Vetoes tossed in special session
Lawmakers preserve laws on ports, payday lending
By Yvonne Wenger
COLUMBIA — Gov. Mark Sanford's concerns about 10 new laws were summarily dismissed Tuesday when the Legislature breezed through a special one-day session to overturn his vetoes, including one that will put new regulations on the payday lending industry.
South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford
After years of fights over how to regulate the payday lending practices that charge high interest rates on short-term loans, South Carolina borrowers will be limited to one $550 loan at a time and be subject to a cooling-off period between loans. Advocates consider the legislation consumer protection from a predatory industry, but Sanford argued in his veto that the service is needed and using it responsibly is up to the borrower.
Others, including Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Hartsville, say the legislation falls short of protecting the state's poor and vulnerable but ultimately see it as a start.
To uphold Sanford's veto would have been to endorse the industry as it is, Malloy said.
Lenders charge high interest on small, short-term loans that people borrow against future paychecks. The loans aren't available at banks for people with bad credit.
Borrowers can get stuck in a cycle that forces them to take out new loans to repay old ones.
The bill originally passed the Legislature by a large margin, so House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, said he wasn't surprised to see the veto overridden.
"I thought that regulating the industry was the right thing to do, that attempts to regulate the industry out of existence would be a mistake," Harrell said. "I think this bill is good regulation of the industry."
Sanford press secretary Joel Sawyer said the governor is disappointed but not surprised at the Legislature's overrides. Sanford was most disappointed with the votes to overturn his veto on a bill that restructures the State Ports Authority and another that deals with regulations and penalties for sex offenders.
Sex offenders who fail to tell the state where they are living will now face a 30-day jail sentence for a first offense, instead of 90 days. The change was made last year, at the request of state solicitors, to help get the cases before a magistrate judge and out of the backlogged circuit court. This year's bill makes the change immediate, rather than waiting for about nine more months.
Previous story
Sanford urges lawmakers to uphold veto, published 06/16/09
Sawyer said it is "unbelievable" that the Legislature would agree to lessen the penalties for sexual predators.
"They refused to fix their mistake," Sawyer said.
Senate leader Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, said he did not think that Sanford's arguments stuck. He also said that the governor's standing with many legislators diminished this year as the fight over Sanford's opposition to federal stimulus cash grew ugly and dragged on. The state Supreme Court earlier this month forced Sanford to take the $700 million that he had opposed because the Legislature didn't apply an equal amount of state dollars toward debt.
"With the stimulus question out of the way, it was refreshing for us to be back, dealing with the merits of some bills," McConnell said.
The Legislature is not expected to return until January.
Veto overrides
The House and Senate overrode each of Gov. Mark Sanford's vetoes. The governor had vetoed 10 bills since the Legislature adjourned last month. To read more about the bills, use the bill number to use the Quick Search tool on www.scstatehouse.gov.
Bill no. 3919: Creates the S.C. House Commission to study housing affordability and accessibility. House voted 81-24, Senate 33-11.
3301: Regulates payday lending by limiting loans per customer and establishing a cooling off period between loans. House voted 105-4, Senate 39-3
116: Gives S.C. products and services preference in government contracts. House voted 88-15, Senate 33-10.
351: Restructures the State Ports Authority. House votes 102-2, Senate 35-9.
3087: Allows prosecutors to immediately begin trying sex offenders who fail to register their addresses with the state in magistrate's court and prohibits local governments from making rules about where sex offenders can live by deferring to state law. House voted 77-38, Senate 29-14.
3018: Gives builders a break on paying property taxes for new homes that have not been sold. House voted 111-1, Senate 42-2.
3762: Creates three new specialty license plates. House voted 91-15, Senate 34-8.
364: Continues a grant program for firefighters. House voted 106-0, Senate 41-1.
453: Limits appeals for livestock and poultry facilities to property owners and residents within a two-mile radius; requires state law, not local regulations, to govern the care and handling of livestock and poultry; addresses fees for runoff and requires pharmacists to sign off on performance-enhancing cocktails for polo horses. House voted 95-10, Senate 36-8.
758: Allows Clarendon County schools to use money from a 1-cent sales tax for academic and art instruction. The local bill only required a vote by the county delegation. House vote 1-0, Senate 1-0.
Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com.
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jimjones (anonymous) says...
Seriously, what the hell do we have a Gov for, and before you start the "well he's an idiot" stuff, I am talking about any Gov. If the Leg. can just do whatever, lets save the Gov's salary and not have one. This is rediculous!
June 17, 2009 at 12:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Paulie (anonymous) says...
This shows you how Sanford has refused to cooperate with the Legislature, resulting in allienating and polarizing the entire group. Is this the person we want to "confront" Congress?
June 17, 2009 at 3:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
malthus (anonymous) says...
It is a sad day when child predators and rapists get a break. Instead of easing the penalties, there needs to be a redefinition of the term sex offender and a separate statute charge where conviction on that statute puts the offender on the registry. People who are charged with urinating in public because of desperation do not victimize anyone. Ever been on a long trip with no rest stop and plenty of woods when nature calls. Well guess what you too could be on a sex offender registry if a cop had come along. This registry should only be for predators that destroy the lives of the innocent, not for revenge when someone wakes up after a drunken night of sex and starts yelling rape. The ones who need to be on the registry are child pornographers, molesters, rapists and people who dope up victims to have sex. I may have left out a few more specific examples, so sorry if I missed one. Stop letting parents use it to punish eighteen and twenty-one year olds because their child runs around drinking and having sex with a fake id at sixteen or seventeen.
