Scrutiny for the 'stimulus'

You could be forgiven for being uneasy about the “stimulus” bill approved by Congress last month. It’s heavy on new spending, and it’s light on tax cuts that have been proven to stimulate the economy. It’s laden with “pork” projects that have nothing to do with economic activity, and it represents an unprecedented, massive shift of resources from the private sector to the government sector.
And let’s not forget who will be picking up our tab. The repayment of our trillions of dollars in national debt now extends far into the futures of our children and grandchildren.
Governor Sanford last week announced he won’t request about $700 million of the $2.8 billion which had been headed to South Carolina, saying it would put our state deeper in debt. However, some state lawmakers have announced they’ll request the federal funds in place of the governor.
Regardless of one’s personal opinion on the “stimulus” package, one thing is clear: If this bill is to have a chance at getting our economy back on track, we must see to it that the money is managed properly. Without adequate oversight, such a swift and massive infusion of cash invites too many opportunities for waste, mismanagement, even corruption.
Despite his opposition to the stimulus package, the governor has assembled an oversight task force to see that our state spends this money in a careful and completely accountable way. His stimulus oversight task force, established by an Executive Order, is comprised of directors of state agencies that would receive the funds, including the Superintendent of Education and Secretary of the Department of Transportation.
I’ve been asked by the governor to lead the task force, and I agreed to take on the task. On March 12, I travelled to the White House to be briefed by the president, vice president and other top administration officials.
The health of our economy is tied, to a large extent, to public confidence in government. Pessimism flourishes with repeated news accounts of wasteful spending, excessive bonuses and behind-the-scenes deal-making such as we’ve witnessed with recent federal bailouts. We must do better this time.
I’d like to take this opportunity to raise another important issue about the stimulus debate. As I sit here writing this community newspaper column, an “attack ad” -- aimed at our governor because on his views that we should not increase deficit spending and saddle future generations with enormous debt -- plays on a television nearby.
These extraordinary times call for an honest, civil conversation about our future as a nation and a society. Now is the time to lay down our swords and lay aside the “villains-versus-heroes” mentality, the attitude that it’s OK to tear someone down simply because of an opposing viewpoint.
As national and state leaders grapple with our greatest economic challenge in generations, some serious soul-searching is in order. Maybe those of us in positions of leadership -- including both political parties -- would do well to adopt a civil, issue-oriented discourse, one truly focused on improving the lives of people and one befitting the communities we serve.