How do you make a $3.5B accounting error

[okclem]

Sadly, the ineptitude of SC government transcends party. It has been a boat anchor on the state for well over A hundred yrears. The parties have changed, the cronyism, sanctimony and ineptitude has been consistent

Not much different at the national level. 100 years of almost unbroken downward trendline.

Remember, we vote so we get the government we deserve. Paying attention to the individual rather than a party or cheerleading/bomb throwing media would be the first step in actually breaking the cycle.

LoL that argument would hold water if both parties traded leadership roles regularly here. They don't. One party has been in complete control since the end of WW2. Y'all ain't both sides-ing this one. Republican leadership has objectively failed South Carolinians in every conceivable way.

We're literally in a thread about Republican leadership coming up with a $3.5B accounting error, and y'all are still defending them. You've been completely brainwashed into thinking your huge pile of shit is a chocolate Sundae. You even think it's a good thing that hordes of Yankees are moving in lock, stock, and barrel.

You'll just believe anything. It's no wonder Trump picked the Republican party as the vehicle for his con.

 

[okclem]

You think the democratic leaders in this state are better though?

I don't know, man. I'd love to hear your argument that they aren't better though, since they've never been in control of anything.

 

[okclem]

My point was they could all lose their seats and get replaced by an equally bad democrat. In fact it’s pretty likely

Your point is a hypothetical that has never happened in our lifetime. So what are you basing this on?

The alternative could also possibly be bad so let's stick with the definitely bad option?

 

[Trading Tiger]

i have not heard this before. i guess i'm just better now at keeping up with conspiracy theories (not saying it is wrong)

I only learned of it a few months ago by watching a JRE podcast, and I consider myself up to date on most things "conspiracy theory".

Conspiracy theorist is government speak for "person who has too much common sense to be fooled by government".

 

[okclem]

Governor Newsome said come on out.

Says the guy who would give you 500 reasons why Putin is America's best friend at the drop of a hat. I don't want to run away, guy. I want better things for us here.

Unfortunately I live in a state where most of the people want to be poor, poorly educated & poorly governed.

 

[WapPride]

I only learned of it a few months ago by watching a JRE podcast, and I consider myself up to date on most things "conspiracy theory".

Conspiracy theorist is government speak for "person who has too much common sense to be fooled by government".

Why people believe in conspiracy theories, with Karen Douglas, PhD

Karen Douglas, PhD, discusses psychological research on how conspiracy theories start, why they persist, who is most likely to believe them and whether there is any way to combat them effectively.

www.apa.org

Good interview with an expert in the field that could give you some insight into your proclivity to being attracted to conspiracy theories.

 

[okclem]

Why people believe in conspiracy theories, with Karen Douglas, PhD

Karen Douglas, PhD, discusses psychological research on how conspiracy theories start, why they persist, who is most likely to believe them and whether there is any way to combat them effectively.

www.apa.org

Good interview with an expert in the field that could give you some insight into your proclivity to being attracted to conspiracy theories.

There's definitely a noticeable correlation, similar to the one between poor education & high religiosity.

I'll be giving this a listen.

 

[Trading Tiger]

Why people believe in conspiracy theories, with Karen Douglas, PhD

Karen Douglas, PhD, discusses psychological research on how conspiracy theories start, why they persist, who is most likely to believe them and whether there is any way to combat them effectively.

www.apa.org

Good interview with an expert in the field that could give you some insight into your proclivity to being attracted to conspiracy theories.

What makes that person an expert?

 

[yoshi121374]

Says the guy who would give you 500 reasons why Putin is America's best friend at the drop of a hat. I don't want to run away, guy. I want better things for us here.

Unfortunately I live in a state where most of the people want to be poor, poorly educated & poorly governed.

If you want a current example,we literally just elected a Secretary of Education who wasn't legally eligible to hold the position.

 

[okclem]

If you want a current example,we literally just elected a Secretary of Education who wasn't legally eligible to hold the position.

Yeah, exactly. As bad as it has been, now that the Republican party has been hijacked by Maganazis it's going to devolve very rapidly.

 

[okclem]

What makes that person an expert?

Do you see that phD by her name? It's that...plus the decades of her life that she's dedicated to this very subject matter.

 

[WapPride]

What makes that person an expert?

What makes anyone an expert in anything? Years of study/practice/application.

 

[Trading Tiger]

What makes anyone an expert in anything? Years of study/practice/application.

