Columbia's loss, Greenville's gain

[Charleston native]

Cool!

[RestedTraveler]

...Columbia is because it is primarily a big Clemson.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I understood what you meant, MAJIKMAN. Translation for the others: Columbia (City) = one big Clemson (City)....it's just a larger version of a college town.

[Spartan]

I disagree with that statement on many levels.

[MAJIKMAN]

I understood what you meant, MAJIKMAN.  Translation for the others:  Columbia (City) = one big Clemson (City)....it's just a larger version of a college town.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah!!!!!!! We are on the same page. If it were not for USC the folks

down there would not have anything to rally around. Its surely not around business. I better not say that. Or the state might come and get me.

[RestedTraveler]

I only said I understood what you meant and offered a translation. I didn't say I entirely agreed with it...

[krazeeboi]

I understood what you meant, MAJIKMAN.  Translation for the others:  Columbia (City) = one big Clemson (City)....it's just a larger version of a college town.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh I understand what he was getting at...although I do disagree. USC is certainly a significant feather in Columbia's cap, but it isn't the cap itself--by far.

[waccamatt]

Exactly. Columbia has alot to offer, outside of the University, the Bombers were just not popular.

[The_sandlapper]

Yeah Columbia has a pretty diverse economy. It's by no means a manufactoring mecca, but most of the economy is "business" base there, I think the towers on main st. are a pretty good testament to that, in addition to USC, state govt, insurance industry, etc....

[MAJIKMAN]

Now hold on guys. I was just kiddin' with you. I know that there is more going there than that. And to tell you the truth. That is not only good for you it is good

for everybody. Just think about it. When companies open up shop anywhere in the state. They want to know what the rest ( of the state ) is like. No matter if it is Columbia, Greenville, or Charleston. So I am glad that everyone is growing. Hey.

Can we give the whole state a pat on the back? Sure we can!!!!

[waccamatt]

Now hold on guys. I was just kiddin' with you. I know that there is more going there than that. And to tell you the truth. That is not only good for you it is good

for everybody. Just think about it. When companies open up shop anywhere in the state. They want to know what the rest ( of the state ) is like. No matter if it is Columbia, Greenville, or Charleston. So I am glad that everyone is growing. Hey.

Can we give the whole state a pat on the back? Sure we can!!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Majik, I understand what you're saying, but the truth is, compared to our neighbors, our fair state is not growing very quickly and is not moving up the economic ladder. It's time to shake things up, IMO.

[MAJIKMAN]

And you are absolutely right waccamatt. I think we all have to look at SC as a whole. Greenville needs other cities for what they can do for us and vice versa.

No one city here has that kind of pull. We are not like Atlanta, yet.

[Charleston native]

Majik, I understand what you're saying, but the truth is, compared to our neighbors, our fair state is not growing very quickly and is not moving up the economic ladder. It's time to shake things up, IMO.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

SC is definitely behind in terms of its cities' growth, especially economically. If you look at NC, GA, and FL, these states make ours look puny when dealing with economic development and growth. Sure, we're growing, but we need to grow at a higher rate. The only way to do that is to give companies incentives to locate here, and we need a better-educated population. One good incentive would be to get rid of the state income tax...that alone would provide a huge incentive for both employers and retirees to move here. As a result, we would have a larger population which would require more commericial services. This incentive is what makes FL such an attractive to place to not only retire, but to live and work.

[GvilleSC]

SC is definitely behind in terms of its cities' growth, especially economically. If you look at NC, GA, and FL, these states make ours look puny when dealing with economic development and growth. Sure, we're growing, but we need to grow at a higher rate. The only way to do that is to give companies incentives to locate here, and we need a better-educated population. One good incentive would be to get rid of the state income tax...that alone would provide a huge incentive for both employers and retirees to move here. As a result, we would have a larger population which would require more commericial services. This incentive is what makes FL such an attractive to place to not only retire, but to live and work.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So, we get rid of state income tax... Then where do we get the money opperate and fund the state, not to mention doing this for a larger population. Or should we just make cuts? Education, police forces, hmmm, where to begin?

[Spartan]

Usually the other taxes are increased to supplement the removal of another.

[GvilleSC]

Usually the other taxes are increased to supplement the removal of another.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Exactly, so what other taxes are worthy of being increased that would be fair?

[Spartan]

Sales tax.

[waccamatt]

Sales tax.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Except sales taxes are regressive; they put more of the tax burden on the poor. The poor in South Carolina are bad enough off already.

[Charleston native]

Except sales taxes are regressive; they put more of the tax burden on the poor. The poor in South Carolina are bad enough off already.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Spartan is exactly right, you increase the sales tax. However, the burden on the poor will be offset by the fact that they will have more money to spend without getting taxed twice by the state.

You also can increase another tax such as the hospitality tax which makes visitors, tourists, and travelers help pay for roads, parks, and other projects. I know I keep saying this, but look at FL. Their citizens don't pay high sales taxes, yet the highways, parks, and other projects are great.

[vicupstate]

There is a lot more tourism in FL than SC. There is also less poverty and incarceration that the state has to spend money on. If SC is to significantly reduce it's tax burden (not just shift it around), then efficiencies have to be found. SC has a large amount of higher education duplication for example. Also, there is a multitude of small school district that needlessly increases the average administration costs.

Sanford's plan to identify and priority the functions that the state provides was a wise and good idea. As usual, the legislature in it's laziness and ignorance, refused to lift a finger to implement a bit of it.

Until the legislative power is reformed, SC will continue to fall further behind the other states.

[Charleston native]

There is a lot more tourism in FL than SC.

[g-man430]

wow, you guys sure are going far with this, aren't you!!!!