Democracy?

What is it? Why are we attempting to spread it worldwide? Is it working in America?

I have young, black, red, brown and white brothers and sisters fighting and dying on foreign soil to promote democracy and on this side of the world we are fighting for the right of some Americans to vote. Many obstacles are being placed in minorities’ way by suppressing the basic constitutional right — to vote.

Now, let us see what the lexicologist has to say about this word democracy: 1. Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives. 2. The common people, considered as the primary source of political power. 3. Majority rule. 4. The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community. There are other definitions, but you get the picture.

Traveling around the world, a passport was all that I needed to prove that I was an American citizen. Now I have to prove citizenship to vote in the country of my birth, along with a voter registration card. Shame on America. Stop lying to foreign countries that you are there to spread democracy when it is not practiced at home.

I am reminded of Fredrick Douglass, an ex-slave — being invited to speak to the European 4th of July (“4th of you lie”) celebration. Such hypocrisy. Read his historical speech:

“Strong to suffer, and yet strong to strive” which was delivered on April 16, 1886 In Washington, D.C.

America, will you ever live up to your creed?

Gladys McKoy

Georgetown

Republican voters

Please don’t fail to vote on Tuesday, November 6.

This presidential election is the most critical of our lifetime. Together we can determine the future of our well-loved, but foundering, America.

Mary Ann Wannamaker

Georgetown

Responsibilities

I am shocked to read the [letter to the editor] concerning the use of the South Carolina airplane. The writer seems to think Reverend Anderson was correct in using the state airplane for his private affairs.

I hope Reverend Anderson don’t feel this way, for the rules are the same for all of the public officials.

The writer seems to forget Reverend Anderson was on private business and not state business, therefore he should compensate the state of South Carolina for the use of the airplane.

Mary Julia S. Sargent

Georgetown

Designer Showhouse

The Stewart Parker Designer Showhouse ended its successful two week run on October 27. So many people worked so hard to make this magical event take place. There are too many names to mention individually but I would like to mention a few groups.

Thank you to the sponsors and advertisers who believed in us. Thank you to the designers, whose vision transformed the rooms of the Stewart Parker house into a fantasyland. Thank you to the best committee ever, a group dedicated to all the planning, work and late nights that it took to bring this idea to fruition.

A special thank you to the Stewart Parker docents who greeted every visitor with a welcoming smile and information about the history of the house, the room designers and the room plans. I can never thank you enough.

We are planning to do this again next year. Watch for news.

Kathleen Hughes

Chairman, Stewart Parker Designer Showhouse

Georgetown

The most religious thing a school board does

Mojo and I have nightly discussions about the issues of the day. Recently, he and I were discussing prayers by public bodies. At least one candidate for the school board is campaigning on the promise to restore prayer before school board meetings. Mojo knows that I find prayers before public events problematic. This partly stems from my experience as a young pastor. I was asked to start the high school basketball season with a prayer. I prayed a usual public prayer. Keep the players safe, etc. The tip went up. The ball wound up with a player who then streaked toward the basket on a break away lay up. He tripped, fell, and broke his leg. I was never asked to pray again.

In my opinion, there is a great deal of misunderstanding about the establishment clause in the Constitution. The desire of the writers of the Constitution was to guard against any one religion becoming the religion of the land. As that notion took on legs and walked around, the separation of church and state was taken to mean the separation of the church as an institution from the state as an institution so that neither controls the other. Prayers are symbols of the institution of the church. When I was a pastor, no government entity told me what to pray and I did not insist that all public officials be Presbyterian. There was a time in Europe and the colonies when the government did give directives as to form of worship and public officials had to belong to a particular church.

However, the separation of the church as an institution from the state as an institution so that neither controls the other does not mean the separation of religious value from forming public policy. I've come to understand that the most religious thing a public body does is pass a budget. Are teachers paid a living wage? Are school resources made available to all children regardless of economic status? Can special needs students find support in the school system? At heart, these are religious questions.

Regardless of who winds up on the school board, I hope the board will put the prayer issue to rest. I want my taxpayer dollars going to the class room and not the court room.

Oh what is it Mojo? Yea, that’s a great idea. Since Mojo does a lot of silent praying, he suggests that school board members be educated about how best to use the moment of silence before meetings. Each of them could seek out their spiritual leader and ask for guidance as to how best to use that moment of reflection. Thanks Mojo.

