Change Agents of South Dakota

Dawn Marie Jo Johnson is now an official member of the Sioux Falls School Board!!!! The largest in the state. It’s a good day for education and children🎶🎶🎶

Ironic isn’t it?

Harrison Ford(aka Indiana Jones) and President Joe Biden are the same age.

Stories on Ford promote his youthfulness.

Stories on Biden the opposite……..

Another bright light.

In the Virginia Legislative Primary earlier this week, an incumbent Republican Senator lost. Senator Amanda Chase described herself as “Trump in Heels.” She was defeated by a moderate Republican. Political pundits in Virginia said the results show that Republicans there are moving on from the Trump influence.

A bright light.

FYI, in some local and legislative elections around the country, Trump loyalists have lost.

The light in this country is getting brighter. ... See more

Here are three bright lights.

One from South Dakota. One from Florida(yes Florida) and a very bright light from Arkansas.

South Dakota first.

I had lunch this week with Dan Ahlers. He is the new Executive Director of the South Dakota Democratic Party. Dan is from Dell Rapids. He has served in the legislature. He has run for other public offices. He has experience with winning and losing. When in the legislature he was known for being able to work across the aisle.

At lunch we talked about opportunities he sees for Democrats and the State. I found myself agreeing with him on most of them. Dan is easy to be around. He is a good listener. When he speaks there is no bravado. There is confidence. An important difference.

I think the Democrats made a good decision when they hired him.

Dan Ahlers is definitely a bright light.

Now from Florida.

This may not be well received by all, but I think the multiple charges filed against Donald Trump is a bright light. A jury of his peers will decide his innocence or guilt.

I think his indictment is a bright light because it shows that there are still people who believe that no one is above the law. I share that belief.

Hence the bright light.

The final bright light is more like a beacon.

A Federal judge in Arkansas has ruled a bill passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor is unconstitutional. The bill was an attack on individuals and families. It was an anti-trans bill. He ruled the bill unlawfully discriminated.

I haven’t read his opinion. I also admit I haven’t read the law he threw out. From reliable news sources it appears the unconstitutional Arkansas law is similar to the one recently passed in South Dakota. You may recall I wrote about that earlier this week.

Families in Arkansas dealing with trans gender issues must be overjoyed. I imagine the Federal judge’s decision is offering hope, a bright light, if you will, to folks in South Dakota and the rest of the country.

Based on the decision, I have a suggestion:

The South Dakota legislature should call a special session.

They should repeal the anti-transgender, family attacking bill they passed last session.

By doing so, they will save us tax money. We will not have to pay for lawyers defending a decision by our leaders which persecutes and discriminates. And according to a Federal judge from another jurisdiction is unconstitutional.

Based on the victory in Arkansas, the wrong wing of the Republican Party will have to find another vulnerable group to attack.

They seem to need enemies. ... See more

I’m feeling philosophical today. I think that’s the right word.

Two thoughts, or threads if you prefer, in my mind.

Race and the Gender Wars(I can’t think of a better term).

This effort is going to focus on the Gender Wars. Saving the Race piece for another day.

Each of us have life experiences. Those experiences form our frame of reference for new things and changes in old things.

I’m not medically trained. I’m not religiously trained. I consider myself a New Testament guy.

Based on reading, watching, and listening, I have reached these conclusions:

God did NOT create junk. Every BODY put here, is here for a reason. Every person(BODY) has worth/value. Denying that reality denies God, and his complex plan for us.

Medically, I know there are folks born with body parts that are not perfect. That includes genitalia(sex organs). Look for the Shriner’s Hospitals TV spots.

There are folks whose body parts may be ok, but the connection between those parts and the brain are in conflict. I think it’s called Gender Dysphoria.

Gpd gave us Science. That creation has allowed diseases to be conquered, broken bodies and broken minds to be healed.

God also gave us compassion. The ability to accept people as they are and allow them to be who they want to be.

There is ample proof proper medical treatment of people with Gender Dysphoria can have a positive impact on that person’s, and their family’s, lives.

Sadly, there are many folks claiming to be smarter in medicine and in religion, working hard to subvert God’s plan and the science/medicine he created.

Many of those folks are elected people or “religious” leaders (I used the quotes on purpose I’m certain they are not following Jesus’ teachings).

In South Dakota, and many other states, those leaders are banning/outlawing comprehensive medical care for transgender people and their families.

These same leaders are making it a CRIME for Doctors to assist individuals and their families with this highly complex and emotional diagnosis.

Our state leaders brag about “being the freest state in the nation”.

Because of their actions, those words are a LIE.

