South Carolina is suffering

The state's unemployment rate for May topped the 12 percent mark, continuing a climb to never-before-seen stratospheric heights.

The bad news, however, does not stop there. At least one economist believes that 2010 will see South Carolina with an even higher jobless rate. That is after the state has included millions in stimulus funds into the equation of the state budget. The stimulus money will help some people to continue working for the next two years, but it will not be a panacea for South Carolina's struggling economy.

Don Schunk, an economist from Coastal Carolina University, said he expects the state to see higher rates a year from now with an average jobless figure in 2010 at the 15 percent mark, an unprecedented forecast. Many in the state were incredulous several months ago with unemployment predictions for South Carolina reaching 14 percent. The state has nearly reached that figure and a higher mark is chilling news.

The people of South Carolina are suffering. Those fortunate enough to have jobs wonder if theirs will last. Many face furloughs without pay, furthering the anxiety of a population that is waiting for some hint of good news from its leaders.

Unfortunately our leadership in Columbia spent too much time in its last session with fighting over the stimulus funds. Too little was done to promote quality jobs for South Carolina and for the education and training that will make S.C. residents better targets for employers.

The Aiken Standard

Hard work and patience pay off

If there is a lesson for the rest of us in Lucas Glover's U.S. Open Golf victory it is that hard work and patience ultimately have rewards.

The hard work was necessary even for a golfer who started when he was 3, and whose talent was evident to his grandfather, himself a standout athlete. ....

Then there's the patience. Now in his sixth year on the PGA Tour, Glover has won just one other tournament, in 2005. Prior to this year, that win was one of just two top three finishes. In 167 tournaments, he'd cracked the top 10 just 25 times before winning on Monday. In 32 rounds of major tournament golf, he only once shot in the 60s. He had two rounds in the 60s this past weekend.

Now, he's a U.S. Open champion. ...

Glover was born in Greenville in 1979. He played golf at Wade Hampton High School. He went to college at Clemson University, and was a three-time All-American. Glover (along with his grandfather) is in the Clemson Athletics Hall of Fame. He married his high school sweetheart, and he still lives in the Upstate. ...

Congratulations, Lucas Glover.

If all the praise Glover's been getting since Monday is any indication (and there's every reason to believe it is), this won't be the last time we'll be able to say that.

The Greenville News