As a politically active Democrat who’s lived in Greenville South Carolina for more than 20 years, I’ve learned how to live as a persecuted minority. I post my political signs in my yard fully expecting them to be stolen or set afire. I’ve had strangers accost me in parking lots to chide me about my anti-war or pro-Democratic Party bumper stickers so I can’t say I was surprised by a recent story related by John Painter, the Chair of the Pickens County Democratic Party.

 John’s wife Denise was in the parking lot of the Greenville Humane Society recently when a lady accompanied by two children walked past the tailgate of her car. Denise overheard the pre-teen boy comment to the woman “I thought it was illegal to be a Democrat in South Carolina?” The woman responded “It’s not illegal son but it is frowned upon.” Denise turned to the young man while addressing the mother and responded, “That’s a load of crap.” Then turned to the boy and said, “If you want to grow up to help other people be a Democrat but if you only care about yourself then become a Republican.” She then turned to the lady and told her to have a nice day before leaving.

I’m so proud of Denise and John for proclaiming their beliefs and then articulating and defending them when called out by the ignorant but aggressive members of the other side. I’ve always been stunned by the aggressive nature of the Republican Party in South Carolina. They have been in the majority for so long, why do they feel the need to be so mean spirited and dogmatic when confronted with opposing views? If they are so sure in their beliefs why do they seem so afraid of people who don’t think the way they do. They are bullies and it pains me to see them modeling bullying behavior for their children. I can assure that you that if Jesus were alive today he would not be a member of the Republican Party and he most assuredly would not support tax cuts for the rich over feeding the poor.

We are heading into a very important election which will have a great impact on the economic future of our state. I love South Carolina but our state government is broken. Eight years of ideology without legislative influence has brought our beautiful state and its people to their knees. We must bring new energy, new ideas and new faces to our political process. The South Carolina Democratic Party is offering an incredibly talented and progressive slate of state-wide and local candidates. I beg of you, put up your yard signs, and wear your buttons and t-shirts and bumper stickers. Read up on the issues and be able to speak intelligently about why you are supporting the Democratic Party this year. Encourage others to get on board, offer to drive your neighbors to the polls. But please for the love of South Carolina do something.