News that a Republican state lawmaker flew a “conservative” radio host to and from Columbia, S.C. from Washington, D.C. to testify on a piece of legislation is the latest in a long line of abuses of the state’s taxpayer-subsidized aircraft.
Sure it’s not the worst example … but it’s totally improper.
Of course using taxpayer resources for overtly political purposes is nothing new in “Republican-controlled” South Carolina. Previously, S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley was forced to reimburse taxpayers $10,000 for ethics violations associated with state airplanes – and before that former Gov. Mark Sanford committed a host of violations related to its improper usage.
Then there’s the improper use of the plane for football recruiting … and ferrying lobbyists.
Sadly, very few of these uses can be described as advancing core functions of government. In fact if you presume (as we do) that government shouldn’t engage in crony capitalist, tax-shifting “economic development” efforts – then virtually none of these flights are appropriate.
That’s why we believe South Carolina should get rid of its state planes – Palmetto 1 (a Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350) and Palmetto 2 (a Hawker Beechcraft King Air C90). We also believe funding should be eliminated for the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission – the entity which operates these planes.
Further, we propose eliminating the practice of campaign donors or other special interests subsidizing flights for public officials. Reporting these flights isn’t enough … they should be eliminated.
Finally, in the event there is a legitimate reason for a government official to make a flight – those expenses (and the stated reason for them) ought to be itemized and included in an online checkbook, a publicly accessible (and searchable) record of all government expenses.
We’ve been pushing for the creation of such a checkbook for years … but the transparency fad came and went in South Carolina without the adoption of this critical open government reform.
When children misbehave, we take away their toys. We also insist on changes in their behavior – or else. Frankly it’s past time we started applying these disciplinary techniques to the children running our state government.
What do you think? Vote in our poll and post your thoughts in our comments section below …
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38 comments
Will, when did you realize she was afflicted?
Will, when did you realize she was afflicted?
Maybe she could just use her broomstick. That would be much more cost effective.
Maybe she could just use her broomstick. That would be much more cost effective.
Maybe we need to get rid of Corrupt and irresponsible politicians like Sanford. PLEASE remember that April 2 if you vote in the Low Country…
Maybe we need to get rid of Corrupt and irresponsible politicians like Sanford. PLEASE remember that April 2 if you vote in the Low Country…
Based on some of the pictures of the Gypsy Queen Governor and Horry County Mafia Queen Crawford I would think that the State needs to buy bigger planes
Maybe the military has some surplus cargo planes available.
You know the kind with a ramp in the rear that can load a tank, an elephant or a fat ass cockroach politician
In the latest pics, she is still wearing those damn boots. God help us all if anything happens to them. Anyway, the weight gain appears to be continuing…at some point, you just have to put down the fork.
She thinks they make her look sexy. Not.
Agree, with you, and just this once I’m not going to leav a flip remark (even though I’m curious about something).
Shifty, if you are who I think you are, contact me about your curiosity.
My flip remark was withheld because I thought it might get some of you folks too aroused. What I am curious to know is— she may be wearing leather panties to match her boots, and leather has a tendency to shrink when wet and then starts to dry (so I’ve been told).
Based on some of the pictures of the Gypsy Queen Governor and Horry County Mafia Queen Crawford I would think that the State needs to buy bigger planes
Maybe the military has some surplus cargo planes available.
You know the kind with a ramp in the rear that can load a tank, an elephant or a fat ass cockroach politician
In the latest pics, she is still wearing those damn boots. God help us all if anything happens to them. Anyway, the weight gain appears to be continuing…at some point, you just have to put down the fork.
She thinks they make her look sexy. Not.
Agree, with you, and just this once I’m not going to leav a flip remark (even though I’m curious about something).
Shifty, if you are who I think you are, contact me about your curiosity.
My flip remark was withheld because I thought it might get some of you folks too aroused. What I am curious to know is— she may be wearing leather panties to match her boots, and leather has a tendency to shrink when wet and then starts to dry (so I’ve been told).
