TheState.com: Letters

Wednesday: State retirees must be watchful

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:10 EST

Some legislators claim the S.C. Retirement System has a $17 billion liability, but the 300,000 members of the system need to take notice of the proposed reform measures.

By state law, the Retirement System provides yearly actuarial valuations of its assets and liabilities. Cavanaugh McDonald, an independent consulting firm, conducted the valuation as of July 2010, and a report was submitted in February 2011. The summary of the report stated, “SCRS continues to operate on an actuarially sound basis.”

Members of the Budget and Control Board requested a second opinion, and Gabriel, Roeden Smith & Co. conducted a second actuary valuation, at a cost of $250,000. The two reports were similar but came to different conclusions. Why different conclusions, I do not know. I do know that many legislators are using the GRS report as the basis for the need to reform our retirement plans.

Has a comparison report on the two reports been done? Why the different conclusions? Was the additional cost worth the price for a second opinion? Why aren’t our legislators as interested in changing the retirement plan for law enforcement and firefighters as the one for the rest of us? Until some of these questions are fully explained, retirees need to look after their vested retirement plans. If you disagree with your legislators, let them know. If this does not help, we still have the power of the vote.

Bill Ward

Wednesday: Thomas reveals his own bias

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:10 EST

It’s a rare human being who succeeds in bringing none of her or his own bias to the task of biblical interpretation. In his Wednesday column, “The president’s ‘social gospel’”, Cal Thomas seems to believe he should be able to bring his bias into the picture, but President Obama should not. Thomas salts his discussion with little buzz words such as references to Karl Marx and the ACLU and ends by assuring us that his view is “traditional Christian theology” whether others “accept it or not.”

I, as everyone knows, am a biblical scholar who brings no bias of any kind to the debate; and I say that Thomas simply has no authority to tell anyone else — including the president — what Christian theology is or should be.

Richard C. Massey

Columbia

Wednesday: Pentagon mustn’t eacape real cuts

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:09 EST

State parks, which are preserved and managed for the people of South Carolina, are facing an unnecessary funding challenge. States have made other spending cuts that hurt families and reduce necessary services — in health care services to the elderly and disabled, K-12 education, higher education and other areas.

Meantime, the Pentagon budget keeps getting bigger. The secretary of defense announced on Jan. 26 that he plans to slow the rate of growth for the Pentagon budget, but even under this proposal in 10 years the budget would still be bigger than it is today.

Over the past decade, the Pentagon budget has grown by 100 percent. Some of that growth was to pay for the wars, but not all of it. Right now, we are all having to cut back. The Pentagon should have to as well.

Cassandra Fralix

Lexington

Make tobacco control a priority

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:06 EST

South Carolina has made notable progress on tobacco-control efforts, from many communities adopting smoke-free laws to the establishment of a statewide Quitline helping smokers kick the habit and, most notably, raising the cigarette tax in 2010 from 7 cents per pack to 57 cents. Still, we earned failing grades in nearly every category of the American Lung Association’s 2012 ranking. There’s more we can do to improve our ranking, which will drastically improve the health of our citizens and save significant money.

Cigarette use drags on South Carolina’s economy. Citizens are forced to underwrite the tobacco business at an annual cost of about $1,000 per household to support the medical consequences of smoking. And tobacco growing is no longer an economic mainstay for us; most tobacco in U.S. cigarettes comes from overseas. In short, South Carolina can no longer afford tobacco.

A few changes would be a boon to the health of our citizens and the state’s economy. First, South Carolina should adopt comprehensive clean-air legislation; we are one of the few states without it. Also, lawmakers should add a stamp to cigarette packs to improve tax collections, and license tobacco retailers to enforce responsible retailing practices.

Legislators also ought to dedicate a significant amount of the funds from the national cigarette lawsuit settlement to tobacco control. And finally, raising the cigarette tax in 2010 was smart and necessary, but it remains 42nd lowest in the nation, and we’re wise to remember that tobacco use is a personal choice with devastating ripple effects for our health and wallets. Lawmakers should raise this user fee even higher.

