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You are invited to attend the

SD Conservatives Lunch – Madison
Thursday, May 5^th, 2016, 12:15 PM
Second Street Diner

Initial monthly meeting to discuss place and time, to get this meeting going locally.  Meet fellow conservatives, and learn about the efforts and events of various conservative organizations in South Dakota.

Lunch including Chicken Spaghetti entree, drink, tax, and tip is $9.00, pay in room,|
or order off menu, pay at cash register.  For more information, please contact
Ray Hedman at (605) 270-2991 or Mathew Wollmann at (605) 480-3038.

An attendee at last weeks’ South Dakota Newspaper Association’s convention snapped this for me, and passed it on. Apparently members (around 130) were informally polled and asked who they thought the GOP nominee for Governor was going to be in 2018:

47% picked Marty Jackley, 23% picked Mark Micklelson, 9% picked Kristi Noem, and 5% picked Matt Michels. 17% went for “other,” assuming someone else is going to emerge.

The Argus Leader has a nice article today about Congresswoman Kristi Noem’s influence and ability to make sure South Dakota issues are valued in the Republican Congress:

“The choice of her on this committee says something about her, that she is somebody they have come to value her opinion and value her ability to work with others in the House,” Blanchard said. “The speaker of the House is a very powerful position and so nobody is going to be on that committee that he hasn’t picked.”

Ryan said he chose Noem because of her keen ability to see how policies in Congress impact constituents outside Washington.

“Kristi may be South Dakota’s lone representative in the House, but she has given the state a prominent voice, building the relationships and coalitions she needs to get things done,” Ryan said in an email. “It’s why I asked her to serve on my advisory council, and one of the many areas where I look to her for insight.”

and…

Noem came into office in 2011 with a challenge common among the seven members who are their state’s only representative: how to make an impact without the opportunity to join forces and gain support from other members in their state. As a result, Noem has focused heavily on reaching out to other members, depending on the issue. This has enabled her to develop relationships with a wide swath of members.

“That education process during that year-long, gutting-it-out-battle to get the farm bill done, I think, had a big impact on Paul,” Noem said. “He recognized that I knew policy and was willing to work with people and would spend time to try to educate other members.”

Read it all here.

It’s kind of funny, as lately I’ve been trying to figure out a path for growth for my various business dabblings, when I caught this on twitter this morning, and re-tweeted it. It should serve as a clarion call for anyone who believes in the basic concept of America as a country where you can achieve nearly any goal if you work hard enough and set your mind to it.

(Please don’t include the goal of a grown man wanting to be a 6 year old girl. That’s Canada.)

Poll finds 51% of young adults don’t support #capitalism, versus just 42% who say they do. https://t.co/mMEA0sIKhr pic.twitter.com/R2iiVmagjD

— AEI (@AEI) April 29, 2016

Wow. If that statistic does not scare you, it should.  And we should start to seriously question what young adults are being taught. Because if they’re not embracing the culture which drove our country to become the most powerful nation our world has ever seen, then we’re in a lot of trouble.  It introduces the specter of  – hopefully not within my lifetime – there will be a point down the line where the US is reduced to basically becoming yet another European-like welfare state.

When did we stop teaching that capitalism is a force for national prosperity and the common good?  It’s as if there’s a movement towards abandoning common sense and moving towards arbitrary and unsustainable economics, such as “everyone should be paid $15 an hour.”

When you see a majority of young adults literally abandoning capitalism, you have to wonder how they came to such a horrendous world view; that somehow the general welfare promised in the preamble of the Constitution is not general welfare, but a common welfare, where we as a society are responsible for everyone, regardless of the personal cost, and the individual’s input.

I can’t speak for everyone, but I know many of us were taught at an early age that if we wanted something, that we should work for it. Whether that meant extra chores, or going to get a part time job, depended on our age.  In early years for me, that meant slogging through my downtown paper route for the Capital Journal, come rain, shine, or slush. And not that long thereafter it meant working for the local auction company on Thursday nights moving furniture, or holding up items.  I got paid based on how long and how hard I worked.

But beyond my own youthful ambitions of earning spending money, I learned at the knee of my mother’s own entrepreneurial drive to participate in capitalism.  She started several businesses; including an antique shop & furniture restoration business for which I was often drafted for manual labor, and later an auction company which also pressed me into service.

For her, it was a way to provide extra income into our family of eight; to supplement her income as a school nurse and my father’s as a special agent for the FBI.  She worked hard, and exceptionally long hours once she was home from school for the day. It wasn’t unusual for her to finally finish working around 10 PM or later, after which she’d finally take some “me” time for herself, and watch tv for an hour or so before going to bed.