June 17, 2009 at 4:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
malthus (anonymous) says...
I also see that our government here has truly failed. Vetoes overridden out of spite. Time to vote out anyone who is currently in office. Time for a fresh slate. I hope everyone votes against the incumbent regardless of party. In fact I say we petition to make it illegal to place party affiliation anywhere on the ballots. No more straight party tickets, no more party affiliation on signs, commercials, buttons or stickers. Let politicians run on their merits and charge them with fraud if they fail to deliver on campaign promises. Is not a verbal contract binding in South Carolina?
June 17, 2009 at 4:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
I'm sure our legislature -- feels good -- about their voting for CONSUMER PROTECTION FROM A PREDATORY INDUSTRY as outlined in House Bill #3301, regarding payday lending.
Perhaps there's even a little -- self-righteous smugness -- in summarily dismissing Sanfraud's argument "that the service is needed and using it responsibly is up to the borrower".
What a BLOODY SHAME that the same legislature consistently refuses to provide protection for the state's POOR AND VULERABLE from the PREDATORY INDUSTRY of family court.
June 17, 2009 at 4:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
postman01 (anonymous) says...
The lack of debate tells us just how screwed up our legislature really is.
June 17, 2009 at 4:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
Good job!!
Sanford is a traitor to the people of SC and should receive nothing but contempt.
June 17, 2009 at 5:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JourneyOn (anonymous) says...
Why are builders getting a break for over building?
June 17, 2009 at 6:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
Once again, thank you Gov. Sanford for trying to do the right thing. Your efforts are appreciated. Regardless, the legislatures in our state will ensure South Carolina remains one of the laughing stock states of the country. It's frustrating to live in, and love living in, such a beautiful state only to have to put up with this type of political stupidity on a daily basis.
June 17, 2009 at 6:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
studley (anonymous) says...
Mark and Sarah - the Dream Team!
Jimjones: With regard to the legislature overriding his veto: its in the state constitution - its part of the system of checks and balances.
If you don't like it write your representative and senator and have it changed.
June 17, 2009 at 6:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bobielfield (anonymous) says...
Once again we see the bizarre sight of Mark Sanford ("I am right, the world is wrong...") being set straight by his own legislature... the only thing we in SC have to be thankful for is term limits and only one more year of this wacko governor... Hey Republicans, aren't you pleased you voted him in office... TWICE ...
June 17, 2009 at 6:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
joldham (anonymous) says...
THESE DAYS IT'S HARD TO TELL WHO IS THE GOOD GUYS AND WHO IS THE BAD GUYS...
June 17, 2009 at 7 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Does anyone reading these posts now not see that the legislature is simply dem-lites. The state constitution was set up this way with a dominant legislature initially out of fear of having a black republican governor. Those dem legislators of years ago would be proud.
June 17, 2009 at 7:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
This sounds like playground children...
"If I can't get MY way then neither can YOU.....now give me my toys, I'm going home!!" Throw some tears and snot in there and the kids snivveling will be just like OUR elected officials.
PAULIE....that "alienation" street runs BOTH ways!!
MALTHUS...I agree...vote the incumbants out...ALL of them!! Term limits across the board. No more than 2 terms in office!!! I am sick and tired of career politicians. That is not how our system was supposed to end up.
June 17, 2009 at 7:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sixcar (anonymous) says...
"predatory lending" is a fictitious term coined by groups such as ACORN. What better way to persuade the minds of the ill informed than to misrepresent a business with such a false term? Think about what the term implies-- stalking innocent prey in the same manner as a lion stalks an innocent gazelle grazing in an open field. This is the same line of thinking that brought us CRA. And we all know what that did to the housing market.
Sanford was absolutely correct in his reasoning for opposing this legislation: "the service is needed and using it responsibly is up to the borrower."
Yet there are others who once again would rather forgo personal responsibility for a nanny state parented by government.
banks who deny loans do so because the applicant poses a greater than acceptable risk to the lender. Payday lenders absorb that risk by actually making the loan. There is no risk to the borrower. I suspect at some point in time, the ill informed will once again turn to government for a solution to the restrictions this new law places on people with a poor credit history.
June 17, 2009 at 7:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
Theronce.....what?
June 17, 2009 at 7:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mb300sl (anonymous) says...
Sen.Robert Ford for Governor! Realamerican for Lt. Governor! (Not!) The SC legislature is a joke...the years to come will show that Mark Sanford was a wise man.
June 17, 2009 at 7:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
studley, Mark and Sarah the dream team. You are right. A dream team for the Democrats. They won't even need to campaign. Just let these loose cannons destroy themselves.
June 17, 2009 at 8:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCHoser (anonymous) says...
!sigh! No wonder we are at the bottom of almost everything! Sad thing is that come election time, the idiot masses will vote the same CLOWNS in time and time again as if they have done something important. Without any knowledge or understanding, people will simply vote for the same idiots because they "stood up to the governor" and they showed him! Fools.
June 17, 2009 at 8:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zekemire (anonymous) says...
