Mount Pleasant Magazine Sept-Oct 2018

61 www.VoteBestOfMP.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.ClemsonCarolinaTickets.com feature Charleston and that, as always, he advocated for the taxpayer. In some cases, that meant taking an unpopular stand such as calling for cuts in the Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid programs. In his opinion, many of his fellow legislators have chosen to ignore the nation’s impending financial crisis and the U.S. debt and deficit. “You can’t get to a balanced budget without cutting entitlements,” he commented. “We’re dealing with entitlements, and everyone is in denial. The markets will crash again. That storm is coming. There’s an incredible financial storm coming our way. If you have a 401(k) or a pension plan, it will impact you.” Despite his disagreements with Trump, Sanford is optimistic about the future of the Republican Party. He doesn’t think the Democrats will take back the House or the Senate in November – “The strength of the economy is one reason the Republicans will win” – and though he hasn’t decided whether he will throw his support behind Arrington in the general election, he’s confident she will defeat Cunningham. “It’s a Republican district at the end of the day,” he remarked. “And the Republican Party was around a long time before Trump. This is just a blip on the radar screen. Frustrations with Washington reached a boiling-over point, and people wanted someone who would push back. The problem with Trump is he has taken the hopes and dreams for the breakup of political powers to be about him. It’s all about him.” Sanford will be leaving office in January, but he hasn’t stopped working for the people of the 1st District. He’s spending some of his time trying to bring plans for a 400-acre waterfront park on Daniel Island to fruition, a project that will continue to demand his attention even after he exits Washington. “The look and feel of South Carolina is part of our competitive edge,” Sanford said. “The great cities of the world all have large parks. This could make a profound difference in the livability of the Charleston metro area.” Will the 58-year-old Sanford be returning to the political arena any time soon? “I wouldn’t think so,” he pondered, without really ruling out the possibility that there could be another election campaign in his future. Photo by Jess Wood. 6 1 6 D L o n g P o i n t R o a d M t P l e a s a n t , S C 2 9 4 6 4 i n f o @ l a v e n d e r h i l l d e s i g n s . c o m 8 4 3 - 3 5 2 - 7 0 4 2 www . l a v e n d e r h i l l d e s i g n s . c o m New Arrivals Bringing you unique and beautiful gifts, home accents, tabletop, linens and more!  Located in the Belle Hall Shopping Center