Free trader Rep. Jim DeMint of South Carolina emerged victorious on Tuesday in his runoff race against former Gov. David Beasley in their race for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.
I interviewed DeMint in 2000 when he visited Greensboro, when he was promoting the policy of Social Security “personalization” (not ?privatization,? lest he scare those who currently depend on the system, he said at the time).
DeMint made a perhaps prescient prediction leading up to that 2000 election:
?I think (election year 2000) is the last chance Americans have to salvage their freedom with their vote,? he said. ?If we go another eight years like we just did, we won?t have another group of voters who will vote for less government again.?
?When people know they can vote themselves more benefits, that?s when we?re doomed.?
Since I was writing for a Christian newspaper at the time, DeMint made the connection about personal responsibility to the spiritual aspect:
“When seniors look towards the government for their retirement and Social Security, they are no longer looking to their Creator for their security,? he said.