THESE UNBELIEVEABLE IDIOTS NEED TO BE FORCEABLY REMOVED FROM ELECTED OFF AT THE NEXT ELECTION!!!!
June 17, 2009 at 8:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
educ8edguy (anonymous) says...
As a whole, our legislature is beyond incompetent. They can't see beyond the tip of their collective nose to even begin to understand basic public policy. They, not Sanford, have the real power in this state to do good for its citizens, but they're too busy reminding the governor and the rest of us that they're in charge to actually do anything of real substance. Thank God we settled the whole "state marine mammal" issue, though.
Can't wait to see what they do in two years when the stimulus money is gone and there's an even larger hole in our state's budget. No doubt they'll find a way to blame Sanford for that, too. What an embarrassment the whole sorry lot of them are.
June 17, 2009 at 8:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charleston1960 (anonymous) says...
"With the stimulus question out of the way, it was refreshing for us to be back, dealing with the merits of some bills," McConnell said.
Reducing a sentence for sex offenders shows merit how?
payday loan companies = modern day loan sharks
June 17, 2009 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
studley (anonymous) says...
cnsyd: are you a clairvoyant?
June 17, 2009 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nopartisan_noproblem (anonymous) says...
If you're going to talk about predatory lending, shouldn't you mention predatory borrowing. There are borrowers out there who have ruined their credit and financial stability so horribly that they prey on these businesses (and their own ignorance) that are willing to help them in desperate times even though they obviously show no respect for creditors, or themselves whatsoever, and sometimes have no intentions of respectfully paying these businesses back, who were willing to help when no one else would (regardless if they charge). Shame on these poor and vulnerable victims.
What a crock, let people learn from their mistakes. You can tell them the stove is hot, but until they touch it, they'll never know.
June 17, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
I don't know; it seemed appropriate at the time. I guess I had one of my friend,s moments, zoomru style.
June 17, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
Almost ALL in State government are a bunch of idiot just like the many of their constituents that voted them in. But then again, are there any REAL choices when it come State government candidates? Every State election for me it is a battle in choosing which candidate is the better when you have two almost equally bad choices!
June 17, 2009 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WhatMeWorry (anonymous) says...
Regarding the payday lending issue, I have to agree with Sanford (which is a rarity).
For one, the number of individuals negatively affected by these practices is not large enough to have any meaningful impact on the larger economy.
Two, this is not a case of huge industry oppressing the little guy. This is a case of small business owners making a risky bet on people with poor credit ratings and charging a higher interest rate to compensate. As long as the terms of the loan are clear up front, there is no victim here.
If you find yourself looking for one of these loans, you'd better already be thinking about how to improve your overall situation, because something has gone horribly wrong.
If the government really wanted to help people requiring these types of garbage loans, they would post a financial counselor at each of these "money stores" to advise the folks on how to get their finances under control. I know that's far-fetched, but it is a real way to affect change.
June 17, 2009 at 9:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
Where did people go for a quick loan before we had payday lending establishments?
Surely, they didn't actually go without money? It had to come from somewhere? I feel sure if these "businesses" were to vanish, the same ignorant folks will find another way to borrow quick money...
June 17, 2009 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
in Columbia as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily VETO.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive Our Legislature who trespass against OUR WALLETS and FREEDOM.
And lead us not into Party Affiliated SIN,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. for ever and ever. Amen
WE.....ARE....FED.....UP !!!!!!!!!!!!
June 17, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zoomru (anonymous) says...
Yvonne................!!!!!!!
NOT ONE Question for any Legislator....???????
Did you get in ANYONE's.....FACE ....!?!?!?!?!
Nothing from ROBERT FORD.....??
....Henry McMaster...????
....Andre' BAUER......????
....Sen. GROOMS......???
...Rev Amos "AMEN" Elliott....????
....Gilda-Cobb Hunter....???
....Thanks a LOT "Scarlett O'Hara" Wenger.....!!!!!!
June 17, 2009 at 9:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
"Vetoes overridden out of spite."
I totally agree with that comment. It seems that the idiot legislature wanted to hand it to Sanford so they overturned his vetoes. They are using the same logic (if you can call it that) that some on here use, "If he is for it, I am against it. It doesn't even matter if his stance is the most beneficial or the most logical."
Again, I say that payday lending is all about personal responsibility. People chose to walk into those places and get those loans over and over again. No one forces them to. No one goes out and makes them come into their establishment and take the money. Granted the lenders do call you (if you are in their system, meaning you have used their services before) and offer you the services again, but they are not FORCING you to say yes.
June 17, 2009 at 10:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
studley, not clairvoyant, just a realist.
June 17, 2009 at 10:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
SC government: The Sanctuary Home for the Neocons. Thank you Gov. Sanford for your wise but unfortunately overturned vetoes.
June 17, 2009 at 10:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kostanza (anonymous) says...
...is it just me or does the headline of this article sound like the footer to an x rated movie????
