May 25 2008
Weekend Profile: Charles Jeter Republican Candidate S.C. Fourth Congressional District
Charles Jeter is an environmental engineer from Greer who is running against Congressman Bob Inglis for the Republican nomination for this year’s election. I am not a real big admirer of Inglis so I wouldn’t mind seeing a change. Jeter has an impressive resume, including a five year stint in the Reagan Administration serving as the EPA’s Region IV Administrator. On the issues, I’m about 50/50 with him.
Taxes - He wants to keep the Bush tax cuts permanent and emphasizes lowering the Corporate Income Tax rate to 25%. I am glad he mentions that because this is very important. The U.S. has the second highest CIT in the world and it is making us uncompetitive in a now global economy. Even the Socialists in Europe have figured this out.
Iraq - On Iraq he acknowledges the mistake of the invasion, but also understands that simply picking up and pulling out when the country is not stable enough to keep out the terrorist elements is losing situation for both us and them. This is a reasonable position, but someone needs to define precisely what victory entails.
Immigration - He supports the border fence. I think the fence is a waste of money. If we crack down on employers knowingly hiring illegal labor and make certain that social services are cut off to these people then they’ll leave on their own.
Social Security - His position is as stated from his Web site:
Supports continuing current benefits for those already receiving benefits. Supports a bipartisan approach to ensure that the Social Security program remains healthy.
I fundamentally disagree with this. Social Security cannot remain healthy and be sustained without massive tax hikes. It needs to be eliminated entirely. We do not have the same demographics that once existed in 1935. It’s a different America today and the plan has now turned into a Ponzi Scheme. We need politicians that aren’t going to be afraid to tell people the ugly reality of this program.
Health Care - On health care he maintains that we have the best system in the world and that it should be available to all, but he doesn’t say how to do that. He just states he is opposed to a government run system.
Domestic Issues - Is prolife but supports abortion in extreme circumstances. He supports the Second Amendment and background checks and is a proponent of the death penalty.
Energy Independence - Supports moving to nuclear energy over the long haul.
Climate Change - He does not buy into the global warming hysteria. The planet has had warming and cooling periods throughout its history and we are currently in a modest warming period.
