What’s the real reason behind the push for SC students to return to the classroom?
On schools
I have found it interesting to hear South Carolina politicians waxing rhapsodic about the need for economically disadvantaged children to return to in-person school attendance.
They do make very valid points about the quality of instruction and other services provided at school. However, this sudden concern by politicians about low-income students after decades of underfunding and marginalizing their schools has been surprising.
My cynical side wonders if this concern is more rooted in a desire for schools to resume their traditional babysitting function so that the parents of poor students can return to their low-paying jobs to support the state’s economy.
As Gov. Henry McMaster has often stated, South Carolina’s “business is business.”
If these politicians are truly sincere in their desire to improve the lives of low-income students, another important step they could take would be to approve Medicaid expansion so that these students and their families can get legitimate health care. Every study ever done on the subject clearly shows that healthy students do better in school — it just makes sense.
Unfortunately, I fear that many South Carolina politicians really don’t care that much about students living in poverty; they only care about having the schools mind the children while their parents work.
Frank Morgan, Camden
On Graham
In a recent op-ed Democratic state Rep. Mandy Powers Norrell criticized U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, but I believe it would be South Carolina’s loss and America’s loss if Graham is replaced by Jaime Harrison.
We do not need another Democrat who:
▪ Has House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as a mentor.
▪ Is supported by the Clintons and the Obamas.
▪ Made millions as a lobbyist taking away from the people.
Graham has the proper experience; he supports our president and wants what is best for the citizens. We certainly do not need socialism in this country, and that is what the Democrats are promoting.
It is also hard to understand the criticism of our president on his COVID-19 response; each state’s governor must make their own rules and restrictions — which is also the case when it comes to calling out the National Guard to stop the riots.
Peaceful protests are fine, but they are so very wrong when they are only an excuse to steal. When did it become OK to steal, deface property, destroy statues and hurt people?
God bless our police, Sens. Graham and Tim Scott, President Donald Trump and America.
Judy Scupp Truax, Irmo
On the Supreme Court
The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an incredibly sad day for all Americans and for women in particular.
Ginsburg was a staunch advocate of human rights for all people, and she was instrumental in advancing the rights of women in America.
Now U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham has a decision to make.
In 2016 after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked consideration of Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court.
As a result of McConnell’s actions, Scalia’s seat was vacant for more than 400 days.
Then in 2018 Graham stated that if a Supreme Court vacancy occurred prior to the 2020 presidential election, he would probably be serving as chairman of the Senate’s Judiciary Committee — and that he wouldn’t allow any consideration for a new nominee to take place before a new president was inaugurated.
South Carolinians have watched the remarkable transformation of Graham over his many years in the Senate; he has gone from someone who criticized the very idea of Donald Trump becoming president to someone who is now a very vocal advocate of Trump’s presidency.
So who is Lindsey Graham now?
We will all know when Graham either stands by his 2018 declaration or once again kowtows to Trump — and to any decision that Trump makes.
Jane Lindner, Columbia
This story was originally published September 24, 2020 at 6:15 AM.