While the state’s leading research and tobacco-control entities — the Hollings Cancer Center at MUSC and DHEC — are engaging in tobacco-related cancer research, treatment and smoking-cessation programs, the state should do everything possible to protect the next generation of young people from becoming smokers.

Tuesday: Loftis backs pension transparency

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:07 EST

For years, politicians have spoken about the troubles facing our state pension system, have promised to reform the $25 billion system — and have kicked the can down the road. In 2011, state Treasurer Curtis Loftis and his staff started shining a light on many of the problems with our state’s investments.

When Loftis brought to light the fact that South Carolina pays $1.3 million each day to manage the pension fund, as opposed to the $200,000 national average, it ruffled some feathers. This is important because S.C. taxpayers foot the bill when the employers’ contribution to the fund has to be raised, as it was last year by $90 million.

Many politicians would rather things not be shaken up, and so today, the state Senate is scheduled to take up an amendment that would remove Loftis from the pension system’s investment commission. The amendment comes from state Sen. Greg Ryberg, who ran unsuccessfully for treasurer twice.

While “transparency” and “accountability” are nothing more than buzz words for many politicians, Loftis makes them a reality. It is imperative that South Carolinians call their state senators and let them know that they appreciate having someone on the commission who is accountable to the voters — and who is shining a light on what is going on with our state’s financial matters.

Preston Baines

Tuesday: Let’s talk about fairness, equality

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:09 EST

In response to Anthony J. DiStefano’s Feb. 2 comments on equality and fairness (“Columnist wrong in bashing Obama”), was it fair for the president to enact a tax on cigarettes in 2009 to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program? It caused manufacturers to raise the prices of their products. Why isn’t the rest of society paying additional taxes for this program? Is that fair and equal?

Since the passage of Obamacare, insurance companies have been raising premiums on those who purchase health insurance so they can pay for the medical care of those who don’t purchase insurance and those who refuse to take care of their own. Is that fair and equal?

Just being born doesn’t entitle you to anything. It’s up to you what you do with your life. I hope you won’t decide to live off the labor of others. What if everyone decided to do that? What would happen then?

Bob Dodge

Columbia

Tuesday: Catholic church has some nerve

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:08 EST

I am absolutely weary of hearing about the outrage of the Catholic church regarding the decision by the Obama administration that the health insurance plans of church-affiliated institutions must offer coverage for contraception. The yowling is apparently based on the moral objection of being forced to act contrary to dogma of the church.

First, the church, in my view, relinquished any hold on even the thinnest slice of moral high ground when it facilitated, covered up and then stonewalled the decades-long fact of pedophilia and child rape by the ordained.

Second, the church is being required to offer the coverage; not a single person will be required to use or take advantage of it.

Third, the affiliate organizations of the church seem to find no moral inconsistency with taking federal dollars in the form of scholarships, student loans, Medicaid, Medicare and resources made available through other federal programs.

Fourth, the church could make this entire controversy disappear by simply guaranteeing to cover the cost of the care, feeding, clothing, housing and educating every single child brought into this world courtesy of its dogma.

Tuesday: We keep electing these people

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:06 EST

Well, it’s happened again. Just when you think our elected representatives couldn’t possibly get any more stupid, wasteful and irresponsible; we learn the guy representing us here in Chapin — Rep. Nathan Ballentine — introduced a bill to ensure that USC and Clemson play each other in football.

What could Jay Leno and David Letterman have done to deserve yet another freebee from our state?

This is both embarrassing and infuriating — and we keep on electing these people. Anything more I could say would turn this entire page blue.

George Martin

Chapin

Brewton makes S.C. proud

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:23 EST

Ginger Brewton is a beacon for South Carolina. This soft-spoken interior designer from Greenville has made such a name for herself that House Beautiful magazine recently named her to its Top-20 Next Wave of Interior Designers to Watch list.

