Art Kaldas, an enthusiastic blogger on the Anderson Independent’s Cocklebur blog, sums up this weeks town hall meetings quite well. You may visit Art’s section of the Cocklebur here
On Monday, July 21, 2008, 7:00 pm, Senator Kevin Bryant conducted a town meeting at Hopewell Fire Department. Approximately 70 residents were in attendance. Among the attendees were County officials, County Council members, elected and reelected, and some of Dr. Marshall Meadors supporters. Some of the Senator’s replies to questions were the following:
• All State agencies should respect the fact that English should be our only official language. I do appreciate all our legal immigrants, not the illegal ones. However, it is not practical or wise to use any other language for State business.
• The picture of Osama and Obama, which I have on my blog, is used as satire. I definitely do not believe that Senator Obama is a partner of Osama bin Laden. Furthermore, if too many people are offended by this picture, I will take it off the blog.
• I have fought very hard against dual water rates in Anderson. Residents outside the City do not have any say in these rates. Consequently, a municipality can raise the rate to $8,000 if they wanted to. There has to be an oversight to protect residents outside the City.
• I have succeeded in passing a State law to allow Capital Punishment for Child Rapists. But the Supreme Court, to my astonishment, decided that this law is unconstitutional.
• Parents who have children in a failing public school should have options. I do believe in giving parents tax credits, so they can exercise their options.
• I abstained from the vote to increase cigarette tax because of conflict of interest, since I am a pharmacist who would benefit from an expansion in Medical Aid. However, if I chose to vote, I would have voted to increase the tax, as long as the revenues are used to support a “health saving account”, to assist citizens in purchasing their own health care plans.
• At the beginning, I did not support building the East/West Connector, which is to connect Clemson Boulevard and Highway 81. At the present time, I simply have mixed emotions on the project.
• Pay Day Lenders should be allowed to practice, but only if they have a clear process to explain the terms of their loans to borrowers. The practice simply has to be well regulated.
• Dr. Marshall Meadors, my opponent, is a great “old fashioned” medical doctor. He is loved by all his patients. However, he and I have sharp political differences. I look forward to our political debates.
On Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 7:00 pm, at Anderson City Hall, Senator Kevin Bryant conducted his second town-hall meeting. Over 100 attended the meeting, which included many supporters and some highly charged opposition.
Although Senator Bryant attempted to stay on message, the meeting was full of spectacular fireworks. Obama/ Osama image on the Senator’s blog attracted most of the debate, with some in audience asking him to apologize for his poor taste in implying that Senator Obama is a terrorist. However, Senator Bryant refused to apologize, which drew cheers and applause from his supporters. He explained that although he does not believe that Senator Obama is a terrorist, he strongly opposes his views on foreign policies and his friendly attitude toward nations that support terrorism.
A member in audience suggested that in order to curb the dropout rate in schools, permanent drivers licenses should be given only to high-school graduates, while others should be given drivers licenses with restrictions. Senator Bryant thought that the idea is worth consideration. In addition, he emphasized that school choice also curbs the dropout rate.
Senator Bryant message can be summarized in the following points:
• Smaller government
• Less regulations
• Greater transparency and accountability in local governments
After the meeting, both supporters and critics of Senator Bryant agreed that he is a very experienced public official, who is willing to face his opponents directly, rather than hide in corners
The funny thing is that you were just some sorry sap senator before and that you posted some crappy fear-baiting picture and now you feel that you’re king of the hill… you should take a look in the mirror. You are a hateful and mean person and speaking from the background of a Christian, you sure judge people alot. Judgement will meet you someday. You will find that I am seriously considering taking vacation time off of my job to come there and campaign for your opponent. That is how much you disgust me. Thanks.
You truly are an idiot, like the rest of your party you will fall flat on your prideful face, moron.
1. If enough people are offended, I will remove the picture? Not hard to figure what position the Senator would have taken during segregation and Jim Crow. He needs to do what is right, not what is popular.
2. Why should a state senator be involved in local government issues such as water rates? Is he going to pass legislation on that? If so, remember city residents pay double taxes and receive no services from the county in many areas. Pass legislation for that too.
3. Still for vouchers, I see. I suspect the real agenda here is to give tax relief for those who choose home or private schools. At least stop the hypocrisy and admit what you really want. Don’t hide behind “failing schools”.
I doubt “critics” would agree that one term makes one “a very experienced public official”.
