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The sad state of South Carolina and its Republican problems.

Image by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com via Flickr

Congressman Joe Wilson’s “you lie” outburst continues to cause problems… and in ways you may not expect. On the heels of the controversy surrounding the affair of Governor Mark Sanford, this “you lie” embarrassment is just making matters worse for the state of South Carolina… bringing old wounds to the surface.

The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored Persons) is boycotting the entire state of South Carolina.  But actually, this isn’t new. They began their economic boycott of Joe Wilson’s state back in 1999 because the Confederate Flag was hung atop the State House and inside the House and Senate Chambers. In 2000, the flag on the State House was removed… well actually, just moved. It’s now placed prominently on the Capitol lawn, so the NAACP continues its boycott.

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The basics of this boycott: Do not travel to South Carolina for business or pleasure. Put simply, do not give the state any of your tourism dollars.

The recent Joe Wilson debacle is giving this decade-old boycott is getting a new resurgence. The National Newspapers Publishers Assoc (the Black Press of America) has now canceled a mid-winter conference they had planned to have in South Carolina this January.  The head of the this group calls Wilson’s outburst racist, “The continued public and blatant disrespect of President Barack Obama by members of Congress will not be rewarded with our dollars nor will a state that continues to uphold America’s shameful past by flying the Confederate flag.”

So, who’s been taking part in this boycott?

  • Over 300 family reunions have found a different state to meet & spend their money
  • Many faith-based and corporate groups have relocated where they hold their conferences
  • The Harlem Globetrotters no longer perform in South Carolina
  • The NCAA will not hold any of its tournaments there

According to the NAACP, the state has lost $15-$25 million each season. And this lost revenue cuts even deeper now considering the current economic struggle. A South Carolina Representative claims his state has the “third worst economy in the county.”

The Governor of South Carolina Mark Sanford isn’t willing to spend the time and energy to get the Confederate Flag removed. Yet somehow he finds the time and energy to… um, hike the Appalachian Trail.

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