Demint opposes first African-American woman to U.S. Court of Appeals

Hon. Bernice Bouie Donald has served as Judge of U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee since January 1996. She previously served as Judge of U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee and General Sessions Criminal Court. She received her law degree from the University of Memphis School of Law where she has served as an adjunct faculty member.

By an overwhelming, bipartisan vote (96-2) the United States Senate confirmed the nomination of Judge Bernice Donald to the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals. She is the first African-American woman to serve in that capacity.

Despite Judge Donald's indisputable long and distinguished career, South Carolina's Senator Jim Demint voted against her nomination. He was joined by Louisiana Senator David Vitter, best known his recent election despite his connection to the "D.C. Madam" prostitution scandal of 2007.



Even Lamar Alexander, conservative Republican Senator from Tenneesee and Demint ally on legislation like Cut, Cap and Balance, enthusiastically spoke on behalf of the confirmation of Judge Bernice Donald to the U.S. Court of Appeals-6th circuit. Please see the video above.

Demint and Vitter: only two Senators to oppose Hilary Clinton's confirmation

 It is interesting that Demint and Vitter were also the only two Senators to oppose Hilary Clinton's confirmation as Secretary of State. However as there have been no explanations offered in the press or on either Senator Demint's or Senator Vitter's official Senate websites, the public can only speculate as to why either senator would oppose Judge Donald's nomination.

Demint and South Carolina Republicans put their State at severe financial risk with their extreme debt-ceiling stance

If the credit agencies downgrade U.S. debt, South Carolinians and all Americans will see their interest rates increase and more will be forced to do business with the many legal loan shark operations like this one on the outskirts of Spartanburg, that line South Carolina's roadsides.

Senator Jim Demint, the self-proclaimed Tea Party senator has stood fast to oppose raising the U.S. debt ceiling unless Congress passes a balanced budget amendment to the 50 State legislatures in just two days. He has been joined by the five Congressional Republicans that represent his State in support of the so-called Cut, Cap and Balance legislation and additional stonewalling strategies that have caused credit rating agencies such as Moody's to threaten downgrading  the country's current AAA credit rating.

Debt ceiling debacle poses greater fiscal risk to South Carolina than for other states
What is often not reported however, is that it the debt ceiling crisis also threatens the financial health of individual states that for one reason or another are highly dependent on Federal spending.

Because South Carolina is an "above average" recipient of funds for Medicaid and Federal procurement contracts, Moody's has threatened to downgrade their credit rating along with that of the Federal government if the risk to US solvency is determined to increase.

Logical Consequences, Illogical South Carolina Politicans
In one of the poorest states in the country (which explains its need for high levels of Medicaid funding), with some of the most egregious social problems that include the nation's highest violent crime rate, enormous public health problems and poor education a credit downgrade will result in immediate increased borrowing costs. Given the budget slashing passions of Govenor Nikki Haley and the conservative regime that runs her State, this will likely mean more budget cuts and more misery for South Carolina residents.

In this WSPA Channel 7 report a state official explains that South Carolina's high poverty rate makes it vulnerable for a credit downgrade if US credit is downgraded as well.

Its impossible to see how Cut, Cap and Balance is a anything but an effort to crash South Carolina's already fragile economy. It is nearly impossible to understand how the elected representatives of South Carolina can take such extreme positions in light of their State's financial vulnerability.

Who benefits from an economic strategy that is destined to cause so much pain to so many people?
Koch Brothers: generous Demint funders even when he faces no real campaign opposition
Big Boeing money goes to Senator Demint and South Carolina congressional Republicans
Demint evades blame in U.S. debt downgrade

Additional reading
Read Moody's report on South Carolina's possible credit down grade.
Read Washington Post report on South Carolina Republican congressional delegation's refusal to compromise
Read Associated Press report on how Jim Demint pulls the strings behind the right's inflexible approach to the debt ceiling debate.
Investors journal: South Carolina 6th worst run American state
South Carolina legislators pad income with excessive pension and salary scheme