(I’m sharing my column that appears in the Aiken Standard on Oct. 31.)
Picking a topic for this monthly column is never a quandary for me. I know what I want to say. During the months the legislature is in session, I summarize key legislation being considered. The remaining months offer a forum for one issue I delve more deeply into.
Spinning Out of Control
This month, state legislative issues fall short when our world seems to be spinning out of control. As I write this column well before publishing, we witness the aftermath of Israel’s 9/11 moment. Hamas launched a brutal terror attack resulting in the carnage of civilians, the savage murder of Jewish children, the taking of hostages, including Americans, and the unleashing of thousands of missiles on Israel.
A local Aiken Standard columnist recently opined that America should not send guns, tanks, missiles, and fighter jets to Israel. Instead, we should demand that Israel and the Palestinians go to the negotiating table. How naïve. A rudimentary understanding of history brings evidence that strategy is useless. Talk and promises will not stop evil, and Hamas is evil. They have vowed to kill every Jew and have proven their willingness through ongoing terrorist attacks. Israel must protect itself and annihilate evil to the best of its ability; otherwise, it will continue to face extinction.
If the escalating Mideast war isn’t concerning enough, look to the ongoing war in Europe with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That war, too, could potentially draw America into a Third World War. Does America have the leadership to negotiate these dangerous times?
America’s Invasion
There is no evidence we do. Look no further than our nation’s southern border.
Millions of foreigners continue illegally crossing our border while President Biden and his administration have looked the other way and indirectly encouraged the invasion. Only in recent weeks, faced with his sinking rating in every voter poll, has Biden taken a tepid step to appear to be addressing the border crisis.
Most of those invaders have trekked here from Central America. Others have traveled much further from Europe, the Middle East, and China. Some seek a better life, but others are far more dangerous. Our porous border is an open invitation to terrorists, spies, human traffickers, and drug runners. The consequences make every state a border state, including South Carolina.
In July, I witnessed the invasion. I stood with a contingent of your South Carolina National Guard standing in the breech serving on the Texas/Mexico border at Eagle Pass. The Guard members provided much-needed border security – the job our federal government has failed to do – preventing and deterring invaders and massive criminal activity flooding our country.
This column is difficult to write. Customarily, I am upbeat, enthusiastic, and focused on solutions. I find no joy in listing our nation’s failings. Regrettably, the list goes on beyond the border invasion.
Our Many Challenges
Republicans and Democrats in Washington, DC, squabble like little schoolchildren instead of behaving like statesmen and working together to tackle the issues confronting us. Yes, it is necessary to compromise because none of us get our way all the time (or even part of the time).
Americans have many concerns. Maybe some blame for our society’s moral decline should be placed on national leaders who set a poor example for civility and respectfulness. If you ask any schoolteacher, they will tell you about unruly students and point to parents’ failure to instruct and discipline. A glance at social media will pile up more evidence of uncivil rants.
While most of us don’t see many violent crimes, particularly in rural areas, the epidemic of violence is exploding in our nation’s urban centers. The ‘Defund the Police’ movement and soft-on-crime, George Soros-backed prosecutors have combined to encourage lawlessness with little or no consequences.
Americans worry about getting seriously ill because healthcare can break the bank.
Some don’t worry because they mistakenly believe the federal government will care for them. Think again. The federal government continues to print more money, devaluing our hard-earned dollars, and then they hand it out as if they were filling the outstretched hands of tick-or-treaters. Inflation is purging everyone’s pocket. That’s not sustainable.
A Montana legislative colleague points out that Congress has just added $1,000,000,000,000 (that’s one trillion if you are having a hard time counting the zeros behind the one) of debt in one fiscal quarter. One trillion in three months! Congress eliminated the debt ceiling on June 2, 2023, something they have done 78 times since 1960. Current U.S. debt has surpassed $33 trillion. By comparison, it was $5.6 trillion in 2000. This insanity will soon bankrupt America, demolish our way of life, and make us vulnerable to enemies.
Cashless Crunch
New on the horizon is the federal government’s most significant power grab.
Changes are being proposed to the Uniform Commercial Code, a comprehensive set of laws governing all commercial transactions in the United States. These proposed changes lay the foundation for using Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in commercial transactions.
A central bank digital currency would threaten freedom for individuals, families, and businesses. The proposal calls for creating a new digital (non-physical) electronic currency that would be traceable and programmable, allowing government officials, the Federal Reserve, or another designated organization to track all your spending. That would destroy your privacy rights. A programmable CBDC would be designed with features that the government or its partners could use to limit users’ commercial activities. I suggest you read how the Chinese government cuts off access to money for those who oppose the state.
Many Americans don’t carry little cash but use their bank debit card for payments. How is that different from CBDC? The debit card is a private agreement between you and your bank. Digital currency controlled by the federal government has few safeguards that can be changed without your permission.
S.C.’s Push Back
South Carolina is pushing back on CBDC. In the final days of this year’s legislative session, I filed H.4442, which bans Central Bank Digital Currency. The bill has 42 sponsors, including nearly all the leadership in the House of Representatives. I expect the legislation to be a priority when the legislature reconvenes in January.
South Carolina is a liberty-loving state and must continue to rebuke the command-and-control initiatives of the federal government.
PICTURE OF THE WEEK
Want to Know More?
Do you want to learn more about my positions, bill sponsorships, voting record, and past writings? Here are some handy links:
- About Me: https://taylorschouse.com/about-2/
- My Positions: https://taylorschouse.com/issues/
- Sponsored Bill & Voting Record: http://tiny.cc/b1pouz
- Recent Newsletters: https://taylorschouse.com/category/newsletter/
I’m Available & AT YOUR SERVICE
It is my honor to be of service. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need assistance navigating state government or have any thoughts or concerns about the legislature.
In Your Service,
Email: Bill@taylorschouse.com
www.TaylorSCHouse.com
Newsletter not paid using taxpayer funds.
Legal Notice: This newsletter is not a solicitation for contributions to any SC registered lobbyist.