Families are NOT free from the brutal fist of Big Brother. The votes of our legislators, and the signature of our Governor, have authorized the PERSECUTION and DISCRIMINATION of a group of people and made Doctors practicing approved medical protocols, CRIMINALS.

I’m going to “out” some legislators. The vote to allow persecution, discrimination, and criminalization was widespread. I’m going to focus on a few in Minnehaha County.

Bethany Soye, a Representative from District 9(She was the Prime Sponsor).

Larry Zikmund, a Senator from District 14.

Jim Stalzer a Senator from District 11.

Sue Peterson, a Representative from District 13.

Arch Beal, a Senator from District 12.

David Kull, a Representative from District 2.

Jon Hansen, a Representative from District 25.

These are a few of the MANY elected legislators in our county voting to persecute, discriminate, and criminalize.

I know all but two of the people listed above. I know they have families and friends. They are not evil to the core.

However, their vote was evil.

It is a vicious attack on Families.

I believe willful ignorance and arrogance was involved.

Our next chance to vote these folks out, or in, is a year away. Maybe they will come to their senses, follow the science, follow God’s plan, and repeal this horrible piece of legislation.

Knowing them, I’m not going to hold my breath.
​
Godspeed,

The Independent Rick Knobe ... See more

Three Networks, ABC, NBC, and FOX. broadcasting the Trump motorcade on way to courthouse. Realize the indictment is a HUGE deal, but covering the motorcade, is unnecessary. Coverage at the courthouse? Great!

Motorcade coverage. Ridiculous!!! ... See more

This from a friend. He disagrees with my female friend about the impact of top two primaries in Ca……..”As a new Californian I can say she is inaccurate. We have had elections in which a Republican has run against a Democrat, though the Democrat does tend to win in the general election. But that is not a given. My senate district is held by non other than one Kevin McCarthy. Hardly a Democrat and no I didn't vote for him.” ... See more

I’m going to try this.

Over the past 24 hours, like you, I’ve been watching, listening, and reading the deluge of stories about the charges against former President Trump.

I vividly remember when President Nixon was the focus of National attention over his role, his lies, and the coverup over the Watergate break in at Democrat National Committee headquarters in 1972.

Every day there were new revelations, leaks, testimony. He kept denying. I remember his words, “I am not a crook.”

Ultimately the evidence became so overwhelming that members of his own party went to him and said “resign or be impeached.”

He resigned. August 1974. Almost two years after the break-in.

Today’s situation is different, but similar.

A former President caught up in cover up and worse. The indictment is an amazing read. Details, witness testimony. Mostly from his own people.

Like you I have my own opinions.

Like you I have questions and concerns:

When will the trial start?

When will we learn more about the Biden document investigation?

Is the judge assigned to this case the best choice? Her previous decisions on the document investigation were overturned by a higher court. Should she recuse herself?

Outside the enforcement and judicial system, I’m concerned about the language many Republicans are using. Basically, strong support for Trump. Accusations against the Department of Justice. Some of that language could easily be interpreted as a “call to arms” for Trump supporters.

On social media sites, the wrong wing commentators are definitely baiting people to react.

I’m glad I don’t live in Miami, or Florida for that matter.

I’m glad I’m not in law enforcement anywhere in this country.

It’s going to be a very difficult, stressful, and dangerous time for them. And for us.

I’m praying the folks labeling themselves as “Patriots” remember their patriotism is supposed to be to the Constitution. The rule of law.

Not one man.

This is for all of us:

As the Sargent on the TV Cop show, Hill Street Blues said when sending officers out to serve and protect,

“Be careful out there.” ... See more

I enjoy face to face conversations. I always learn something.

Earlier this week I had such an experience.

You may recall my post on Open Primaries. The first two words were “An Observation.”

Like many of my writing efforts, it drew comments. Mostly positive. Some of the interactions between respondents were a little snarky. Unnecessary.

However, one respondent claimed the Open Primaries effort in our state is “deeply flawed.”

I responded by asking for specifics. That request created the face-to-face conversation mentioned above.

The person’s name doesn’t matter. On my Facebook Page she wants to remain anonymous. So she will.

Her experience is with elections in Minnesota. Their elections allow all voters to vote, BUT there are still party ballots. When voting, you pick the party ballot of your choice, regardless of your registration.

There are 26 states with some form of Open Primaries. Our state, South Dakota, is not one of them. Hence the petition drive.

Louisiana allegedly in the first state with Open Primaries, dating back to the 1970’s. Washington, California, Missouri, Kansas, and others have followed.

