Munsterman seeking support from fellow Chiropractors
This message from Brookings Mayor Scott Munsterman is hitting the Internet e-mail box of a South Dakota Chiropractor near you today, as he seeks support for his fledgling Republican Gubernatorial run in 2010:
Dear Doctors:
In November, I officially announced an exploratory phase for the 2010 South Dakota gubernatorial race. My family and I have given this serious consideration during the past few years and we continue to feel a deep conviction about this decision, fully understanding the gravity of sacrifices we must make to see this become a reality. I have spent time researching various development strategies in an effort to assemble a fresh and unique plan to advance South Dakota forward. My experience as mayor has given me the understanding that we need to ensure the longevity of our social and cultural heritage through the communities in our state, both large and small. This will be a new strategy of strength and promise for all South Dakota.
As we proceed through this holiday season and into the new year I am organizing and reviewing my list of current and potential campaign supporters, people who believe strongly in the need for a new strategy for development in South Dakota. I have received many inquiries about the principles behind this campaign, the need for an exploratory phase as well as the condition of my wife, Mary Jeanne, and how those factors will influence my decision to run.
Mary Jeanne’s health became a major factor earlier this fall when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. My decision to launch an exploratory phase was decided well before we knew about her condition. After much deliberation as a family, Mary Jeanne and the girls urged me to move ahead as planned. The exploratory phase is designed to enable me to solicit feedback from experts throughout the state on the work and research I’ve completed over the past couple of years. My family felt it would be very important to move ahead while Mary Jeanne undergoes treatment. She is currently progressing very well with her treatments. Thanks to advances in cancer therapy as well as the blessings from all our family and friends, we are anticipating her full recovery. With that being said, I will begin to campaign fulltime early next year when the time is right for her.
As for the principles for development of our state, I truly believe we are only as strong as our smallest community. Our current practice is one of managing decline for many regions in South Dakota, especially rural communities. As a result of this current practice, we are plagued by the out-migration of the youth, followed by the loss of economic and social activity in many of our smaller communities. Slowly, communities across our state deteriorate and fade into memory. It simply doesn’t have to be this way. Technology has replaced the need for proximity and small business in South Dakota can now compete globally. Education is a major element in the stability of small towns. Spending on education, especially in these areas, should be seen as an investment and not an expense.
In South Dakota we are blessed with a low tax burden. However, this means state government must provide valuable services with a limited budget. Through a plan focused on collaboration and partnerships, we can effectively deliver these services without having to make major cuts in other spending. This collaborative effort seeks to eliminate redundancy and inefficiency in both financial and administrative sectors of our state.
As a mayor myself and on behalf of all mayors across South Dakota, I believe it is time for every community to be developed… not ignored. We are only as strong as our smallest community. And we should endeavor to ensure the prosperity for all of South Dakota through the prosperity of each community. My resolve to run on these principles is unyielding and with your support we can make this vision a reality in South Dakota.
As I mentioned at our fall conference in September, to be successful I will need the support of my profession in this state. I hope you will join me in this effort by helping me raise money in your local area among our doctors. This early start in funding will be very beneficial as we pull together our organization. I look forward to hearing back from you shortly.
Thank You,
Scott Munsterman, D.C.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
You guys need to get your head on straight. With Munsterman in Pierre, government will finally be aligned to the needs of the people.
Two thoughts, PP:
1. Why are all chiropractors Republicans? Seriously, I’ve never met one who was a Democrat.
2. If we elected a chiropractor as Governor, will South Dakotans finally all be well adjusted? 
Todd Epp
SD Watch http://www.southdakotawatch.net
Hummm, you all do know that all the major organs (keep it clean) are affected by the nerves that run through the spinal column.
I’m not digging on Chiropractors. The ones I know (who are all of course Republicans) don’t make goofy claims about what their techniques can and can’t accomplish. I think chiropractors play an important role in our health care system. But I’d still rather see an M.D. for most of my maladies.
Todd Epp
SD Watch http://www.southdakotawatch.net
You have to travel to the democratic stronghold of Aberdeen to find any good chiropractors that are dems. Kerwin Winkler, past president of the American Chiropractic Association is most prominant among the names.
Oh I don’t know, Todd. I think everybody should
have both a good doctor AND a good witch doctor.
Maybe two witch doctors.
“We are only as strong as our smallest community.”
Wow, that’s quite a statement. Has he even been to some of our communities that have 15, 50, or even 100 people? So South Dakota is only as strong as Agar or Wasta or Wood? C’mon Scott, give us a break. I’m all for the small town, but demographics change. Farms get bigger. Transportation has gotten better. Many of our kids flock to bigger cities. To say SD is only as strong as our smallest community is political rhetoric only.
Maybe if they all owned liquor stores like Brookings it would be different. 
Munstaman letter needs to be understood in its context. He is writing to colleagues for grass-roots political support. Many of them I imagine practice in small SD communities. I think if it as an Obama campaign plan — contributions from lots of the little guys.
If you go to Munsterman’s website, he is all about economic development. Apparently, his approach is not the typical top-down Pierre oriented plan, but a stimulus of our state’s communities.
Who knows if he has a chance. Crazier things have happened in politics.
Todd:
Most of the chiropractors in Aberdeen are Dems. I see one for my back and I see a medical Dr. for other issues. Each have their place and I think they need to coordiante their work.
Agree with Anon 2:33. I see my chiropractor whenever my back goes out & my MD for everything else. I used to see my MD for everything but when the pills didn’t cut it, he recommended I see a chiropractor. If Munsterman can fix the ills of our state like my chiiropractor fixes my back (usually in a single visit), than I would sure vote for him.
Does Scott use that adjuster gizmo? My chiropractor has one of those (yes, I do go once in a while) and it’s pretty keen.
Todd Epp
SD Watch http://www.southdakotawatch.net
I knew it. The chiropractors are trying to take over the state. If they succeed, they will force everybody to have 3 appointments a week whether they need it or not.