I’d like to begin today’s Morning Record with a moment of silence for the trickle-down theory of economics, which was pronounced dead yesterday by the international Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. May it rest in peace, at least until the tea party brings it back as a zombie.
Now, on to the headlines:
Gingrich has large lead in S.C. - Newt Gingrich is the new anti-Romney, soaring past the former Massachusetts governor and perennial presidential front-runner by 17 percentage points in a new poll of likely S.C. Republican primary voters,according to The State’s Adam Beam. The former House Speaker leads all candidates with 38.4 percent of the vote, according to a poll released Tuesday from Winthrop University.
NAACP: Voter ID hurts minorities, won’t stop fraud - The NAACP called on supporters Monday to fight a “coordinated and comprehensive assault” on black and Latino voters in the form of voter ID laws passed in South Carolina and 13 other states this year, according to the Charleston Post & Courier’s Yvonne Wenger. The Justice Department will decide whether to authorize or block the state’s new Voter ID law by Dec. 27.
Zais, state board feud over school funds - Superintendent of Education Mick Zais is refusing to follow a directive from the state Board of Education regarding federal education money, according to the State’s Gina Smith. It is a sign of an increasingly tense relationship between the state’s education leader and could impact decisions on future education money.
Small businesses unprepared for new immigration rules - South Carolina’s new immigration law makes it mandatory for all businesses to use the E-Verify program when hiring, starting Jan. 1, but many of the state’s small businesses don’t know the change is coming, according to WSPA’s Ellen Meder. Experts say the smaller the business, the less likely they know about the change, and some say the more difficult it will be for them to use the program, since it requires broadband Internet access.
Gingrich supports controversial immigration law - Newt Gingrich on Monday announced his support of South Carolina’s controversial immigration reform law, saying he considers it “reasonable,” according to The State Column. The law – which has prompted a Justice Department lawsuit — would require police who make traffic stops to call federal immigration officials if they suspect someone is in the country illegally. Opponents say it would discriminate against individuals living in the state legally.
Rumor: Conservatives launching a “recall Haley” petition - Gov. Nikki Haley is the target of yet another recall petition, this time by conservative state lawmakers, according to political blogger Will Folks. Any recall effort faces a steep climb, as lawmakers would have to first agree to send the question to the public, which would then have to approve specific language in a statewide election.
In conclusion, I’d like to leave you with an inspirational quote. It’s gotten me through a lot of struggles, and if you take it to heart I know you too can be the very best, like no one ever was.
