I’m beginning to suspect that when people go to compile such things as this piece on Salon, “Why are the governors of America saying such dumb things?,” they look at South Carolina first. The very first example given was:
According to the Associated Press, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley announced at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday that forthwith, state employees are to answer official phones with a cheery, “It’s a great day in South Carolina!”
Gee whiz, that should solve everything! As AP noted, “Never mind the state’s 11.1 percent jobless rate and the fact that one in five residents are on Medicaid.” Great day, indeed. Presumably, Gov. Sunshine plans to accompany the next set of her state’s unemployment figures with a chorus of “We’re in the Money.”
Which frankly isn’t even fair. It’s not even something Nikki said; it’s something she made everybody else say, which therefore goes into the category of dumb things governors do.
If they wanted something she said, they could have gone to the thing Cindi was writing about — the one about all the drug fiends applying to work at SRS. She apparently said that one over and over, which should have qualified for extra points.
But I’m really tired of national media, and comedians, looking first to South Carolina for material (as Jon Stewart keeps saying, “THANK YOU, South Carolina!”).
I’m even more tired with our politicians giving them reason to.
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I’ve been searching for a blog that offers intelligent discourse and thoughtful analysis of the economic and political issues facing South Carolina – and I think I have found it. Could we please hear more about Nikki Haley’s request for state employees to answer the telephone in a specific way?
Repeat after me: This state is run by the GOP. This state is run by the GOP. This state is run by the GOP. It’s not politicians per-se that are acting foolishly, it’s Republican politicians acting foolishly. Ok, that’s partisan. But just look at the evidence from around the country. The idiocy from the Republican party probably outnumbers the Democrats 4 or 5 to 1. Why the electoral meltdown in 2010 I’ll never understand. But maybe next year will be different.
IT’S A GREAT DAY IN SOUTH CAROLINA!
I think this phrase will be banned by you following the definition of insanity.
Free Prozac for every South Carolina citizen:
http://www.bobrivers.com/#v8299
Thanks Ralph. I guess we all ought to order what she’s having.
While the Governor created this State initiative, those of us in Orangeburg have been saying the same line for at least 5 years. Not long after we started the initiative, we were recognized as an All-Star US Community. It is not a panacea for all problems, but we must start somewhere. I guess it was a slow news day. Interesting that every other agency director spoke at the cabinet meeting that lasted for almost 2 hours and this is the topic consuming the media. The cabinet meeting is actually on YouTube.
Mikee, the reaction on the blog to this reminds me of something Bill Murray famously said in “What About Bob?”…
“There are two types of people in this world: Those who like Neil Diamond, and those who don’t. My ex-wife loves him.”
Apparently, there are those who think the governor’s dictum is a good idea, and those who think it’s one of the worst ideas they’ve heard of in some time.
And I’m not sure those two kinds of people can communicate effectively across that barrier. There’s a fundamental cognitive difference there.
Well, I’m of two minds about the wisdom of it–doesn’t cost much and might help a bit, but I’m concerned that she thinks it’s going to do more than it can possibly do–like her idea that churches can take up the slack in social services.
OK, so there are THREE kinds of people. I’m relieved to learn that, because I generally don’t believe in dichotomies. See “UnParty.”
Again, recall the “reality-based community.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality-based_community
Essentially, it’s the dictum that the winners write history, puffed up to the notion that it’s the winners who also MAKE history, to the point where they can proscribe “reality” as well.
Asked anyone who’s been fired by a boss who made up the excuse to do so.
As a former state employee, some citizens contact state government to report some verious tragic and serious situations.
Having some state employee on the other end of the phone answering “It’s a great day in South Carolina” when a mother is caling to report a serious workplace accident involving her son is ludicrous.
Thanks Nikki.