"It's always safer in politics to avoid risk, to just kind of go along with the status quo. But I didn't get into government to do the safe and easy things." ~ Sarah Palin

My Story

July 8th, 2010 in Uncategorized ~ No Comments

As the oldest of six raised and educated at home by Christian parents, I was exposed at an early age to David Barton, a historian and founder of Wallbuilders. From him, we learned the truth about about how our Nation was founded on Biblical principles. Our parents taught us that we had the duty before God to be good citizens, to pray for our leaders, and to vote carefully.

I vividly remember hearing Mr. Barton talk about how powerful a phone call to a legislator can be. Just picking up the phone or writing a letter can have a powerful impact, especially at the state and local levels. So we did. We found some email newsletters that kept us informed and started calling.

My parents always voted, and we anxiously watched the results come in after the 2000 Presidential election. I was too young to vote, but looked forward to being able to cast my first vote in 2004 for George W. Bush, Sen. Jim DeMint, and Gov. Mark Sanford.

By the time 2007 rolled around, we began hearing a familiar name — Mike Huckabee. We’d heard of him through our homeschool organization which had worked with him while he was Governor of Arkansas, and a few years before we had picked up a copy of Character Makes A Difference, which was collecting dust on our bookshelf.

So, of course, we pulled the book off the shelf and read it to find out what sort of guy this Huckabee was. To say that we were inspired is an understatement. As Providence would have it, we found out that he would be in the area only a couple weeks after we finished the book, and hearing him sealed our decision to work heart and soul for a candidate who, for the first time, truly was a man we felt represented us and would do what is right for our Nation, no matter what it cost him.

In the Fall of 2007, I found out that a friend with whom I hadn’t spoken in years was an active grassroots coordinator in Missouri, so I contacted him. He helped me set up a group online for Huckabee supporters in my area and encouraged me along. I scrounged around and did my best to be a help, but I was in over my eyeballs and rather overwhelmed by it all.

I put together several grassroots phone banks, and when the campaign finally got around to putting up a local office, I and some of my siblings worked the entire week before the SC Primary helping to coordinate volunteers and make those annoying get-out-the-vote phone calls.

We were heartbroken when he didn’t win, but even more by who did — John McCain.

And just when we thought all was lost, here came Sarah Palin!

Well needless to say we worked with our local Republican Party that November. In addition, my Mom and sister were poll managers that year, and I did some poll watching for the first time.

By that time, I was just about willing to do whatever I was needed to do, even though I really didn’t know how, but I kept plugging along anyway because I had to do my duty. The challenges kept me depending on God, and He truly was faithful to help me.

November of 2008 came and went, and to our dismay Barack Obama was elected by many who couldn’t even tell you who he was or why they were voting for him.

Yet, Obama (and Bush) gave the USA a reality check, and the TEA Party movement was underway.

My sister heard an amazing story of how Keli Carender in Seattle (of all places) got so sick and tired of doing nothing that she organized a protest which attracted hundreds.

We heard a few weeks later of a protest organized in Greenville, SC which drew 2000 people after only a week of planning. We sensed that a something unusual was happening, that a sleeping giant was awakening, and that we needed to be a part of it.

So in April of 2009, after no one else stepped forward, I took the bull by the horns and organized a “Taxed Enough Already” protest in our town. Folks who had never picketed a day in their life were out in force, young and old alike. They said they were scared, that you can’t spend your way out of debt, and that they were doing this for their children and grandchildren.

What a beautiful sight that was!

Here in SC, we just finished with the 2010 primary election, for the most part with good results, despite the fact that only one in four registered voters exercised their civic duty (and that was a record turnout!).

It is my grief that many people today are too busy pursuing the American dream to look around and see that the real American dream–freedom–is vanishing. I hope and pray that they will wake up, stop whining, and get to work before it is too late.

As for me? Give me liberty or give me death, and may God have mercy on our land!

Jonathon Hill

Anderson TEA Party – http://andersonteaparty.com
Upcountry Coalition – http://upcountrycoalition.com


Is Richard Cash Losing the Issues Battle to Jeff Duncan?

June 20th, 2010 in 2010 Elections ~ No Comments

Have you considered Richard Cash’s efforts to put Jeff Duncan in a bad light, calling him a “career politician”? And claiming Duncan doesn’t support term limits? And claiming that thousands of individual contributions from SC Club for Growth members are “special interest” money just because the laws require the donations to be identified as having come from CFG members?

It is my opinion that both candidates are great people, but I do believe that overall Duncan is better — experience, track record, knowledge, to name a few. Yet I don’t fault anyone for supporting Cash.

However I have been disappointed at some of the things that have come out of the Cash camp. It seems to me that Cash has lost the issues battle, and now all he can do is paint Duncan in a bad light. As my sister pointed out in a conversation earlier, Duncan’s service in the SC House — the very thing Cash should be expressing gratitude for — is one of the very things he’s attacking.

