Michael Rentiers

You can keep the change

The title is a bit of an unfortunate one.  The happenings in Columbia shouldn’t be about Sanford’s fate, it should be about our fate.  That about sums up my thoughts on the matter, but since this is a blog post and not a tweet-I will continue.

I join the chorus of those who have already called on the Governor to step aside.  I even tend to believe that he has done enough to warrant his removal.  Even without knowing the details of the Ethics Commission’s report that brought 37 charges against him, I believe that the depths and lengths that Sanford went to service (oh yeah!) his own dark needs is enough.   The Governor cared nothing for the state he swore an oath to lead and demonstrated it to the world by his actions and subsequent statements.  There was no bridge to far for him to go for himself while South Carolina sinks deeper and deeper into desperation.

Furthermore, he abandoned the reform movement he helped create in this state.  I never cared for his style but I did agree with entire helpings of his platform and he just tossed it all away.  I have written about that vacuum of leadership created by this and other factors and the great opportunity that exists because of it. That leads me to my thoughts on what is happening today at the Statehouse.

At the end of the day, I don’t care so much about exacting revenge on the Governor through impeachment as I care about making sure this process does not become the center of the universe for Legislators and staff in Columbia.  All too often the soap opera-esque dramas that circulate in the political bubble suck up too much time and energy away from what really matters for this state.  If I had a choice between tackling the tough issues facing this state or seeing justice served on the Governor, I choose the former.  Unfortunately, I believe that we cannot have both.

I am afraid the process of impeachment and the positioning, grand standing, leaking and gossiping that will surround it will suck the life out of the burgeoning movement for good government.  Those leaders who would otherwise have a great opportunity to change the direction of the state will be caught up in the gossip-mongering that rules Columbia.  These things have a way of taking on a life of their own and I fear that this legislative session will be over before it begins.

Whatever happens, I hope there are at least some who will keep their eye on the ball.  I do not just speak of Legislators, but the campaigns, operatives, media and bloggers.  We all have a duty to keep pushing for what is best for the state and try to avoid the inside baseball that consumes our lives on a daily basis.