As a blogger and a political junkie, I know a lot about politics. It’s my hobby. Why in the hell I’d choose something like politics as a hobby over say…riding a horse…is beyond me. Because Lord knows, I’d much rather be riding a horse in my spare time instead of worrying about things that are so far out of my control to change. I normally just try to get a grip, sit on it for a bit and hope that good will prevail, the people will see the truth and true leaders will stand up for what is right in the end.

I know what you’re thinking….she must be kidding herself and I am…pretty much. I definitely don’t see that very often in SC. Unfortunately, what I do see in our state are people trying to push narrow, self-centered agendas on our entire population via corruption and manipulation instead of allowing the system to work for the people.

And now it’s affecting Spartanburg and it’s really starting to tick me off.

Politics is SO confusing and the more confusing it is…the more politicians can get away with…so bear with me as I attempt to get through some of this.

People send me stuff and I read it. I could share a lot of information, some public…some not so public…with y’all. Like the article that came out in an independent Columbia newspaper last year titled “The Hit List” that was about Governor Sanford’s ploy to unseat certain legislators that didn’t agree with him on school vouchers, for instance. Or I could share a private email I got a few weeks ago alleging that the consultant running Rep. Bob Walker’s (House District 38) campaign this past year assisted in orchestrating his loss from the get-go by doing things like simultaneously sending out mailers in favor of his opponent, Joey Millwood.

Unethical? Illegal? I don’t know. If I were Mr. Walker I’d certainly have my lawyers look into it. I just don’t have the time which is normally why I don't share those things on my blog.

And even if I did have the time, those accused would just say, ‘ahhh, that’s some sort of political conspiracy theory’ and remind everyone that I’m a liberal therefore convincing citizens they shouldn’t pay me much attention. I know that. I’m very familiar with SC politics. I’ve watched the “liberal” media and other bloggers scream about the power of outside influences in SC politics until they were blue in the face for the past couple of years. You hear us say it. You think about it…and maybe you think “ahhhhhh, that’s the liberal media” or maybe you give it thought and think…would that really work? Could they do that? Could they really manipulate voters and an election in such a way? 

I don't know…could they?

I mean…surely, at this point, we can all agree that outside sources have been funneling tons of money into this state in an effort to push a libertarian political agenda. Surely, every citizen has seen or heard that news somewhere.  Howard Rich, who funds much of these efforts has been pretty up front about what he’s up to in SC and about 8 other states. Why would he be up front? Why not? He knows the average person won’t pay any attention anyway especially if he tosses the word “liberal” into the mix against those who disagree with them. These days he also uses RINO (republican in name only) a lot too.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying libertarians don’t have just as much a right to stand up in this democracy and work for what you believe is the right direction for this country. I understand the ideals behind smaller government and support citizens standing up for those beliefs. What I am saying is that when you have to sneak around to make progress on your ideals, manipulate funding loopholes, voters and other politicians in an effort to get there—THAT is where I have a real problem with it. Because you're hurting other people in the process.

Which brings me to Spartanburg County.

Being familiar with the Governor’s hit list, I was well aware that Bob Walker was a target as was Spartanburg’s Lanny Littlejohn, Keith Kelly, John Hawkins and Jim Ritchie (all republicans). When I read that article back in January of 2008…did I REALLY believe or want to believe that people would go so far to fund the campaign of some easily controlled, average guy like Joey Millwood and get a consulting company to go along with it (this ‘consultant’ is also in the article as a major ‘hit list’ player) all because of school vouchers? 

No–of course I didn't want to believe it. But, then…I saw their successes and I admit, I got a little worried. Although Littlejohn & Kelly won, Hawkins didn’t run because he knew he’d lose because his opponent Lee Bright was funded by Rich & Co, Ritchie lost to Shane Martin and Walker lost to Joey Millwood and today…3 of these new legislators are holding Spartanburg’s entire legislative delegation hostage and hurting Spartanburg.

Why? Well, I hear a lot of reasons. "The Governor doesn't like Littlejohn." "Judicial Appointments." "Anger over the appointment of Judge Beatty to the SC Supreme Court." "Reauthorization of district lines." "Magistrate appointments." And just today, I heard NASCAR thinks Shane Martin will be the next Lt. Governor or run against Bob Inglis. (hell, even I didn't think NASCAR's out of state funding was an issue during the election…I was obviously wrong).

Regardless, this is stuff that doesn't affect every day South Carolinians who are living their lives, feeding their kids, paying their bills, working at their jobs….you get the point. These are pretty much self-serving, immature 'reasons' all under the guise that "it's the right thing to do."

This is hurting Spartanburg and it is Shane Martin, Lee Bright, Joey Millwood and Glenn Reese that don't care about Spartanburg right now. And Spartanburg should be upset.

The Spartanburg delegation has always chosen a chair by a majority rule vote…why? Why not? Who cares? It doesn't matter who the Chair is. Well, until now and the 3 new legislators (along with democrat Glenn Reese–such a disappointment) want to use weighted voting because that is what is law…which okay…fine. But, if the new legislators want this change, why can't they work as professionals and transition to that change as a collective in a way that is respectful of everyone? You know? You're supposed to be freaking leaders…not bullies. 

And by the way, can you guess who’s helping the 4 out? The Governor.

Yeah…surprise. The 'hit list' should make more sense now.

So, these days, as I get to watch my local leaders beg these grown men to not compromise our community’s well being for this political agenda, I can’t help but get mad as hell. I bust my butt in this community, as do many other people, only to watch a few selfish people with unrealistic political aspirations screw it up.

I can't help but wonder if similar things like this are happening in counties across SC?

Anyway, I don't know what these people think they are going to gain by playing underhanded dirty politics. I’m willing to bet that if you have to create a ‘hit list’ to win elections you will fail in the long run.

So, all I can do, in addition to hoping for some incredible karma to come the way of dirty politicians, is to ask that citizens please pay attention and really try to understand the motives behind every action of our elected officials. I know it is hard but we have to be smart and work together despite political differences. Please make every effort to question these people and seek to understand what they are up to.

Times are hard and they are only getting worse. We need to come together and take care of our communities–not play games.

We need to send a message to these boys that the rest of us are tired of it. The majority of us have real lives to live and we would appreciate it if you would step up and help us out like you vowed to do when you took that oath. That includes at the highest level of this state.

If nothing else, stop hurting Spartanburg. It's not yours to destroy.

:) t