Bereft of ideas, bothered by obscurity, bewildered by
irrelevance; that sums up the dilemma the South Carolina Democratic
Party finds itself in just now. Small wonder they’re grumpy. But
venting their spleen does not translate into useful ideas. Nor does
it help clean up the unconstitutional fiscal mess their party handed
over to the incoming Republican governor three years ago.
Chiding our governor for high gasoline and fuel costs equates to
blaming the mayor because a neighbor found a live alligator in his
garage (true).
But that would be a joke; this isn’t.
Nor is it a joke for Time magazine to zing the governor for the
downgrade in our credit rating. Of all men with the title of
governor since the beginning of time, this one is the least likely
to deserve that rap.
When I moved to South Carolina in 1973, it was because a parent
company, Sunbeam, had built two modern factories in rural Clarendon
and Bamberg counties. We employed as many as 1,300 assembly-line
workers at 30 cents above minimum wage. And they were splendid,
happy with more money than most had ever made, plus the raises they
got.
Today, one of the most sophisticated companies in my county has
announced a $15 million-$20 million expansion, an additional
building with revolutionary equipment. But it will employ a total of
20 new people. Each will make almost four times today’s much-higher
minimum wage and, with benefits, more than five times more. But it’s
only a few people.
Manufacturers still in those low-wage dark ages continue to flow
out of South Carolina and all the other states. Traditional
Democrats find it difficult to grasp these realities.
If we’re to play on a level field, South Carolina needs what they
call in show business a “makeover.” That’s where you take an ugly
duckling and transform it into a swan. Why, indeed, should a company
want to relocate in my town, county or state? The fact that 2004 was
a splendid year for new, good job creation here is a tribute to
valiant efforts against the odds.
We also need across-the-board change in our tax code, as does the
nation. We simply are noncompetitive with vibrant states like Texas,
Florida and a dozen others where taxes aren’t necessarily lower,
just smarter.
As when Gov. Carroll Campbell lowered long-term capital gains
taxes starting in 1987 and revenues went up, so, too, will recent
business income tax reductions under this governor help.
And we’re equally out of the game in comparative public
education, especially in light of recent setbacks. I read constantly
about schools and school systems elsewhere where minorities are
narrowing the “gap” and where all students show marked
improvement.
On these pages I’ve suggested that recipients of Palmetto and
LIFE college scholarships be required to mentor troubled youngsters
in lower grades one hour a week — more than a million hours a year.
Everybody I talk to loves the idea. Let’s do it! The children coming
out of the most troubled backgrounds are in dire need of adult
mentoring. There’s a limit to the miracles public education can
perform.
As a result of Hurricane Katrina, we’ve rediscovered poverty in
America. Wealthy Democratic legislators never stop talking about it.
No question, we have it. Almost all members of my generation were
dog-poor at one time or more in their lives. In every five-year
period, 20 percent of America’s poorest rise to the middle class,
sometimes above. And every five years a fifth of the richest 20
percent (the ones who pay 82 percent of the taxes) drop out of that
quintile and are replaced by those who’re “movin’ on up.” That’s
always been the American way: ferment, fluctuation, upward mobility.
All governments can do is provide the economic climate.
Please listen up, Democratic senators. We can’t limp along with
this 19th century constitution. Let’s knock it off with the
internecine culture war. The same might be said to the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which, right now,
isn’t advancing anybody.
As a great old Italian lady, Mama Leone, said of her restaurant,
“Cook good food, serve plenty, people will come.” And so they will —
exciting cutting-edge companies, affluent retirees, scholars,
tourists. Y’all come! But first we’ve got to deserve it. Right now
we don’t.
Mr. Cunningham lives in Orangeburg and has been president and CEO
of five
corporations.