Sincerely,

The Rev. Dr. Jim Watkins

and Mojo

Pawleys Island

Character

To all voters who have not voted with an absentee ballot, please consider an important personal character issue between the two Presidential candidates.

When Mitt Romney was CEO of a corporation, the daughter of one of his employees went missing in the New York Metropolitan area. Mr. Romney promptly closed down the company and asked his employees and a private investigator to find the missing young woman. Eventually the young woman was located, fortunately averting a tragedy.

When four Americans were fighting for their lives in Benghazi, President Obama did nothing.

Which candidate for the highest office the land possesses the highest personal character trait?

Art Blenk

Pawleys Island

Kathy Harrelson for Auditor

I have known Kathy Harrelson and her family for many years. Her parents were well respected members of our community. Kathy works hard in her position in the Auditor’s office to provide the highest level of service. She works to make sure that everyone that is eligible for a tax break receives it. The Auditor’s office does not determine value, they calculate it. She goes out of her way to assist the taxpayers of this county. On a personal level she is against tax increases of any kind.

Her strong faith and conservative values serve her well. We need someone in this office that is qualified and has experience and Kathy has both. She understands the needs of the our community.

I ask you to vote for petition candidate Kathy Sullivan Harrelson for Auditor.

Rosalee Joseph

Georgetown

Brian Shult for Auditor

What four attributes does Georgetown County voters need to look for when electing an auditor?

• First and foremost a person that has the education and business knowledge to make the county auditing department into an efficient and cohesive group.

Brian Shult has these qualifications. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from a Texas University. He has managed businesses, owned both small and large businesses.

• Second, a person of vision that can interact with all county entities to bring the best return on investments for the tax payers.

Brian Shult has the background as a business owner that required him to face the tough decisions on investing and seeking out the best ROI (return on investments).

• Third, a person that is a conservative and treats the Georgetown County’s finances with utmost care and attention.

Brian Shult is a classic conservative. He supports low taxes, limited government, and individual property rights along with promoting free enterprise and individual responsibility.

• Fourth, a person that understands the purpose of government is to serve it constituents.

Brian Shult is a people person. He shows genuine concern and compassion for his fellow man. He will look to all the county constituents as his customers and will be attentive to their needs.

Your electing Brian Shult for Georgetown County auditor will bring new positive perspective to this office.

Howard Ward

Pawleys Island

Brian Shult for Auditor

On Tuesday, November 6th, Brian Shult will appear on the ballot for Georgetown County Auditor. I urge you to vote for him.

Brian has had a successful run as a business owner and manager throughout his life. In that role he has insisted on excellent service and superb customer relations. Brian believes that Georgetown County residents deserve to be heard when they are unfairly treated or taxed. The Auditor's office under his direction will be more open and accommodating, and his goal will be to make the office more responsive and efficient. He will apply his conservative principles and management skills to improve the department. It is time for fresh new ideas in the Auditor’s office.

I have served with Brian in the Georgetown County Republican Party and I know him to be a person who will serve with distinction in the Auditor's office. I heartily endorse him.

Bill Hills

Murrells Inlet

Alma White for Clerk of Court

Having spent many years working with the court system of Georgetown County and observing the work ethics and competence of our past Clerks of Court. Ms. Williams and Ms. Moore, Georgetown is fortunate to have some one in office who has carried on the institutional practices of these fine ladies.

Alma White has established a protocol, second to none, in performing the duties and responsibilities established by law for Clerks of Court in South Carolina. County wide elected officials should be nonpartisan, as they do not have any effect on national politics. Ms. White has proven her leadership ability to work across party lines with lawmakers, law enforcement, and county government to improve the operation of the court system.

Losing Alma White's experience and knowledge of the court system due to partisan politics would be a loss for Georgetown County and the people she has so faithfully served.

Michael Carter

Murrells Inlet

Alma White for Clerk of Court

I’m writing this letter in support of my former boss Ms. Alma White, the Clerk of Court for Georgetown County. I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to work for Ms. White on two different occasions. I was first hired in 2001 as a Court Clerk and worked for 2 1/2 years before resigning to be at home more with my daughter who was very young at that time. Later on, I had the opportunity to return to my old job in 2009. Earlier this year, I had to resign again because of health problems.