Great answer. Clearly she has the study box checked, but how about the practice and application boxes?

 

[WapPride]

Great answer. Clearly she has the study box checked, but how about the practice and application boxes?

You can read her credentials here: https://www.kent.ac.uk/psychology/people/221/douglas-karen

Very impressive background, imo.

 

[Howard's Jock]

Your point is a hypothetical that has never happened in our lifetime. So what are you basing this on?

The alternative could also possibly be bad so let's stick with the definitely bad option?

I’m basing it on more local primarily democrat run areas that are not great. I do agree it’s a hypothetical and I’m for seeing if a change helps. I’m just not sold that it will. Similar to making a change in our basketball program right now. I do agree with you about our miserable roads though. In the end, we are a poor state who’s demographics dictate a lot of what’s going on imo.

 

[Trading Tiger]

You can read her credentials here: https://www.kent.ac.uk/psychology/people/221/douglas-karen

Very impressive background, imo.

Oh, I already did that. You linked an article, which I ignored, but I did briefly read up on the author. Never believe someone if you don't know anything about them.

I will admit, it is quite impressive to spend that much time and money on your education, but then never actually do anything with it. But that doesn't make you an expert. On the contrary, it makes you a fool in my book. She can think/write whatever she wants, but until she puts her study into practice to determine if it is actually applicable, she's a fool.

 

[okclem]

I’m basing it on more local primarily democrat run areas that are not great. I do agree it’s a hypothetical and I’m for seeing if a change helps. I’m just not sold that it will. Similar to making a change in our basketball program right now. I do agree with you about our miserable roads though. In the end, we are a poor state who’s demographics dictate a lot of what’s going on imo.

Well I never said it definitely would improve things. I'm just making the argument that it's worth looking into at this point. It's hard to take seriously anyone who would object to that.

 

[CU Alumnus]

That sounds like a lot

 

[okclem]

Oh, I already did that. You linked an article, which I ignored, but I did briefly read up on the author. Never believe someone if you don't know anything about them.

I will admit, it is quite impressive to spend that much time and money on your education, but then never actually do anything with it. But that doesn't make you an expert. On the contrary, it makes you a fool in my book. She can think/write whatever she wants, but until she puts her study into practice to determine if it is actually applicable, she's a fool.

My only real question at this point, is do you really believe the stuff you say anymore, or do you only care about appearing right to the other useful idiots on the internet message boards?

 

[Trading Tiger]

Do you see that phD by her name? It's that...plus the decades of her life that she's dedicated to this very subject matter.

Bless your heart

 

[Spencer_York]

There are so many shining examples of well run democrat cities and states. Maybe you should consider moving to Illinois, New York or New Jersey. Those are just fabulously run places. Clean balance sheets, low taxes, real safe, like leave your door unlocked kind of safe.

There is a reason that the states with growing populations are run by republicans.

New York State grew in population as did both NYC and Chicago. In the past 2 years Illinois has had its credit rating increased 7 times all the way to "A" status. NYC is one of the safest major cities in America, especially per capita. The problem if big tax lines, like income or real estate, are too low is they will find other places to tax (like how Mississippi has the highest grocery tax in the country). These taxes, like the grcery tax, are often regressive and hit you harder the less money you have. Another issue is that without tax dollars public goods and services are often way worse. This is a big reason why South Carolina has such dreadful roads and schools.

 

[WapPride]

Oh, I already did that. You linked an article, which I ignored, but I did briefly read up on the author. Never believe someone if you don't know anything about them.

I will admit, it is quite impressive to spend that much time and money on your education, but then never actually do anything with it. But that doesn't make you an expert. On the contrary, it makes you a fool in my book. She can think/write whatever she wants, but until she puts her study into practice to determine if it is actually applicable, she's a fool.

She's been published >150 times and has around 15 grants/awards for her work. I feel like you don't understand how research works for something like this. For each study, her and her research team will go out and interview hordes of people, and then come up with a theory based on the data received - that's literally application. They're working towards a theory from information received during interviews; they don't come up with a theory and then work backwards from there to justify preconceived beliefs.

 

[castlesl]

New York State grew in population as did both NYC and Chicago. In the past 2 years Illinois has had its credit rating increased 7 times all the way to "A" status. NYC is one of the safest major cities in America, especially per capita. The problem if big tax lines, like income or real estate, are too low is they will find other places to tax (like how Mississippi has the highest grocery tax in the country). These taxes, like the grcery tax, are often regressive and hit you harder the less money you have. Another issue is that without tax dollars public goods and services are often way worse. This is a big reason why South Carolina has such dreadful roads and schools.

