‘Last best chance’

Rep. Barrett speaks on war in Iraq during Greenwood visit

April 11, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

The gentleman sitting two rows back had a question.
What was United States Congressman J. Gresham Barrett, of South Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District, doing to get our soldiers home?
For Barrett, that was exactly why he conducts small town hall meetings like the one held Tuesday in the Greenwood County Courthouse.
Though they often draw small crowds — fewer than 30 people turned out Tuesday — turnout’s really not the point of such gatherings.
Politicians should be accessible, and Barrett is nothing if not available.
That’s why, when the man sitting two rows back immediately launched into a less than flattering commentary of Republican political failures at home and abroad — stating that a friend’s nephew was “not on the ground, he’s in the ground” due to the ongoing struggle in Iraq — Barrett hardly batted an eye.
Whether a Republican or Democrat, the man was a constituent, and that was enough for his congressman. “To bring people home is tough, there’s no doubt about it,” Gresham said. “I think this new surge (of troops) will do that. Now you may say that doesn’t make any sense, but I think it does, because the initial reports we’re seeing come back (from Baghdad) are good. I’m not being overly optimistic, but I get a lot of security briefs the average person doesn’t get.
“I watch the news, too, and from what I’m getting from our commanders on the ground and what I see on the news, it’s two different pictures. I honestly feel this is our last best chance over there. As Baghdad goes, the country will go. If we can secure Baghdad ... I think we can start to bring our soldiers home. I firmly believe the reason we’re there is for the security of our nation. That was a great question.”
Barrett spent the greater part of an hour addressing concerns and questions ranging from illegal immigration to nuclear energy to the war in Iraq.
Following are the congressman’s comments on those key topics:
* On the new budget just passed in the House — “The mess we’re in with the federal government is not a Democrat problem or a Republican problem, it’s both of our problems. We spend too much money. You send us too much money and we’re not good stewards. Unfortunately, I think we’re going to see higher taxes and more spending. The average South Carolina family is going to see an increase of around $2,100 over five years. We can’t tax our way out of this problem. Congress just has to tighten its belt.”
*On nuclear energy — “I’m excited about some of the things that are happening. If you look at the growth in the country, it’s mostly in the Southeast. It makes sense to look at some new nuclear energy in that area. South Carolina gets about 62 percent of its power from nuclear energy, so we’re extremely nuclear friendly. If we’re going to solve our energy crisis and our energy needs in the future, nuclear energy has to be a part of it. We as a country and individuals can be better stewards.”
*On the Iraq war — “I don’t know if you know it or not, but David Petraeus is the new general on the ground in Iraq. Without a doubt, David Petraeus is one of the finest men I’ve ever met. If there is anybody that can help secure Baghdad, General Petraeus can do it. It’s a tough mission. A lot of people make the comparison between Vietnam and Korea and Iraq, and I suppose we can do that, but it’s a different enemy we’re fighting. It’s an enemy we’ve never faced before. Their mission is death to the infidel.”
*On illegal immigration — “It’s a national security problem, and not just in the South. I believe there will be a pretty good stab (at a solution) in the future. Whatever the solution is to illegal immigration, employers have to be a part of it. It can be done.”

Obituaries

Minerva W. Carroll

Minerva Williams Carroll, formerly of 624 Taggart Ave., widow of Floyd Carroll, died Monday, April 9, 2007, at HospiceCare of the Piedmont.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Parks Funeral Home.

Mary Ann Moore

McCORMICK — Mary Ann Moore, 84, formerly of 1 Holiday Road, widow of John Thomas Moore, died Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at Hospice House of the Piedmont.
The family is at the home of daughters Betty Vaughn, 521 Marion Ave., and Eddie Mae Holloway, A-2 Holly Tree Apts.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.

Opinion

Increasing cigarette tax before lawmakers ... again

April 11, 2007

Should lawmakers increase taxes on cigarettes in South Carolina? That’s a question that’s been around a few years now ..... and it still is.
This week, the House Ways and Means Committe was expected to vote on a bill that would raise the tax on a package of smokes by 30 cents. Whether that is enough or whether there should be no increase is, of course, debatable.
Proponents - many health-related organizations - would prefer a higher tax. They would like to see it increased by 93 cents a package, bringing the total to $1. They have good health on their side, that has been obvious for years. And, they offer a number of good arguments for making the tax higher, one being belief that it would help discourage young smokers.

THERE ARE, AS MIGHT BE expected, opponents of any increase. Likewise, there are those who would like to increase taxes, but in different amounts.
The cigarette tax issue is not as simple as it might appear. There are other considerations that lawmakers must take into consideration. Still, the health question weighs heavily on the debate, as it should. That being the case, some health organizations would support the 30-cents bill before the Ways and Means Committee if it were moved to the full House, and later the Senate, for consideration.
One thing seems certain. After years of debate, it’s time for all lawmakers to put this question to rest. The health of South Carolina, to be sure, depends on their decision ..... in more ways than one.