Doubting Thomas,
Although I am progressive, I do believe in sense of fairness for all, including committed conservatives, as Senator Kevin Bryant. So, I feel the need to respond to your post, since I sensed that it lacked fairness.
1- Senator Bryant used the image Obama/Osama very successfully as a satire, in order to start a political dialogue on important issues. However, he has expressed serious concerns about offending moderate Americans with Middle Eastern background, which included me. And I assured him that the benefit of starting the political dialogue is worth the use of this image.
2- Senator Kevin Bryant became involved in the City’s dual water rates because many of his constituents requested his involvement. In addition, the State can play an important role in better regulating dual water rates and dual taxation.
3- Senator Bryant support for vouchers and tax credit, to give options to parents in school choice, does not rely on taking money from public schools. He believes that the funds should come from the State, which will allow public schools to serve fewer students with the same current level of funding.
Doubting Thomas, the Senator’s supporters and critics do not measure his experience in terms of how many terms he has been in office, but by his knowledge and understanding of the issues.
Wow… look who is all of a sudden posting 10 bullet point blogs about issues that matter to the people of SC.
Where was this action last week, Senator? Why the sudden rush to show the people in your district that you actually do do some work? I thought your real ambitions were to join the Rush’s and Rove’s of the gutter trash world?
Your effort to regain credibility is a futile attempt at best, transparent to say the least, and equally offensive after you actions on the 18th.
Oh, yes, you’re certainly the talk of the town right now and if that’s what your intention was, then, congratulations. Regrettably for you, the talk is not so positive and I follow suit.
You in your intellect have chosen to mar one of the most historical and momentous campaign runs in US history, with bigoted, ignorant and offensive utterings that hopefully, will not even get past our least educated. Your back-peddled excuse to justify your posting the image sounds like a schpeel from a used-car salesman and sir, I’m not buying! Get a job. (Perhaps GM will hire you as an SUV salesman..)
“The picture of Osama and Obama, which I have on my blog, is used as satire.”
That needed pointing out.But don’t worry, Mr Republican, it was only a life-and-death subject you were screwing around with.It’s nothing important.Leave satire to the satirists.
Kevin, I’m sure you’re very proud that your blog with the picture of Osama and Obama made both local and national T.V. Did you check out the header on MSNBC when they were discussing your webpage and contacted you for response? The header for the newclip is “Kevin Bryant posts and runs.” The newsman stated you refused to be interviewed but did send them a statement which he proceeded to read. I would think you would jump at the chance to be interviewed by a national cable station like MSNBC. I’m sure this won’t go through even though I can add 4 +10 which is such a great spam protector.
Here’s your clip so you can keep to show your campers what a fine Christian person you are and how you made both local and national news.
http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=839d8b7f-22b5-4dcf-89d2-e2030a7a102e
Still screening postings, huh? I think there are too many people saying that the BS stunt was seen as a low blow and an insult to the intelligence of all Americans. Still can’t apologize, either? I doubt you’ll be re-elected anyway, but you sure won’t if you continue to take your lead from Bush and Rove with these type of petty antics.
Remember Kim, Bush won twice. It’s always “petty” antics when your guy is getting beat up. But it’s ok when it happens to your opponent. That’s the way it is, right?
I want the good Senator to post a picture of Barak Hussein Obama and Curious George. You can see similarities there too. Would that be offensive. I wonder if Barak Hussein Obama’s running mate will wear a big yellow hat?
[...] Sen. Kevin Bryant | town hall meeting summaries [...]
Im a big fan. Its time somone spoke the TRUTH about so called Senator OSAMA hes a manjurain canidate if I ever saw one. God bless SOUTH CAROLINA and brave men like SENATOR BRYANT
If your intent in posting the picture was indeed to initiate discussion about Obama’s foreign policy (and I have serious doubts about that) you failed miserably. It would seem to me that in reading all of the postings on your blog and on other blogs that the only thing being discussed is your lack of judgment as a State Senator in posting the picture. Now to make matters worse because of the letter to you from the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee we have all of the crazy, bigoted and racists idiots in our area are coming out of the woodwork and making comments on the AIM website. Thanks, Kevin. Is there anything else you would like to do to draw some more national attention to the state of South Carolina so we can continue to perpetuate the image that the rest of the nation has of South Carolinians as stupid, backwoods rednecks?
Mr. Art Kaldas made the statement; “Senator Bryant used the image Obama/Osama very successfully as a satire, in order to start a political dialogue on important issues”.
