In spite of the fact that I did not always agree with the Governor, it is my firm conviction that Mark Sanford has been a stellar example of a true fiscal and political conservative. He has never wavered from those conservative principles of low taxes and small government, even in the face of astounding opposition from his own Party.
Never in all my years of observing politics have I ever been so thoroughly disappointed in a GOP-controlled legislature. They have fought the Governor tooth and nail on almost every single important issue.
The reason is not far to find. Most of them are not real conservatives. They are big spending Democrats who saw which way the wind was blowing in the state, and became Republicans just to get elected. The fact that they squandered a budget surplus just prior to the financial meltdown of 2008 is a perfect case in point. The legislature is singularly responsible for the financial woes of the state due to their mismanagement of funds.
They went on spending spree rather than exercise fiscal restraint. And when the crisis hit, the state was out of money and unable to address the crisis.
Sanford's opposition to the federal stimulus money was an act of courage designed to protect South Carolina taxpayers from a trainwreck of gargantuan proportions that will hit in 2 years when the stimulus money runs out. At that point, either the legislature will be forced to enact the single largest tax increase in the state's history, or else we will have more financial woes that will be even worse than we presently experience.
Due to Sanford's relentless opposition to the reckless habits of the legislature, he has made some enemies over the years, some of the worst being in his own Party. They have an ax to grind with the Governor. And some of them are using the present scandal as an excuse to accuse him of malfeasance and force him from office.
One such legislator is the gentleman from Lexington County, who is calling for a massive investigation into Sanford...a process that will cost the taxpayers millions of dollars. Perhaps while we're at it, we should also investigate the gentleman from Lexington. People who live in glass houses should cast no stones. I'm not saying he's guilty of anything. I'm saying that no one that I know of is so perfect that they have a right to cast stones at others for their moral failures. We have enough of our own.
To be fair, the Governor is distracted, no doubt. As he focuses his attention on putting his marriage back together, the question is, can he properly focus on the business of the state?
Sanford asked for forgiveness after admitting his mistakes. Unlike Bill Clinton who looked into the camera and lied to the American people, Sanford was man enough to own up to his failures. He is far and away a better man than the likes of Barney Frank, Bill Clinton, Rod Blagojevich, Eliot Spitzer, and others who were caught with their hands in the cookie jar. As a Christian, I am constrained to forgive Mark Sanford.
But the larger question looms concerning his ability to fulfill his duties in office. Is he up to the task?
I have no definitive answer to that question. And I'm afraid that on this issue, only Mark Sanford, in his heart of hearts, can discover the answer.
For commentary on other issues, visit my blog, updated daily, at The Liberty Sphere.
Comments
yea i agree too its about the stimulus the affair is tragic but is not the big issue obamas administration wants all state governors as servants
As a Christian, do you also forgive Democrats?
Ellen--sure I do, if they admit their wrongdoing and ask for forgiveness. When have Barney Frank, Rod Blagojevich, William Jefferson, etc. ever once admitted to a mistake? Even Bill Clinton lied about his. But he did eventually fess up, and I forgave him.
Hey Ellen, that's kinda cute! As a hypocrite, do you have children yet support abortion? Do you fight against the death penalty yet support abortion? Do you complain that the government should do more in social programs yet donate less than 10% of your income?
When people pull the "Christian" card, it's rather humorous. Thanks for the laugh.
When discussing the Sanford debacle, why is no one pointing out the fact that it takes two to tango!! Gov Sanford did not have this affair by himself.
This is a mature woman. She knew the consequences for him of her saying YES because after all the woman has the last say in ALL sexual situations.
Secondly, why did he go to this woman in the first place? What was missing in his relationship??
Not condoning, just saying...
LOL... Governor Sanford is in a league of his own! This is beyond adultery; it's about dereliction of duties and malfeasance and using state resources to conduct a tryst. The governor left his state unattended for days to have an affair in Argentina knowing full well that in case of emergency, he has the sole power to deploy the National Guard among other things! He was unreachable and no body knew his location. This behavior is unacceptable from the leader of a state and calls into question his judgment. Governor Sanford only confessed because the lies that he peddled through his staff (hiking on the Appalachian Trail, writing a book) unraveled after he was spotted at the airport by a journalist returning from Argentina and the excuses about his absence crumbled. Today, we learnt that after his wife discovered the affair in January, she asked him to break it up and not go back to Argentina. And what does he do? He lied to her and lied to his staff then booked a flight to visit his mis
It's obvious that the Rev. Anthony Martin is a Republican. Please tell me the importance of naming every Democrat that you could possibly to justify Sanfords wrong doing. It has nothing to do with past Democrat politicians that lied or made mistakes. It has everything to do with this situation at hand. That Sanford cant be trusted. I agree with Alinosof totally. The guy leaves his state defenseless, and only confessed because he hung himself with his endless trail of lies. Then you have the audacity to say that he was man enough to admit his mistakes so he should be forgiven. You are truly a joke. Your perspective on this topic is expressly the problem with government today. It is not always a partisan issue my friend. Wake up and smell the coffee. And stop pulling the Christian card. Get a life dude. Face the fact that this guy is a scumbag.....and you my twisted minded friend need your head examined. That'll be all. TaTa
If possible (if his peers will work with him) he should finish his term and then return to Argentina to his whore.
Yes, he should resign, repent, reconcile, rehabilitate and maybe, just maybe, return to public life.
As my column as Charlotte Law and Politics examiner suggests.
nice work as usual AM
I'd say yes but really that's a question for Sanford and the people of South Carolina. the New York Times needs to concern itself with the elected trash closer to home. I'm not sure there's a politician out there that wouldn't have carnal relations with a snake if he could find someone to hold it down for him.
To NC's Finest: And you, Sir, are a hate-monger. You are an example of everything wrong with America. So, who's the loony-bird NOW!@
Yes Mark Sanford needs to resign. This is a NO BRAINER. He is adding to the hypocrisy of other Republican politicos who have publicly preached spiritual/religious righteousness and behind the scenes they are living breathing hypocrites doing the same things they rallied against. Sure we all make mistakes. But most of us who do don't continuously preach against others. IT'S ABOUT THE HYPOCRISY. (And of course, the irresponsibility as others have mentioned. This man is unfit to hold public office.) The Republican Party is in trouble folks. And Sanford continuing as Gov only drags it deeper into the hole. Get him out of office. Now.
Who gives a crap about the affair? Ok, we all do, but in any case, it has nothing to do with a political resignation.
This crazy disappeared for nearly a week, had his staff lie about where his was, and even lied about what he was doing as he stepped foot off on the plane in Atlanta. Further, he used taxpayers dollars to fund his trip(at least once), and state vehicles as a means of getting to and from the airports. He is even more crazy to stubbornly stand up when most people of his state(what ever happened to by the people) want him gone.
BTY, just for the record, I am NOT a member of ANY political party. I am a conservative independent in the Reagan tradition. The GOP has lost its way. I have voted for conservatives in several Parties--GOP, Dem, Libertarian, and Independent.
I am not heavily vested in Sanford staying on the job or resigning either. I simply observe things as I see them, popular or not.
Bill Clinton was in a much higher office then this senator. He got a blowjob in office...it is widely known he was a constant cheater on his wife. If his job wasnt in jeopardy over cheating, why should this mans? Is it cause hes republican and its PC to hate republicans? I am neither demo or repub, but if your going to look the other way over one offical, you cant look at the other and go..NAUGHTY BOY YOU LOSE YOUR JOB!! TSK TSK! It needs to be fair.
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