As a country and state, our foundation rests on the pillars of free speech and equal representation. These ideals are not abstract concepts; they are the lifeblood of a healthy Constitutional Republic, ensuring every voice is heard and every perspective considered. Today, these very principles are under attack in South Carolina both by Democrats and Republicans. 

H4695 and H4735 which are new rules proposed by establishment leadership threaten to silence the hundreds of thousands of South Carolinians and their state representatives, stripping power from the people and handing it to a select few. This is not progress or conservative; it is a downright dangerous step towards authoritarianism. 

The consequences of such a power imbalance are chilling. We can only imagine the loss to our state with having our concerns, our needs, our very voices ignored or dismissed – not because they lack merit, but because they don't align with the special interests and lobbyists who control the establishment. This is the future these new rules pave the way for – a future where our voice and our vote as a South Carolinian might matter less than ever. 

We, who stand united under the banner of free speech and individual liberties, cannot stay silent in the face of such blatant suppression. This is why we, alongside the organizations listed below,wholeheartedly oppose the establishment’s proposed rule changes.