How did this come about? Ginger Brewton broke out, reached out and maxed-out. She studied, trained and worked tirelessly in Manhattan, yet stayed true to her roots by returning home in 2005 to build her business in Charleston. Published in Garden & Gun magazine for her Vanderhorst Plantation work at Kiawah Island, Brewton kept traveling the country and the world, taking both her Southern heritage and her eye for elegant interiors with her.

Brewton faithfully exports talented local craftspeople and unique South Carolina-made materials into other upscale markets –– Greenwich, Conn., Austin, Texas, Charlotte, New York and the Hamptons, as well as abroad –– regions where eager world travelers, snowbirds and second-home investors yearn for something fresh, something Southern.

Thank you, Ginger Brewton Interiors, for proving you don’t have to be as big as Boeing, Blackbaud or Michelin to position South Carolina atop national A-lists, or to help benefit the entire state economy for everyone.

Baron C. Hanson

Retirement system assumptions shaky

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:23 EST

I hope the researchers in the Darla Moore School of Business, Clemson and all other S.C. universities are keeping their eyes on the shenanigans of the state politicians discussing their retirement system. It seems that the politicians think they are investment experts and accountants. They’re not, and I think it would be a good idea for some people who are to take a look at the assumptions that went into the claim that the State Retirement System needs another $17 billion to pay for its obligations.

I don’t see how the average retiree will receive $1 million, as the latest study claims, unless we live at least 50 years after retirement. The politicians say they have to make cuts to benefits because the projection of 15 percent return on investment each year is unrealistically high — yet in the past year (a recession year), the fund earned more than 18 percent. I fear that any changes the Legislature makes to the State Retirement System will result in our billions going the way of dinosaurs and Social Security.

I urge the professors in the know to remember that this concerns you, as well, and to keep an eye on what this Legislature is trying to do with a fund that right now is capable of paying every retiree for 12 years without earning a penny of interest.

Richard C. Mims

Lugoff

Columbia should spruce up entryway

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:24 EST

Driving into Columbia from Cayce on Knox Abbott Drive, you can see the beautiful State House dome to your left as you approach the Blossom Street bridge. Then to the right, you can see part of the two-time defending champion Gamecocks’ baseball stadium. What a beautiful sight, right?

That is, until you cross the bridge and see what looks like a dump of a construction site between the river and the stadium. What an eyesore. How can the city of Columbia and USC allow this to happen? With all the improvements going and a multimillion-dollar stadium standing there to welcome you to Columbia, you would think that you wouldn’t have to drive past a sloppy construction site filled with port-a-johns to get there.

Robert Whitaker

Gaston

Can Connelly back up his criticism?

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:23 EST

In Gina Smith’s Feb. 4 article, “State officials react to jobs news,” Chad Connelly, chairman of the S.C. Republican Party, says that Democrats “celebrate ‘still bad’ news, and they’re trying to cover for the worst president in American history.” I would like to, know compared to what? What actual fact(s) is Mr. Connelly’s statement based on? Have him present the data, or else change his statement to “In my opinion.”

Willie Amaker

Columbia

Gingrich has too much baggage

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:24 EST

When our state selected Newt Gingrich, it broke its longstanding record of picking the eventual Republican nominee for president. If he does get the Republican nomination, which I seriously doubt, he will guarantee the re-election of President Obama.

Most independents and moderates will not want to select between two egotists. Additionally, Mr. Gingrich has a nasty mean streak, which has showed up in many debates. Besides his lack of morality, which obviously the religious right chose to overlook, he has more baggage than Obama.

Eruch Tata

Lexington

Leventis’ concern for civility is new

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:24 EST

I was interested to read that Sen. Phil Leventis of Sumter plans to work to encourage more civility in public discourse when he retires from the Senate (Feb. 4).