June 17, 2009 at 10:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
You folk need to come out of your gated communities and find out how the unfortunate live. They are on minimum wage, assuming they have a job. Try living on that. They have no health insurance because they can't afford it. They rent because they can't afford to buy. They use cash because they have no bank accounts or credit cards. The shotgun houses they rent, because they can't afford better, are so energy inefficient that their heating bills are probably higher than yours. If they miss a rent payment, here comes the eviction notice. So they need to borrow a few dollars. No need to go to BoA, etc. They only loan you money if you don't need it. BTW aren't these banks on welfare? So what do you do for money? You go to these payday lenders who know they have you by the gonads. Don't even get me started on the buy here, pay here car lots.
June 17, 2009 at 10:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
"They rent because they can't afford to buy."
I never got that. If a person's rent is $600 and they rent for 15 years; that is $108,000 that they have thrown away on a house that they will never own.
June 17, 2009 at 10:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
Lovely_One, news flash for you. Roll into a lender and talk mortgage. First they want to know your income. Say minimum wage and see if the conversation continues. Next, they want 10% down payment. Think a person on minimum wage has that. Also you need to have a high FICO. Think that will happen? Suppose you were disabled and your total income was your SSI check of $637 a month. Think you will be buying a house with that? Also as an owner you are responsible for all repairs, insurance and taxes. How much you got left out of that SSI check now?
June 17, 2009 at 10:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
postman01 (anonymous) says...
A + post, sixcar. Unfortunately, some though definitely not all posters here are literally not intelligent enough to understand why you are right. Explaining precisely to them does not work. They lack the intelligence to process information correctly without distortion and concealment; thus, the less intelligent substitute SLOGANEERING and repeating the same thing endlessly. The configuration of their relatively primitive intelligence also gives enormous weight to emotions such as paranoia, even when there is no material reason to be paranoid.
Why do they have their way so often? Numbers.
June 17, 2009 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sambenn74 (anonymous) says...
Whats a 550 dollar loan going to do? That will not help anybody in the long run.
June 17, 2009 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
CNSYD, there is a huge difference in being able to afford a home and being able to qualify for the loan. They aren't able to qualify because of "personal" (there's that word again) choices.
And news flash for you, there are places like NACA that would be more than happy to help your downtrodden renter and they don't even look at the FICO score.
June 17, 2009 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WhatMeWorry (anonymous) says...
Lovely One wrote, "I never got that. If a person's rent is $600 and they rent for 15 years; that is $108,000 that they have thrown away on a house that they will never own."
It is not that simple. Have you ever purchased a house? The first thing that makes it much more expensive than renting is the amount of cash you need up front. Twenty percent down (at least, if you're doing it right) plus closing costs can add up to a significant amount of cash.
Then, going forward, the money needed to properly maintain a home is much greater than the amount spent on "maintaining" an apartment.
In other words, $600 per month rent does not equal $600 per month mortgage payment.
I do agree with you, however, that renting (from a purely financial standpoint) is throwing money away. That should be the incentive for people to save up enough money to buy despite the amount of cash needed up front. That was my incentive back in the day.
June 17, 2009 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nopartisan_noproblem (anonymous) says...
CNSYD, are you saying that it's not these peoples fault that they are on minimum wage? We need to restrict businesses so they don't offer services to people who make bad decisions? If you are on minimum wage, it is YOUR fault. It might suck for them, but they put themselves in that situation. Why should the government step in and prohibit these places from offering me a service, because incompetent others are financially irresponsible? Please answer that question.
June 17, 2009 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
WhatMeWorry, the answer to your question is YES! I am buying right now so I know about all the costs involved. However, there are programs in place that do assist the buyer with those costs.
June 17, 2009 at 11:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WhatMeWorry (anonymous) says...
Lovely One, I am very wary of programs that assist with the costs of buying a house.
I don't think they are evil or predatory necessarily, but I am concerned that either the ultimate cost to the buyer ends up being higher and/or they end up lending money to people who truly are not qualified and are high-risk for defaulting. (I've heard somewhere that could be a problem.)
The safest path (that ultimately leads to a more stable economy) is to buy within your means by saving up your cash the old-fashioned way. That means that more people will remain renters and that's ok.
Good luck with your purchase!
June 17, 2009 at 11:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
educ8edguy (anonymous) says...
Slightly off topic, but it needs to be said: Home ownership is a privilege, not a right. When we got that backwards and decided that everyone, qualified or not, should have the right to own a home, we put ourselves on the path that led to the economic meltdown we're still experiencing.
June 17, 2009 at 11:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
WhatMeWorry, thanks so much for the luck! I can understnd the wariness of places like that, but it all comes down to the buyer doing their homework and researching the places before going with them.
One of the places that I researched actually teaches the potential buyer how to budget and how to save up for their purchase in the long run.
The program also helps the potential buyer find a home and a loan that they can afford and they won't sell to the buyer until they have proven that they will be able to maintain the budget that they are placed on. Meaning the budget that includes their potential mortage with regular home-owner costs. This budget is called the "shock" budget!
June 17, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
You folk live in a dream world. You equate wealth with making the right choices and poverty with making the wrong choices. It ain't that simple and it ain't always true. I know, let them eat cake! Well sometimes wealth or poverty is the result of the hand dealt you and not your "choices". You all seem to want to ignore the question I raised of someone on SSI who is totally disabled through no fault of their own. How many of those live S.O.B.?
June 17, 2009 at 11:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
educ8edguy, I differ with you on one point. It was not those who were lent money on a house they could not afford that is the cause of the economic meltdown but rather those who thought they could make a quick buck out of lending it and dumping the risk on someone else.
