Rex says stimulus funds will save jobs
Schools await arrival of $184M in federal money
By Yvonne Wenger
COLUMBIA — Within the next two weeks, South Carolina public schools will receive $184 million in federal stimulus money that Superintendent of Education Jim Rex said will save jobs.
Rex said the impact of that cash will be felt most noticeably by what students and parents won't see: dramatically larger class sizes.
Stimulus cash
State Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom is overseeing the receipt of federal stimulus money at South Carolina agencies. The state will receive $2.8 billion over the next two years for government services and a total of $8 billion if all the available tax breaks and grants are used.
A portion of that money, $700 million, that the state Supreme Court forced the governor to take, has not been received. That amount is for the state Legislature to sustain services throughout the recession, and the majority of it will go toward public schools.
So far, the state has received $332 million.
--Governor's Office, $40,545 for community-based youth services.
--Office on Aging, $90,646 for meals for senior citizens.
--Department of Education, $17.2 million for high-poverty schools.
--Department of Health and Human Services, $264 million for Medicaid.
--Employment Security Commission, $484.4 million for unemployment benefits.
--Department of Health and Environmental Control, $1.8 million for clean waterways and drinking water projects.
--Department of Commerce, $832,429 for regional workforce development grants.
An estimated 500 teaching jobs across the state were on the line until the state Supreme Court forced Gov. Mark Sanford to apply for a disputed portion of the federal stimulus money earlier this month. More than 80 percent of the $700 million in question will go to education over the next two years.
Rex said the first $184 million installment is on its way and will be divided among the state's 85 districts. How it is used will vary from one district to another. Fort Mill schools, for example, will be able to save spring sports and Greenwood District 50 will keep 54 teachers on the payroll.
In other places, the money could lessen the number of layoffs, save staff from taking furloughs, keep course offerings in place and ensure summer programs will be open, Rex said.
As in the Lowcountry, the stimulus funds won't cure all the budget woes facing public schools, Rex said. The sum of budget cuts handed down by the state Legislature because of falling tax collections is approaching $400 million, he said.
Berkeley County schools will receive an estimated $6.9 million from the stimulus cash. Because of the money, the district will be able to avoid furloughs, district Finance Director Brantley Thomas said. But to help manage the budget cuts, the district plans to implement a major reorganization by placing administrators in classrooms to fill vacancies, he said.
The final district budget will be heard at a public hearing Tuesday.
Charleston schools will adopt a budget Monday that will include $2.9 million in stimulus funds, which will be used to offset furloughs and lessen the severity of cuts.
Also on Monday, Dorchester District 2 will decide how to spend the nearly $6.5 million it is slated to receive from the stimulus money, said Allyson Duke, chief financial officer. Without the money, the district would have had to cut about 90 positions through attrition. Now, about 30 of those positions can be filled, she said.
Duke said Dorchester 2 also could lessen salary reductions for retirees serving on staff from 15 percent to 10 percent, add $1 million to a reserve fund and pump a little more money into extracurriculars.
Public schools also are receiving money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for other purposes, including funds to help serve children with special needs and those from poor homes. Since President Barack Obama signed the stimulus package in February, South Carolina has received $17.2 million for high-poverty schools.
Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
sambenn74 (anonymous) says...
with that money how many new jobs will be created. I dont want to hear that it saved 100 thousand jobs. With all that money it should be able to create a new line of work. We shall see.
June 22, 2009 at 2:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
With the stimulus money coming in to support government education, property owners should benefit with lower property taxes. Would not everyone agree? I believe after school kid sitting programs by public schools, not to mention free breakfasts and lunches for 70% of the students, put an undue burden on taxpayers. When you have more students with parents on welfare than you do with working parents paying property taxes is it any wonder why our schools might be starving for money?
June 22, 2009 at 2:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
I call BS. All you hear from CCSD is MORE PROGRAMS. I don't think one teacher would have lost their jobs. So now what happens in two years? We need to save these articles to a file and recall them when the state has to keep up with the new programs they put in place.
June 22, 2009 at 6:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
skyguy51 (anonymous) says...
$184 Million saved 500 jobs. Wow. Can't hardly wait to get unemployment back down to 4 or 5%.
June 22, 2009 at 6:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cwmcpa (anonymous) says...
184 million save 500 jobs WOW thats $368,000 per job, and I thought teachers were underpaid. Mr Rex with all of this windfall funding can we hold you accountable for higher test scores. I didn't think so.