Uh, no he did not. Where’s the logic in presenting an opinion that because 2 people have a very simular name and can look a bit alike when photo shopped equate to an attempt to initiate constructive debate? Osama is likely the most hated and dispised man in the USA. I’m sure many compare him to a demon or an anti-Christ of some type. So, Sen Bryant is saying that because Osama sounds like Obama and that Osama can even look like Obama, Obama must be Osama. After making that statement, Sen Byrant is now saying we can have a rational discussion on Obama’s policies. Sen Bryant is saying that before we have this rational debate, let it be known that Sen Obama is a terroist, a murderer, and will plan another attack on the US. How can we have a rational debate on someone that Sen Bryant is saying is the same as the guy that planned 9/11 and wants to kill all Americans ? He says he’s proud of it and that it worked. The blog was and is in fact an abject failure. It represents the same fear mondering tactics that we’ve seen for 8 years. It shows an intent to polorize and devide voters by impling that if anyone gave Sen Obama any consideration would be in fact considering the views of Osama bin Ladin(hates Americans, is a terrorist, a Muslim,will plan another attack,etc). This indicates to me that Sen Bryant assumes that either voters are extremely niave, is totally ignorant on the issues, or has a disturbing amount of hatred in him.
The last guy that liberals called an idiot became the 43rd President of the United States and served two terms. I wonder if they’ll continue the favor all the way to November.
Andy 42302,
Although I am a self-confessed Liberal, a man of Middle Eastern background, and a voter who votes mostly for Democrats, I do believe that you have crossed the line in your interpretations of Senator’s Bryant position.
First, the picture on the blog of Obama/Osama has started a political dialogue, which extended from Anderson coffee shops to national news. Second, Senator Bryant has made it very clear that he does not think of Senator Obama as a terrorist, a Muslim, or a partner of Osama bin Laden. He simply disagrees with Barak Obama’s foreign policy. Third, Senator Bryant intention is not to divide, but rather energize the political debate in Anderson County.
Andy 42302, let us use this opportunity to discuss the issues which matter, as education, health care, infrastructure, and economic development.
Art,
Sorry I am so late responding, but those math questions are hard! I respect you and your right to disagree with me. I appreciate that you are not offended by initial post. However, my problem is with the statement that he will remove it IF ENOUGH PEOPLE ARE OFFENDED. Since when is that an appropriate standard for any ethical or moral question? I was actually considering voting for him before this because I agree with him on some issues.
He does exemplify what I consider a serious concern. He, and many other christians appear to have sold their souls to the Republican Party for political influence. Rather than be the conscience of the nation, as Dr. King advocated, they are “all in”. They will support any Republican in the end, no matter his or her abilities, qualifications or stand on the issues. How else can you explain “life begins at conception” and not even questioning the “exceptions” advocated by most pro-life Republican candidates? Or fiscal irresponsibility? Or fraud, bribery, misconduct, etc?
I will support the best man or woman, no matter their party. I will also oppose any party dominating to the extent our two party system is threatened. We are already there in SC.
I adamantly disagree Art. The image makes one statement and one statement only. The only difference in Osama and Obama is the B and the S, humorously saying just a little BS. Other THAN the way they spell their names, there is no difference in the two. That’s what it says and there’s no vagueness or gray area about it. The statement isn’t rocket science and doesn’t take someone with a PHD to decipher. Obama is no different than Osama other than the way the two spells their name. You can hide behind satire or whatever but at the end of the day, the implication is that Senator Obama from IL is the same (other than one letter in their names) as Osama bin Ladin from Afghanistan.
So far so good Art?
Now that it’s understood that the two are the same, according to Sen Bryant, let’s now open up discussion on Senator Obama’s foreign policies.
Whatever rebuttal I now offer in defense of senator Obama lacks credibility. Why? Because he has already been disclosed as an Islamic fascist that hates America, is planning another attack on US soil, and cheers at the demise of Americans. If I now support any of Senator Obama’s positions or policies, surely I must hate America as well. Pretty fair debate there ain’t it Art?
Once again, it’s time for Senator Bryant to simply admit that the post was unfair to Sen Obama and in bad taste, wipe his eyes, pull up his big boy huggies, and move on to other issues.
Doubting Thomas,
Your posts are making me Doubt my Liberal tendency, since I feel the need to defend the position of a committed conservative, as Senator Kevin Bryant.