June 17, 2009 at 11:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
and it goes much deeper than that, CNSYD. I don't hear anyone talking about the crooked realtors and mortgage brokers who took advantage of certain segments of buyers. I was in the industry for 15 yrs, and I cannot tell you how many times I heard both realtors and brokers make outwardly false statements in order to make a sale. The most common.."WHEN your house appreciates 10% this year, you can refinance for a better rate." They have no business making a statement like that. I put most realtors and brokers on the same level of scumbags as ambulance chasing lawyers and used car salesmen.
June 17, 2009 at 11:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ysillyme (anonymous) says...
THE LOVELY ONE~
I think the last statement at 11:20 says a mouthful. Wouldn't be shocked if you were in love with Mr. Obama, you know he is big on giving my money away to the lesser fortunate so we are all equal and what have you. The democrats ran fanny and freddie into the ground with "those programs" you mentioned. You need a "shock budget"? What are you in 10th grade?
June 17, 2009 at 12:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
CNSYD,
Yes we do live in a dream world, but when we expect and allow our government to do everything for us it becomes a NIGHTMARE! However, I will give you the disabled and those who are in their situations due to absolutely no fault of their own. THOSE people I don't mind giving aid to. Everyone else, not so much!
June 17, 2009 at 12:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
vmirat90, loved your closing line:
"I put most realtors and brokers on the same level of scumbags as ambulance chasing lawyers and used car salesmen."
June 17, 2009 at 12:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
THE SILLY ONE~
I would like to personally thank you for contributing to the purchase of homes for many of the less fortunate. Your $1.17 had been very monumental in getting those folks into homes. Thank you, thank you, a million times thank you.
P.S. You really need to learn reading comprehension because no where in any of my posts did I say that I needed or am on a "shock budget". I mentioned that there is a program that places potential buyers on that particular budget. Instead of trying to "out" a poster because you see their name, try reading and understanding what they post! Kthanksbye!
June 17, 2009 at 12:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
I'm starting to think that no one got my closing line:
"What a BLOODY SHAME that the same legislature consistently refuses to provide protection for the state's POOR AND VULERABLE from the PREDATORY INDUSTRY of family court."
Hmm, go figure ...
June 17, 2009 at 12:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNN_10 (anonymous) says...
Somebody say that why do we have a Governor??? Well that person is right. Glenn McConnell and Bobby Harrell runs this state period. So every year Sanford veto's a bill, it is going to be overriden period.
June 17, 2009 at 12:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
Respectfully, I honestly am not sure what you are trying to say there, lilly...
June 17, 2009 at 1:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
..and thank you for the comments- I stand by that line- sure there are a few good realtors and brokers, but most that I have seen over the years will step over their own mother for a nickel.
June 17, 2009 at 1:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
lillycollette, family court and magistrate's court are predatory. For example, you get a traffic ticket. In lieu of posting bond (paying a fine) you decide to go to court. While you are waiting on the judge a game goes on. The judge is there but does not appear until the arresting officers finish going around making deals for people to plead guilty to a lesser offense and lower fine. Say yes and you never go to trial. I would hate to see what would happen if you said no. I am sure the judge would not be happy about it.
June 17, 2009 at 1:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nopartisan_noproblem (anonymous) says...
I agree with ya CNSYD, it is not always the disabled's fault that they are disabled, but that does not justify me being taxed nor regulated due to their condition. IF these types of places didn't exist, where would they get money from? And my dream world would consist of people working and saving to prevent them from being dependent on others, and relying on others to take responsibility for THEIR mistakes. I'm sorry, but living in poverty is your fault. You are either content, lazy, or made stupid decisions (teen pregnancy, child out of wedlock, not finishing school, criminal record, no motivation, content with discontent, feeling entitled, blame on others, following your parents footsteps, not pursuing better things in life, didn't save money when should have, didn't take time to connect with the right people)
"Payday lenders, like bail-bondsmen and tow truck drivers are low bottom feeders and are only engaged when folks are on bad times."
Reems, this is an assinine statement. Bail-bondsmen keep you out of jail, and tow-druck drivers are either enforcing the law or helping you get your car home. I guess on that notion we should get rid of doctors (Obama's working on it), funeral homes, wheelchair makers, pharmaceutical companies, therapists and any other industry that helps people when they're down.
June 17, 2009 at 1:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
vmirat90,I just meant what I said. I enjoyed what you said.
CNSYD, I understand what you are saying. However, I am saying that the family court is a predatory criminal industry and therefore not a court at all. What they in fact are has little or nothing in common with the example you provided of predatory practices. I'm not being crabby with you -- just stating the facts.
June 17, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
I will say it again...way too many people get into personal insults here. How about respectfully disagreeing? Nothing wrong with a little competitive bantor, yet keeping the respect for others.
June 17, 2009 at 1:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
nopartisan_noproblem, there is a huge price difference when your car breaks down and YOU call a tow truck vs when the police have your car towed the price is much higher. Ask a local mayor how his father-in-law made his money. I used to think like you until I began to visit areas of poverty and found out that applying your "rules" does not always work. Little things add up to be against them. Why are gas prices higher in those areas? Why are food prices higher? As regards teen pregnancy/child out of wedlock, do you think that will cause the daughter of a certain governor to live in poverty?
