Why do you think South Carolina Republicans have a cozy lifestyle in South Carolina? It's probably hard to believe, but the infighting state democrats participate in provides the GOP lots of luxury.
I have been involved in politics since I was twelve years old. Now that I am 34, I see a lot more than what a novice would. And, to be honest, it's not impressing to me.
I have always felt in my heart Democratic philosophy and ideology would win in a state witnessing high poverty, low wages and abysmal K-12 education standards. Surely, people would see that with decades of Republican rule, it was truly time to throw the incumbents - and their party - out of office.
Not so fast.
It seems to me that in a state with such huge conservative leanings, the motto is to compromise on bended knee rather than fight for for those silly Democratic principles - and hope to get scraps back from Republicans in return.
Democrats find themselves fighting amongst one another more often than not. On one side, you have the supporters of the so-called motto above, believing it's better to fight another day. On the other side (and my preference), there are those who wish to fight like to hell to erase and repeal decades of Republican rule in South Carolina and turn the tide.
It is this infighting that provides Republicans with so much comfort. Why? I'll tell you.
Republicans can disagree within themselves, however, when time to vote they all pull the same lever. They are all about power, protecting their donors.
Democrats, on the other hand, decide to pick Republicans in elections - hoping for some back scratching. Dems sell people out in this state merely to stay in office in some cases.
More, Democrats are afraid to stand behind Democratic ideology in this state. Concerned more about being elected - and being seen as conservative - than being seen as a true democratic candidate with a backbone.
Republicans are good at fighting. They run down Democrats all the time in the state. Instead of Democrats returning the fire, they begin to eat their own who stand out and fight back against the Republican regime - as if they are protecting the hand that feeds them.
Yeah, this state is all messed up. And Dems have a part in it. Some Dem politicos (paid consultants) degrade fellow Dems and worry more about a paycheck than a win. In return, when they lose, they blame others.
The GOP in South Carolina count on Dems fighting with one another. The Republicans only have to add social-issue fear and rhetoric to provoke yet more nervous tendencies amongst Dems. In a local campaign, the GOP chair only had to mail out four fliers to residents - in which I refuted each one - to produce an upset.
I am a proud liberal. Not too many Dems in this state will say that, friends. If they do, they get disowned by the Dem establishment and seen as "radical" by others.
Well, I embrace that. Better to be liberal and "radical" and fighting for the people in this state that need a comeback (Paper Tongues reference) than be a kiss ass and GOP good-doer.
Will I win an election? Probably not. But I am not a politician. I am an activist. I am participating in politics to see true Democratic candidates embrace all principles instead of just picking and choosing.
There are a lot of factors needing resolutions i.e. true campaign finance reform to get politicians back down to earth.
Though, it would be nice to see Dems in this state agree on fighting the Republican machine that enslaves the people of the state rather than each other.
Maybe that would lead to a new beginning.