GOP Breakfast at Kelly's BBQ

On Saturday morning I took my wife to the GOP Breakfast being held at Kelly’s BBQ on Highway 78.  The food was great and I was surprised to see so many of the 9-12 Project and Fair Tax folks from all over the Low Country there!  I had received an invitation and I really wanted to hear from Bobby Harrell the South Carolina, Speaker of the House.  Imagine how embarrassed I was when I realized that I was the one who had cut in front of him in the chow line!  Hey, it was early in the morning and I needed that cup of coffee, bad!  Real bad! 

Former senator Mike Rose was there and he spoke as well.  Apparently, he is gearing up his campaign and running for another seat in the Senate.  Then the Speaker got up and made a few comments.  I learned a great deal about South Carolina that morning.  First, don’t cut the Speaker of the House off when going for a cup of coffee, but if you do, know that he will be a gentlemen about it.  Secondly, I learned that the State Constitution requires a balanced budget.  How many of you didn’t know that?

The Speaker, spoke at length on how the down turn in the economy has affected the state budget over the last several years and he elaborated on how unfunded federal mandates affect us all.  Even with unfunded federal mandates, the state constitution still requires a balanced budget.  Operating from a balanced budget has resulted in a $123,000,000 surplus this year.  My question is “Why can’t the Federal Government do the same thing?” 

What would happen if our government should default on our debt?  Would all the other debates over what is good and proper be for not?  With a mounting debt of over sixteen trillion dollars we as a nation are on a course of destruction if something isn’t done about it. I’ve heard that other states are starting to plan for the contingency of “When,” not “If” the federal government should collapse under the weight of our mounting national debt. The states are still sovereign entities, right?  What will happen then?  Bottom line folks, we as a people need to make some changes in our mindset and around Washington. To me it is not a partisan issue.  It is an issue of national security!   

Anyway, the meeting was a wonderful eye opening event and I enjoyed it a great deal.  My new friend John Hull, the chairman of the Summerville 9-12 project also took the opportunity to announce his candidacy for Dorchester County Council.  He is a staunch conservative with a firm background in national and international banking.  He said, “Since my younger days, since I had the chance to spend time behind the Iron Curtain, I have been a true physical conservative and believer in our constitution and capitalism.  I’ve seen what the alternative is.” 

I’ve only known John Hull for a short time, and he has impressed me as being a true patriot and warrior for what he believes in.  He is a respected Summerville entrepreneur and member of the Cathedral of Praise church.  Recently he introduced me to, John R. “Barney” Barnes CDR USN (Ret.), a fellow local author of the book, “Born To Be a Warrior.”  Over the last thirty years Barney has served as a leader in the local church as a deacon, elder, prayer leader and men’s ministry leader.  I’ve come to respect them both a great deal. http://borntobeawarrior.org/BOOKS.html

Overall, the GOP Breakfast was an enjoyable event and besides having the opportunity to get some delicious coffee, I learned a great deal about my new state and our political leaders.  Thank you Joyce Zandri from Fairtax.org for the invitation!             

Thanks and as always, please feel free to join me on facebook!

Steve Newman, Author 

P.S. Folks, I am in the process of finishing the final edits of my second book, "Burnt Yellow and Red."  Feel free to check out the new back cover material that I posted on my blog. I also hope you all know that for every copy of my first book "The Night Eagles Soared" ordered from my site, I will donate $2 to the Green Beret Foundation.  Thank you and God bless you all.  Steve