Each state has the power and authority to create and regulate their own voting laws, subject to state and federal constitutionality.

Back to my conversation. The “deeply flawed” comment comes from this perspective. These are her words:

“What is being currently proposed is commonly referred to as a “jungle primary” where all candidates are placed together on one ballot and the top 2 vote getters are the only candidates to advance to the general election. At the end of the day, this means that whichever party that is not in the majority will in all probability be shut out of the general election as has been the case in the Democratically held state of California.”

The South Dakota proposal is a “Top two” method.(She used the words “Jungle Primary.” I disagree with that term because it is pejorative. The word “Jungle” implies wild and primitive. A Top Two Open Primary is neither).

ALL voters use one ballot. The top two vote getters, regardless of party affiliation, face off in the general election in the Fall.

This person believes it will be impossible for ANY Democrat to finish in the top two in the primary and move onto the general election.

I disagree.

She also believes this is an effort by Republicans to get rid of any Democrat in elective office. Her words below:

“….At its core, this ballot initiative does two things: it helps the moderates of the SD GOP purge itself of the extremists within its own ranks and solidifies GOP control of the already gerrymandered legislative districts for generations to come.
……. I understand that there are good people who mean well and are trying to change the system, but this is not the way to do it…….”

I know most of the people involved with the Open Primaries effort. They are a mix of Independents, Democrats, and Republicans.

For the record, I’ve been an Independent for over a decade. Used to be a Republican until they went to the dark side.

The person I spoke with is a strong Democrat.

We are looking at the same issue, through different lenses. I just want Independents to be able to vote in an election we are paying for. Her lens is the strong Democrat one.

As you can imagine, our conversation was lively and intense.

I want the candidate with views shared by most South Dakotans to win, regardless of party. Naïve? I hope not.

Her view is No Democrat can win under this Open Primary proposal.

We disagree.

FYI, there are 11 Democrats and 94 Republicans in the State Legislature.

We have not had a Democrat in state wide or Federal office for years. Think, Tom Daschle, Tim Johnson, Stephanie Herseth(now Sandlin).

In my opinion the main reason for that has been the lack of cohesive effort by Democrats in our state. Good people, who are Democrats, have run. They didn’t make it.

Back to the conversation. It was worth the time. I learned some things.

I promised to think about the conversation. I have. (This post has been modified to include some of the language she sent to me.

I’ve done some research on other state’s elections. The trend is for Open Primaries.

There are different ways to implement them.

The South Dakota proposal is for Open(Top Two) Primaries. There are no petitions circulating for a different method.

I respect and understand where my friend is coming from.
We both want the same thing. Good Government. Our lenses are different.

After much deliberation, I’m staying with the Open Primaries effort currently underway in South Dakota.

She has vowed to oppose it. I suggested she put together an alternative proposal for the voters to consider at the General Election in November of 2024.
In the meantime, I’m going to continue circulating the Open Primary petition.

I believe it is a step in the right direction.

A step long overdue.

I hope it passes.

It WILL have an impact on South Dakota politics.

In my opinion. a positive one.

As usual, comments welcome. Just don’t get snarky.

We all have life experiences. We all have perspectives and opinions. Let’s keep the dialogue civil. Mocking and ridicule will not keep minds open to alternative ideas. ... See more

An observation:

When any group attempts to change the South Dakota state constitution by circulating petitions, the Attorney General is required to create a statement explaining the proposed change and its impact.

It is standard for that statement to contain language saying, if passed it may be challenged for its constitutionality.

Recently, legislators added a provision to state law requiring a financial impact statement. Will this change cost money? If so, how much?

I point this out because questions are being raised by some concerning the Open Primaries petitions and the AG statement and financial impact.

Let’s deal with money first. It is estimated the cost of implementing Open Primaries is about $23,600 statewide. The money covers the costs of printing more ballots.

With Open Primaries, ALL voters get to vote, not just political party members. The state created estimate is 47 cents per ballot. They are estimating an additional 50,000 voters will participate.

There are a couple of hundred thousand Independents registered in the state. There are a few thousand Libertarians and other minor party members.

It makes sense. More eligible voters, more ballots need to be printed.

To me, it is a small price to pay for expanding voter participation and access. More participation, stronger democracy. A good thing.

Now the language about “Constitutionality.”

As stated above the current Attorney General, and previous ones have stated, any proposal approved by voters is subject to being challenged in court.

It’s boilerplate language.

It should not stop you from signing the petition.

I look at it this way, what is the cost? What is the benefit?

The cost to me is small when you consider an additional 50,000 people voting in our state.

I signed the petition.

I hope you will, too. ... See more