Senator Bryant was actually willing to take off the image of Obama/ Osama, regardless of the support or the opposition to its presence on the blog. However, I advised him to keep it, in order to keep the political dialogue alive.
Senator Kevin Bryant commitment to the Republican Party and its values is no secret. Senator Bryant did not sell his soul to the Republican Party; rather he is the soul of the Republican Party, along with other committed conservatives.
In this political race, we have two great men running, with sharp political differences. I strongly believe that the political debate among these two candidates will be healthy and beneficial to our community.
Andy 42302,
You have chosen to interpret Senator Bryant’s satire beyond its intention. The Senator has made it very clear that he does not think of Senator Obama as a terrorist, a Muslim, or a partner of Osama bin Laden. He simply questioned the wisdom of a foreign policy that advocates the unconditional diplomacy with leaders who have publicly called for the destruction of Israel and refused to condemn terrorism.
Senator Bryant’s success in starting the political dialogue in Anderson County has exceeded my wildest expectations. Now, we can move on to other issues, especially the education system in South Carolina.
Art, get a grip here. It’s not that I’ve chosen anything. Where in the original post #18 does it suggest that the image intended to start a discussion on Obama’s foreign policies? It doesn’t.
It doesn’t question the wisdom of anything. It says that Obama and Osama are the same.
Picture this Art. Let’s say that McCain and Obama are having a debate this fall. In John’s opening statement he says; “and by the way, remember Barack Hussein Obama’s sounds a lot like Osama bin Ladin and is identical to Saddam’s last name. Does that tell you anything about his character?” That would be childish, bias, and have nothing to do with the ongoing debate. What it would do is burn an image in some peoples mind that there’s a connection in Osama and terrorist that intend to do harm to us. Calling Sen. Bryant’s attack on Sen. Obama a “success” is an insult to most people’s intelligence. That’s why the right wing blogs have distanced themselves from it while the left wing blogs had a field day with it.
Art
“Liberal” and “conservative” mean nothing anymore. In almost every recent political contest between local Republicans, the main charge leveled is that their opponent is a, you guessed it, “liberal”. And so called “conservatives” run up big deficits and increase government.
Senator Bryant has gotten caught up in the playbook of the Bush adminstration. That is, to insinuate that Obama is a terrorist Muslim and then back off when it is questioned. The Bush administration masterfully did this to cause many people to believe there was a link between Saddam and 9/11. When questioned, Bush stated the facts, as the Senator has now done. But, in both cases, the damage was done and neither apologized or admitted that they were in any way out of line.
I’m with Andy on this. I fail to see how this opens up debate on foreign policy. I do fully agree that debate on this issue is a good thing, but I still think Bryant was simply caught here. Otherwise, the photo would have remained as it was.
Take care.
Andy 42302,
It is truly astonishing how the image Obama/Osama on Senator’s Bryant blog has caught the attention and imagination of residents and news media, locally and nationally. On the other hand, the many issues which Senator Bryant discussed in his town hall meetings seem to receive limited attention. So, while I have your attention, let me ask you what you think of the following proposal by Senator Kevin Bryant:
In a response to a question by one of the meeting attendees who wondered what the Senator intended to do about access to health care by the working poor, who are too rich to qualify for med-aid, while too poor to afford private health insurance, the Senator responded as follows:
“I do believe that we need to reduce the cost of health care. One of the ways to achieve this goal is to limit the awards of malpractice law suits, so we can limit the cost of malpractice insurance, which would result in lower medical costs in general. In addition, I do support raising cigarette taxes, as long as the revenue is giving to residents in the form of ‘health saving accounts’, so the individual can have the choice of purchasing his own private health care insurance.”
Even a Liberal, as I am, believes that the above proposal is brilliant.
Doubting Thomas,
Comparing President George Bush to Senator Kevin Bryant is comparing apples to oranges. While the two men think of themselves as committed conservative Republicans, they view the issues from remarkably different angles.
President Bush called other nations axes of evil, and he truly believed it. In addition, he stated that anyone, or nation, which does not support his point of view is siding with the terrorists. On the other hand, Senator Bryant publicly praised Senator Barak Obama as an American, while criticizing his foreign policies.
Now, while I have your attention, let me ask you for your personal view on the following proposal by Senator Kevin Bryant:
Senator Bryant believes that students who are attending failing public schools, and who have no access to successful ones, should have the choice to go to private schools, and they should receive assistance from the State in exercising this option, as long as the revenue is not taking out of the public school system.