The point is she openly embraced, and taught her children that nobody is going to hand you anything. If you want to earn a higher income, you’re going to have to put effort into it. You can make a good income off of an idea if you want, but if you start a business, you must take “ownership” of it’s success or failure. You’re going to have to work at it, and put long hours into it. In other words, If you want to make more, you start by putting in more to get more out.

Two weeks before she died from cancer, she was giving her all at her auction business with back to back Saturday/Sunday sales, because she believed in our system of capitalism. She was doing it because she loved her business, and she wanted it to produce a profit.

To read that a majority of young people reject capitalism just flies in the face of that. I know it’s not personal, but it is just offensive as a concept.  It means that these young people rejecting capitalism have some odd pollyanish view of the world in that they should have an income, but it’s up to someone else to figure all the details out.

If it means they should have a job, it’s someone else’s responsibility to create it, and in some cities, they have to create it, and pay them at least $15 an hour, whether that’s shuffling papers, pouring coffee, or shoveling manure, regardless of the true value of the work to the employer.  Or worse, if they can’t find one, or are unwilling to find one, then it’s up to society to furnish them with food & shelter on an indefinite basis.

It’s been used so often it’s seems to be patronizing, but Margaret Thatcher was quite accurate when she noted that “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.” Our system of capitalism might not be perfect, but it is far more of a sustainable model for growth than relying on taking from others because there comes a point where you can’t confiscate enough from the public to sustain a workable system.

The fact that an avowed socialist such as Bernie Sanders has proceeded as far as he has in this years’ presidential elections should give us all pause, and make us reassess what we teach our children in terms of life, our system of economics, and who is ultimately responsible for their status in this world.

We need them to understand that it’s up to each of us as individuals to take responsibility for ourselves, and for our success. Not someone else. And definitely not government.

And maybe we can start to change course on what seems to be a sure path to the decline of our nation.

“Capitalism has worked very well. Anyone who wants to move to North Korea is welcome.”
– Bill Gates

Celebrating the Moms in Our Lives
By Sen. John Thune

One of the most noteworthy qualities about President Reagan was his unmatched ability to capture the feelings of the American people when he communicated with them. He connected with his audience in the moment, and the messages he delivered were often so timeless they will transcend generations. Of mothers, President Reagan once said, “They’re the main communicators of the values by which our nation has flourished for more than 200 years – the values of honesty, responsibility, decency, and personal effort. By imparting these and other values to our children, the mothers of America quite literally shape the future.” His message is as true today as it was 30 years ago.

I know everyone says it about his or her own mom, but mine really was the best. Although she’s gone, I still find myself applying the lessons she taught me to my life and family today. My mom was the most positive person I ever met. She brought joy and happiness with her wherever she went and never said an ill word about anyone.

As a lot of parents are, my mom and dad were a perfect balance for one another. My dad has always loved sports. He was a star basketball player and is a member of the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame. He has an entire gymnasium named after him in our hometown. Naturally, my siblings and I had an early – and at times intense – interest in sports. If we could, we probably would have spent every minute of daylight playing with friends in the field or on the court.

My mom recognized our love for sports, but always tried to create some balance in our lives. Every day during the summer, my mom required me and my siblings to come inside and spend one hour doing things like reading a book or playing the piano. If you grew up in a small town like me, you know how painful it was to sit inside and watch your friends run around outside and have fun without you. Mom made us read all of the classic pieces of literature, and to this day, I’m still able to read sheet music and sing a tune from time to time. She exposed us to things that we had no idea how much we’d appreciate later in life. It’s a part of her that still lives with me today.

Like my mom was for me and my brothers and sister, my wife Kimberley is the glue that holds our family together. Moms do a lot of things, and Kimberley has done them all. When I was first elected to Congress, my girls were young, and I traveled a lot. It’s no understatement to say Kimberley took parenting to another level while I was away. I always appreciated the hard and time-consuming work she did for our family, but I especially appreciated it during the times when I was home alone with the girls. One example, I remember trying (and failing) a number of times to braid Brittany’s and Larissa’s hair. I’d send them off to school, and based on the results, I’m sure their teachers could always tell when Kimberley was out of town.

My job provides me with opportunities to meet great moms too. There are a lot of hard-working, talented moms on my staff throughout South Dakota and in Washington, D.C., and many more come through our offices each year. I recently met with South Dakota’s 2015 and 2016 Mothers of the Year Award recipients – two amazing women, Lynn Starzl and Laurie Visser, both from Yankton. Earlier this year, I spent some time with Tami Fite and her family, winners of this year’s Angels in Adoption Award. Tami and her family have defied many odds over the years, and she’s a shining example of what every good mom strives to be.

