Columns

Rick Jiran

South Carolinians need jobs that not only support their families, but contribute to the economic growth of our state. To attract and create these jobs, business and education leaders together crafted the Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA) in 2005. This major education reform is now known as Personal Pathways to Success.

I would like to thank those who took the trouble to vote against the Indian Land Fire District in the advisory referendum on Jan. 18, 2011.
You stood up for the principle that private, voluntary means should be the first option for supporting volunteer fire departments, as is done successfully all over the country.

For months, various liberal media outlets have published attacks against the tea party, arguing that the tea party does not follow the Constitution. In fact, many of these attacks have argued that members of the tea party apparently have not even read the Constitution.
These attacks can be explained in that members of the tea party do not espouse the long-standing position of the liberal left that government is the solution to every problem.
First, we are told the tea party is against laws that provide for the general welfare.

It’s often said that the New Year is a time for new beginnings, an opportunity for fresh starts. Typically we vow to exercise more, eat less, spend a little less time at work, develop new skills or set some other worthy goal.
For South Carolina’s elected leaders, perhaps the New Year presents us an opportunity to step back, reflect on the true meaning of public service and evaluate how we can make our state a better place to live.