics report? Some of these poorer areas have students who are being raised by grandparents who do not read or write. Some of these areas, if the parents do work, they are not available to help students with their homework or attend Parent/Teacher conferences, because doing so means they may be out on the street.
But there is also one very important remark that you made that has me, a future educator, very upset. I know that South Carolina is trying to pass a law to deny benefits to those who cannot pass a drug test. In a way, I cannot say I blame S.C., but to take away food from the children? Who wins if you take away Free and Reduced lunch? I guess the State of South Carolina, because that would mean less money the state is handing out, but the kids lose! Some of the kids on the lunch program only eat when they are at school! So I suppose that South Carolina’s newest plan to save some money is to starve children to the point of death, right?
Bauer, seriously, sometimes you need to keep your opinions to yourself. You would think that a man who intends to run for Governor of our state would try not to offend his voters. I know you were only voted in because they all felt sorry for you after your back to back misfortunes, but calling the people of this state “stray animals” that you need to “stop feeding” so they’ll “stop breeding” in a state where the unemployment rate is extremely high, and businesses are closing is just plain stupidity!
The very condition of our state has been in a constant decline since the textile mills began closing starting in the 1980’s. These textile mills housed hundreds of employees and considering the number of people employed in these manufacturing plants that were dumped out in the work force unexpectedly; I’m surprised that the unemployment rate has not been higher. However, the economy has also steadily declined over the last 20 years and even the additions of huge companies moving into the state could not place a dent into the already stressed unemployment situation.
There is a great need to overhaul many aspects here in South Carolina. Sure test rates are low, but you need to find out why, not blame low income families. What are you wanting to do, just remove all poor people out of the state instead of remedying the problem? What about the roads in our state? They are deplorable! I have never seen such poorly maintained road conditions in all my life! Yet, SCDOT seems to have the funds to close off an entire stretch of I-385 from I-26 and up to repair. As a citizen of this state, I demand to know where the money is being spent! I want to see how my tax dollars are benefitting this state.
One thing for certain, something has to change! It is just a matter of who is going to make that change. You, Lt. Governor Bauer? I think not! I think you have done enough damage. It is time for the citizens of South Carolina to become informed voters. It is time for them to use their voice and call for something more than what we’ve had in the past.
Just Me... and my crazy life is a blog based on my personal experiences. If you read long enough, you'll wonder why I haven't gone insane yet. I am a mother of two boys, one of which is a special needs child. Plus, I'm a full time student studying to become a high school English teacher. Then there are my weight loss struggles as I battle with Fat Girl and Inner Skinny Chick in the battle of the bulge. With so much that goes on... well, you'll just have to read on to believe it.