It seems to me that the above proposal is reasonable and fair.
I disagree with the concept that malpractice settlements are an issue in health care cost. Lowering expenses of the doctors does not mean they’ll pass that savings on. It means they’ll simply make more money. That’s wishful thinking. Also, settlements should be judged on their own merit and not be limited say, $250K should a drunken or incompetent physician somehow leave an 18 year old in a vegetable state. That may be a bit extreme but ultimately, doctors should be accountable for negligence and judges and juries should be accountable to give a fair settlement. I don’t see the need in more government being there to help these victims. It’s about like every legislation that’s passed thru the 2004-2006 Bush/109th Congress era. The wealthy campaign contributors get rewarded at the voter’s expense, under the assumption that it’s in their best interest. It’s my guess that somewhere down the line you’ll find campaign contributions from physicians and insurance groups to Sen. Bryant. Just guessing.
Personally, I think tobacco should be illegal and I’m from a tobacco growing state. But that’s just my opinion. Considering that statistically, poorer folks smoke, guess who’s gonna pick up that tab. Lord forbid taxing them rich folk.
Andy 42302,
Medical malpractice settlements have reached unimaginable levels, and the ones who benefit the most from this practice are the ambulance chasers attorneys. Consequently, malpractice insurance premiums have skyrocketed, with the cost being passed into patients. In addition, some medical professionals have been forced out of practice, since they no longer can afford these insurance rates. It is too easy for an experienced trial attorney to turn a malpractice case into a war of intense emotions, regardless of the facts, resulting in huge financial settlements. Reasonable guidelines for rewarding settlements could put a stop to this madness.
Andy 42302, I agree with you that tobacco should be illegal. However, since achieving this goal is not realistic at the present time, let us make its use more expensive, as long as we use the revenues to help the working poor have greater access to health care.
Art, if some medical professionals have been forced out of business due to insurance premiums, why would they take this extra savings that tort reform generates and pass them on to their patients? Why do you think these savings will lower health cost instead of generating more profits for physicians? How much of the profits that Exxon enjoys were passed back to the consumers? How about Pharmaceuticals? That’s the same gimmickry we’ve seen from the Republican party for years. It’s something being lobbied that will do nothing for consumers but make businesses tons of money. It’s just like the bankruptcy reform bill, misleadingly named “Consumer Protection Bill” indicating that it was in the best interest of the consumers. It was sold on the concept that people were intentionally exploiting credit card companies only to cash in with bankruptcy and driving cost up. Mitch McConnell even said that it WOULD lower fees and interest rates. Statistics however proved that very few people intentionally got in trouble. It was also disclosed that banks were among the GOP’s largest contributors AND they spent over $100 million lobbing the bill. In short, they bought this packages from our leaders, interest rates and fees never went down(nor will they), banks made a fortune, and consumers got nothing. That example is one of few of the manipulation the GOP has used to fool the people into thinking that rewarding their contributors will somehow benefit them. Most all of the GOP’s main contributors have been showered with legislation that’s great for them yet ends up costing the consumer more money or at best, does nothing for them. It’s ironic here that the medical group, Big Pharma, and insurance companies were among the larger GOP contributors AND that trial lawyers donated more to the Democrats. It’s the same old thing.
So, tax the poor in order to help the poor? Pretty liberal thinking there Art. Kinda like destroying the village in order to save it? That’s the problem with this administration. They have no issues with slaughtering the village milk producing cow, selling the prime rib for profits, leaving the carcass for the villagers to bury, and tell them they’re doing it to help them. To support that claim, just take a look at the entire Bush legacy as well as this War on Terror Inc. The sad thing is, we still have folks like your Senator promoting the propoganda.
Art
You are no “liberal” by any definition of the word! Well, maybe in Anderson County only. I was not saying Kevin is a clone of Bush, but that he took a page from his playbook on this one. Saying Kevin “praised” Obama on anything is a stretch and simply not true. Maybe there is a new definition of “praise” that I have not heard about.
I will give my opinion on the two proposals you mention. One, attorney fees on medical malpractice lawsuits are a miniscule piece of the puzzle. No one ever wants to examine all factors in increasing health care costs. I would examine attrney fees along with insurance premiums and profits, medical fraud of all types, how well doctors police their profession for incompetence, etc. Going into this with the mindset that attorneys are the problem creates more problems than it solves, but it is popular. Juries in SC are very conservative and, frankly, friendly to doctors. There have been a few large verdicts, but more defense verdicts. I am aware of no runaway verdicts.
