More than 30 ethic violations - 37 to be exact - are no laughing matter. No governor of South Carolina has been hit with such a similar blow. Should he pay for these? Yes. But taking him out of office, or spending time to do so, would only hurt this state even more and give republicans the higher ground.

We would be entrenched in a lengthy battle, friends. Our state would put the needs of our school children, the jobless, the uninsured and scores of others who need work dedicated to them on the back burner, in favor of a lame duck governor. To do what? Prove a point?

We knew eight years ago this clown wasn't up to snuff when he decided Howard Rich's money was too good to be true, took it and tried to buy legislation in favor of rich, private schools over poor, public schools. Why are they poor? Republicans.

It is also a well known fact that this governor grandstanded with the stimulus money and treated the people of South Carolina as guinea pigs, or circus monkeys, as well. Who supported him? Republicans.

No matter what, the Republicans of this state know what an impeachment would do. It would take the heat off the legislators who need to be called out for allowing Sanford to get away with all he has. It would allow them to slip through and not be held on the votes to sustain Sanford's vetoes. They would go back to jobless districts and have nothing to worry about because the news of the day would be Sanford, not them.

Who would benefit from an impeachment? Republicans. All the way to the polls in 2010.

I ask my fellow Democratic lawmakers, friends and voters to not push for Sanford's impeachment. Push for Republicans to help with the jobless. Push for Republicans to quit grandstanding, attacking Obama and get to work on South Carolina's problems.

He needs to answer for his ethics violations. Hold him accountable. But do not use valuable, limited time on a worthless politician who has already sealed his fate.

The 12.1 percent unemployed can't - and won't - take it. The thousands without healthcare won't take it if Rep. Tim Scott cuts choice before choice is an option in S.C.

Remember, 2010. Make your case for the elections by doing substantive work at the statehouse that you can bring home to the people who need it.