BOB BESTLER - ON THE LOOSE

Good morning.

Many of you may have read last week how I, as governor, am saving South Carolina thousands of dollars by limiting air travel for me and my staff.

I would like to take these few minutes to assure you that it is just one of many steps the Sanford administration is taking in the pursuit of frugality.

Those of you who remember my days in Congress should not be surprised.

You probably recall how, when I arrived in Washington, my main moving expense was getting a futon from a discount warehouse to my office in the House Office Building.

I slept on that futon for six years, and I can only say that it strengthened my resolve to limit myself to three terms - and, of course, to stop senseless government spending.

There is, I might add, precedence for my frugality.

I am a student of history, and I do not recall George Washington spending a single night at the Plaza.

Heck, I'm betting Washington would have killed for one night in an EconoLodge smoking room.

But no. He slept beside his horse in a grove of trees, and he was darn happy to be there.

That is the kind of austerity I would like to bring to South Carolina's government.

Even as I write this, my staff and I are on a Greyhound bus en route to an important breakfast meeting in Greenville, at a Waffle House just off I-85.

Originally, we were supposed to meet at International House of Pancakes, but I insisted on the large corner booth at Waffle House.

Other cost-cutting measures I have taken in recent days:

State dinners will be held at Ryan's Family Steak House, an S.C. chain that has given us a great deal on an early-bird special.

In-office luncheon meetings will be catered by Wendy's. When we must go out, we have managed a frills-free group discount from Denny's, another great S.C. restaurant chain. As a bonus, Denny's has agreed to honor all coupons.

Capital-improvement purchases for the mansion will be made at Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse; all other purchases will be made at Wal-Mart - but only after we have first stopped at Dollar General.

All staff vehicles will be purchased at used car lots, where we will not have to worry about the devastating cost of depreciation.

It is my hope that other agencies of government will follow my lead.

For instance, is it really necessary for us to have all these expensive computers? In Washington's day, pen and ink worked just fine.