If you want to do something constructive to our system without harming the injured, here are a couple of suggestions. One, do away with punitive damages. These have no relation to the injury and are much more likely to be excessive. Plaintiff’s attorneys ask for them because they share the money with the Plaintiff’s in most cases. Do you know that if you are injured by a drunk driver and collect his/her liability insurance, you can proceed against your own insurance company, under underinsured coverage? The problem is you can still ask for punitive damages FROM YOUR OWN INSURANCE COMPANY. Does that seem right? They are punished for the conduct of someone they do not even insure?
As for the education proposal, I am against subsidizing private schools in any way. In my opinion, this is an attempt by those who send their kids to school to get a tax break, plain and simple. Public money should go to public schools.
Andy 4302,
It is obvious that you are a very articulate and knowledgeable person. And it is equally obvious that you are farther to the left from where I stand. So, let me respond to each of the issues you mentioned:
• Lowering malpractice costs would lower the medical profession’s costs, which may or may not be passed on to the consumers. However, if we include this saving in a comprehensive plan to lower medical costs and, simultaneously, lower the cost of accessing medical care, we may be able to achieve a win/win solution.
• Exxon profits, along with other oil companies, have been around 7%, which is a reasonable profit by corporate standards. High gas prices, for the most part, are due to supply and demand. So, the solution is to increase supply, in addition to searching for alternative sources of energy.
• Bankruptcy reform was intended to reduce abuses and irresponsible uses of the system. However, we should also give equal attention to abuses by banks and credit card companies of uniformed consumers.
• Increasing cigarette tax and using the revenues to provide access to medical care for the working poor is a win/win proposal. The increased tax will motivate cigarette smokers to quit, who are mostly poor, while giving them a break on their medical costs.
• Senator Kevin Bryant is a committed, conservative Republican. However, he is No George Bush.
Doubting Thomas,
Your response to the malpractice issue involved the following suggestions:
• Examine attorney fees, along with insurance premiums and profits, medical fraud of all types, and how well doctors police their profession for incompetence.
• Do away with punitive damages.
Doubting Thomas, I deeply appreciate and support your suggestions. However, we differ on supporting school choice. Some challenged communities have access to only failing public schools. So, these communities need to be given alternatives, which have to involve public funding.
Art, thanks for responding in a civil and respectful manner.
Exxon has been making about $40 million clear profit dollars for the past few years. I and I think most Americans really don’t have a great deal of sympathy that they’re only making 7 to 9% profit. They’re robbing us blind and we know it. That however, wasn’t my point. My point was that due to being flushed with enormous amounts of cash, it hasn’t lowered prices, it hasn’t created more jobs, and it hasn’t had a positive effect on our economy. There’s no reason to believe that the medical business would be any different. None at all. My point on bankrupt reform was that it WAS NOT intended to reduce abuses. That was a gimmick that the GOP sold the public. The intentions were to make banks more money and to make it harder for people that experienced circumstantial hardships to start over. Remember that the abuse argument was proven statically false. It’s very name; “Consumer Protection Bill” show how misleading the bill is.
This tort reform is the same thing, a scam. Its sole intent is to reward the insurance and medical companies that financed the GOP while punishing the evil trial lawyers that financed the democrats. There’s no realistic reason to believe that any benefit will be enjoyed by the consumer. The consumer didn’t see it with oil, the consumer protection bill, or the pharmaceutical companies.
Simply disputing my claims and repeating your insistence that it’s a good ideal doesn’t counter my argument or give credibility in yours.
While it’s obvious that you feel that Sen. Bryant might be the best thing since sliced bread, and that he’s different than the GWB that he admittedly hates to hear get bashed, I think it’s understandable that I don’t see it that way. Quite honestly, I’m becoming less impressed all the time.
Exxon has been making about $40 Billion per year instead of $40 million.
Art
Although I live in Anderson District 5, the fairest way to allocate tax dollars would be to do so per pupil across the state. Underfunded schools and districts would at least have the same dollars to compete. But, that will never pass and it would hurt the well funded districts like District 5.
In areas with failing schools, are the private schools doing so well because they do a better job? Or, is it in large part because they now have the top students from that district and none of those on the bottom to hold them back? I dare say that the top students at T L Hanna or Wren would equal or exceed the top students from area private schools.