Cindi Scoppe’s Nov. 2 column, “The Legislative State,” laid out the problem with our form of state government by highlighting two horrible manifestations — the Richland County voting fiasco and the S.C. Department of Revenue hacking attack. They have common antecedents. Government bungling, incompetence and government organizational weakness.

The column identified the historical roots of the problem. The Legislative State exists because we allow it to exist.

Someone once said: “We get the government that we deserve.” It is true. We the people have not taken responsibility or conducted continuous oversight of the government. In its wake, we have two massive government failures. Others will surely follow. It is only a matter of time.

Time is long past when we need a tight, cohesive, wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling responsible government in this state. It does not exist. It is structurally impossible in the present form. Agencies must be held accountable. Government workers must be held accountable. Efficiencies must improve, drastically.

We should demand that our government be successful, to serve the public at large, not small special interest groups. We the citizens of the state of South Carolina must demand more from our government. It must be more responsible, efficient and transparent, internally and externally.

Can you image Apple Inc. being run this way? Would it be as successful?

Steve Geer

Columbia