June 22, 2009 at 6:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mb300sl (anonymous) says...
Taxpayers...hold on to your wallets when this bogus money runs out in two years!
June 22, 2009 at 6:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
Mighty christian of you there KidYendor, taking food out of hungry kids mouths to benefit yourself.
All you neotards do is complain yet you continue to vote in the same old republicans because you like their rhetoric, even though they have never done anything they say to benefit our state. Can you name one thing they have done in the last generation to raise our state from its lofty last place position in the nation? South Carolina is last in the nation because of past and present republican administrations AND voters who keep electing them. Why don't you right wingers man up and quit complaining about policies you helped implement?
Why doesn't it surprise me that while our state is already a "welfare" state getting 30% more in federal dollars than it puts in that you choose to focus on the poor, sick and helpless to blame for the state of our schools? Look in the mirror KY and you will see the true recipient of welfare, YOU.
The stimulus funds are to create jobs not to lower your property taxes.
June 22, 2009 at 7:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dawhetsell (anonymous) says...
I sit back and watch all these idiots from obama the African born Kenya, who was elected by idiots, lead this country into total collapse.You can not print money out of thin air( that is called counterfitting and will put you and me in prison), spend your way out of debt(that is called a POZI GAME and will put you or me in prison). Then you have idiots like Rex and the schoolboards think that this funny money will keep coming to save 500 jobs and keep all the noneducating school programs going. This fantasy world IS going away and those who do not have gold, silver, food, guns and ammo(like an old saying BE PREPARED) is going to be in great stress because the GOVERNMENT ,WILL NOT, be able to take care of you.Then you will as SLAVES to them to just keep your family alive.
June 22, 2009 at 7:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
martin (anonymous) says...
These districts are so shortsighted to drop the planned furloughs. Furloughs are the easiest way to get and stay a little bit ahead of the game. This depression is going to be affecting the economy for some time. If the stimulus money is to help for 2 years, then the furloughs need to stay in place for at least that long.
June 22, 2009 at 7:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Larz13 (anonymous) says...
Thank you Rex and your friend Inez for burning though piles of money and guess what? The schools are in the same shape as they were after 8+ years of dumbo-cratic rule. More proof that the more $$ you spend, you get the same results.
June 22, 2009 at 8:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tomato (anonymous) says...
dawhetsell: "idiots from obama the African born Kenya" doesn't even make sense. "counterfitting" isn't a word. "Pozi game" isn't a phrase. "those who do not have gold...is going to be in great stress" is improper grammar. "government , will not, be able..." is poor grammar. "Then you will as SLAVES to them" doesn't make sense. Perhaps you should refrain from calling others idiots.
June 22, 2009 at 8:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cwmcpa (anonymous) says...
fakeamerican, rex is a dumocrat, as was the previous superintendent.
June 22, 2009 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
"Fort Mill schools, for example, will be able to save spring sports"
I have said before that if sports were fully funded by boosters and parents and /or the community (VOLUNTARILY) more of the schools' budgets would be able to go where it is needed most....to actual education.
Although having sports teams is good, we shouldn't have to fund it with tax dollars. If parents, boosters, and other interested parties aren't willing to fund these things, then we shouldn't them. JMHO!!!!!
June 22, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Liberals_Are_Maroons (anonymous) says...
Posted by tomato on June 22, 2009 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
dawhetsell: "idiots from obama the African born Kenya" doesn't even make sense. "counterfitting" isn't a word. "Pozi game" isn't a phrase. "those who do not have gold...is going to be in great stress" is improper grammar. "government , will not, be able..." is poor grammar. "Then you will as SLAVES to them" doesn't make sense. Perhaps you should refrain from calling others idiots.
*****************************************
Cheese it, grammar cop!!!
June 22, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
issuetaker (anonymous) says...
You can believe the biggest impact of the stimulus is what you won't see.
June 22, 2009 at 8:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
st (anonymous) says...
Wow I'm impressed 500 jobs. With another billion or two we might get our unemployment down to 10%. I wonder if the kids in school understand that they are ones who are going to suffer and have to pay back all this outrages sums of money when they enter the work force, we are not doing them any favors.
June 22, 2009 at 9:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
I read many of these knee jerk comments and it becomes apparent why this State is last in about everything, especially education!
