Spending is one of those prickly issues that the media has seemed to assign as too boring, the pundits as too complex, and the candidates as too dangerous to really delve into. While that leaves journalists time to focus on the fate of Paris Hilton, this “hear, see and speak no evil” approach to how much government we want in our lives, and how much of it we are really paying for, is extremely dangerous for every one of us who pays taxes.

For the candidates in this crowded field, the spending debate represents a real opportunity. It is a big issue that will make a difference in every American’s life in the years ahead, and it’s an area that has not been graced with leadership. Let’s face it: My party, the Republicans, have been in control, and they have blown it when it comes to government spending. The fine-print disclaimer on the demise of the Republican Congress should read: “We really didn’t want less control of your money — we just wanted to put it toward a few different causes.”

I saw this when I was in Congress, and I see it now at the state level, where state spending has increased by 22 percent nationally over the past three years — with federal spending growing at 21 percent over that same time. The people who are most aware of, and most outraged by, this are Republicans at the grass-roots level who I see and hear from every day. The candidate who can tap into their desire for leadership on this front, and lay out more than a sound-bite plan on spending, is the candidate who I think will win in South Carolina. That candidate will also win in a lot of other states that are very different from South Carolina, because common to all is a thirst for leadership that will honestly assess where we are as a country financially and where we need to go on issues bigger than most of what captures the ephemeral headlines in Washington.

The Politico

Need anyone say more?  It continues to astonish me how the GOP power that be can’t grasp this very simple concept.

After the Senate and House approved their proposed budgets, the S.C. Club for Growth released a “Lard List” of legislative pork that included museums in Lake City and Florence, as well as a pottery degree at Piedmont Technical College. Six festivals across the state that received money through the competitive grants program last year also were on the “Lard List.”

Sanford has been a critic of the budget as well, installing a “clock” outside his office to tabulate new Senate spending at $33 per second.

The Herald

Governor Sanford has been a long time critic of the State Legislature’s piggish spending habits throughout his first term as South Carolina governor, and that isn’t changing in his second term. It is important to note that his own party controls the State Legislature.  He has also continued to harp on the Legislature to cut the income tax with the excess money the state has taken in to stimulate more economic growth throughout this growing state. If only this guy would have ran for President.

Last year, money added into the state’s budget, after the state Board of Economic Advisers increased its estimate of state income in May, meant few projects were cut from the House or Senate budgets. Wednesday, the board added $240 million more for House and Senate negotiators.

Sanford has argued the state’s new income money could be used to cut income taxes, which would spur investment across the state.

Cooper said the House would push for its $81 million income tax cut, as well as the Senate’s $90 million reduction of the state grocery sales tax to 1 percent from 3 percent.

NEW YORK (AP) - NBC’s top entertainment executive said Monday that he doesn’t expect actor and potential Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson back on “Law & Order” next season.NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly claimed no insider knowledge of Thompson’s political plans, but his statement indicated the seriousness of Thompson’s presidential musings. The former Tennessee senator has been making speaking appearances and blogging on issues in recent weeks as he considers a candidacy.

“It’s pretty clear that Fred is going to be leaving the cast of the show no matter what,” Reilly said at a news conference on NBC’s fall schedule.

Breitbart

Is this a sign of things to come?  Is Thompson in for the running?

FARMERS BRANCH, Texas (AP) - Voters in this Dallas suburb became the first in the nation Saturday to prohibit landlords from renting to most illegal immigrants.

The ban was approved by a vote of 68 percent to 32 percent in final, unofficial returns.

The balloting marked the first public vote on a local government measure to crack down on illegal immigration.

Myway

This was not a vote by a local government, but rather a vote by the people.  The people have clearly spoken, almost 70% of them, that illegal immigration must stop!  Watch for the legal challenges to start rearing their head.

In an interview with Diane Sawyer on “Good Morning America,” the former Republican speaker of the House said there was a “great possibility” that he would run for president.

He will make that decision sometime in the fall. Sawyer noted that previously Gingrich had only said he was “thinking about” a run for president.

ABC News

With Thompson having yet to declare, there is still a conservative void to fill in the race. I still think if Thompson does declare prior to September, Gingrich will step aside.