Dear Friend, the General Assembly has begun its work for 2015, and unfortunately it has begun on a familiar note. Governor Haley and many legislators are looking for another way to raise your taxes. Many of the same, in the meantime, are distracting your attention by preaching the need for “ethics reform” even though the main proponents of the bills admit that they are reacting to perception and not reality. Please see below the details on each, and please let me know if you’d like more information on these or any other issues.
Senator:
I have already commented on the proposed CDV bill being offered but feel I need to add my comment regarding a more general topic such as the opening of the 2015 session and to offer my thanks to you for standing for the principles that you spoke to me of in person when you were relatively new to your current political position. You said that you, as my Senator, and I, as your constituent, “would never agree on everything but if I would accept a target of 80% of the time” then we would have a successful run. We are well beyond 80%, sir, though not 100%. My simple point is that many out here in your District feel that way, too.
At the same time though I am concerned about the waste of time that I see taking place in our state legislation on many of the bills that I read about in last year’s session and again this year. The reason that I mention this is because when voters pass an amendment to our state Constitution to CLEARLY define marriage for our residents and then only to have it TURNED OVER by a single man (a judge) must mean that what our legislation AND the voters do means nothing in the big scheme of the law in SC. What other conclusion can an educated, concerned resident draw? Voters and legislators obviously mean nothing, so why bother to pass any laws when we should just be waiting for someone who knows what is good for ALL OF US to just tell us what is right. I often think that this CANNOT be the United States in which things such as this happen. I am invariably wrong about that because it is the USA.
I apologize for this rant but I think you should know that some of us out here see, know and understand what you go through in Columbia. Please keep up the good fight, Senator, and hopefully it will matter and help us find our way again.
Gary Wilson is 100% right. This marriage thing makes me sick to my stomach. I have 5 grandkids growing up in this state and I worry daily about them and what they will face.
Shane as far as Nikki Haley she has her eyes on Washington and not South Carolina.
Ok my rant is short but I feel it’s the truth.
To Gary and Jerry: I’m a constituent also and for the most part agree with Shane. On the marriage issue though, fair is fair. What makes you or the entire state electorate for that matter who are opposed to gay marriage think that it’s ok for you to decide for others how to live there eir life? I think it’s none of our business, is unconstitutional and its stupid to pass laws that are as they inevitably will be overturned. In the meantime our roads crumble in part because we have and are spending time and money to defend the indefensible.
Shane I’d also like to see the marijuana decriminalization bill passed. Alcohol and tobacco both are far worse than marijuana could ever be. Marijuana is the only one with tons of health benefits and the only one that can’t kill someone. More people are killed and more lives are ruined by the current law than would be if it were legal. Besides, it will bring in lots of money and crime and pain killer overdosing deaths will drop based on Colorados crime data since legalization.
In politics, perception is often as important as reality. I, for one am disappointed in the lack of progress on ethics legislation in the Senate.
Gary and Terry, the constitution TRUMPS SC voter passed laws. If it is, and it has over and over been ruled to be unconstitutional to ban “gay marriage”, then it’s going to be null and void and it’s the judges job if you’ve ever studied government. The legislature passes laws, the courts say it’s legal or not once a case is brought before them. And it will be challenged and it will fall in SC. Passing AND fighting for this law is a waste of time and taxpayer money, money that could go towards repairing our horrible roads.
Senator Martin, Thank you for your interest in hearing the general public. I have a strong interest in having our political leaders lead under God (Judaeo/Christian) and making decisions on that premise.
Every life should be respected, We easily condemn the beheadings committed by terrorists, Have we acted better by legalizing abortion?
Marriage was established by God ( in Genesis.) with one man and one woman. No one should have the authority to change Divine Law.
I pray for our leaders to take time to listen to the people and to vote with a good conscience. Thank you for your service..