Where do I sign up? “Conservatives against IM10″ forms
I can’t wait to see how the propaganda wing of the SDCAC tries to spin this one. From my e-mail box:
CONSERVATIVES Against Initiative 10
For immediate release
October 20, 2008“Conservatives Against Initiative 10” Forms
Pierre – Conservative leaders from across the state formed a group today to oppose Initiative 10, the so-called “Open and Clean Government” measure.
“We agree that greater openness is needed in state government, but Initiative 10 is clearly not the right answer,” said Doug Knust of Chamberlain, a leader of the group. “Initiative 10 goes too far in restricting the ability of thousands of South Dakotans to participate in the political process. We need more people engaged in politics and government, not fewer.”
“The backers of Initiative 10 named it the “Open and Clean Government” measure in an attempt to make it popular with conservatives like us, but Initiative 10 is anything but conservative. It would limit free speech, handcuff hundreds of organizations, and forbid thousands of South Dakotans from fully participating in the political process,” said member Jeff Partridge of Rapid City.
“Conservatives Against Initiative 10” also announced its ten-person steering committee, which consists of a cross-section of community and elected leaders from across the state. Steering Committee members include:
• Brock Greenfield, Clark
• Dusty Johnson, Mitchell
• Troy Jones, Sioux Falls
• Doug Knust, Chamberlain
• Kristi Noem, Castlewood
• Jeff Partridge, Rapid City
• Dana Randall, Aberdeen
• Larry Rhoden, Union Center
• Lee Schoenbeck, Watertown
• Jim Seward, Belle Fourche“I think when people look at our steering committee, they will see that the common sense conservative leadership of this state is lining up against Initiative 10,” said Knust. “Everyone is for ‘open and clean government,’ but Initiative 10 would not accomplish those goals. It is a flawed and dangerous approach.”
“Conservatives Against Initiative 10” is not affiliated with the “No On 10 Committee” and registered today as a ballot question committee with the Secretary of State’s Office.
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Where do I sign up?
And I suspect that the “So-called Conservative Action Council” is adjusting their shorts about now.
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Comments
I call BS. These aren’t conservatives. Look at their records. Or are these people that we are calling conservative leadership? God help us.
Okay, John, time to put up or shut up. What exactly was not conservative about Lee’s time in the senate? Or Jim’s time as state attorney? Or Dana’s time as national committeeman? The businesspeople listed run smart and successful businesses and are consistent supporters of conservative causes.
Whose “record” are you refering to?
John –
You’re calling Brock and Lee liberals? Or Dana, who was the chair of SD Right to life last election when they supported the abortion ban? Or Noem, Partridge or Rhoden? They’re all liberal activists?
That’s pretty weak. And everyone knows it.
Your grousing sounds like the last gasp of a faltering campaign that sees it slipping through their fingers.
Free speech, petitioning our government and right to form associations are U.S. Consitutionally enumerated rights. This bill transcends conservativism and liberalism as it is an affront to Americanism.
Calling all liberals: Form a similar group and join us. Since John doesn’t think I am a conservative, if you want me on your letterhead, put me on it. 
On a slightly related topic here, have you read the poll in the Arduous Liar about IM10? It appears at this time 43% are against this and something like 33% are in favor. After hearing about the internal polls by the Sibby group, I was under the impression this was a done deal.
I think the poll numbers are at least in part explained by the initiative including going after the no-bid contracts. That provision is appealing and makes people wonder. The problem with the initiative, besides the much discussed impact on participation in the process (ability to contribute), is the fundamental change it forces on the balance of power in our state for local governments. They would be denied a voice at the table in Pierre when they are being threatend by assorted special interests. They would be prohibited from hiring a lobbyist, or having an association there to defend them. It is not reasonable to say that the township clerk or the mayor of Waubay or Canton or Faith should be there in Pierre themselves for two months talking to their legislators. These are VERY part-time folks volunteering their community service. We should not erect barriers that make it harder for local government to operate, and defend itself. Finally, and oddly, it is the efforts by local governments to pool their resources and save money using one association director for many towns or townships – that is being attacked! Shouldn’t this frugality be encouraged?
duggerSD, that’s because Sibby and Breard are doing all their phone surveys with a two tin cans and a string.
Doug, Dusty, and Jeff are three of my favorite people. Solid conservatives with good heads on their shoulders. Go, guys!
To make any sense, and to be honest, this group should be properly called “Republicans Against Initiative 10″. Since there are no genuine conservatives in the list. All have less in common with Reagan than they do with Bush.
Shaky Jake,
I’m a conservative first, and have had far, far greater frustration with Bush then I ever had with Reagan. I have heard other “Conservatives Against Initiative 10″ say the same thing, incidentally.
Dusty
Lee, my exceptional physique is a testament to my love of my wife, my desire to live by the “waste not, need not” credo and be green. I eat what she prepares and eat the left-overs while they are still hot to preserve energy from having them re-heated.
Shaky Jake: You don’t know me. There are few people who want government to be less intrusive than me and taxes to be lower than me. What conservative principle do you think that I reject?
Dusty, perhaps you are, OK, let me suggest a more accurate name for this group. “Politicians Against Initiative 10.”
Troy– the first two sections of IM 10….
Shaky Jake: I am not a politician. I’ve never offered myself for election to anything outside of my church and have no intention of every doing so.
With regard to IM10 and its first two sections: Because I do not believe that the local township board can’t hire a lobbyist or pay its members to go Pierre to oppose an unfunded mandate or ask for at least partial participation from the “mandator”, I am not a conservative. Because I take seriously the Consitutional right to petition one’s government via a more local government entity, I’m not a conservative. The definition of a conservative is getting pretty damn narrow.
Wow. This is a blue ribbon group of conservatives. Good people. Compare this list to the list of Pro-10 folks (Breard, Wesolick, Sibby, Droz, etc).
* Who has worked harder for conservative causes over the years?
* Who is better respected across the state?
* Who is more likely to have the real interests of South Dakota at heart?
I’ll take the Conservatives Against 10 folks any day. I bet the voters will, too.