June 22, 2009 at 9:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Liberals_Are_Maroons (anonymous) says...
Posted by guidedbystewart on June 22, 2009 at 9:31 a.m.
I read many of these knee jerk comments...
*************************
Yeah, and unfortunately, you then decide to post your own.
June 22, 2009 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
When we in America start to make the government affraid of us instead of being affraid of the government we will truly be a democracy.
This country has enough money to do exactly what WE want it to! WE the people...all that money they spend on wars....it's ours.
When we as a people decide that we want to educate our youth and have health care MORE than we want to kill people we will have moved a step in our path of evolution.
Come on people....we can not continue to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different outcome.
It is time for a revolution and I for one am ready to inform those "representatives" that they do have a reason to fear us.....we hold the power and the money.
Let's get our priorities straight and educate our children, so they will have a brighter future!
June 22, 2009 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
Hey, go after Obama all you want, but man the "Kenyan born" stuff is really old and makes all of you people that still believe that nonsense look like idiots.
Don't you think that if there were any merit to that accusation that "cut and paste" Hannity would have been all over it? Even Neal Boortz calls those people morons-
June 22, 2009 at 10:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
Tighten your belts indeed- but pointing fingers gets us absolutely nowhere- there is more than enough blame to go around.
Pay off your debts, squirrel an emergency fund away, and then you won't have to stress yourself with whatever any administration does.
June 22, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Harold -
We pay our taxes to the government and WE hold the power to elect them or not. It is our money, and we must decide what is important to us. I understand your reference to WWI, but we all know that the Iraq war is costing us a lot of money and lives for what?
I would rather see those soldiers/personnel home and the funds spent on more important things like quality health care for every U.S. citizen and an education system that rivals other industrialized nations.
I would like to know that the health of people that volunteered at Ground Zero is taken care of and no citizen is ever dumped on skid row because they have no insurance.
We as a people need to get our priorities right and WAR should be on the bottom of everyone's list, right?
June 22, 2009 at 10:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
vmirat, you are so right. My husband and I have our emergency fund in place and we are almost totally and completely debt free. So, these "tough economical times" have not hit us at all.
June 22, 2009 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
well, like I said in another post- I was out of work for 6 months, but fortunately, my wife and I have only a small first mortgage, so it made life so much easier and less stressful.
Take control of your own destiny- that's the only way to go.
June 22, 2009 at 10:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
Too bad I really don't care about approval ratings- my life goes on no matter who is in office.
Also, I really treat the Sludge report with about as much credibility as Fox News, MSNBC, or Media Matters websites.
June 22, 2009 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
These are my comments on realamerican's post.
posted by realamerican on June 22, 2009 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
RA:Mighty christian of you there KidYendor, taking food out of hungry kids mouths to benefit yourself.
KY :The 8th commandment says thou shall not steal. When government steals my money to feed children that are not mine they break the 8th commandment. I am rewarded to give but I am only being robbed when government is in the picture feeding children with my money I did not create and allowing the unresponsible and unemployed to procreate further. I find no joy in being robbed.
RA:All you neotards do is complain yet you continue to vote in the same old republicans because you like their rhetoric, even though they have never done anything they say to benefit our state. Can you name one thing they have done in the last generation to raise our state from its lofty last place position in the nation? South Carolina is last in the nation because of past and present republican administrations AND voters who keep electing them. Why don't you right wingers man up and quit complaining about policies you helped implement?
KY:I don't vote in the same old republicans. I don't even like them because they are too nice to democrats and won't support less government. I like to vote for newcomers to try to clean out the cesspool of political incumbency and nepotism in both parties.
RA:Why doesn't it surprise me that while our state is already a "welfare" state getting 30% more in federal dollars than it puts in that you choose to focus on the poor, sick and helpless to blame for the state of our schools? Look in the mirror KY and you will see the true recipient of welfare, YOU.
KY:That is why we are going into Rome Collapse Mode real. Rome collapsed when people were taxed almost a third of their income. We, those who are not members of the EBT card club, pay more than a third now. Washington prints more money and goes into more Chinese debt. Income and sales taxes strangle the economy to support the "poor, sick and helpless" who procreate by benefit of the government welfare state and grow and grow when their numbers should be diminished. We will never get out of the recession the way we are going. We need real change realamerican and the change is the elimination of the welfare state and allowing businesses to make money by the cutting the tentacles of government.