President Reagan was right when he said “It’s no accident that America chose to honor all mothers with a special holiday.” As you celebrate this special day with the special women in your life, reflect on everything they do for our families and our society, and wish them a very happy Mother’s Day.

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The RESPECT Act
By Senator Mike Rounds

 

It is hard to believe that in 2016, our Native American neighbors and friends are still legally subject to a number of hateful and paternalistic federal laws. Unfortunately, that’s the case, but I am working to reverse a list of historic wrongs against Native American citizens brought by the early federal government.

I recently introduced the Repealing Existing Substandard Provision Encouraging Conciliation with Tribes Act, which is referred to as the RESPECT Act. It would repeal a number of historically wrong laws, including statutes that are still on the books related to Native American education, forcible relocation of Native American children to boarding schools and the withholding of rations or money owed to Native Americans. These statutes are a sad reminder of the hostile aggression and overt racism displayed by the early federal government toward Native Americans as the government attempted to “assimilate” them into what was considered “modern society.” Clearly, there is no place in our legal code for such laws today.

Federal laws still exist today that would allow for the forced removal of their children to be sent to boarding schools and the parents can be denied rations if they refuse.  They can still be subject to forced labor on their reservations, as a condition of their receipt of “supplies.”  Moreover, they can be denied funding if found intoxicated on a reservation.  These statutes actually remain the law of the land. In many cases they are more than a century old and continue the stigma of subjugation and paternalism from that time period.  It is without question that they must be stricken from our legal code. We cannot adequately repair history, but we can move forward.

In South Dakota, which is home to nine tribes and roughly 75,000 enrolled members, we strive to work together to constantly improve relationships and to mend our history through reconciliation and mutual respect.  It’s not always easy, but with our futures tied together and with our children in mind, reconciliation is something we’re committed to.

While working as governor, I proclaimed 2010 the “Year of Unity” in South Dakota, in recognition of the need to continue building upon the legacy and work of those who came before us. The year 2010 also marked the 20th anniversary of the Year of Reconciliation in South Dakota, which was an effort by the late Governor George Mickelson to bring all races together.

The “Year of Unity” and the “Year of Reconciliation” were efforts to build upon a common purpose, to acknowledge our differences and yet find ways to work together.  Washington, D.C., needs more of that. We can’t change our history, but we can start to change the paternalistic mentality of the federal government toward Native people. Passing the RESPECT Act is the right thing to do, and is one small step Congress can take to heal some of the wrongs imparted upon Native Americans by the federal government.

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Log in to Safety
By Rep. Kristi Noem

 

Remember the days before you could just Google it?  If you wanted to figure out where the most complete skeleton of a T-Rex was found, for instance, you had to go to the library, dig through the card catalogue, find a book about dinosaurs, and fight through the paper cuts to find the answer.  That doesn’t need to happen anymore.  Through a device that fits in the palm of your hand, you can access the world – and by the same account, the world can access you.

Often times, we choose to allow the world to see a piece of us.  It’s that culture of sharing that has resulted in 300 hours of video being uploaded to YouTube every single minute and 70 million photos being posted on Instagram every day.  Twitter, Facebook, and Snapchat let us share our every thought with followers, while text messaging and email has infinitely increased the speed of written communication.

But like all things, there are smart ways to use these new technologies and some not so smart ways.  Earlier this year, I teamed up with Google to offer Rapid City middle schoolers some advice on how to stay safe online.  They shared five tips all of us should note.

First, think before you share.  Anything you put online – even if it’s done so privately – can be shared.  If you don’t want it to get out, don’t post it.

Second, protect your stuff.  One of the best ways to do this online is to set strong passwords.  HowToGeek.com offers this advice for setting a strong password:  Select a password that has 12 characters, minimum.  Include numbers, symbols, capital letters, and lower-case letters.  Try not to use a dictionary word or a combination of dictionary words.  And finally, don’t rely on obvious substitutions, like changing all of the O’s to zeros.

Third, know and use your settings.  Around 15 percent of Americans have never checked their social networking privacy or security account settings. These settings let you choose who you are sharing your information with.  Check yours out and adjust them as necessary today.

