Is This What They Meant?

During the last election candidates all over SC, sspecially Nikki Haley, beat the drum for transparency in government.  In the March 19-20 Edition of the Seneca Journal, one page in particular caught my eye, because all of the stories were about Gov. Haley and Lt. Gov. Ken Ard.  The first story was about Gov. Haley removing Darla Moore from a state board, I forget which one, and replacing her with a campaign donor of hers.  Now, she is entitled to do that, but you gotta wonder if the appointment was more about campaign donations than qualifications.  Mrs. Moore is a noted philanthropist, having given significant money to both USC and Clemson.  Now you may say, "That's not so bad."  You would be right about that.  By all accounts Mrs. Moore was a good member, but she is a mite independent.  We certainly would not want that standing in the way of the new governor, now would we?  The next story involved her replacing the entire SC Arts Commission Board with her own appointees.  A different approach to the Arts for South Carolina?  I should say so.  Their task is to de-fund the Arts Commission of state money.  In other words, get your own people in office to do your bidding.  That cleans up the old way - having to lead people to see the wisdom of your ideas.

The final story about Governor Haley was most troubling.  Her application for a Lexington County hospital job claimed she had made 125 K as accountant for her parents' business, when, in fact, tax records show that she made 22.5 K.  When asked about it she simply said she didn't do it - that somebody else, at the hospital, must have completed the application for her.  The hospital released a statement saying that was not true, and that she might consider involving the authorities regarding her stolen identity, since someone else completed the application.  As a retired principal, I must say that a 3rd grade student often uses the "I just didn't do it" defense.  Quite often, it isn't the truth.
Coupled with the use of the same defense when accused three times of infidelity, it makes me wonder if our new governor plays fast and loose with the truth.  Those three men did not confess to their wives if it were not true, just to protect a political candidate.  At first I thought, Mark Sanford in a skirt, but I think that gives the former governor too little credit.  What will she not do to get her way?

Ken Ard is accused by the Ethics Commission of 92 violations of the state Ethics law.  According to the report, he bought clothes for his wife, vacations, including flights, for his family, and other violations involving the use of campaign money for personal expenses.  I feel particularly aggrieved because I voted for the guy.  If true, these accusations represent an egregious disregard for ethical behavior.  If I read the news right, his response was that he had done nothing illegal.  Well, Bless Your Heart!  Once elected, all officials OWE US their most honest efforts at good, ethical government.  Come to think of it, this is about as transparent as it gets.  Do anything to get elected, then do anything to get your way.  Finally, do anything to get re-elected.