March 28, 2004 - To say that South
Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has been a different sort of chief
executive in the historical and procedural context of Palmetto State
government would be an understatement. He has, in fact, taken the
unbeaten path as he's grappled with problems and made suggestions
for change.
Sanford has been one to look at the way things
"have always been done" and asked why ... then proceeded to
challenge the business-as-usual way the public's interests have been
handled in the Statehouse for eons.
As might have been
expected, of course, that hasn't always met with kind words or
smiling faces. His approach has ruffled political feathers like few
have, whether in the governor's office, the state Senate of the
state House of Representatives.
THAT DOESN'T MEAN, though, that his methods are wrong. In a state
where few have dared to buck tradition in a system where the
legislative branch of government dominates, it's akin to heresy. The
entrenched establishment and good ol' boy fraternity starts to get a
little seasick when somebody rocks the ship of state. Sanford's
proposals on taxing and spending have brought forth numerous
prophets of doom. His efforts to restructure state government have
run head-on into bureaucratic barriers and turf
protectors.
There's little doubt that toes have been stepped
on in the process of trying to make changes in the status quo. If
they have, maybe some of them should have been stepped on ... or
shouldn't have been where they were in the first place.
REGARDLESS OF ALL the anticipatory biting of fingernails, and the
barrage of complaints from self-serving interests scattered all over
state government, it should be encouraging to taxpayers to see
somebody honestly challenge the way things are done in government.
Some elected and other state officials and employees are sure to
disagree, however.
Be that as it may, it's not like everything
has gone smoothly over the years. Budget problems go on and on it
seems, and are a prime indication that improvements are needed in a
lot of areas. That will never happen, though, unless someone is
willing to ask the tough -- but right -- questions, and not shrink
in the face of political pressures that could threaten future
re-election campaigns.
Sanford has done that. More power to
him!
