Opinion: Chumley Should Pay for Use of State Plane

Many in the grassroots have championed fiscal responsibility and have called out politicians or legislation when they felt there is waste, fraud, or abuse (and rightfully so). I have done my share and will continue to do so. Lets be clear, I am no fan of Obamacare and will continue to do what I can to see it is never implemented here in South Carolina. With that being said I will NOT condone use of taxpayer monies to further that agenda.  

I believe Rep. Bill Chumley, R-Spartanburg, should reimburse SC taxpayers for the use of SC state plane to fly in Walter Williams to testify at a committee hearing, better yet I believe the grassroots should pass the hat and collect the money to pay for it themselves. Now the talking points going around the grassroots community, is "Chumley cleared it through ethics committee staffers first so if you have a problem then change the law". To an extent I agree, however, my take is this, "we found a loophole, we exploited it, now you should focus on the law, fix the loophole and not bother me with trivialities." I have a problem with that.  

My main problem is, if you are going to stand for something and call out others who go against your principles you can not employ the very tactics you claim to stand for. When you do that you lack all credibility. Just because something is legal does NOT make it right. My guess is the very same people who are defending this expenditure would be shouting from the rooftops if the democrats flew in someone to testify for Obamacare at taxpayer expense (I know I would). 

Allen Olson

Founder/former chairman of the Columbia TEA Party