2012 elections won’t change much at Statehouse

APRIL 13, 2012 — With 170 Statehouse seats up for election this year, you’d think there would be a lot of change ahead.

Not really. Based on an analysis of the primary contests in June and general elections in November, about the only thing you’ll probably see in Columbia is a few more Republicans.

Option for Haley’s book: Take a pass

If you like Haley and want to be pumped up, go ahead and spend $28 for what seems more like a transcribed version of a lot of self-taped conversations than a book. Otherwise, don’t bother. Haley is trying too hard to be a real-life fairy tale.

Back-door school voucher bill defies logic

MARCH 30, 2012 — If you ever thought the folks at the Statehouse take voters as “April fools,” just delve into a newly-passed House bill that seeks tax credits for parents who have kids in private school. The House of Representatives has passed a so-called “school choice” bill that supporters claim gives parents more choice in education. Over the last few years, proponents have received more than $2 million to push the legislation from New York millionaire Howard Rich.

Time to honor this national hero from SC

MARCH 23, 2012 — A generation of South Carolinians — maybe two — have grown up without knowing much about a home-grown civil rights hero with a national reputation. It’s high time they did.

Meet U.S. District Judge J. Waties Waring (1880-1968), a native son who called for the crippling shackles of segregation to be stripped from South Carolina at a time when blacks and whites had to drink from different water fountains.

SC provides job security for political columnists

MARCH 10, 2012 — Pound for pound, South Carolina weighs in more than any other state for the amount of political intrigue and rascally scandal it serves up for free to the national press. By now, the Palmetto State has passed old stalwarts for disgrace like Louisiana and New York.

“Thank you, South Carolina,” comedian Jon Stewart says over and over and over like the Energizer bunny.