As we remember D-Day and the tremendous victory our country celebrated with the ending of World War II, many believe that one of the results was the formation of the nation Israel. However, the nation Israel actually had its beginning over three thousand years earlier when God promised Abraham that all the nations of the earth would be blessed by his descendants. Since that time, many enemies have tried to eliminate the family of Jacob, better known today as Israel. Other direct descendants of Abraham, out of jealousy or resentment, have attempted to destroy the nation Israel without success. Throughout history, all the nations who attempted to eliminate Israel have been defeated. Satan has used his puppets such as Hitler, and today the little tin man of Iran, to threaten the annihilation of the Israeli people. If Israel could be removed, God could be removed because His promise would be broken. That is the reason Israel is the prime target of evil forces in our world.

We should thank the Lord that He has allowed us to live in a country that has always respected and defended Israel. The great blessings of America may be based on our ability and will to defend Israel. If that were to ever change, America could become weak like other nations who have misunderstood the supernatural power behind this little country of Israel.

As the year in the Senate comes to a close, I must admit that this was the most worthless session in my 5 years of service. Most of the debate this year was about the Governor and the $700 million stimulus money. Unfortunately, many very important pieces of legislation were left on the vine. H. 3418 (voter id), H. 3272 (point-of-sale), H. 3245 (abortion 24-hour waiting period), and H. 3222 (free union election) would be the most important imo. Remember we are in the middle of a 2 year session, so these bills do have a chance next year.

In Columbia, the blame game is always in play, but this year I’m amazed how much blame is being cast to a first year freshman, Sen. Lee Bright. Bright is the sponsor of S. 424, also known as the Sovereignty Resolution or the 10th Amendment Resolution.

Many are suggesting that the lack of work done this year are all his fault because of his bill. Ya’ll know the power structure in the Senate is all about seniority. Ya’ll know a freshman couldn’t hold up the Senate if he tried. Here’s an article in the Spartanburg Herald, fitsnews here and here, and the wolfreport here and here. C’mon we know the deal. Issues that fall down conservative-liberal lines end up roughly @ 34-12. Democrats were successful in using S. 424 as a shield to the above bills, yet those in power are insistent on blaming a backbencher.

Here’s a few facts about S. 424.

Senator Bright filed S. 424, on February 12th with 25 co-sponsors: S. Martin, Alexander, Campbell, Fair, Knotts, Cromer, Mulvaney, Verdin, L. Martin, Shoopman, Rose, McConnell, Thomas, Cleary, Courson, Coleman, Davis, Reese, Campsen, Grooms, Ryberg, Peeler, O’Dell, Bryant and Massey

S. 424 received a favorable report from the Judiciary Committee on March 11th with a minority report. A minority report is a major blow to a bill unless the Senate places the bill on “special order”. The Senate gave S. 424 special order status on April 14th. We have 3 special order slots. Two of the slots require 31 votes of the full Senate and one slot requires approval of the Rules Committee (chairman Larry Martin, R-Pickens).

I can’t remember getting to S. 424 on the floor except for a few days. And I can’t remember the debate of S. 424 ever going much over an hour. On May 19th Sen. Brad Hutto was speaking on the bill at length and a cloture motion (ends a filibuster and forces a vote) was made, yet the motion failed.

How is it Bright’s fault when he voted in favor of this cloture vote? Here’s the roll call vote on the cloture: ayes: Alexander, Bright, Bryant, Campbell, Campsen, Cleary, Courson, Cromer, Davis, Fair, Grooms, Hayes, Martin, L., Martin, S., Massey, Mulvaney, Peeler, Rose, Ryberg, Shoopman, Thomas, Verdin nays: Anderson, Coleman, Elliott, Ford, Hutto, Jackson, Knotts, Land, Leventis, Lourie, Malloy, Matthews, McConnell, McGill, Nicholson, O’Dell, Pinckney, Reese, Scott, Setzler, Sheheen, Williams

How is it Bright’s fault when the Rules Committee special order slot was never used all year for any other bill?

How is it Bright’s fault when H. 3301 (pay day lending) was on special order for the same time? Many hours was spend on debating H. 3301, which by the way, is another big brother bill to protect you. (hope it gets a veto)

How is it Bright’s fault when he is responsible for forcing a vote on H. 3245 (abortion 24-hour waiting period)? Remember decorum won over this one.

Funny how the only time power is distributed in Columbia is when scapegoats are being sought. If I’m missing something, let me know.

at :52 the graph spikes to 79 for Republicans and 59 for Democrats

“…There must be a stopping point. Going further into debt will not solve a problem caused by too much debt. There must be a price that we will not impose on future generations…”

 

 

Back in 1994, after voting absentee, I was in Atlanta on the day after the election. I remember reading in the paper that the Republicans had just taken control of the United States House of Representatives and have elected Rep. Newt Gingrich as the new speaker. I will never forget that day. I don’t know where I was when I learned that the Democrats took control of Congress as I am trying to forget that day.

It was my honor to introduce former speaker of the House Newt Gingrich to the Senate last Thursday (05.21.09). I appreciate the staff of Governor Sanford for asking me to host the speaker.
L-R Gingrich, Sen. Hugh Leatherman, myself