I will look in the mirror soon and look for any welfare checks on the sink since real says I am a recipient. I doubt one will be there.
Thank you very much,
KidYendor
June 22, 2009 at 11:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
"We as a people need to get our priorities right and WAR should be on the bottom of everyone's list, right?"
This would be the Desire of any Sane person. But unless you do not see any of the Insane Evil all over the world how can one justify that utopian luxury? Turning the other cheek is not yet a viable option to long term survival in this "civilized" world IMHO. Not being prepared and weak invites atack in every facet of nature from the highest to lowest forms of life.
June 22, 2009 at 11:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
tc...yes, we should be prepared, but frankly I feel that we should not be the world's police nor should we be forcing our democracy on other nations. In the past 5 decades, we have been way too involved in nation building, and I think we are better served to put our resources elsewhere.
June 22, 2009 at 11:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
Addendum to my 8:48 a.m. post:
Couldn't they look into having the children pay to play sports? They have to pay to play summer sports. I mean, $20-$50 per player. If they want to play bad enough they will pay the money. And this should be fee that is not allowed to be waived for any reason.
June 22, 2009 at 11:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MP (anonymous) says...
RealAmerican (NOT) Its not the Republicans spending and taxing, it is Hussein Obamessiah and Commie Pelosi.
June 22, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
KY, Part of being an American is supporting our country through taxes. Since you are such a "christian" and like to quote the bible you might consider the part that says "render unto Ceaser that which is Ceasers".
Why you would object to pulling your own weight in our society doesn't surprise me one bit. After all anyone despicable enough to begrudge hungry children food to further enrich themselves would probably consider paying their fair share of taxes stealing.
If everyone was as selfish and greedy as you where would our country be? How would the roads get paved? How would we pay for our military? No matter to you, you got yours screw everyone else, right?
You vote in those who will reduce your taxes to the bare bones to the point that our infrastructure is now beginning to fail. Congratulations! You have what you want in South Carolina for our state is little better than a third world country dependent on the rest of the nations welfare for its very existence. The citizens such as yourself do not pay their fair share. The federal government makes up for the shortfall.
You "low tax" idiots have what you want. The least you can do is not complain about what you wished and voted for. You want third world status, well that is what you now have. Enjoy it! Please don't complain and whine though when the criminals are at your door and no police come because there is no money in the budget for them. When you run out of bullets get on your knees and pray because that is all the help you deserve.
June 22, 2009 at 12:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
"tc...yes, we should be prepared, but frankly I feel that we should not be the world's police nor should we be forcing our democracy on other nations. In the past 5 decades, we have been way too involved in nation building, and I think we are better served to put our resources elsewhere."
I agree about being the worlds police but it seems that those that say no war also see no need for preparation. It's one extreme or the other. It was best summed up by someone, don't remember who, on this forum not that long ago "They are just the sheep who have always complained about the sheep dog, until the wolf comes, then they cry out for the sheep dog to save them."
By definition I don't believe democracy, unlike totalitarian governments, can be forced. One can set up a democracy which can then vote for a totalitarian form which can then only be replaced by force. Nation building sucks even if we are asked to help. Intervention should only come about due to vital national interest. YES, oil is THE vital national interest at this point in time as Everything comes to a halt with out it. One has Nothing that can't be related directly or indirectly to oil today.
June 22, 2009 at 12:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
You and I don't entirely disagree. The problem I have with Iraq is that to me, it seemed like GWB had a chip on his shoulder for his father in the Gulf War- hardly a reason to go to war and sacrifice over 4,000 American lives, not to mention all of the wounded and Iraqi civilian casualties.
I say if it's not DIRECTLY in the US' interest, then let them all fight their own wars.
It's so funny- I remember in 91, GHWB said we are liberating Kuwait to help our friends and bring them freedom. Baloney. It was about oil, plain and simple. If Tasmania were invaded, I don't see us going there. However, if Bush and Cheney were still in office, we might.
June 22, 2009 at 12:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
I am much more concerned with the people right here at home who are sick and have no recourse but to go to the Emergency Room than I am on whats going on in some third world nation. Why is it our responsability to bring democracy to the world?
WAR - what it is good for? Absolutely Nothing, Goog God Ya'll, say it again!
We had no reason to invade Iraq and we are still there spending billions on war.....we could be spending that money on health care, education, infrastructure.