I feel fortunate and blessed to have had the opportunity to work in the Clerk of Court’s office for nearly six years. I enjoyed working for someone who enjoys her work and appreciated working for someone who knows how to manage the office and the courts. In addition, Ms. White is a people’s person and she treats everyone with respect and demands the same from the staff. I want the citizens of this county to know that we have one of the best run clerk’s office and court system in South Carolina. At state association meetings, it made employees in the clerk’s office proud because other clerks around the state respect Ms. White’s leadership and will often call the Georgetown office to inquire about how we do things in the Georgetown office.

Since we have one of the best clerks in the state, we should try to hold on to her for as long as we can.

Linda Duncan

Georgetown

Tom Rice for 7th District

During the recent debate at Myrtle Beach High School, Tom Rice’s Democrat opponent claimed that she is an economic development specialist. However, there is a huge difference in the theory of economic development versus the practice of economic development. For too long, we have heard politicians claim to be economic development specialists. Fortunately, the voters of the 7th District have an opportunity to elect a congressman that has actually practiced economic development.

By degree and practice, Tom Rice is a business accountant and tax attorney. As counsel and trusted advisor to multitudes of business owners during his career, he has demonstrated the intimate understanding of what is needed to make business succeed. In starting his own successful business, Tom has proven the ability to put words and thoughts into meaningful action. As chairman of Horry County Council, he has exhibited a commitment to economic development by instituting measures that has brought jobs and industry to the 7th District.

As a business owner, my accountant is one of the most trusted members of my enterprise; and, I know that most of my colleagues would agree. During the time that I have known Tom Rice, I have found him to display this same level of integrity.

Business and Industry has been severely over-burdened and over-regulated by the federal government which has diminished the ability for us to compete in the world economy. During a recent trip to Asia, I learned firsthand that the burden cost on business, due to regulations, is 15% lower in the Pacific Rim than in our region. The Economic Freedom Index, a benchmark for measuring economic success, ranks the Pacific Rim countries of Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand in the lead, while the US ranks 10th.

One would think that since Mrs. Tinubu claims to be an expert in economics, she would know that the federal government shouldn’t be adding more regulations and mandates on business and industry. Furthermore, increasing federal burden on businesses isn’t the way to spur job growth. She has stated on several occasions that she supports the Obamacare legislation which adds to the federal burden placed on business and industry. Her advocacy of theories and policies that increases regulatory burden on business would halt practicing job-creators from bringing business and industry to the 7th District.

Recently, I accompanied Tom Rice on a tour of local industries and examined his plans for job creation and economic development in the 7th District. Consequently, I can state that he is knowledgeable and well-versed in the practice of economic development.

Please join me and vote for conservative Tom Rice on November 6th.

Timothy M. Tilley, P.E./CPE

President, EnviroSep

Georgetown

Sales tax

1% of the amount an “average income” family in Georgetown County spends is not a large, deal breaking amount, but that same 1% of what a poor family spends could be.

Supporters maintain that the tax is not on essential items, only items like shampoo, toothpaste, tooth brushes Band-Aids, clothes, appliances, fast foods. In other words, all of the things that we spend the most of our money on.

Supporters of the tax say that we need to pave more roads in the County. They don’t tell you that there is already a county tax in place for that and it is already being done on a pay as you go basis- — the best way to go. Your roads will get paved without the 1% tax.

The supporters do not tell you that the $30 a year tax that you pay for each vehicle you own to pave roads will not be removed if the 1% tax is passed.

The supporters don’t tell you that when they build a park or library in your rural area, your property value will go up and so will your property taxes. Nothing is free to those who own something.

When the county sends out employees to promote the tax, did they talk about what the future economy of the county will be if the economy of the country as a whole continues to crash?

Did they tell you that one of the options that the county will have is to borrow the entire $40 million and proceed with construction of all of the projects?

What happens if they do this and the economy crashes further, you and I have little money to purchase goods and there is too little sales tax money to pay back the loan? There is only one way to repay a government debt in that event and that is through higher property taxes. Again, nothing is free if you own something.

It should be telling that the only reported financial supporters of the Pennies For Progress group are people associated with the construction business who will benefit from the construction of the projects themselves. That is their report, not mine. The supporters of the Stop The Tax organization are private citizens like myself who stand to gain nothing.

The economy seems to be taking a turn for the best today, but we are a few days from an election and nothing can be trusted. This may well be an orchestrated upswing that will crash after the election.

We need to wait until we are on more firm footing. Let’s take another look at the tax at the midterm elections in 2014.

Bill Hills

Murrells Inlet