“Our Freedom is in the Hands of Volunteers …”

August 18, 2009: Jennet Alterman introduced Senator DeMint as a native South Carolinian from Greenville who graduated from Wade Hampton High School, the University of Tennessee; earned an MBA from Clemson. After a successful career as the owner of the DeMint Group, a strategic planning consulting group, he entered politics because he believed in normal people more than politicians and that volunteer groups accomplish the good in America. He had no interest in politics but his disillusionment with government motivated him to run for the Senate after serving in the House.

The Senator stated being a Greenville Rotarian continues to influence his platform: the 4-Way Test. His consistent message remains using “logic & common sense.” The Republicans are sleep-walking and the Democrats have no business-vision for an environment that facilitates our economy’s growth. Even China told us to “get our spending in order.” For instance:
– Fannie-Travel: a $400M tourism bill that will pass on the first vote this fall. “They don’t get it, we can’t afford this.”
– Fannie-Med: “it’s not about healthcare, we could take care of that in a ten page bill, it’s about government control. We’ve seen it before, country after country who destroyed themselves on this issue. We can’t allow the federal government to take control of healthcare.
– Cash-for-clunkers: “of course we have to sell cars, we own car companies … we’re in that business now; is that what we want? Not one check has been cut to dealers, we’re about to hire 1000 people in Washington, DC to issue those checks … and we’re about to increase this to $2B. Is this a way to make our economy grow?”
– Cap and Trade: “are you willing to have $100 per month added to your electric bill with no quantifiable positive impact on the environment?”
– Why not a free enterprise economy versus a managed economy? Let’s use a common sense approach. Senator DeMint proposed these solutions even though our current President voted against them while a Senator from Illinois.
– Interstate insurance healthcare competition: complete policy plans, no matter where you live or work. No matter what pre-existing conditions.
– Fair tax treatment: give individuals who pay their own medical policies the same tax benefits as companies/corporations receive.
– Health Savings Accounts: allow individuals to use HSAs to pay for insurance premiums.
– Association policies: allow them to buy individual/family healthcare policies using their group numbers and clout [to overcome actuarial obstacles].
– Court reform: we all know the impacts of the “deep pocket theory” on our insurance rates and policies.

Senator DeMint closed with two thoughts. My supporters always say:
1. “Thanks for fighting for us”
2. “What can I do?”
His answer: “Freedom is more in the hands of volunteers than elected officials.”

Submitted by Bill Crowe, Keyway Committee