Sandifer’s strong words about two societal problems

A 22-year state lawmaker had strong words yesterday about two societal problems—one of which distinguishes South Carolina from other parts of the country.  Rep. Bill Sandifer, in front of the Seneca Rotary Club, said he and his colleagues in Columbia are embracing the need to reduce the state’s “horrible” rate of violence in the home place.  “We right now, in South Carolina, are having domestic violence twice the national average and that is totally unacceptable,” he told the Rotarians.  Stiffer penalties are aimed to deter such deeds and awareness and education about the problem is to start in the state’s middle schools.  According to Sandifer, the schools must do a better job in teaching children about civics.  He says immigrants who take citizenship tests know much more about U-S civics than do children born here.