Promises of transparency not fulfilled with poor communication, choices
Recently, Nikki Haley's election to our state's highest office brought excitement and hope for conservatives around the state. She offered a new perspective, one that seemed to detach from the cronyism experienced in the Bush years. Corporate misconduct, unrestricted lobbying practices and a misunderstanding of the traditional meaning of "conservative" lead to an expansion of federal bureaucracy beyond any farce possibly promoted by the Obama Administration.
Haley's promise of accountability and her heritage intrigued me. I always find it interesting to learn other's experiences, as they often shape one's understanding of the world. In politics, that often has significant connotations. The story of the daughter of hard working immigrants who was elected to a House seat that had been controlled by white males — in a state controlled by white males — since The Land Before Time, may seem like a Cinderella story. It seemed almost perfect when she received the Republican nomination, with a campaign fueled by the promises of transparency, a disconnection from the abrasive public relationship with the legislature, and a potential saving face; some allowance for the social progression that seems to often escape our state, yet always appears in the national media.
The transparency as demonstrated is dead on arrival. In the past few weeks, she's created a hailstorm of controversy in her board appointment decisions. I believe our governor does not have a firm grip on her own understanding of "transparency." In a government setting, transparency means public outreach and ethical responsibility. Her communication to the public is poor, at best; in replacing Darla Moore with a campaign donor, and partner of a former employer, she's shown questionable ethics. Rallies, including one at the Statehouse on Wednesday, are being organized to send this message.
Transparency, the tenet that stood to be her campaign symbol, is not what she has demonstrated in many other recent political decisions.
The two appointed board seats are "qualification based." I didn't realize political contributions bought you a seat. In all honesty, I thought pay to play only happened with Democrats in Chicago. Her recent replacement of the ETV boards and plans to combine the Governor/Lt. Governor ballots shows that she is far from the official who she showed herself to be.
Haley needs to reconsider this move and what this says to the public. With the chatter heard throughout the campaign, I believe Haley should be particularly attentive to how she is perceived by the public, and should take each action with extreme care. The fact that she has exercised limited communication to the public shows she may not be in control of her own situation. SC politics is one of the best arenas, and some believe we haven't even gotten to the opening act.