“I have observed that the world has suffered far less from ignorance than from pretensions to knowledge. It is not skeptics or explorers but fanatics and ideologues who menace decency and progress.” Daniel J. Broorstin

Idealogue-an often blindly partisan advocate-Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

I’ve been struggling to understand the nature of some heartless statements made by South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford with regard to the current state of our economy. During a recent appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union with John King” Sanford speculated that President Obama’s proposed economic stimulus package would have “disastrous consequences not just for the economy of South Carolina but frankly the economy of the nation.” Sanford went on to say that it would be better to let some banks and other industries fail than have the federal government step in to help, even if it means throwing tens of thousands of people out of work.

As South Carolina staggers under the weight of a 9.5% unemployment rate and dropping tax revenues force ever more drastic budget cuts, our Governor and both Senators Graham and DeMint are clinging ever tighter to their partisan creed. None of them seen to understand or care that our county’s economy is facing a major recession, Economists call the confluence of the collapse of the financial and the housing markets along with rising unemployment historic and unprecedented. Many comparisons have been made to the Great Depression and to FDR. Perhaps the thought of a strong government once again moving in to help shore up our economy and come to the aid of workers is so horrific for hard core Republicans like Governor Sanford and Senators Graham and DeMint to contemplate that they would indeed invite the onset of a depression and the failure of countless more banks and businesses rather than spend more tax dollars.

They all seemed fine with deficit spending, ever bigger federal budgets and expanding government programs during the last 8 years under the control of the Bush administration and until two years ago with the tacit approval of the GOP led US House and Senate. That type of government spending on war and weapons was A-OK it would appear. The only explanation for their behavior in the last few weeks is their blind adherence to the GOP ideology of small government and free markets. Never mind that lack of regulation and government oversight helped lead to the collapse of the financial and housing markets and never mind the trillion dollar deficits run up by the Bush administration. Their credo seems to be ‘never let reality intrude on the fantasy that the free market is always right and the GOP knows best when it comes to matters of finance.’

Our elected representatives have a responsibility to represent all of their constituents not just members of their own political party, to show empathy to those less fortunate and to exhibit courage and strength in the face of bleak and frightening situations. I see none of these characteristics exhibited by Governor Sanford, Graham and DeMint. Instead I see fear mongering, blind partisanship and a fundamental disconnector ignorance ofthe current condition of our state and our people.

Everywhere I go I hear story after story of people losing good jobs and with their savings shrinking they face tough decisions on extending insurance benefits, keeping kids in college and paying the mortgage. This recession cuts across all economic and racial lines. It’s affecting everyone and I’m scared.

I am sickened by the actions of our elected officials exemplified by Sanford, DeMint and Graham. President Obama is doing his best to show leadership by offering up a spending package that will create jobs, put people back to work, make our country more energy efficient and shore up our crumbling infrastructure. And despite what the main stream media and GOP talking heads spew, the public is supportive of Obama’s plan. The latest polls put public support for the stimulus package at more than 67%.

I would love to hear Governor’s Sanford’s response to President Obama’s mention of South Carolina’s deteriorating schools at his news conference. Obama specifically mentioned JV Martin Junior High School in Dillion, South Carolina, one of the schools featured in the documentary “Corridor of Shame.” Obama pondered the GOP’s objections to use of federal funds to build new schools in states like South Carolina, “Why wouldn’t we want to build state of the art schools that will enhance the economy and by the way create jobs?”

 It’s not that Sanford, DeMint or Graham have a better idea or even want to take part in the dialog. No, the stalwart Republicans just want to grandstand and criticize. The time for petty partisanship is long past. The American people chose a new president and a new direction and it’s time for the GOP party faithful to either take a seat at the table and offer up their help and support for our new President and his administration or sit down and shut the hell up.

GOP Solution to Economic Crisis: Do Nothing…

http://www.salon.com/tech/htww/?last_story=/tech/htww/2009/02/11/let_the_market_do_its_magic/