June 17, 2009 at 1:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
vmirat90, I couldn't agree with you more. But some of these posters would have nothing to say if they had to refrain from getting into personal insults!
June 17, 2009 at 1:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
Lovely, they need better lives. It's always been my experience that people who hurl insults don't have a whole lot going for them, and are generally miserable people.
June 17, 2009 at 2:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jomtgroup (anonymous) says...
Now Governor Mark Sanford can include on his resume the overriding of his vetoes.
June 17, 2009 at 2:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nopartisan_noproblem (anonymous) says...
I live in an area like what you mention. Our gas and food prices are not higher than say mt. pleasant's.I chose to live there, I have to deal with that decision, or as you would say hardship. Who is "them"? My parents also live close by and they are completely content with living in what you might call "poverty". By simply visiting these areas is the perfect explanation of why you feel sympathy for people living in the impoverish state you explain. You don't see the everyday bad decisions people make. You don't see how they drive brand new cars, stay with fresh clothes, complain about their neighborhoods, yet let their kids pile up on the front porch smoke weed and sell drugs. You don't see how they get $250 a month for food and then instead of being smart and stretching it, they buy crab legs,4 cases of soda, steak, and shrimp. They end up running out of ebt withing 2 weeks and then complain about how the government took $30 of "their" money because they got a $.50 raise. I'm sorry but I grew up around it, dealt with your impoverished set of people and I know it is self inflicted. Play it smart, don't do anything more than visit.
And for you governor's daughter reference, no that most likely won't cause them to live in poverty. But we all can't choose to be governor's daughters. We can though choose not to be stupid or ignorant to the results of sex. They are simple, have intercourse protected/unprotected and you run the risk of creating a child that you will have to take care of or depend on the taxpayer to take care of it(which is BS). People have to be responsible and understand the consequences of their decisions and understand what brought upon your situation.
June 17, 2009 at 2:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nopartisan_noproblem (anonymous) says...
That's directed to CNSYD, or anybody who thinks poverty is brought upon by the individual.
June 17, 2009 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nopartisan_noproblem (anonymous) says...
correction, doesn't think poverty is brought upon by the individual.
June 17, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
nopartisan_noproblem, I do more than visit. I employ some of them. Drive new cars? No they don't even have a car. I agree 100% that many helped create their own situation. But it is not universally true. You have grasped the concept that you can't choose your parents. Where do the worst schools in the state exist? I bet it is in the most impoverished areas. So a child who gets a substandard education in one of them is at fault personally? I am sorry if everything does not fit your concept of being brought upon by the individual.
June 17, 2009 at 2:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nopartisan_noproblem (anonymous) says...
You are exactly correct with your statement, "So a child who gets a substandard education in one of them is at fault personally?" My brother and I both attended burns elementary and brentwood middle school. I went to Garrett for high school, he went to North Charleston. We both graduated. We both work, we both support our families.
If you are a child and you like accomplishing things, enjoy learning, and understand education as a survival tool, you will do what you have to do to advance. All of these kids are presented with the information and oppurtunity to advance themselves. If the teachers aren't teaching it right, go to your parents. Money will not create knowledge. We've been trying it for years.
If you are born into an unfortunate situation, sorry, it's gonna be rough, which should be even more motivation to never put you or your children through what your parents did. I was born in the same situation as many of your "impoverished" people, and now I make damn sure my child won't go through what I went through.
And i didn't say they "helped" create their situation. I said they did. You are an adult. You are 100% solely responsible for yourself and family. You deserve nothing from no one. If hardships fall on you, I should not be tapped to help you get through them. It is your life, take care of it.
June 17, 2009 at 2:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
nopartisan_noproblem, as I understand you, if you come across a wreck with injuries you just "pass by on the other side". It was probably their fault. Why should you expend any effort ,time and much less funds to assist. They got what they deserved. That right?
June 17, 2009 at 3:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nopartisan_noproblem (anonymous) says...
No, they did not deserve it, but it is my right whether I choose to help them or not. I should not be forced by someone to help, that is not help at all. If I'd like to extend a hand, hour, or dollar, that is my choice, not my obligation.
June 17, 2009 at 3:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
nopartisan_noproblem, interesting application of the Golden Rule.
June 17, 2009 at 3:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FiscalConservative (anonymous) says...
I am amazed at all of the negative comments about payday lending. You people are cold hearted. If these people can;t get money they will have to go without food, shelter, or cars etc. Or much worse: Go to a loan shark. Would you loan money to someone who has a horrible record of paying it back: NO! If you regulate these people too much there won't be enough reward to warrant the risk and they won't make the loans.
What's so great about owning a house? I have a buddy who makes a decent living and will only rent. He found a great house to buy but payments were so much he decided he wanted the difference between rent and own. He invests that difference each month and has made a sizable balance in that account.
Minimum Wage??? I have worked since I was 15 and have never made minimum wage. Unless you count an internship. They paid me nothing but experience...which was worth more than GOLD
June 17, 2009 at 3:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nopartisan_noproblem (anonymous) says...
You can't equate a car accident to poverty, horrible analogy. People don't accidently end up broke and dependent on taxpayers. That takes a process. And before you bring up disabled people, you would have to be living a pretty crappy life if charities, churches, and the people you know won't help you out in your unpreventable situation.