June 22, 2009 at 12:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
issuetaker (anonymous) says...
"render unto Ceaser that which is Ceasers". OK, but
it's the part about Ceaser taking the rest of what isn't his that's the problem.
June 22, 2009 at 12:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
Thanks, Luna. Now that song is echoing in my head and I am bopping to it in my cube!
June 22, 2009 at 12:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Just doing my part Lovely;-)
June 22, 2009 at 12:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
libertarian (anonymous) says...
I hate to wade into this, but realamerican, get your facts straight:
Render unto Ceasar.....
Sure, but only for the proper, COSNTITUTIONALLY MANDATED responsibilities of gov't.
Throwing money (real and fake) at education....
I grew up here. I remember when Gov Jim Edwards raised sales tax 20% ("A penny for the children"). Spending on education in SC keeps going up. Quality of education doesn't. Teachers used to be underpaid. Now most teachers in SC make above the median income for their communities. What we need is real reform (and if that means vouchers, so be it). We've tried throwing money at the system since at least Nixon. It doesn't work.
Pulling your own weight in society....
I cant speak for KidYendor, I do that, thank you very much. I own and operate a business and provide jobs for my employees, goods and services for my customers, and taxes to my govt. But as taxes go up, and regulations increase, that gets harder every year. And 'pulling my own weight' DOES NOT include pulling the weight of those who will not work or take care of themselves. (Don't twist that to mean that I don't support a safety net... but it is and must be limited in scope of society is to function).
And, for the record, greed [capitalism, at base] is good. If I didn't want to better my situation, I could be on welfare. Unfortuantely, that would also mean the jobs that I created (not "saved or created"... I really did it), wouldn't exist either.
Get a job. Pull YOUR weight. And if you feel you are taxed to lightly, pay extra to the gov't or give to a worthy cause. But don't question the morals or patriotism of those who don't share you view that bigger government is better. (And if you have a job... quit itemizing your deductions. Doing that is stealing food from the needy, right? Unless your ox is being gored.)
June 22, 2009 at 1:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
"it seemed like GWB had a chip on his shoulder for his father in the Gulf War"
That would be hard to argue against were it not for the multitude of video, audio and print material of the democrat President, congressional leaders and cabinet members, the UN and other nations Prior to GWB Insisting that Iraq had WMD and would use it. In spite of this only GWB is labeled a liar.
" It was about oil, plain and simple." I agree and it was not to steal it but to be sure it could not be used to control us. I invite you to name anything that you have that can not be related to oil directly or indirectly. Everyone tends to only think about gas/transportation, the obvious. Really, think about it, what can you make, get, build, manufacture, etc. today without oil?
June 22, 2009 at 1:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
libertarian (anonymous) says...
Luna,
I am concerned about health care too. But there are those pesky Census Bureau facts: (And I am likely off a little on these, but you can always get the exact numbers yourself from the web).
46 Million uninsured. Of that:
9 Million illegal aliens.... Sorry, harsh as is it sounds, they don't count. Now, if they come here legally, that's different. And I did have an illegal alien in my extended family at one point. He went back to his country and jumped through a lot of hops to come here legally, and is now a naturalized citizen.
About 20 Million uninsured has have household incomes over 50,000/yr. They don't count. They could get insurance but choose not to. Not my problem. Health care is a choice, but your choice carries responsibilities.
About half the rest are uninsured for less than 6 months. COBRA is already available to help them.
Between 1/3 and 1/2 of the uninsured are under 30. As a small business owner, I can tell you most twentysomethings WILL NOT pay for insurance. They are young, and relatively healthy (generally) and would rather have the extra income for the weekend, or that big screen TV. They'd take it if someone gave it to them, but not if they have to contribute even a portion. For some, that may be a good bet. For others, not so much. But either way, not my problem.
And I've seen the tender mercies of Medicare firsthand, and how difficult it is to get care. (Makes the HMOs look good). If that's the model for reform, Heaven help us.
June 22, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Lib - watch SICKO....I know you will come back with pinko commie shicrap....but it puts it all out there and I defy you to not cry! It is one of the most moving movies and it will also piss you off!
Health care should be a right and we are the only western nation that does not offer it! France seems to be doing OK! England as well! And even those Canadians seem to be fine!
The AMA has fought against national health care for years....I thought their moto was to do no harm! In England they pay a doctor more the healthier his clients track. What a concept.....keep people healthier and you reduce the cost of long term care in the future.