NY States population has declined every year since 2020. From 2014 - 2019 they declined every year. They saw a bump in 2020.

Illinois has a credit rating of A- by S&P ( two spots above junk) and that is nothing to brag about. New Jersey is the only other state with such a low rating, every other state has a better credit rating. Illinois has 250 billion in bills to pay and only 39 billion to take care of said bills, a full $50 K per tax payer of debt liability. The majority of the problem is the unfunded state pension liabilities. That problem won’t go away and the retired workers of Illinois will eventually be toast along with the citizens who stick around to foot what is left of the bill. Chicago has similar problems.

NYC had 190 thousand arrests in 2022, up 22% from 2021, of those, over 47 thousand were serious; rape, armed robbery, burglary etc. It would be like 2/3 of the population of Greenville committing a major crime in a year.

I travel all over the country and there are bad roads everywhere, NY and Illinois are no exception.

The top 10 highest tax burdens in the country in 2022 were all democrat run states. NY leading the way with 12.75%. This included property, income and excise / sales tax. Mississippi is not one of them.

I have never heard a single person brag about the great public services NY and Illinois offer. You sir are the first.

 

[castlesl]

You’re also a shining example of the poor education system when you cant see past whatever fox and friends tells you to get all riled up about.

I see no difference other than rhetoric from republicans and democrats.

2.Spend a lot of money.
2.Get more votes.
3.Say whatever it is your base wants to be entertained by.

I am a shining example of a Clemson graduate, scientist, business owner, etc., but hey, you be you. Most high level democrats can’t even tell you what a women is today.

The facts are what they are. Pull any list you want and the reality is that most liberally run cities and states have high taxes, large deficits and declining populations. These aren’t absolute of course, but far and away more than a passing trend.

 

[clemsonalex]

You don't. Any accountant in a position that would even allow them to make such an expensive error, would never make such an expensive error. Any accountant that was capable of making such an expensive error would never be in a position to make such an expensive error.

Might be some corruption/kickbacks going on here...

 

[GoodWord28]

I am a shining example of a Clemson graduate, scientist, business owner, etc., but hey, you be you. Most high level democrats can’t even tell you what a women is today.

The facts are what they are. Pull any list you want and the reality is that most liberally run cities and states have high taxes, large deficits and declining populations. These aren’t absolute of course, but far and away more than a passing trend.

Re-read my post.

 

[castlesl]

Re-read my post.

My reading comprehension skills aren’t the issue. You said “I am a shining example of the poor educational system.…. Yada yada Fox News.

What i said in my post has nothing to do with Fox News, just google the stuff for yourself, it is everywhere you look. I don’t watch Fox News.

If you think the facts I have posted in this thread are incorrect then refute them with something other than alluding to I am the product of a failed educational system.

 

[jmplexi]

correct was announced the day before...i didnt want to go into the timing cause its too messed up to think about. ultimately was apparently more idiot govt accounting and they were able to track down a lot of it, but i'm sure the crack team looking for it was about as intellectually capable as the group that lost track of it so who knows what actually happened. all i know is that was one hilarious number to hear we straight up had no idea where it was

And guess where the office that housed the paper trail on that missing money was located?? I'll give you two guesses, but you'll only need one.

Yeah there’s too many folks in here arguing about who’s right, left or right, when both of them are out to F*** us. If American politics weren’t a soap opera no one would care and we would be better off

 

[Allornothing]

And yet its been a pretty dang good state to live in during that time. Still is actually and there is a reason why so damn many people are moving here from up North.

If it is the shithole you are claiming it to be then why is there such record growth?

Better yet, why doesn't he GTFO?

 

[GoodWord28]

My reading comprehension skills aren’t the issue. You said “I am a shining example of the poor educational system.…. Yada yada Fox News.

What i said in my post has nothing to do with Fox News, just google the stuff for yourself, it is everywhere you look. I don’t watch Fox News.

If you think the facts I have posted in this thread are incorrect then refute them with something other than alluding to I am the product of a failed educational system.

Go read it again.

 

[1Clemson]

LoL that argument would hold water if both parties traded leadership roles regularly here. They don't. One party has been in complete control since the end of WW2. Y'all ain't both sides-ing this one. Republican leadership has objectively failed South Carolinians in every conceivable way.

