In a letter to South Carolina’s Governor Mark Sanford, I noted our state is hostage to an old style system. Today, the Governor is presenting to a panel the ideas that I shared with him in the following letter.

Dear Governor Sanford:

As a professional, I’ve been laid off twice; the first time in July 2001 and the second time in February 2008.

Each of these times I applied for unemployment compensation from the SC Employment Security Commission. While not much compensation, it is something to tide one over. However, after a few months the first time and a few weeks the second time on unemployment, I discovered that starting one’s own business is not compatible with the unemployment system. I found that to remain honest and within the system, I had to report money that I would not receive for weeks. I became fed up with the system which does not support entrepreneurial growth and left the system.

In each instance, I was successful at my enterprises. I am lucky that I have the education and drive to make a success. Are others equally equipped?

South Carolina needs to support the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs (which are the majority types of business in our state) with a modified system and unemployment compensation or small business initiative loans, like Kiva loans to family groups in the third world.

Due to the economy, we don’t have extra resources to build new programs, but perhaps there is a better way to structure the SC Employment Security Office so that those who have a drive to be small business owners are nurtured in that path. Now, that I am aware, there is nothing in that direction. Upon the occasions that I visited the Employment Security Offices, I saw people who were in need of real counseling direction. Our legacy of paternalism and entitlement hobble us just as much as our history of poor educational results. Can there be a joining of the The Frank L. Roddey Small Business Development Center of South Carolina with the employment security system?

I do not recall any materials that were provided to me from South Carolina Employment Security Commission that gave me any understanding of resources or ways to learn about having my own business. No one at the Employment Security Commission that I am aware of is doing anything to support the awareness that one’s one enterprise can grow during these times of opportunity. Each newly unemployed person has skills, knowledge and abilities. Each person has the ability to earn for themselves, but unless they understand how to move forward, they won’t find their way.

My husband who is from New York state points to many bad things about that state, but he tells me that they understand how to work with laid off workers who wish to go back to school, start a business or define their own path. I believe South Carolina’s history as a textile mill / manufacturing state is hobbling us as we emerge into the new economy of services.

I would be delighted to volunteer my time to assist in any panels, advisory groups or others who are brainstorming ways to make our system better.

Thank you for taking time to review these thoughts. I deeply appreciate your fiscal conservatism and support your leadership in that regard.

Back in the early 1990s when I was the Executive Director of the Charleston Area Arts Council, you were very kind to write detailed letters in response to my letters requesting increased federal funding for the arts. You may not remember those letters, but your points hit home.

These days, I now am a fiscal conservative but a believer in helping people find a way. I believe we can empower people with information, Kiva style small loans in lieu of unemployment compensation and direction to help them start a small business, return to school or in other regards, “get a life.”

I don’t mean to denigrate those who depend on the current unemployment compensation system but there is a new way and we must find it! And I am willing to be a part of making it happen!

Candle in the Wind photo image courtesy of dhruvaraj’s flickr photo stream on flickr’s creative commons site.