“If you cannot answer a man’s argument, all it not lost; you can still call him names.” ~Elbert Hubbard


Joint Zais-Chellis Media Buy NOT an Ethics Violation

June 8th, 2010 in 2010 Elections ~ No Comments

The Garnet Spy made an accusation, and since comments are now closed on the post, I’m publishing my comment here.

Yesterday I asked the Zais campaign about the joint Chellis-Zais ad buy. Zais, Chellis, Jeff Duncan, and Henry McMaster all employ the same media consultant. The media company buys blocks of airtime and then divides that up between its clients (in this case Zais, Chellis, and Duncan I believe). It is not illegal to do this, and everyone gets a better rate in the process.

This isn’t about any candidate. This is simply a matter of business. No law was broken, and one should not assume associations between any candidates because of this.


My 2010 Primary Candidate Slate

June 4th, 2010 in 2010 Elections ~ (1) Comment

I keep getting asked who I’m supporting for this and that, so I’m posting here for all to see. Do your own research. This does not constitute an “endorsement” by the Anderson TEA Party, these are my own views based on information I have received.

Governor

Haley, Haley, and Haley are my first, second and third choices! If you haven’t met/heard her in person, be at Chief’s tonight (Friday, 6/4) at 7PM (723 Congaree Rd).

Lt. Governor

Bill Connor. He will also be at Chiefs along with Haley.

Superintendent of Education

This is a bit harder choice for me, because I don’t feel I know any of the candidates very well. I’m leaning toward Mick Zais because of his military accomplishments (general) and administrative accomplishments (took Newberry college from the worst in the state to the best in the state. First thing he did was fired a bunch of lousy people, I’m told.) He has also been a teacher, so he knows what they are up against.

Kelly Payne may also be a good choice, I know a lot of people supporting her also.

Gary Burgess is from Anderson and I’m told he talks a really good line, but he was arrested once for soliciting sex (acquitted, but still – he could not have been up to any good where he was when it happened. And to think of him being in charge of educating children…)

Brent Nelsen doesn’t seem to bring that much to the table, and he’s against school vouchers.

Treasurer

Curtis Loftis. Easy choice. Chellis, the incumbent, has done some very wasteful/fraudulent things on the taxpayer dime, including only working an average of 20 hours per week.

Comptroller General

Mike Meilinger. A small businessman, accountant, Christian, homeschooling father of 5… Eckstrom, the incumbent, has served 12 years and it’s time to go home. Plus, he sent some inappropriate and embarrasing emails to Kelly Payne (Google “eckstrom payne emails”).

Attorney General

Hmm. I know least about this race. Concerned about the possibility of Alan Wilson (son of Joe “You Lie!” Wilson) being one of the “good ‘ol boys” — like his dad, and Barrett, and so many of the others. I Don’t get a good feeling about Leighton Lord (nothing really to base that on though). Bolchoz sounds really good, so I guess I’ll vote for him.

US House District 3 (Anderson/Oconee/Pickens)

Jeff Duncan seems to be the strongest candidate. I want a fighter who will not waver on conservative principles. I think Duncan has done this. I also want someone who is running for the right reason. Duncan seems to understand the importance of “going home” — and if he fails to win this seat he will gladly do just that–and enjoy being with his family.

Richard Cash, Neal Collins, and Mike Vasovski are all excellent candidates in various ways. I really won’t be sorry if any of them get the nomination. They all have different strengths. Duncan is my pick because I think he is the most well rounded and articulate, plus he has legislative experience so the learning curve will be less steep.

That said… if elected, you better know we’ll hold his feet to the fire, and if he doesn’t fight for us I will be looking elsewhere in 2012.

Joe Grimaud doesn’t have much to offer that the others don’t offer, and he lives is Joe Wilson’s district (District 2)!

US House District 4 (Greenville)

Jim Lee, Jim Lee, and Jim Lee! A political outsider, businessman, and very articulate candidate. Exactly the kind of fresh blood we need to replace RINO incumbent Bob Inglis.

Christina Jeffery claims to be the “tea party candidate”, but the only tea party endorsement she received is one she helped create in Boiling Springs (which, if you ask me, is a conflict of interest). She also has a close friendship with SCGOP Chairwoman Karen Floyd. She’s run twice before and lost. She doesn’t seem that serious about her campaign and can’t seem to keep the same campaign manager for any length of time. Could she be a GOP-sponsored spoiler? I dunno.

State House District 10 (Anderson)

Joshua Putnam. Twenty-something-year-old with all the fire and energy that brings. He’s going up against a rotten (and powerful) incumbent – House Ways & Means Chairman Dan Cooper. I admire his courage.

Josh seems to be running for all the right reasons, and will do a much better job representing us. (How’s all that “experience” of Danny Cooper’s working out for you? Remember, he single-handedly blocked the roll-call voting bill, H3047, for nearly two years in the House.)

State House District 17 (Greenville)

Tom Corbin. I don’t have firsthand knowledge of the candidates in this race but I hear Corbin is a good guy, and he’s going up against incumbent RINO Harry Cato.

