South Carolina's $62,500 Sellout Queen

Now that the Republican presidential carnival has moved out of our state, we can focus on exactly why Nikki Haley was so enthused over Mitt Romney. It's all about the Benjamins.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, a key supporter of Mitt Romney, received $62,500 in campaign contributions since 2008 from state and federal political committees set up by supporters of Mitt Romney, records show. Funds came from so-called "leadership PACs" in five different states and the nation's capital. By spreading the funds around, Romney's supporters were able to give far more than the state limit of $3,500 per election.

The least she could have done was stand beside the loser in her state. Such a lack of gratitude.

Newt Gingrich's "American Solutions" leadership PAC gave $3,500 to Haley. "America's Foundation," Rick Santorum's leadership PAC, also gave Haley $3,500 as well as $3,500 to another Republican gubernatorial candidate, Gresham Barrett, in 2010, campaign finance records show. 

I suppose it was not enough to get her to endorse.

America Does NOT Have The Highest Corporate Tax Rate

Quite depressing to hear a supposed Democrat running for Congress regurgitate Republican talking points that have been proven wrong. Here's the truth.


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The South Carolina School Voucher Debacle Continues

If there wasn't anything else more important in this state, it would be fitting for Republicans to waste more time on the repeatedly failed push for taxpayer-funded school vouchers for private schools in South Carolina.

And now Dick Armey's FreedomWorks is jumping right into the debacle - along with Republican yawn Jim DeMint.

The recently introduced choice bill, H. 4576, proposes simple solutions to make student tuition more affordable for families, including tax credits for students attending independent schools, tax credits for non-profit scholarship grants, tax credits for students with special needs, and tax credits for classroom supplies.

But I guess people are supposed to fall for this bullshit. The teabaggers surely are. You'd think they'd pay attention to their own messaging and research the failed issue before throwing some sort of rally for - wait for it - more government. Yes, here's government telling you public schools are not for you. Better yet, Republicans say other taxpayers ought to fund vouchers for children to attend private schools (but do not cover full tuition costs). More, those children may not be your children attending those private schools.

Here are the facts, people.

According the latest study by the Center on Education Policy, "Keeping Informed About School Vouchers,"  there is no evidence that voucher students' are performing any better than students who stay in public school.

So, why waste your money on something proven not to work and has failed time and time again in this state to get passed into law?

How about tell these same lawmakers FreedomWorks is asking you to support to kill the bill and finally restore funding back to public schools previously cut before. Now's not the time to cut and run - as Nikki Haley did Mitt Romney after his crushing defeat in this state.



Usher Voucher 072711

Republican Voter Fraud

Please sign the petition calling for an investigation of James O'Keefe for committing voter fraud in New Hampshire.

James O'Keefe, the right-wing prankster who became famous for a doctored video that led to the downfall of ACORN, recently coordinated a stunt to obtain ballots in the New Hampshire primary using the names of dead people.

His goal was to prove that strict voter ID laws are necessary. However, what he and his associates did was illegal:

Hamline University law professor David Schultz told TPM that there’s “no doubt” that O’Keefe’s investigators violated the law.

“In either case, if they were intentionally going in and trying to fraudulently obtain a ballot, they violated the law,” Schultz said. “So right off the bat, what they did violated the law.”

O'Keefe and his co-conspirators were also incredibly insensitive:

Activist filmmaker James O’Keefe secretly recorded video showing his operative using Roger Groux’s name and address to obtain a Republican ballot at Manchester polls Tuesday. The U.S. Navy veteran died Dec. 31 at an assisted living home. His family held funeral services Monday, his widow said. “Oh my God, I know what he would say, ‘Call the cops, call the police,’ ” Rachel Groux said.

James O'Keefe has made a living using lies to ruin the lives of others. Now he should be investigated for a repulsive, open-and-shut case of voter fraud.

Sign the petition calling for an investigation of James O'Keefe. We are working with allies to deliver it the New Hampshire Attorney General next week.

Keep fighting,
Chris Bowers
Campaign Director, Daily Kos

Nikki Haley Obsesses Over Unions, Forgets Majority of People in State

Why does our lame governor obsess over unions? Is she that focused on political maneuvering for bigger and better things not including South Carolina?

