Cabinet reform for ESC

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 12 00 a.m.

The lack of competence at the Employment Security Commission has been matched only by the agency's lack of accountability. The ESC needs a strong hand to right its operations and make needed staff changes. The Legislature should provide the necessary accountability by putting the agency under the authority of the governor.     Read More

Super, Saintly inspiration

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 12 00 a.m.

The mighty Indianapolis Colts, five-point favorites, bolted to an early 10-0 lead Sunday night in Super Bowl XLIV. That gave Saints fans good reason to fear that their team wouldn't stay in striking distance on the scoreboard.     Read More

Lending perspective on China

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 12 00 a.m.

Borrowing, like lending, can be hazardous to your fiscal health. That lesson was re-confirmed last week when Tai Shan, the young giant panda beloved of Washingtonians, was flown back to China along with another panda, Mei Lan of the Atlanta Zoo.     Read More

Vegas deals Obama out

Monday, Feb. 8, 12 00 a.m.

It should have been a safe bet that President Barack Obama would be careful not to re-offend Las Vegans. Only it wasn't: Our nation's leader has again riled up the folks in the nation's gambling capital.     Read More

Get a firm grip on Iran

Monday, Feb. 8, 12 00 a.m.

The Iranian government suddenly shows signs of trying to wriggle out of new economic sanctions, a sure sign that getting tough on Iran's defiance of the United Nations over its nuclear program is likely to hurt it. Domestic resistance to police state tactics and dissatisfaction with the government's economic program remain high, and will likely climb higher if truly biting sanctions are applied.     Read More

Hasty change in S.C. tax system imposes predictable toll

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 12 00 a.m.

Act 388, passed by the General Assembly in 2006, was an ill-conceived, piecemeal change to our tax system. That Act 388 has turned out poorly is widely accepted. It is unfortunate to hear so many critics of Act 388 deride the legislation's 'unforeseen consequences,' especially when many of those consequences were in fact completely foreseen.     Read More

Worrying ‘wonders' are adding up

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 12 00 a.m.

If you'll forgive a Pennsylvania Dutch expression that seems particularly apt in present circumstances, it wonders me how anyone, with a straight face, could call the spending and tax proposals unveiled Feb. 1 (National Freedom Day) a budget. What's presented projects a $1.6 trillion deficit for fiscal year 2011, a deficit even greater than the record one this year. This isn't a budget. This is a roadmap to drive the U.S. economy over a cliff.     Read More

Cruise study reveals broad local economic contributions

Monday, Feb. 8, 12 00 a.m.

The expression "a rising tide floats all boats" best describes Charleston's cruise business and its contributions to the local economy in 2010.     Read More

When will next shoe drop for Sanford?

Sunday, Feb. 7, 12 00 a.m.

While Gov. Mark Sanford no longer has to fear impeachment, he still faces a long list of alleged ethics violations, with a state Ethics Commission hearing most likely in mid-spring. Still undecided, however, is the much grimmer prospect that the governor might also have to defend himself against criminal charges.     Read More

Supersized stats stretch past XLIV

Sunday, Feb. 7, 12 00 a.m.

Happy Super Sunday. OK, so our long economic losing streak casts an unhappy shadow on this unofficial national holiday. So do hand-wringing Super party poopers who cite our football fixation as incriminating evidence of alarmingly warped priorities.     Read More