The doctors made a comfortable living, so the fear mongering that we hear from the right has been dispelled. And the notion of LONG waiting lines and waiting for weeks to see a doctor are a myth as well.
We just have to decide what is more important....killing people or keeping them healthy......What do you say?
June 22, 2009 at 1:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BulldogTLC (anonymous) says...
"I am much more concerned with the people right here at home who are sick and have no recourse but to go to the Emergency Room than I am on whats going on in some third world nation. Why is it our responsability to bring democracy to the world?"
Why is our responsibility to bring healthcare to the world?
"Health care should be a right and we are the only western nation that does not offer it! "
Ever hear of Medicaid and Medicare?
June 22, 2009 at 1:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
tc- I never said there was anything wrong with protecting our interests in oil. The problem that I have with the first Gulf War is that never was it stated that was our main reason for going in. It was packaged nicely under the guise of helping our friends in Kuwait. Load of crap.
And in regard to the current Iraq war, yes they did have some evidence (although faulty) of WMD's, but I think they were looking for any excuse they could find at that point to pull the trigger on the war (excuse the pun). Just my opinion.
June 22, 2009 at 1:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
And don't even get me started on Cheney and Halliburton/KBR. Heads should have rolled just for the no bid, cost plus contracts that were issued then. War profiteering, plain and simple.
June 22, 2009 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
We can certainly be assured that the best and brightest graduating from our High Schools will chose to go elsewhere to work, raise their families and live their lives. Nobody reading these comments would want to stay here. Hundreds of classrooms will have teachers next year and classes will be smaller. It will be more likely that High School Students will get the classes they need.
All that is very important. Young people need to have the options education provides, including the opportunity to get out of South Carolina.
Rex has increased graduation rates in SC significantly over the last several years. Test scores have risen. The entire educational system in our state is not a failure.
The problems we have are grounded in communities long ago abandoned by everyone who could afford to leave them. Without talent, tax base or a sufficient cadre of socially competent participating citizens, such places have nothing left to work with. Damning communities of the elderly, disabled and poor for not having middle class type school districts accomplishes nothing. Whatever those places have done that is wrong, they're being fully punished for.
June 22, 2009 at 1:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DollLady (anonymous) says...
dawhetsell
It is bigots like you that lead this country into total collapse....God deliver us from racists like you. Some of that money needs to be spent on reeducating you.
June 22, 2009 at 1:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
ics - I know what war it was....my typing error.
If you cannot come up with a legitimate talking point, I guess the standard rebuttal is to call someone stupid for a typing error......
OK - big boy you prove to me where I am wrong in any of my post with the exception of the typing error.
June 22, 2009 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
tc1, where were you when Bush and Cheney said without a doubt Iraq had and was willing to use WMD. Who wouldn't vote to defend the country against that kind of threat? Of course they voted for the resolution to force Iraqi compliance with the UN mandate. What they didn't know was that Bush and Cheney LIED to get us into an unjust war to enrich themselves and their corporate cronies.
I still hope Bush and Cheney face trial for their war crimes and face the ultimate penalty for the unneeded deaths of over 4,000 American lives. They killed more than Bin Laden yet you and other posters choose to ignore that for some reason.
Libertarian, I too am a business owner. Just because I choose to think for myself instead of walking in lockstep with a failed ideology does not mean I or anyone else is on welfare. If it takes raising taxes for our country to survive then yes, I will pay more taxes.
If you and the other posters would worry about the give away to corporations and rich who got there by trampling others instead of the poor, helpless or sick not paying there fair share our country would be better off. One thing Bush did prove was trickle down economics failed miserably. I don't hear any suggestions on how to fix it just complaining after the fact and blaming "Hussein the usurper" or the "Kenyan" or the "Obamasiah". How can anyone take you or the republican party seriously when that is what the "base" spouts?
June 22, 2009 at 2:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
barterman1955 (anonymous) says...
get rid of school lunch programs,increase class sizes and make school attendance and completed homework assignments a requirement for welfare benefits and public housing subsidies.putting more money into schools has never worked.if the parents don't care about their children's education then i don't either.you can't teach people that don't want to learn.
