SC lt. gov. makes waves, compares government assistance for the poor to feeding stray animals

SC lt. gov.’s welfare comments causing a stir

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s lieutenant governor has people in his state shaking their heads after he compared government assistance for the poor to feeding stray animals.

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer is an ambitious Republican who sometimes says and does outrageous things. He may have been the best insurance policy for Gov. Mark Sanford after he secretly ran off to Argentina to see his mistress this summer.

Some lawmakers were careful about calling on Sanford to resign or pushing for impeachment because they didn’t want to elevate Bauer.

Bauer said at a town hall meeting Thursday that his grandmother told him as a child to quit feeding stray animals because they breed.

Bauer says he regrets his word choice but believes the government should expect welfare recipients to take an active role in bettering their lives.