SC lawmakers slam gov for shunning federal cash

[douglas9]

Three of South Carolina's leading Republican lawmakers slammed Gov. Mark Sanford for his reluctance to accept federal money that would keep unemployment benefits for the state's jobless from drying up at the end of the year.

"I've been in the Senate 28 years," Sen. Hugh Leatherman, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said Monday in a statement. "Never have I seen a more heartless and cruel act by a governor. ... I call upon him to end this reign of emotional trauma and request the loans."

In November, South Carolina's jobless rate hit 8.4 percent, the third-highest in the country. The state's top economic advisers have said they are projecting an unprecedented 14 percent rate next year, with more than 300,000 people out of work.

Sanford, who is also a Republican, has long said he doesn't think the state Employment Security Commission's statistics on unemployment are accurate and wants another financial audit of the agency that assesses the state's jobless rate before signing a federal loan request.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D958GIJG1.htm

[Are_grits_groceries]

1. I know people may think serves them right.

However, Sanford is seriously trying to run the state into a depression by himself. He's involved in a game of chicken and a power play. He's just going to let people go without benefits.

He put out a list of Republicans who were in office that he didn't think were conservative enough and backing him enough. He tried to replace them with his own hand-picked goons. Didn't work.

The Civil War began here. Madame DeFarge may start knitting here too.

[Mudoria]

2. Sanford is trying to endear himself to the Repub base

I'm not sure if he is planning on a Presidential run in 2012 but he's definitely making sure he appeals to the radical base of the Repub party.

[Are_grits_groceries]

3. I know that.

However, if his heartless maneuvers keep up, he may not make it out of the state.
He's going way beyond what people are going to be able to stomach. More and more
people lose their jobs. More need benefits.

He's threatening not to take any of the money from the stimulus package that Obama
is getting ready. The man is mental.

[Mudoria]

4. Sanford doesn't care...

I've often wondered why SC re-elected him in such wide margin when he's done nothing but ruin the state.

[Are_grits_groceries]

5. I don't know.

However, the same loons who voted for him may just get very tired of him as things get worse.
There is a point I think everyone reaches when they will stop putting up with it. When they
can't eat, that point may come.