June 22, 2009 at 2:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
Bulldog - you have no idea what you are talking about. Medicaid is for SSI recipients and Medicare is for the elderly. If you are disabled and receive SSI you have to prove you are still disabled every 2 years. I have a friend that lost his leg, every 2 years he has to prove that it has not grown back. How much do you think that stupidity costs us?
Where did you see that I said health care for the world? You still didn't respond to the original question, why are we the spreaders of democracy and why are we suppose to be the world police?
If you can prove that France/England/Canada is suffering from nationalized health care, I'd love to hear it.
June 22, 2009 at 2:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Luna (anonymous) says...
barterman1955 - then be prepared to put the money into prisons, because your theory will only make more criminals.
It is a big circle....we pay more per prisoner NOW than we do per student. See it? It is right in front of you?
hhhhmmmmmm, more per prisoner.......
June 22, 2009 at 2:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Liberals_Are_Maroons (anonymous) says...
Posted by realamerican on June 22, 2009 at 2:06 p.m.
...
Libertarian, I too am a business owner.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh please, please, please tell me the name of your business, so I can make sure what little after-tax money I have left is never spent there.
June 22, 2009 at 2:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Numba10 (anonymous) says...
So now they have all this money---it is put up or shut up time for the school system----let us see the improvement in SC's standing this next year otherwise the school system will have proven the point that money is not the answer
June 22, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
liberals are....I thought you guys were supposed be compassionate conservatives...:)
June 22, 2009 at 3:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestt (anonymous) says...
The free lunches and the welfare BS that goes on at these schools will boggle the mind. It is easy to pick one side or the other. What is difficult is realizing both points-of-view. The welfare folks need come on off the dole(per everyone). The business owners and corporate thugs need to kick back more to the people(per realamerican). We are the middle class and are always getting pinched. I can tell you there aren't many EBT card holders nor members of Skull and Bones reading these comments, so you are really just yelling at mutual victims.
June 22, 2009 at 3:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Larz13 (anonymous) says...
Libertarian, I too am a business owner.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You know that drug dealers say the same things. Obviously your "business" does not keep you busy enough to post your liberal blather on here every day. Just remember to pull the backing off the sticker before placing as people come into the store.
June 22, 2009 at 3:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Liberals_Are_Maroons (anonymous) says...
Posted by vmirat90 on June 22, 2009 at 3:07 p.m.
liberals are....I thought you guys were supposed be compassionate conservatives...:)
************************************
Hey, I'm as compassionate a guy as you'll ever meet... especially with the ladies.
With maroons, not so much.
June 22, 2009 at 3:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
'Sicko': Heavily Doctored, By Kurt Loder Is Michael Moore's prescription worse than the disease?
http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articl...
June 22, 2009 at 3:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tc1 (anonymous) says...
Real,
"tc1, where were you when Bush and Cheney said without a doubt Iraq had and was willing to use WMD."
tc1
"That would be hard to argue against were it not for the multitude of video, audio and print material of the democrat President, congressional leaders and cabinet members, the UN and other nations ---- Prior to GWB ---- Insisting that Iraq had WMD and would use it. In spite of this only GWB is labeled a liar."
Please note the use of the word "Prior"
Adjective
S: (adj) anterior, prior (earlier in time)
WordNet home page
June 22, 2009 at 3:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Numba10 (anonymous) says...
acting on bad intelligence does not make one a liar---this is what is so hard for so many to get thru thier heads---it just suits thier pursuit of name calling------and for those who cannot see the good in freeing 23 million people from Saddam, his sons and his henchmen should go live in such a country and show us how wonderful it is. For those who ask why we should do this---I reply if not us then whom??-----As long as others live without freedom I am not free for those who have taken thier freedom wish to do the same to me
June 22, 2009 at 3:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
just don't paint all liberals with that brush, as I won't paint all conservatives as stuffed shirts that don't like to have a good time like I do.
June 22, 2009 at 3:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Numba10 (anonymous) says...
COLUMBIA - Within the next two weeks, South Carolina public schools will receive $184 million in federal stimulus money
That would be $184,000,000 divide by 700,000 students equals an increase of $262.86 per student----think we will see any different results with this additional money--------I think not thus proving money is not the answer
June 22, 2009 at 5:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
harold, come on. You paint all conservatives as awesome, and liberals as misinformed miscreants. You know better than that- or maybe you don't.
I saw in another thread that you seem to be the church-going type- that totally shocks me considering some of the vitriol and venom that I have seen come from your mouth. I thought the Lord preached love and acceptance- something that you haven't shown any of.