Fourth, understand how to identify and avoid scams.  Every year, our office gets calls from dozens and dozens of South Dakotans who have received scam calls from someone pretending to be from the IRS.  This is an obvious scam because the IRS will never reach out to you by phone without sending you a letter first.  Other times, however, scammers may try to be more devious, posing as someone you know.  Maybe they tell you your grandson needs money.  If they start asking for personal information, hang up and give your grandson a call – he’ll be able to tell you if it’s legitimate or not.

The final piece of advice that Google offered was to stay positive. Follow the golden rule:  Don’t post, comment, or forward something unless you’d be alright with someone doing the same to you.

We live at an incredible time that lets us be more personally connected to the world around us than ever before.  I encourage you to take the time and learn how to be safe in this new environment.

Oh, and before you pick up your smartphone to Google more about where that T-Rex was found – I did it for you.  It was discovered near Faith, South Dakota in August 1990 – just months before the first webpage was posted to the World Wide Web.

PHOTO: Noem speaks to students at Google Online Safety Roadshow

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A Message To The Classes Of 2016
A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard:

Congratulations to the class of 2016! To all high school, college and technical school students now approaching graduation in South Dakota, I commend you for reaching this milestone. After years of studying, taking tests and writing essays, you’ve finally made it. Congratulations on all you have achieved!

Most of you probably already have a good idea of what you’ll be doing next – what additional education you’ll seek or what career you’ll pursue. Whether you’ve decided to stay in South Dakota or pursue a career or education elsewhere, I hope you’ll ultimately consider a future here in our state. There are a number of reasons to consider living and working here.

First, we have the lowest unemployment rate in the nation at 2.5 percent, compared to the national rate of 5 percent. Job opportunities are better here than in most places.

Secondly, the tax burden in South Dakota is low. We are among only a few states without an income tax, meaning you can keep more of the money you earn. Money that can repay student debt, buy a house someday or replace that car you drove into the ground in school.

Third, not only do people keep more of the money they earn in South Dakota, but that money will buy more here than in other places. According to a U.S. Department of Commerce report, South Dakotans experience a very low cost of living in the United States. We don’t spend as much money on housing, insurance, food and the other everyday needs. In fact, we have some of the lowest costs in the nation.  In New York, California, Washington, D.C., or many other places, you will find costs that are 12 percent, 15 percent, even 18 percent higher than the national average. In South Dakota our costs are only 88 percent of the national average.

Now some people will say, “South Dakota may have a low tax burden and low cost of living, but I won’t get paid as much if I live there.” Actually when it comes to per capita personal income, we fare pretty well. Nationally, we rank in the top half. And, if you adjust the per capita personal income to add cost of living and taxes, we rank fifth in the nation.

After I graduated from USD, I hitchhiked my way to Chicago to attend law school at Northwestern. I’d lived in South Dakota my whole life and I was ready for something bigger, something more exciting. I wanted to experience life in the bright lights of a big city. I finished school and decided to stay in Illinois for a few years to practice law. Still, over time, I came to miss seeing the stars at night, enjoying the wide open spaces and having the company of friendly, down-to-earth people. I was glad to have experienced something new and different, but I was ready to come home to something better.

My hope is not that you will never venture outside of our state, but rather that you would consider a more permanent future in South Dakota. Most of all, I hope you will come to realize, as I did, that your dreams can come true right here at home.

-30-

I had a few things to do in Madison this afternoon, and one of them was to make a social call on one of the candidates who has taken on the banner of representing the GOP in this years’ State Senate races, Jordan Youngberg.

Jordan is manager of an implement dealer in Madison, as well as being a small businessman himself, and he was gracious enough to give a few minutes of his time while I was passing through. I told him we should do one of my “5 Questions with…” features one of these days, so that will be coming sooner or later.

As a newcomer to the process, Jordan was impressed with the number of people who are gravitating towards, and offering help for his campaign. And that’s one thing that many Republicans who are running for office find – that there’s a large network of people across the state willing to lend their time & their efforts to make sure that good candidates have the tools available to run for office and win!

Current Meade County Commissioner, Former Legislator, & 1998 GOP US Senate hopeful Alan Aker was indicted yesterday for some actions that weren’t exactly prudent, according to a Lawrence County Grand Jury.

From KEVN:

Meade County Commissioner Alan Aker has been indicted by a Lawrence County Grand Jury on felony intentional damage to property charges.

and…

A Lawrence County Sheriff’s report recounts an incident on Elk Creek Road in February.  The report alleges that after a dispute over payment for work where Aker was hired as a contractor, that Aker came back to the property and cut off about 50 feet of railing from the project and took it with him.

Read it here.

So, when he goes to trial, is he going to have to hire counsel for his de-fence?