COLUMBIA — South Carolina Republican lawmakers say they want to get even tougher on unions to keep them out of the state. Gov. Nikki Haley says the state’s anti-union status is her best tool in recruiting businesses to South Carolina. The proposal introduced Tuesday in the House would increase penalties for unions that break state law, and require unions to detail their financial data to the state. Unions already file most of the data with the federal Labor Department. Haley also signed an executive order to ensure striking workers don’t get unemployment benefits. 

While this state - and its people - climb out of a recession, Haley and her out-of-touch Republican cohorts in the general assembly just do not get it. They don't care. They really don't care about you.

Facts show this state is about as nonunion as you could get. Union membership is in single digits. So, why would our governor, who obviously knows there are more pressing issues in our state, focus on working people and their rights to better themselves?

It's a power grab. They simply want power - and more, more, more. 

South Carolina law already disqualifies unemployment insurance for striking workers. But the order is designed to ensure the state’s unemployment agency knows when workers are striking, and to prevent companies from having to fight a claim for benefits.

Haley is nothing more than a crybaby - and a pouting one at that. Plus, as a former legislator, you'd think she'd know the laws of the state before boohooing out loud about unions.

The best tool, Nikki, in recruiting businesses is our working people. You, Nikki, do not sacrifice on the shop floor hours and hours a day while wondering whether the company will stick around because of no union protections. The working people of this state have always put on a smile in the face of adversity and live their great days here without having to sell them as some marketing ploy.

Grow up, Nikki. How about try governing. We already have one Sarah Palin running around the country.

Georgetown County Democratic Party Updates

Thanks to all of you who participated in Precinct Reorganization last Saturday, January 28.

Some precincts requested their precinct list from Vote Builder in order to start phone banking

now.  Many thanks to those for volunteering and I do hope that many of you will follow their

lead.  We can't start too soon preparing for November's election.

Please plan to donate at least two hours per week to re-elect our President and democrats 

that will represent us in Georgetown County. Two hours is little to contribute for good

government.

GEORGETOWN OFA GROUP   2012 KICK OFF MEETING

Thursday, February 2 6PM Steelworkers Union Hall 1515 Butts Street

Guest Speaker - Laura Storey, OFA Regional Field Director

Everyone is invited to attend.

For additional information contact  Carrie Dennison at 485-4064

GCDP MONTHLY MEETING

Monday, February 13 6PM Steelworkers Union Hall 1515 Butts Street

Guest Speakers- Laura Storey, OFA Regional Field Director

Kyle Watson, SCDP Representative

Come out and find out what the OFA and SCDP are planning for us this 

election year.

GEORGETOWN COUNTY DEMOCRATIC WOMEN'S COUNCIL

Monday, February 27 12PM  Georgetown Library 405 Cleland Street

For additional information contact President Sara Hudson at 546-5786

GCDP COUNTY CONVENTION

Saturday, March 24 at Bethel AME Glisson Center  417 Broad Street Georgetown

Registration 9:30AM   Convention 10AM 

Save the date, convention plans are underway and will be announced soon

SCDP STATE CONVENTION

May 11 and 12 Columbia Convention Center Columbia, SC

Per SCDP-events and information to follow

Your party is seeking help with establishing a new website. If you are interested

in assisting, please call 240-3396.

Let's celebrate victory in November by participating in working together to GOTV

for the election. We can be successful here in Georgetown County as we coordinate

our efforts as a TEAM.

REMEMBER- Democracy is NOT a spectator sport!!

Let's go out and grab it together!