June 17, 2009 at 3:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mattga99 (anonymous) says...
the voice of our state has spoken and it says sanford sux.
June 17, 2009 at 3:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
no partisan- sure alot of people created their own poverty- however, you can't make a broad statement and say that everyone ends up that way by their own actions. I know a family that lost everything due to a life threatening and recurring illness.
Not everyone that is living in poverty is a deadbeat.
June 17, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
vmirat90, you are so right about the miserable people, but unfortunately many of them are like a Jack Nicholson movie and this is "As Good as It Gets!"
June 17, 2009 at 4:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nopartisan_noproblem (anonymous) says...
That is unfortunate, and not everyone in poverty is a deadbeat. The point I'm trying to get across is that regardless your situation, it is that, your situation. No one else should be held responsible for your situation. If I choose to contribute to your cause, I can. I should not be forced to help people, physically or financially, that isn't help. My own father is going through financial troubles due to the loss of one of his eyes, but he knows he can only look to himself and his loved ones to get him out of his situation. You can't expect things of people, especially people that don't even know you.
June 17, 2009 at 4:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
nopartisan_noproblem, I assume that when you start drawing social security and medicare that you will only draw an amount equivalent to what you put in. You would not want the rest of us to be "forced" to contribute to you. That right?
June 17, 2009 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
fair enough, nopartisan. Good luck with your father, and I wish him the best.
One thing that I have learned is that money doesn't make you happy. Don't get me wrong- it's great to be able to pay your bills, squirrel some money away for retirement, not sweat paycheck to paycheck, and to go on a vacation from time to time, but having everything I want is not something I aspire to do.
June 17, 2009 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
"the hand they were dealt....???" What a crock!!
Well, I guess I lucked out on the hand that I was "dealt." I had two parents, graduated high school, graduated college, found a job, got married, bought a home, sold a home, built a better home, had a kid....damn what a LUCKY card player I am.
Yep, fate really smiled at me. I am pretty sure I had NOTHING to do with my LUCK!!!!
June 17, 2009 at 4:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nopartisan_noproblem (anonymous) says...
You're right vmirat, once you get everything you want, wheres the anticipation or drive.
Being that I am fairly young, I probably won't receive social security , based on our gov's spending. But if I do, I will have been working for 50 years and I only expect to get in what i put in. Do I have any right to expect anything more? That should hold me over for another 10-15 or however long. They should let me hold on to it in the first place and invest or save how I please. It is MY money. But that's the government, just give it to us now and we'll take care of you and everybody else later. Same goes with medicare.
And you are exactly right. I wouldn't expect you to be forced to contribute to me. That is shameful and prideless to think you should give me something I didn't earn. That is disgraceful to believe you should give me fruits of your labor.
June 17, 2009 at 4:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
shoelaces, as usual you jump to conclusions. The context of the remark was situations where you are born with a disability, or born into a dirt poor family, or get injured through no fault of your own but must live with the consequences, etc. It is not that hard to figure out.
June 17, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
agreed again no p. They key is to pay all if not most of your debts off. My wife and I only have a small first mortgage left- no credit cards, no car loans, nothing. And I don't live in a tool shed either- we live in a very nice part of West Ashley- Avondale. Even if you don't make much, if you have no debt, it is like you make a ton. It's also quite liberating.
June 17, 2009 at 4:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
CNSYD....so those who are born into poverty (Oprah, Obama) were dealt a good hand?
Born with disabilities I can see helping...through job training, and with housing. Hopefully in an effort to get them off of gov't assistance.
As for being born into dirt poor families, refer to the above comment.....it can be overcome if a person truly wants to overcome poverty. Those who continue the cycle deserve EVERYTHING they get.
Guess that's just me "jumping to conclusions, as usual."
June 17, 2009 at 4:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
I'm not quite that pessimistic for the future, yird.
Life's way to short to worry about things that you have no control over.
June 17, 2009 at 4:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
educ8edguy (anonymous) says...
CNSYD, I will agree with you that those who accessed too much credit just because it was there, flipping houses and trying to make a quick buck, did just as much damage as those who couldn't afford a house to begin with. There's plenty of blame to go around with this mess. The whole system got out of whack and it's going to take some time to get that genie back in the bottle.
What I want to see from our leaders are real solutions, including affordable housing options that reward responsible behavior. I'd also like to see the system address humane housing options for that *small* sliver of humanity that literally cannot provide for themselves, so that they aren't relegated to perpetually living in shantys or substandard housing.
Can that be done? I don't know. But if the conversation doesn't start there, then where does it start?
June 17, 2009 at 4:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
shoelaces, I was not aware Obama was born in poverty. Appears he had a grandfather and grandmother who looked after him. How was his college and law school financed? As for Oprah, she is so phony that I would not even bother looking into her background.
June 17, 2009 at 4:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
Vmirat "Life's way to short to worry about things that you have no control over."
Yea, like our government :)
June 17, 2009 at 4:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Posted by vmirat90 on June 17, 2009 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They key is to pay all if not most of your debts off. My wife and I only have a small first mortgage left- no credit cards, no car loans, nothing. And I don't live in a tool shed either- we live in a very nice part of West Ashley- Avondale. Even if you don't make much, if you have no debt, it is like you make a ton. It's also quite liberating.
