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Opinion
A
pair of S. C. cultures in need of some change
November
8, 2004
There
are few sure things in life. College football and state
government fit snugly into that category. So, look at a couple
of men in South Carolina who are facing daunting jobs in
“turning things around.” Consider Lou Holtz, football coach,
and Mark Sanford, governor of the Palmetto State.
Holtz is
a renowned motivator. He has shown his ability in that
cerebral exercise on many football fields and as a
motivational speaker. Now he’s trying to do the same thing
with the football program at the University of South Carolina.
He wants to “change the culture” is the way he puts it.
The
record, despite a couple of years of success, would argue that
Holtz has his work cut out for him.
IN AN ATHLETIC
PROGRAM where historically mediocrity has been the
rule instead of the exception it’s going to take hard work and
perseverance. Whether Holtz has time to do that from the fans’
standpoint and, considering he is not a young man, it’s not a
sure thing. Still, he has to try. That’s the nature of a
winner. They never give up. Most of the people who know him
know that’s Holtz all the way.
The people who know Governor
Sanford well would bet on him, too. Still others will oppose
to the death the “change in the culture” of state government
that Sanford is trying to accomplish.
Sanford is trying to
reform government structure and make it more accountable and
efficient. What he has and will run into most is the
long-entrenched attitude of “that’s the way it has always been
done.”
TAXPAYERS SHOULD LOOK closely
at the reforms he’s trying to make. Some may not be the right
thing to do. But, some will, It’s those that should get an
honest hearing. So many people feed at the public trough,
though, that talking reform is very much like the old saying:
Sanford has quit preaching and gone to meddling. Too many
people thrive in the government culture of state acquiring
benefits and prestige that goes with the right to buy special
license plates.
Neither Holtz nor Sanford has an easy time
of it. They face daunting odds that have ended many careers.
It’s time that changed ….. in both situations. Holtz is not a
quitter. Neither is Sanford. If both cultures need changing –
and there’s no doubt about that – South Carolina could have no
better men accepting the challenge.
Editorial expression in this feature represents
our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.
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