The Reform Debate Continues

Your Ideas and Comments # 4

This is the fourth in a series of responses to the original New Democrats editorial entitled "What Now for South Carolina Democrats?" written by SC New Democrats Co- chairs Mayors Floyd Nicholson of Greenwood, Bob Coble of Columbia and Phil Noble, Director of the SC New Democrats.

Folks from all across the state have responded to the editorial and sent in their ideas and opinions of what we need to do to reform the party so that we can win again statewide.

Realities of Local Parties

First - We need to plan a clear strategy and message, and then equip our elected officials, candidates and "troops" to articulate that strategy and message.

Second - We should not write off any counties or precincts as "lost."

Third - We need to be authentic Democrats. I’ve winced in the last few general elections when I’ve seen and heard Democratic candidates trying to "out- Republican" their GOP opponents by taking bland and sterile positions.

Fourth - We need to hear from, encourage, respect and energize our "base" and break what has become a familiar cycle of events leading up to the last few general elections.

Fifth - We need to welcome, cultivate and make room for new voices, even in positions of leadership. More

Joe Darby
Charleston, SC
josephdarby@bellsouth.net

State Reform

I think we need to work for changes that will benefit the democratic process in South Carolina. We have to have something to offer the majority party as well as the minority parties. I know that some Democrats in Anderson County voted in the Republican primary to try to influence the outcome of both a local race and the race for governor because they told me so; Republicans have done the same in past elections.

Joe Erwin reported to us at an Anderson County Democratic Party meeting that only South Carolina and Utah require parties to pay the costs of presidential primaries. This affects both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party in South Carolina. I think it's healthy to begin a dialogue with our Republican counterparts about changing this reality and having public funds pay for Presidential primaries and have the State Election Commission and local voter registration offices take over their operation. More

Philip Cheney
Anderson, SC
PhilCheney@yahoo.com

Banishing the Red State Mentality

In SC the Democratic Party per se, is not truly representative of what the Democratic Party stands for, nationally. Attempts are made to give lip service to some of those principles in a general way, but when it comes to supporting and representing the interests of all (inclusiveness) the party takes the safe path, not really speaking out on issues that are openly supported in other areas of the country.

Labeling SC a 'red state' is no reason to take a benign approach during campaigns. There is a new day in this country and SC was one of very few states that could not get Democratic candidates elected on a national level. Now we are embarrassed by a representative that in many instances does not show up for important votes or votes with Dark Age principles. We can do far better than that by emerging from the post civil war way of thinking and run energetic, straight forward campaigns. The Nancy Pelosi model comes to mind.

Harriet Smartt
Isle of Palms, SC
hsmartt379@aol.com

Winning in SC

There are more than a few ways the Democratic Party can win in South Carolina. We, however, seem to often find ways to lose. Democrats almost always face a campaign-funding deficit. Recently, we have faced a patriotic tide driven by 911 and some manipulation thereof. Our traditionally religious population is highly influenced by a right-leaning trend that is beginning to wane somewhat nationwide. We could win some points by abandoning issues and constituencies that allow Democrats to be easily marginalized by a well-funded Republican and Libertarian opposition. My suggestions center on sticking with and defending important principles, rather than becoming "Republican lite." More

Harry Harris
Sumter, SC
h.harris@earthlink.net

Tax Cuts and Off-Shore Drilling - Part 2

I do not want to "Hog" the inputs, but after reading my 1st input I left out a few things.

1. The comment I made on vehicle sales tax--The $300.00 sales tax "Cap" should go, along with it--personal property tax on a vehicle. This is truly a burden on lower income people. The individual who pays $100,000.00 for a vehicle and someone who buys one for $5000.00 pay the same sales tax. Not A very equal taxing.
2. The South Carolina Education Lottery-These funds should be directed to middle or high school. If you cannot get a high school diploma--you cannot go to any college-regardless of cost.
3. The debate about tobacco tax could go on-and on. We need to raise these taxes at least to what neighboring states are charging--if for no other reason than to keep "black marketing' down. The money raised could go to cover those who have no insurance.
4. The DOT needs to be taken away from political appointees. This last fiasco with a director being allowed to retire and receive a fortune in state retirement is typical of big government at its WORST.
5. Finally-the allowing of state retirement funds to be invested in overseas or other uncontrolled venues is ridiculous. The state of Florida allows this and in 2003 lost almost $400,000,000.00 in a "high risk" fund. Who made up the difference-the tax payers.

Carl Corvin
Summerville, SC
sammon42@juno.com

Local Voting

Listening to the radio this morning I heard the new national director of the Democratic Party saying they had money to fix a proper hq and leftovers to help the states. Boy, do we need help.

Having spent quite a few hours in our office here in Beaufort calling numbers that were wrong, no longer valid, or had been called for three years and been told that the contact was a Republican and Please, please take their name off the list.

I realize you are working on leadership, but I can only urge that leadership work on the nasty little details - updating voter lists - that are the backbone of successful campaigns.

Thank you,
Sally Mitchell
sallym@islc.net