I remain, proud to be a democrat,

Nancy

Questions or suggestions, please contact Nancy Kolman, GCDP Chair @ 843 240-3396

or democratsofgeorgetowncounty@gmail.com

MegaVote: SC 1st, 1/30/2012

Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Debt limit disapproval House: Ultralight Aircraft Smuggling Prevention Act Upcoming Congressional Bills Senate: Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act of 2012 House: Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act of 2011 House: Pro-Growth Budgeting Act of 2011 House: Baseline Reform Act of 2011

Recent Senate Votes

Debt limit disapproval - Vote Rejected (44-52, 4 Not Voting) The Senate rejected this House resolution to block a $1.2 trillion increase in the $15.2 trillion debt ceiling. The increase automatically took effect on January 27, 2012. Sen. Lindsey Graham voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Jim DeMint voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

Ultralight Aircraft Smuggling Prevention Act - Vote Passed (408-0, 25 Not Voting) The House passed this bill to change the definition of “ultralight” aircraft in the anti-smuggling statute in order to increase penalties for using them to smuggle drugs. The Senate cleared the measure for the president the next day by unanimous consent. It was the last bill sponsored by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords before her resignation from Congress. Rep. Tim Scott voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Upcoming Votes

Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act of 2012 - S.2038 The Senate is scheduled to take up this bill to ban members and aides from trading stocks using information learned through the course of their duties. Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act of 2011 - H.R.1173 The House is scheduled to take up this bill repealing the CLASS Act, a provision in the health care law intended to provide long-term care to seniors. Pro-Growth Budgeting Act of 2011 - H.R.3582 This House bill would require the Congressional Budget Office to take into account the effect a bill might have on the economy when analyzing a bill. Baseline Reform Act of 2011 - H.R.3578 This House bill would stop the Congressional Budget Office from incorporating inflation projections into their bill analysis.

South Carolina Republicans Wasting Your Money on Voter ID Law

Can you afford a $520-an-hour attorney? No? Well, South Carolina's excuse for an attorney general says you can.

S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson has more than five dozen staff attorneys to handle the state's legal affairs, but Wilson hired a former U.S. solicitor general to litigate the voter ID case at a rate of $520 an hour, a contract obtained last week reveals.

The law would require voters to present official photo identification at the polls. Additional contracted associates and paralegals will earn between $180 and $200 an hour on the case. 

That's right, folks. This state is hell bent on defending a useless law in a state that votes about 85 to 90 percent Republican just to do it. Oh, and no matter the cost to you. 

But do you care? Probably not. As long as they keep vomiting the rhetoric you all dearly love, you'll put the wasteful Republicans right back in office.

Independent political analysts, however, are asking whether a costly, lengthy legal battle on voter ID is worth the state's time and money. With little evidence of voter fraud, South Carolina has more urgent issues to tackle, they said.

"With states like South Carolina facing budgetary restrictions, it's interesting they can make funds available for this type of activity," said J. Michael Bitzer, who has followed South Carolina politics for two decades and now teaches political science at Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C.

"People will question, 'Why isn't this going to education or other principle public services.' It plays well with (Haley's) base though."

Yes, it does play well to her base. But seeing her base voted against her pick for president, it makes you wonder what the hell her base is thinking - if anything at all.

Enjoy it. Republicans wasting your money on lawyers. And you thought you couldn't get big-time representation.

Thanks, Wilson.

We Succeeded Again!

We Succeeded in Stalling H. 3408

This morning, the Senate Medical Affairs Subcommittee held H. 3408, the Refusal of Care Act, in subcommitte, delaying passage of this bill for a 3rd time! We have successfully pushed back against this intrusive and potentially detrimental legislation.

This morning, 40 advocates filled the committee room and listened while 2 labor attorneys (one representing the State of South Carolina) spoke against the passage of H. 3408. They called this bill "too much government" and agreed that H. 3408 "is the opposite of 'employment at will.'"

H. 3408, the Refusal of Care Act, will remain in subcommitte until another subcommittee hearing can be scheduled.

Tell Them members have been instrumental in slowing down the process of this bill and showing a strong opposition to this type of intrusive legislation.

• We have sent 2,300 emails urging Senators to "Vote No"
• Consistently filled the committee rooms with advocates opposing H. 3408 (more than 70 advocates have joined us in committee hearings)
• Provided solid testimony and support from the business, health care, labor, education, and legal communities to strike down this bill

Thank you for your continued support and effort to help stop this extreme and unnecessary bill.

Please take a moment and thank Senators Hutto and Nicholson for their continued opposition to H. 3408, the Refusal of Care Act.