Southeast needs to lead, move forward

Posted

When I was a young sailor, my friends made fun of where I was from. I would say Sumter, and they would say Something, South Carolina. When we visited Naples, Italy, as we walked around, I looked down and noticed a manhole cover made by Sumter Machinery. I was so excited that my hometown was represented 3,000 miles away.

We can move South Carolina ahead of the Southeast coast states if we admit change needs to happen. Like some churches, we are stuck in custom and tradition because we have always done it that way. The word is the only thing that does not change. Governor was on point when he said we need more jobs. What we need first is transparency and the willingness to be a leader, not a follower.

We waited for Georgia and our citizens to flock to North Carolina borders before we started our own lottery. Happy for the gas tax but saddened by the fact South Carolinians can get some of the taxes raised if you keep and file your gas receipts. We all need to have skin in the game. We don't just need the funds generated by just the tourists but the people of South Carolina as well. These bad roads and bridges need every penny of it.

The fear tactics being used in politics must not stop us from moving forward. A nice casino located in Santee and Myrtle Beach can corner the Southeast market. Catching snowbirds coming and going. Myrtle Beach can be a happening place year 'round. The corridor of shame would be no more.

Before we can attract more companies to the state, we must first have an educated workforce ready for the challenges. South Carolina presently has more jobs available than qualified people to fill them.

MICHAEL JACKSON

Retired, U.S. Navy

Sumter