We're literally in a thread about Republican leadership coming up with a $3.5B accounting error, and y'all are still defending them. You've been completely brainwashed into thinking your huge pile of shit is a chocolate Sundae. You even think it's a good thing that hordes of Yankees are moving in lock, stock, and barrel.

You'll just believe anything. It's no wonder Trump picked the Republican party as the vehicle for his con.

LoL that argument would hold water if both parties traded leadership roles regularly here. They don't. One party has been in complete control since the end of WW2. Y'all ain't both sides-ing this one. Republican leadership has objectively failed South Carolinians in every conceivable way.

We're literally in a thread about Republican leadership coming up with a $3.5B accounting error, and y'all are still defending them. You've been completely brainwashed into thinking your huge pile of shit is a chocolate Sundae. You even think it's a good thing that hordes of Yankees are moving in lock, stock, and barrel.

You'll just believe anything. It's no wonder Trump picked the Republican party as the vehicle for his con.

Democrats from Civil War until 1977, Republicans since except the 8 years under Riley. Legislature was even slower to roll over to Republican leadership.

Name a single major accomplishment of either party in the past 100 years, other than possibly the creation of the technical college system. Roads suck, taxes are high, wages significantly trail national average, education is near bottom, health/life expectancy is near bottom.

The lack of leadership is not based on party. Read a little, the players stayed the same they just switched parties. Our ’leadership’ is a result of the insane asylum known as the SC electorate. We got who we deserve.

 

[jeffcoat]

He double reported certain expenditures for the duration of his tenure. Can’t remember which - want to say college appropriations maybe?

What they said on WISTV was that it was an accounting error due to how they reports payment to colleges (Clemson, USuC, etc) receiving state money.

 

[jeffcoat]

South Carolina’s top accountant to resign after $3.5B error

South Carolina’s embattled top accountant will step down next month after a $3.5 billion error in the year-end financial report he oversaw, according to a resignation letter written Thursday that was obtained by The Associated Press.

www.wistv.com

Eckstrom has said the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report exaggerated the state’s cash balances for a decade by double counting the money sent to colleges and universities. The mistake went unsolved until a junior staffer fixed the error this fall.

 

[purple2]

South Carolina’s top accountant to resign after $3.5B error

South Carolina’s embattled top accountant will step down next month after a $3.5 billion error in the year-end financial report he oversaw, according to a resignation letter written Thursday that was obtained by The Associated Press.

www.wistv.com

Eckstrom has said the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report exaggerated the state’s cash balances for a decade by double counting the money sent to colleges and universities. The mistake went unsolved until a junior staffer fixed the error this fall.

unacceptable not to know how much cash you have

 

[Jjh7]

Yeah there’s too many folks in here arguing about who’s right, left or right, when both of them are out to F*** us. If American politics weren’t a soap opera no one would care and we would be better off

been referring to them as a reality tv show for years. too few people don't realize almost none of them mean a word they say and they don't give a flying fk about any of us. behind closed doors they're one big team. they just run to the cameras to rant about the "other side" to divide us into camps thinking one side or the other is the "good" side that truly cares about them. almost all politicians are spineless grifters that spend all their time and effort on dividing and personal interests and no time or effort on actually addressing their failures in policy, oversight, and preventing any possibility of being held accountable no matter the cost or egregious the measures required. because of this, they are completely blinded to and detached from just how toxic and broken things have become in society at large both culturally and economically. sadly, even if they did realize those things, they wouldn't give a fk so long as it wasn't impacting their quality of life.

 

[jmplexi]

been referring to them as a reality tv show for years. too few people don't realize almost none of them mean a word they say and they don't give a flying fk about any of us. behind closed doors they're one big team. they just run to the cameras to rant about the "other side" to divide us into camps thinking one side or the other is the "good" side that truly cares about them. almost all politicians are spineless grifters that spend all their time and effort on dividing and personal interests and no time or effort on actually addressing their failures in policy, oversight, and preventing any possibility of being held accountable no matter the cost or egregious the measures required. because of this, they are completely blinded to and detached from just how toxic and broken things have become in society at large both culturally and economically. sadly, even if they did realize those things, they wouldn't give a fk so long as it wasn't impacting their quality of life.

Sadly I agree with you. I think a lot of them get into politics with good intentions, but they are only looking out for themselves. There is no reason that Lindsay Graham nor Nancy Pelosi should be millionaires while working for the people of this country exclusively. They play us like a fiddle and we fall for it because we want our side to win.