Don’t just get mad…… Step up to the plate.
A comment from fellow SD Blogosphere Resident Steve Sibson on my website got me going on a comment that is worthy of elevating to a post on its own. Why? Because it is timely, and a great way for people to channel their energy into something productive, as opposed to destructive.
What was Steve’s comment ?:
If you are a fiscal responsible Republican, you are not welcome to run even for dog catcher.
Well, there’s all sorts of wrong with that statement. In fact, I’d completely disagree with Steve’s statement.
If you are a fiscally responsible Republican, there are a lot of people who would love to see you run for any office at any level. And guess what? It is a perfect time to start thinking about it. As a Republican challenger in a primary or a general election – YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Yes, I said primary as well.
This is a battle I’ve fought before, and will never concede. Unlike some of my brethren, I think primaries are good for the soul. Elections are about bringing forth the best ideas, and in a political party’s primary, before we go to the big show, shouldn’t we bring forth the best ideas?
But getting back to my point – Do you think your elected representative or state senator is ineffectual, fiscally irresponsible, simply a rubber stamp, or they keep trying to raise your taxes? Well, don’t complain if you aren’t going to do anything about it. Step up to the plate.
The only caveat (and here’s the part Steve doesn’t get), in a primary, the party doesn’t endorse candidates. In a primary they aren’t going to come begging to you on genuflected knee. That’s not the way it works. You have to go out and make your case. You actually compete and campaign in the primary election.
Once you get past the primary, the party’s support will be behind you. But in a primary? It’s all you.
Elections are about competition of ideas and effort. I’ve ran before and lost, but I don’t feel bad about it. In fact, I found it quite rewarding, and if I wasn’t involved with a gubernatorial race, I’d be doing it again this year. I recognize a few things I should have done differently, and next time, I will. But at the end of the day, I’m glad I did it. I felt I made a statement.
And if you’re unhappy with the way things are going, I’d recommend you give it a go too.
If you’re interested in being a candidate and running on the Republican ticket, Call the state GOP at (605) 224-7347, and let them know your interest, and ask what resources are available for you. In the primary, there are only a few things, but in the general the full spread including some financial support will be there for you. (If you don’t want to go that far, drop me a note, and I’m happy to tell you how to get going in the right direction while you think about it.)
Don’t sit at your computer, unhappy about the problems our state faces. Start by becoming a solution.
Our state’s future is up to you.
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Comments
Pat,
I completely agree with you on this, with one exception. Most of the people wanting to make a difference, or smart enough to be elected are employed in a position where they cannot take two months off a year. I was asked at one time, but there was no way to hold my job and be a legislator. I even live in Pierre, and there was no way.
You paint a nice picture Pat. Our state office will give volumes of help with Jason Glodt at the wheel, Lucas has yet to prove himself. Sib is right when it comes to elected party leaders in Pierre. It is a small percentage that will risk being exposed for what they are by helping to bring an ambitious conservative on board.