As you once said you don't often agree with me. A bit of reciprocity is forthcoming.
If everyone adopted your philosophy pertaining to spending and fiscal accountability the country as a whole would be far better off.
It has never been about how much one makes but more like how much one spends. Cell phones, IPODS and plasma televisions are not necessities. Nor is eating out six night a week although it appears that way given the crowds at restaurants nightly.
I have been debt free for well over 30 years and the word "liberating" isn't strong enough to describe that status.
For those who are not there yet, try it, you'll like it!
June 17, 2009 at 4:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yird (anonymous) says...
Well I see I posted a bit of factual history that offended someones sensibilities. Guess we all have to be nice unless of course we are calling the governor any number of vile names.
That of course is acceptable! What a putrid situation!
Now remove this also. After all, the truth is tough to face.
June 17, 2009 at 4:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
well shoe....to an extent, yes..I don't worry about them.
Yird- yes we have disagreed considerably in the past, but when I find common ground with someone, I call them out on it.
Props to you for being debt free- I am almost there, and it is great not having to stress about bills being paid and if I lost my job what we would do. It's a nice feeling. Too many people want to "keep up with the joneses" when it comes to acquiring things. I had so much with my first wife- alot of posessions, but also a ton of debt associated with it. I will take less posessions and no debt, thank you very much.
June 17, 2009 at 5:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
shoelaces, you apparently have a poor understanding of disabilities. Go to Ladson and see some of the people basically warehoused there. No amount of job training is going to help them become productive citizens. The SS had a solution. Is that what you advocate?
June 17, 2009 at 5:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
CNSYD...Exactly WHAT will make you happy? Oprah's phony...blah, blah, blah....Obama's mama couldn't raise him so his G-parents did...that's pretty typical of the cycle we continue seeing in many African American homes.
I teach in a public school. I see disabilities from the mild to the severe!!! I understand what truly disabled means. I am talking about people who can be trained to become somewhat functional and less dependent.
As for those who are profoundly disabled I KNOW they will need assistance. As for the government cheese-eating losers who are milking the system...enough is enough!!!! They need to get their lazy behinds out of my back pocket...and out of yours for that matter!!!
HAROLD.....thanks, and for the most part I enjoy reading yoru posts....especially the ones I agree with :)
June 17, 2009 at 7:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GreenvilleGirl (anonymous) says...
1) Line item veto: NEEDED
2) People who know how to write bills without all the BS in them. NEEDED (An English professor would have a stroke).
3) Elimination of all the recognition, thank yous, we love you, please don't bills which take up so much time and money. NEEDED.
I pulled up the record of one legislator in the low country; of the 23 bills he sponsored, 11 of them were what I call "feel good about myself" bills(resolutions). Assuming that +/- 50% of each legislator's sponsored bills are resolutions, I wonder how much money would be saved by eliminating these?
I would hate to know. Let's assume it's 50% of the costs of personnel and utility expenses. We could probably pass the budget with a surplus.
June 17, 2009 at 7:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
wow, shoelaces..your hate is going to consume you. Go have a beer or something. You need to take a serious chill pill- life is way to short to get all worked up like that. If you aren't careful, you have heart attack in your very near future.
June 17, 2009 at 8:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
firemike (anonymous) says...
You can't fool me this is all gang related!
June 17, 2009 at 8:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
VMI RAT.....I am perfectly chilled, but thanks for your concern :) Some of us are just passionate about certain subjects....that's all.
And you are right, I am the only "angry" person posting.
June 17, 2009 at 9:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
My husband and I are almost debt free. We are buying our house now and that will be the only debt we have in about two, three years tops. Then, we will be able to sit back, relax, and cruise into an early retirement!!!!
June 17, 2009 at 9:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
myrtlesand (anonymous) says...
Good for the legislature. Sanford has done nothing for this state since coming into office, but he has done a great job for himself by getting on TV and going around the country raising money for a possible run for president. If the election were tomorrow I hope he would run just so he would no longer be our governor anymore. Every other state has a governor that is involved in things like bringing jobs and working on solutions. Not Sanford - all he does is sit in the corner and pout, whether its control of the port board or taking the stimulus money. Maybe if he actually cared about something more than appearing on fox news he might actually have less problems with the legislature of his own party.
June 17, 2009 at 11:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nickl (anonymous) says...
yird, I quite often disagree with your posts on many articles but I agree that it shouldn't be acceptable to post something rude about one person but not acceptable for someone else to post something rude about another person
June 18, 2009 at 4:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
Lovely..good for you. I lost my job in November- I was out of work for 6 months- but due to the fact that we only had a small mortgage, we weathered that storm quite easily. Now I am working again, it seems like I hit the jackpot...thanks to modest living. Well, we do have an awesome vacation planned in sept in puerto vallarta, MX :)
June 18, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
Vmi RAT....watch out for that swine flu....
June 18, 2009 at 7:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
not concerned in the slightest...If I worried about everything, I would never leave my house...another story manufactured by the media on a slow news cycle...
June 19, 2009 at 7:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smorgan315 (anonymous) says...
It's time for the Legislature to find new issues to address instead of working on payday lending. They've been doing this for years now!! The service is very helpful to some of us.
June 19, 2009 at 10:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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