THINK TANK UNVEILS CAMPAIGN TO CREATE ECONOMIC GROWTH

One of South Carolina’s top think tanks has unveiled a brand new effort to bring sound, economic growth to the Palmetto State.

The South Carolina Policy Council kicked off their “Unleashing Capitalism” campaign in Columbia Thursday night.

Guests including Gov. Mark Sanford, Sens. Tom Davis and Mick Mulvaney, and Rep. Ralph Norman, as well as Policy Council members, were shown a powerful four-minute video (above) and given a copy of the new “Unleashing Capitalism” book by College of Charleston professor Peter T. Calcagno and West Virginia University professor Russell S. Sobel.

“South Carolina’s only coherent economic development strategy in recent memory has been to offer special incentives to large companies in hopes that they’ll locate here. While those tactics have resulted in great headlines, they’ve produced little in terms of measurable statewide increases in income levels and overall prosperity,” said Policy Council President Ashley Landess. “Our state needs a complete paradigm shift in its thinking and government policies if we’re truly going to compete and create wealth for our citizens. Unleashing Capitalism provides a compelling road map for why and how to do so.”

Landess said the Unleashing Capitalism campaign is centered around getting government out of the economic development business, and instead reforming the state’s tax code, spending practices, regulatory structure and education system to benefit the free market.

“Together, we can restore free market democracy in South Carolina,” Landess said. “We’ll make our state competitive the only way it can be done – not by the politicians, but through free, empowered individuals. Unleashing capitalism – a pro-business, free market environment that makes South Carolina a national leader in economic growth – means lower crime, better schools, healthier people, responsible government, more jobs, and improved quality of life for all South Carolinians.”

You can find out more about the campaign at the new website www.UnleashingCapitalismSC.org.