Harvey Peeler

Just when you thought South Carolina politics couldn’t get any weirder, it does. The big news over the past week was that my long-time Senate colleague turned Congressman, Joe Wilson yelled out and called President Obama a liar during his congressional speech on health care.

While I believe Joe’s timing was off, I know that Joe’s actions symbolized what many of us feel. I for one am very concerned. I’m concerned about President Obama’s massive spending sprees. I’m tired of South Carolina taxpayers having to bailout greedy Wall Street CEOs. I’m sick of Washington politicians thinking that more debt will create jobs or that government run health care is the answer.

It just doesn’t make sense.

Most off all, I’m concerned at just how out-of-touch many politicians have become with America’s working families. And it isn’t just a Washington problem folks. It’s a South Carolina problem too.

All of this has really solidified my resolve to represent your views at the State House. During my nearly 30 years representing you in Columbia, I’ve learned two very important lessons:

1. Politicians think they have all the answers.

2. They don’t!

That’s why I’ve launched a new website at www.harveypeeler.com this week. When I first ran for office, we talked to people by going door-to-door and over the phone. It still amazes me how much has changed and how we can communicate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, instantaneously. I’ve launched this site to keep you informed of what’s happening in Columbia on the most important issues facing our region’s families.

But that’s not all. I don’t want this website to be about me talking to you. I need you to talk back to me. I need to know what’s on your mind. Tell me about the problems you are facing and please don’t forget the positive things too. Through all the negativity in politics and on the news, it’s good to hear about what’s going right in your life.

Over the next few weeks you will find my 2009 Constituent Survey on the homepage. It’s very important that you take the time to tell me your thoughts on these urgent issues.

Should the General Assembly pass a constitutional amendment limiting the growth of government and the amount of money legislators can spend each year?

Do you support my plan to give tax credits to businesses that hire unemployed South Carolina workers?

Should we raise the cigarette tax?

Should we invest more state resources into our Technical College system to make our state more attractive to new companies looking to relocate to South Carolina?

Should we widen I-85 to attract new business to our area?

These are just a few of the big issues that will be coming up soon in the General Assembly. I’ve also provided plenty of space for you to give me your opinion on other issues. You can give me your opinion on Governor Sanford, the President’s liberal health care plan, or local issues like roads and crime.

I believe conservative principles can solve our problems. That’s the approach I take to Columbia, but that doesn’t mean I have all the answers. No one does. That’s why we have to work together and share what’s on our minds.

Please visit www.harveypeeler.com today.