DR

Sioux Falls rep Hal Wick-R seems to not have a problem wasting taxpayer dollars introducing a bill that would require all South Dakotans over the age of 21 to carry a gun. He and his friends Reps Thomas Brunner, R-Nisland, Brock Greenfield, R-Clark, and Senators Tim Begalka, R-Clear Lake, and Bruce Rampelberg, R-Rapid City think this is a good way to protest government mandated health care coverage.
This is pathetic waste of time, energy and tax payer money. It is no secret that I am against Obamacare but there are other ways to protest this. Right off the bat this cost South Dakotans $101.75 in printing costs to print the bill for everyone.
In a time of budget crisis and other major issues that need to be talked about, these guys put this crap on the floor in protest. We should be taking time to figure out how we won’t have to make education cuts and still fix the budget problems in Pierre.
These republicans should be ashamed of themselves.

Does South Dakota have a budget crisis? Yes. Is it as bad as other states in the union? NO.

Yesterday, Governor Dennis Daugaard proposed an average 10% across the board cuts to the state budget. No department or agency was left off the list. Even the governors salary as did his executive members of the Governors cabinet took a 15% cut when they stepped into office.

The line item that most people are bringing up is the 10% cut to the local school districts or about $480 per student. While I understand that this is a crushing blow, the school districts have to understand that they aren’t the only one getting money from the state. With the other funding that districts get, they will lose about 5%. Still large, but in my opinion, manageable.

The governor did offer ideas and suggestions yesterday(not all I do not think he supported) to help balance the states budget. He told the school districts that they could go to the voters and try for an opt out. Some districts like Aberdeen said the history of opt outs in this county and city aren’t a very good option. Other ideas tossed out were to increase the state sales tax by 1 cent(I would support this) and then there is the idea of a state income tax (which I don’t support).
Last year, Gov Mike Rounds offered cuts to specific departments, but people raised holy hell about that idea…so in my opinion, Daugaard thought the fair way, and that was across the board cuts and I tend to agree…
Look on the bright side, we could live in Illinois where they are getting a 66% tax increase….

The START Treaty, an arms control act between the U.S. and Russia, was ratified in the Senate with 13 Republicans joining the Democrats. From the LA Times:

Under the treaty, Russia and the United States agree to limit the number of nuclear warheads to 1,550 each, down from the ceiling of 2,200. The pact also establishes a system for monitoring and verification. The treaty was signed by Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on April 8.

Also from the LA Times:

The partisan politics of ratification were clear in the debate. In his comments, Cornyn mentioned the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Obama in the early days of his administration. The citation praised Obama for creating a new climate in international politics, Cornyn noted.

“You ask what is the relevance of this to consideration to the START treaty,” Cornyn chided. “I fear that the New START treaty will serve as another data in a narrative of weakness, pursuing diplomacy for its own sake or indulging in a utopian dream of a world without nuclear weapons divorced from hard reality.”

Cornyn closed by urging defeat of the START agreement to prove that the era of “unilateral American concessions is over.”

That’s right, we’re making unilateral concessions, like requiring Russia to also reduce their nuclear weapons. Wait. What?

And it’s so scary to only have 1,550 nuclear warheads. How can we ever destroy the world with only 1,550 nuclear warheads. Wait. What?

I think the main problem Republicans are having with this bill is that it’s yet another lame duck victory for President Obama and Democrats. Man, if only the Democrats had pretended they were a lame duck group the last two years, who knows what they could have accomplished?

Enjoy it while it lasts.

Adam Feser

This is sick. It implies that Kristi Noem will kill your children if you send them into a crosswalk. I have not always agreed with Noems choice of advertising but this ad springboards over the line of just plain wrong. SHS should immediately ask DCCC to remove this ad.

See and judge for yourself. I have seen posts by our good friend over at the Madville Times saying(caheidelberger) this ad is acceptable

Adam, your thoughts?

Are the Dems throwing in the towel in the South Dakota congressional race? It appears that way.

According to the Rapid City Journal the DNCC has announced that they are cutting funding by $150,000 to the democratic incumbent.

$150,000 is a considerable amount that could buy a lot of TV spots, pay for campaign staff, or just get her around the state. And when her opponent, republican challenger Kristi Noem, out-raised her 2 to 1 in the third quarter, this could give a huge advantage to Noem. The $1.1 million Noem raised was the most by any challenger for a congressional seat and it is being noticed across the country.

We are less than three weeks away from the election, expect to see these two out trying to earn your vote.

Here are the 2010 Statewide Elections in South Dakota. Everything is set after both parties had their conventions over the weekend. I am predicting a republican sweep of all these races. The US House race and the Secretary of State race will be the toughest. Ben Nesselhuf is a good candidate. Adam, I am curious on your thoughts.

Click on each of the links for more information on the candidates.

Governor:
Scott Heidepriem-D
Dennis Daugaard-R

US House:
Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin-D
Kristi Noem-R
B. Thomas Marking-I

Attorney General
Marty Jackley-R
Ron Volesky-D (Dude go away. You can’t win anything)

Secretary of State:
Jason Gant-R
Ben Nesselhuf-D

State Auditor:
Steve Barnett-R
Julie Bartling-D

State Treasurer:
Rich Sattgast-R
Tom Katus-D

Public Utilities Commission:
Dustin ‘Dusty’ Johnson-R
Doyle Karpen(who)-D

School and Public Lands Commissioner
Jarrod Johnson-R
Bob Pelle-D

Republican Candidate for Governor Dennis Daugaard has tapped former Rep. Matt Michels, R-Yankton, as his running mate.

At first I wasn’t sure about his selection but after thinking about it I am sure this was a good choice. I thought Chris Nelson would have been a good choice but this guy comes with out baggage. As I learn more about him, I am sure I will come to understand his choice.

Check out what American News Blogger Bob Mercer had to say about the selection

I hate soccer so anytime someone uses Lego’s to make fun of it, I have to show the world

Stephen Colbert’s response to the British…..

The Ohio version that is…