Because South Carolina doesn't need more press

[DaemonSeid]

But then here it is...




COLUMBIA, S.C. -- When things looked their darkest for Gov. Mark Sanford -- when he was in danger of being impeached for running off to Argentina to see his mistress -- his best insurance policy may well have been South Carolina's lieutenant governor, Andre Bauer.

Lawmakers knew if they removed Sanford, they could end up helping Bauer, a fiercely ambitious Republican with a reputation for reckless and immature behavior.

Now Bauer has folks shaking their heads again, after he likened government assistance to the poor to feeding stray animals.

At a town hall meeting Thursday, Bauer, who is running for governor in his own right now that Sanford is term-limited, said: "My grandmother was not a highly educated woman, but she told me as a small child to quit feeding stray animals. You know why? Because they breed! You're facilitating the problem if you give an animal or a person ample food supply. They will reproduce, especially ones that don't think too much further than that."

Democrats and others railed at him.

"I am disgusted by these comments. They show an unbelievable lack of compassion toward the unemployed workers in our state who are hurting during these hard times," said state Sen. Vincent Sheheen, a Democrat who is also running for governor. "His comments were immoral and out of line."

South Carolina schools Superintendent Jim Rex, another Democratic candidate for governor, called Bauer's comments "reprehensible" and said he should apologize.

Bauer said Monday that he regrets his choice of words but that government should expect welfare recipients to try to better themselves. He wants to require them to take drug tests and attend parent-teacher conferences if they have children in school.

A child of divorce who benefited from free lunches himself, Bauer insisted he wasn't bad-mouthing people laid off from work in the recession or advocating taking food from children, but rather emphasizing the need to break the cycle of dependency.

"Do I wish I'd used a different metaphor? Of course I do," the 40-year-old said. "I didn't intend to offend anyone."

Bauer has long been a love-him-or-hate-him figure in South Carolina politics. A nonstop campaigner and self-described workaholic, he was the youngest elected lieutenant governor in the country when he first won the No. 2 spot in 2002 at age 33.


http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2010/01/...cians_wel.html

Sadly, in its fullness I understand where he is coming from, and I could also see why some would find what he said offensive. Some things like that, you only say aroud small company, not in a speech.

[Kevin]

When it comes to getting the poor off their butts and into jobs, starvation is an excellent motivator.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by Kevin

When it comes to getting the poor off their butts and into jobs, starvation is an excellent motivator.

But starving children don't make good press no matter how you try to spin it.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Kevin

When it comes to getting the poor off their butts and into jobs, starvation is an excellent motivator.

Not to mention that the average poor person and person on AFDC is either underemployed/underpaid or quite actively looking for work.

The lazy ass poor person who won't look for a job is a relative rarity and farce that is based on racial and social class stereotypes (moreso the former than the latter).

[DrPhil]

Oh and LOL @ his comments. A lot of people have said something similar to what he has said. However, as a politician, he has to know that there are things he should only think or say in private.

[WVU alpha phi]

Originally Posted by Kevin

When it comes to getting the poor off their butts and into jobs, starvation is an excellent motivator.

Couldn't agree more.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Oh and LOL @ his comments. A lot of people have said something similar to what he has said. However, as a politician, he has to know that there are things he should only think or say in private.

^^this

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Oh and LOL @ his comments. A lot of people have said something similar to what he has said. However, as a politician, he has to know that there are things he should only think or say in private.

Oh, I think it's damned hilarious. BUT! He can't stay stuff like that. Maybe he thinks he can get away with it because his boss is Looney Tunes.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Not to mention that the average poor person and person on AFDC is either underemployed/underpaid or quite actively looking for work.

The lazy ass poor person who won't look for a job is a relative rarity and farce that is based on racial and social class stereotypes (moreso the former than the latter).

There is no such thing as being underpaid.

You agree to work for a certain wage. If you are underpaid, you have a valid complaint for the labor department. And as far as social class stereotypes are concerned, they're mostly accurate. If you learn a trade/value your education, you generally aren't going to end up in a lower class situation. For those that ended up there due to their own efforts (or usually lack thereof), I feel zero pity.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Kevin

There is no such thing as being underpaid.

You agree to work for a certain wage. If you are underpaid, you have a valid complaint for the labor department. And as far as social class stereotypes are concerned, they're mostly accurate. If you learn a trade/value your education, you generally aren't going to end up in a lower class situation.

Thank God for quantitative and qualitative research.

Originally Posted by Kevin

For those that ended up there due to their own efforts (or usually lack thereof), I feel zero pity.

This doesn't contrast what I said.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by Kevin

There is no such thing as being underpaid.

You agree to work for a certain wage.

Yes there is. You "agree" to work for that amount of money because if you don't, you won't get the job. And then that poor sap will have jackasses like you bitching for them to get off their "lazy ass" and get a job.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by epchick

Yes there is. You "agree" to work for that amount of money because if you don't, you won't get the job. And then that poor sap will have jackasses like you bitching for them to get off their "lazy ass" and get a job.

Yep. Thank God for quantitative and qualitative research.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by epchick

Yes there is. You "agree" to work for that amount of money because if you don't, you won't get the job. And then that poor sap will have jackasses like you bitching for them to get off their "lazy ass" and get a job.

And if they had done well in high school or learned a trade, they just wouldn't be in that situation, now would they?

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Kevin

And if they had done well in high school or learned a trade, they just wouldn't be in that situation, now would they?

Seriously, Kevin, this is like a 200 level course.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Seriously, Kevin, this is like a 200 level course.

I definitely chuckled.