Congressman Ron Paul
Monday, November 8, 2010
Last week’s midterm elections have been characterized as a victory for grassroots Americans who are fed up with Washington and the political status quo. In particular, the elections are being touted as a clear indicator that voters demand reductions in federal spending, deficits, and debt.
If the new Congress hopes to live up to the expectations of Tea Party voters, however, it faces some daunting choices. For all the talk about pork and waste, the truth is that Congress cannot fix the budget and get our national debt under control by trimming fat and eliminating earmarks for “Bridges to Nowhere.”
Real reductions in federal spending can be achieved only by getting to the meat of the federal budget, meaning expenditures in all areas. The annual budget soon will be $5 trillion unless Congress takes serious steps to reduce spending for entitlements, military, and debt service. Yet how many Tea Party candidates who campaigned on a platform of spending cuts talked about Social Security, Medicare, foreign wars, or bond debt?
With regard to entitlements, the 2010 Social Security and Medicare Trustees report tells it all. It paints a stark picture of two entitlement programs that cannot be sustained under even the rosiest scenarios of economic growth. No one, regardless of political stripe, can deny the fundamental problem of unfunded future liabilities in both programs.
We should understand that Social Security was intended primarily to prevent old widows from becoming destitute. Life expectancy in 1935 was only about 65, when there were several workers for each Social Security recipient. The program was never intended to be a general transfer payment from young workers to older retirees, regardless of those retirees’ financial need. Yet today Social Security faces an unfunded liability of approximately $18 trillion.
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For Immediate Release Contact: Kara Borie, SCDOC, 803.737.1998

Heritage Propane Express Announces New Facility in Anderson County
Investment expected to create 24 new jobs

COLUMBIA, S.C. – November 8, 2010 – The South Carolina Department of Commerce and Anderson County today announced that Heritage Propane Express, full service provider of propane grill cylinders, will establish its new production facility in Anderson County. The acquired land and facility investment is expected to generate 24 new jobs once up to full production.

“Our company continues to extend its reach into new markets and this new facility will help us service more customers along the East Coast. Anderson County provides us an excellent environment in which to do business and has a workforce to suit our needs. We look forward to opening our new operations in South Carolina and appreciate all the support we have received from state and local officials,” said Marty Baker Jr., vice president of Heritage Propane Express.

Heritage Propane Express will open a new propane grill cylinder exchange processing and delivery facility in Anderson County. The company expects to have the new facility constructed by June 2011, and will be located in the Hurricane Creek Industrial Park.

“Heritage Propane Express is a nationally-recognized full-service provider of propane grill cylinders for both retailers and distributors. The company’s decision to locate its new facility in South Carolina is another sign that our state’s exceptional market access and business-friendly environment are working to attract new investment and job opportunities. On behalf of the Department of Commerce, we welcome Heritage Propane Express to South Carolina and wish the company much success in its new Anderson location,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.

“We are excited to welcome Heritage Propane Express to the Anderson County family,” said Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn. “Site selection is a very competitive market and it speaks volumes that our county can attract industry even during an economic downturn.”

“I am so proud to have the pleasure of making a second economic development announcement in two weeks,” said Anderson County Councilman Ron Wilson. “Again, I certainly applaud our Economic Development Office and their efforts to attract industry. This is yet another success and we are proud to welcome Heritage Propane Express to District 6.”

The company will begin hiring for the new positions in May 2011. Anyone interested in job opportunities with the company should contact Steve Magill at steve.magill@heritagepropane.com in the spring of 2011.

Heritage Propane Express (HPX) is a full service provider of propane grill cylinders for exchange for retailers and distributors. HPX has production facilities, districts and depots in its marketing areas that refurbish, deliver and distribute to retailers. In addition to propane cylinders, HPX provides services such as quality storage cabinets, safety protection, safety and marketing training and unique marketing branding enabling the retailer to provide point-of-purchase sales of both exchange and new propane grill cylinders. Currently, HPX services 37 states. For more information, please visit www.heritagepropaneexpress.com.

About S.C. Department of Commerce
The S.C. Department of Commerce works closely with economic development professionals throughout the state to recruit new jobs and investments and help existing businesses grow. Commerce has been recognized for its success in the areas of job creation and economic impact by Area Development and Business Facilities magazines. The S.C. Department of Commerce was one of 10 state economic development organizations to receive Area Development’s Silver Shovel Award in 2009 and Commerce received the 2009 Deal of the Year award from Business Facilities magazine. Southern Business & Development also awarded the S.C. Department of Commerce the “Deal of the Year” for the 2010 SB&D 100. Commerce received the recognitions for Boeing’s selection of North Charleston for the company’s second final assembly plant to support the 787 Dreamliner program. In addition to job and investment recruitment, the agency provides a range of business support services and offers grants for community development and infrastructure improvements. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.

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Governor elect Nikki Haley met with us briefly at the SC Senate Republican Caucus retreat this afternoon. She emphasized working together at the beginning stages of the legislative process to improve economic conditions in South Carolina.

Take a look at this video, it is priceless:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2010/11/02/bachmann_to_msnbcs_matthews_that_thrill_isnt_tingly_anymore.html

A combative Chris Matthews accuses Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) of being “hypnotized” and under a “trance.”

Bachmann says we’re out of this “nightmare” and “we’re thrilled.”

“I think people are thrilling tonight, I imagine that thrill is maybe not quite so tingly on your leg anymore, I’m not sure anymore,” Rep. Bachmann told Matthews.

After the interview, a purple-faced Matthews said “I never used that word” and called Bachmann a moron.