Anderson County Council District 1

Francis Crowder

Anderson County Council District 3

Eddie Moore (Incumbent, the only sitting councilperson that’s been more conservative is Cindy Wilson)

Anderson County Council District 4

Ed Allgood. A bit of a tough call for me, but I get rave reports on Allgood from everyone and the incumbent, Tom Allen, has made some questionable votes and even brought a gun restriction ordinance once. Of course, it was quickly shot down. In all fairness, he was in his own way simply trying to respond to some issues one of his constituents was having with a neighbor.

Anderson County Council District 5

Tina Watkins I’m told is a better choice than incumbent Tommy Dunn.

Anderson County Council District 6

Rick Freemantle. No one has worked harder, attended more county meetings, and done more research than this guy. He is an absolute rock-solid conservative. Plus, he has guts — he has a lawsuit pending against the former corrupt county regime.

Greenville County Council District 28

Harry Kibler. Another hardworking patriot who is a political outsider, much like Freemantle. He founded the organization RINO HUNT in Greenville, and decided to run against incumbent Fred Payne because he couldn’t sit by and let a RINO in his own backyard go unopposed.


A Conversation with Kelly Payne

May 27th, 2010 in 2010 Elections ~ No Comments

Yesterday, I had a long conversation with Kelly Payne. She initiated the conversation in response to my comments here: http://garnetspy.com/2010/05/23/the-necessary-three/#comment-2661

Here are some interesting things I learned from that conversation.

Eckstrom Relationship denied

Regarding the alleged “affair” between her and Eckstrom, she denied ever having any intercourse with Eckstrom. Apparently someone, somehow, gained access to her email and went digging for dirt. They found some emails from Eckstrom to Payne, and she believes they tried to blackmale him with those embarrassing emails. (Eckstrom won’t publicly admit that he was blackmaled, but she strongly suspects they did.)

So, when they found out that Eckstrom didn’t have a pile of cash (like someone like McMaster), they turned to other means of monetizing their ill-gotten gain. Miss Payne suspects that one of her opponents bought the emails, and they were released on SC Hotline and FITSNews (surprise?).
She did confirm that the emails were not forged.

Miss Payne said that she never did anything to provoke or encourage the attention she got from Eckstrom, and no emails were released from Payne to Eckstrom–apparently because there were none. She said the only reason she hasn’t taken a stronger stance against his actions is because she isn’t out to destroy his primary chances, but afterwards–whether he wins or loses–she will consider having a restraining order put on Eckstrom to prevent any further stalking.
I have not as of yet read the leaked emails, so I cannot say whether her story contradicts what was actually said.

Regarding the claim someone made that she said she was “working for Eckstrom’s campaign” at the Spartanburg GOP stump meeting, what she actually said was “I worked [past tense] for his campaign…” She said she wanted to know if he was going to mention her role in getting school district spending online for public viewing, and that she hasn’t worked for his campaign in two years–and when she did it was an odd job organizing some records after another school teacher he’d hired had a child and fell behind.

Issues

  • Payne supports vouchers, and certain “scholarships” (a more media-friendly way of doing the same thing)
  • Initially opposed school district consolidation, but after being hired by Ashley Landiss to do research on the subject, came to the conclusion that it would be beneficial after all. Opposes state-mandated consolidations; she said that decisions like this need to be left up to the community, but indicated that the community must make some hard choices in light of the budget shortfalls.
  • Payne stated that she played an important role to achieve school spending transparency via the Comptroller General’s office (she acknowledged working with Eckstrom on this)

Greenville GOP Debate, 12/2009

Miss Payne said she did horribly in this debate. It was her first one, and she had never before debated in public.

Regarding her support of whole language techniques for reading, her explanation was that phonics absolutely do a better job teaching reading to most students, but that an unfortunate federal legislation–the IDEA act–forces schools to “not discriminate” against students who would have great difficulty learning to read with phonics (dyslexic students, and others).

She stated that Barbara Nielson Inez Tenenbaum did much harm to SC’s educational system.

Support

During our conversation, she cited strong support from the Myrtle Beach TEA Party, and the unprecedented recent endorsements of two school administrators, one of whom is a Democrat.

Conclusion

So there you have it, her side of the story. I have not decided who I am supporting. I only saw the first debate (mentioned above), and since she indicated that doesn’t really tell the whole story, and there have been around 12 debates since then, I am trying to get my hands on footage of some of those other debates.

Please do your own research, and if you have further information, please post it in the comment section.


Gresham Barrett’s complete voting record

May 23rd, 2010 in Gresham Barrett ~ No Comments

2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010

Rep. James Barrett [R-SC3]‘s Voting Record
– All votes in 2009

Data courtesy of GovTrack

Summary

Category Votes %
Ayes 390 39.4%
Nays 234 23.6%
Abstentions 20 2.0%
Missed Votes 347 35.0%
Total 2009 votes 991 100%

Ayes (390)

Nays (234)

Abstentions (20)

Missed Votes (347)


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