As a former inspector general for a state agency, I was often tasked with researching and drafting responses for letters written by Sen. Leventis to the agency director. I can assure you that his letters were not civil in tone, and in many cases, the allegations or complaints were inaccurate.

I do not know what has caused the reversal on the senator’s part. The lengthy quote attributed to him in your article is a far cry from the person who engaged in personal attacks on the agency director and some of its employees. The senator is several years too late in taking his new approach.

I do not know whether to be pleased that he appears to have changed his position on this subject or merely that he is now leaving office.

Daniel J. Murphy

Our survival hinges on unity

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:00 EST

We must continue to be reminded that there are those around the world who are planning this nation’s demise. Our response, as a people, should be to unite as never before. It is incumbent upon us that we not be divided by politicians who attempt to separate us across any lines. If we are to survive, we must make every effort to be that “one nation under God.”

Eddie C. Guess

Columbia

Arabs must rise up against Assad

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:22 EST

The way to end the Assad regime in Syria is for the Arab League led by Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt to take military action on their own After all, many accused President Obama for violating the War Powers Act in Libya, and we don’t need and can’t afford more of that. Action by the Arab League seems the best way to achieve peace.

John A. Huffman

West Columbia

Establish medal with care

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:04 EST

I am all for South Carolina’s fallen service members receiving high recognition from the state. But the medal should not be called the S.C. Medal of Honor. Despite the Legislature’s good intentions, this will cause confusion with the nation’s highest award for heroism, the Medal of Honor. Please leave the name of that hallowed medal alone.

Why not call the medal the Gold Palmetto Medal? A gold palmetto pendant attached to a blue ribbon. The state’s crescent could be affixed in the center of the ribbon.

In addition, the criteria for medal recipients are not stringent enough. For example, if a soldier stationed at Fort Jackson takes an off-duty course at USC, that person would be eligible for the medal at any time in the future; suicides would be eligible. This demeans the medal’s importance.

The proposed medal should be awarded to service members who are residents of the state who perish as a result of combat or an act of terrorism, in a training accident or en route to official destinations, including official leave. Period.

H. Thomas Fincher Jr.

Stop jobs from moving overseas

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:04 EST

I just learned that my friend who has worked for Bose since the plant opened will lose his job because its operations will move to Malaysia. Two months ago I encountered another friend who is unemployed after 28 years with United Parcel Service because it is moving everything to India except the delivery staff. Added to those losses is the indirect effect on local businesses that put another friend out of work who was a faithful employee of 30 years.

President Obama wants to eliminate the benefits corporations gain from taking their businesses overseas. I pray that whenever such a bill comes before Congress, the usual gridlock will cease and legislators will feel some empathy for American workers. The United States must put a stop to this.

Sarah Jane Byars

West Columbia

License plates a sign of progress

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:04 EST

Multitudes of heterosexual South Carolinians are celebrating the issuance of the SC Equality specialty license plates (“New license plates support gay residents,” Feb. 4).

The availability of these plates is another victorious signal that ever more oppressive obstacles for our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sisters and brothers are toppling over like dominoes.

Indeed, seeing those grace-filled plates being proudly displayed up and down our state’s highways and streets should make all fair-minded Palmetto citizens truthfully say: “It’s a great day in South Carolina.”

Rev. Thomas A. Summers

Columbia

S.C. must not have real problems

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:04 EST

I was happy to read that Rep. Nathan Ballentine had introduced legislation to require USC and Clemson to play football every year.

What South Carolinian can help but be proud of this heroic legislator? After having solved the problems with our crumbling roads and other infrastructure and having put our pension system back on a healthy footing while simultaneously solving the budget and debt and unemployment as well as underemployment problems, along with all of the rest of our more trivial problems, Rep. Ballentine has found the courage to get to the heart of what is wrong with this state and presenting legislation to fix it permanently.

I can only hope his proud constituents will remember his courage the next time he is up for election.

Tom Sarratt

Columbia