We’re BEGGING for your Comment on the: Ann Coulter column on GOP Losers and Mark Sanford.
She (like me) is asking WHY give this Conservative (Tim Scott) seat to a HORRIBLE, Also-Ran Career Politician, who has Disgraced himself and his state and his family????…He is a liability to the GOP when we need to move Forward, not backward…
C’mon FITS: Don’t be a COWARD to protect Sanford…
Ann was wrong when she said that Sanford was SC’s Todd Akin……..Sanford is much worse than Akin.
We’re BEGGING for your Comment on the: Ann Coulter column on GOP Losers and Mark Sanford.
She (like me) is asking WHY give this Conservative (Tim Scott) seat to a HORRIBLE, Also-Ran Career Politician, who has Disgraced himself and his state and his family????…He is a liability to the GOP when we need to move Forward, not backward…
C’mon FITS: Don’t be a COWARD to protect Sanford…
Ann was wrong when she said that Sanford was SC’s Todd Akin……..Sanford is much worse than Akin.
The state needs a the plane and it should be used for official business. As an airplane owner, getting around this state by plane is simple and economical. It allows you to get to many more events and meetings than a car, and is economical at that. Time value of money. However, there needs to be restrictions on who can use the plane and for what reasons.
Its not like it is flown daily. Could we just not set up a flight program with eagle or some other vendor to fly officials on an as needed bases. This would also provide more public knowledge and oversight of the trips dont you think?
The state needs a the plane and it should be used for official business. As an airplane owner, getting around this state by plane is simple and economical. It allows you to get to many more events and meetings than a car, and is economical at that. Time value of money. However, there needs to be restrictions on who can use the plane and for what reasons.
Its not like it is flown daily. Could we just not set up a flight program with eagle or some other vendor to fly officials on an as needed bases. This would also provide more public knowledge and oversight of the trips dont you think?
If Pope Francis insists on takes public transportation (the bus, economy class airplane tickets) that “commoners” use, why can’t our governors do the same?
If Pope Francis insists on takes public transportation (the bus, economy class airplane tickets) that “commoners” use, why can’t our governors do the same?
My favorite is the constitutional attorney from Kentucky who was given $7500 to speak to reimburse him for “expenses”. Did he take a fucking limo from Kentucky and eat at Ruth’s Chris for every meal???? As owb would say, fucking cockroaches.
Now if we could only get Tony Montana to come in and take care of our fucking cockroach problem…both in SC and DC…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsSwDEayzRM
…Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah….Zip-A-Dee-Ay…That would MAKE my Day!!!!
Must have billed at his hourly rate for the 7 hours each way plus the 15 minutes he spent testifying.
Knew him when he was a failed candidate for the Kentucky General Assembly back in 1975 and 1977.
My favorite is the constitutional attorney from Kentucky who was given $7500 to speak to reimburse him for “expenses”. Did he take a fucking limo from Kentucky and eat at Ruth’s Chris for every meal???? As owb would say, fucking cockroaches.
Now if we could only get Tony Montana to come in and take care of our fucking cockroach problem…both in SC and DC…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsSwDEayzRM
…Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah….Zip-A-Dee-Ay…That would MAKE my Day!!!!
Must have billed at his hourly rate for the 7 hours each way plus the 15 minutes he spent testifying.
Knew him when he was a failed candidate for the Kentucky General Assembly back in 1975 and 1977.
We should sell 1, drastically limit the use of the second, maybe even rent its usage to make a little $, and combine the SCAC into another agency.
We should sell 1, drastically limit the use of the second, maybe even rent its usage to make a little $, and combine the SCAC into another agency.
Enough is enough! I have had it with these motherfuckin’ snakes on this motherfuckin’ plane!
Enough is enough! I have had it with these motherfuckin’ snakes on this motherfuckin’ plane!