Below is a post by SC Treasurer Curtis Loftis. In it, Loftis describes the oligarchy that is South Carolina state government.
This oligarchy has been the tradition in South Carolina since there has been a state government. This one-party government, controlled behind the scenes by a few rich donors, causes all of the problems that we face in the state today.
South Carolina is now a Republican state. For over a century, it was a Democratic state. However, the party labels mean nothing – the politics in the state have never changed.
In most instances, those that are Republicans today come from families where the fathers and mothers were Democrats 50 years ago.
Party affiliation means nothing when it comes to philosophy of governing. It’s all about getting elected and staying elected. Nothing else matters to most of our politicians.
And to do that, these same politicians must line up and swear blood oaths to the ruling powers behind the scenes.
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By Curtis Loftis
I ran for office and was elected on the sole purpose of reform.
I’ve found, after 6 years of battling the system, that there is no “infrastructure” for change. The levers of power are managed by and tilted in favor of a status quo that is controlled by a handful of people.
To move an issue that results in meaningful change is almost impossible unless there is a calamity of some sort such as a natural disaster or mass shooting.
The system is rigged in favor of a small number of powerful people and their rich cronies that control our government.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the State Senate. There are many intelligent and honorable members that diligently serve their constituents but the antiquated rules, especially the seniority system, keeps the real power in the hands of a few.
Only the Senate can change Senate rules.
The primary election is a few weeks away and I urge you to vote against ANY senate candidate that will not pledge, as the first course of business, to modernize the rules so that power leaves the hands of a few and is given to the many.
I’ve drawn fire from the rich and powerful for 6 years now. They can be ruthless, deceptive, nasty and they are relentless.
They work behind the scenes and use front groups and lackeys to do their dirty work. However, they don’t control enough votes to keep power. They need your vote – don’t vote for the rich and powerful.
Vote for your interest and the interest of your friends, family and neighbors. Vote for South Carolina
Speak Up…