So here it is finally, my first and perhaps only foray into politics on diaryland....this one is for Colin and Andrew to review...

As many of you know I live in SC. A beautiful though often hot and humid environment caught between the sweetness of traditional Southern culture and the morass of backward thinking.

Currently, we have a few political issues. We elected a Democratic governor four years ago largely on a platform that hilighted initiation of a state lottery for education. It is in place but (surprise) now they can't decide how to spend the money on education. So the buses are in horrible shape in a largely rural state, our scores continue to be low and they have not begun the promised scholarship programs. Ugh!

Then we had a tax rebate (largely for popularity) and later realized we were in a budget crisis. (I am almost sure it is not MY job to predict state budget shortfalls). So now Medicaid is almost bankrupt here.

OK, Colin and Andrew, before you begin discussing the stupidity of relying on state supported insurance....

Medicaid funding affects a tremendous number of programs. Hospitals, adult day care, mental health, disability programs, prescription drug assistance. We are going to have a tremendous number of people who are in the lurch.

So, a cigarette tax was proposed as one of the largest contributors to long term illness (pulmonary, cardiovascular, and oncology diseases) is tobacco abuse.

Nuisance taxes are often well supported as they affect fewer voters. Especially when the taxed item can be tied even indirectly to the funding need. We also have not had a tobacco tax increase since 1977.

But we live in a tobacco growing state and I am sure the Governor's decision to oppose the idea has nothing to do with the Tobacco Lobby's support of his campaign...

I would say he is selling us down the river for the sake of being Governor but instead I think he should use the campaign slogan, "South Carolina, Up in Smoke."