June 22, 2009 at 5:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
blah, blah, blah, blah.....
Woo hoo!! We got money!!!! All of our problems are solved!! The schools will be saved and the children will become smarter!!! After all, money has ALWAYS fixed everything!!!!!
I wish I knew what letters to type to make the "raspberry" sound.
June 22, 2009 at 5:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PalmettoinTexas (anonymous) says...
This eutopia talk of providing health care for everyone is ridiculous!!!! I bust my ass everyday to provide for my family and my childrens future. Why is it my responsibility to fund, via taxes, the costs to ensure that "everyone" has health care? Natural selection, survival of the fittest, call it what you will....those that cant make it, dont make it.....simple as that.
June 22, 2009 at 5:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vmirat90 (anonymous) says...
I agree with most of the posters here about self sufficiency, but good grief people, the hate is going to consume you.
June 22, 2009 at 5:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Numba10 (anonymous) says...
so the job cuts have been delayed for two years ---what is Rex's plan then???????
June 22, 2009 at 6:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chilldiesel83 (anonymous) says...
Luna, in America we have to right to go get a job and walk around and actually buy the best healthcare that money can buy. You say cut off Iraq and help out the people here back home. The people of Iraq have no rights and cannot get anything, no matter how much they work or want it. We are there to liberate a people and put them in control of their own lives. You see in some places, people just want to be able to breathe the air outside of their home without being shot. In America, it seems no one is happy unless they have Bentleys, Pools, Houses at the Golf Course, and of course free health care. I would rather spend 1000 in Iraq to help a people that are not allowed to help themselves than spend 10 dollars to help someone in America that has nothing because they dont care about doing something with their lives. I love America and will gladly help anyone I can, but there are so many here that are unwilling to help themselves at all. That is why we are in Iraq, because we are righting a wrong, and trying to give them the same basic rights that each of us take for granted on a daily basis.
June 22, 2009 at 7:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
Posted by Chilldiesel83-
"The people of Iraq have no rights and cannot get anything, no matter how much they work or want it. We are there to liberate a people and put them in control of their own lives. You see in some places, people just want to be able to breathe the air outside of their home without being shot."
------------------------------------------------------------
Trey you gutless puke. You got a lot of nerve talking like you know anything about war,freedom or what it takes to defend it. All you know is what they told you to think.
You're nothing but a little Citadel cadet daddies boy punk who lets your fellow classmen go off to war while you act like some hero with a Citadel ring selling insurance in a nice safe office.
You are the quintessential repukelican. You let others go off to war and beat your chest like you are some sort of macho warrior. You are as fake as the party you support. You make me sick. McMillan, I'm saving your posts for future posterity when you screw up again you coward.
You graduated from the Citadel. Why don't you tell us why you haven't signed up to do your part to defend Iraqi freedom and "let them breathe the air outside without getting shot"?
June 22, 2009 at 8:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realamerican (anonymous) says...
Posted by Chilldiesel83-
Posted on December 2 at 2:17 p.m.
To all of those that criticize this man, this friend, this war, this country. First off, the duty of a soldier is to serve and protect their country. Public opinion of a war has no bearing whatsoever. To join the military means to join something and to have a belief in something that is bigger than yourselves. US soldiers not only protect you, but they protect the rest of the world. Go tell all of your Nazi Hussein loving comments to the families of the northern Kurds in Iraq that were wiped out by Hussein with Chemical and Biological Weapons. While Hussein might not have been considered a direct threat to the US itself, he was however a direct threat to the national security of the world. I did not want to turn this into a Political comment but sometimes it just needs to be said. Our military boys and girls are trained to do a terrible and unthinkable thing, however, their peace of mind comes from their unfiltered belief in the unified chain of command. The word soldier actually means to follow orders and when you devote yourself to the service of others, whether public opinion agrees or not, you remove yourself from the norm and become something that is worth pride and self worth. This man that I call my friend gave his life for the security of others. "If you dont stand behind them, feel free to stand in front of them"
Trey McMillan
Citadel 05
Lima Company
"We Wear The Ring"
--------------------------------------------------------
Yeah Trey, Like I said, all you do is wear the ring. You sure don't walk the walk.
Why don't you put your butt on the line like those who you pretend to be like? Let me guess your mommy won't let you?
June 22, 2009 at 8:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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