State Legislature GOP Majority; Freaks, Geeks and Weirdos
l3wis 
Attorney of Law in Brandon, rodeo clown in Pierre
I have held my tongue about the legislative session this year, not because I’m not infuriated about the idiotic legislation that is proposed, but because I have come to expect our legislature to ignore the elephant in the room (the budget) and focus on lunacy. This of course should come as no surprise, the GOP is in control, big time, and they love social wedge issues,
“The big gorilla is the budget cuts,” said William Richardson, a political science professor at the University of South Dakota. “You are not going to get any of your favorite programs funded, so what else is there to which one can attach one’s name and be reasonably assured of getting some notice and reform that appeals to your constituents?”
Finally, someone from the AL writes a story about the circus;
‘There were some extremists elected’
That theory makes sense to former longtime legislator Dave Knudson, a Sioux Falls Republican who served as Senate majority leader from 2007 to 2010.
“I think there were some extremists elected in November. That they would come in with agenda-driven bills is not surprising,” Knudson said.
Just like I said above, no shockers here. Same shit, different day.
In these kinds of cases, legislation proposals simply are mirroring national themes, according to Knudson, Fry and others.
“I think that is clearly true,” Knudson said. “People go to conferences and pick these ideas up and want to run with them.”
This bothers me the most. I could care less what your ‘Save the Whales’ issue is, I just wish our legislature was more creative, something I have often argued, liberal progressives have an edge on. Of course these are the same people who think the world is 6,000 years old, so go figure.
Former legislator Scott Heidepriem said that an overwhelming Republican dominance of the Legislature this year also is a factor.
“Republicans are free to entertain all kinds of odd conversations and unfortunate nonsense,” said Heidepriem, a Sioux Falls Democrat who served as Senate minority leader from 2007 to 2010. “It makes South Dakota look bad. But they do it when they are in complete control.
Odd conversations? More like bloody fucking absurd (but I’m sure the AL wouldn’t print that, or they would have to give you a $25 parking ticket 🙂
Heidepriem said that the state constitution does not direct legislators to entertain social issues. “It does say give kids an adequate education and have an adequate infrastructure.”
But, Scooter, that stuff is a yawn. Who wants to talk about bridges, roads and books, when we can talk about killing abortion doctors, denying married couples to have children, beaners, and shootin’ up things?
“Most legislative leaders figure if somebody is elected, they have earned the right to present issues they think are important to their constituents,” said House Minority Leader Bernie Hunhoff, D-Yankton.
ERRRRR, Wrong! While social issues are important, they should not overshadow a basic function of a democracy, using tax dollars to provide citizens services. It’s not about writing foolish laws, it’s about protecting and serving the public.
“It takes a toll on civility – the gun thing, the pro-life thing. They create an emotionally charged energy that divides people when they need to be brought together,” especially to deal with the overwhelming budget issues, Hunhoff said.
Gotta love ‘group hug’ Bernie. It’s too bad he is not a Republican, he could probably be our governor now. But in all seriousness, Bernie is right. We are in really dire straits, and it’s not about guns, babies or immigrants, it’s about the budget. Just like in Wisconsin, where the gov wants to cut government services to hand out more corporate refunds and tax breaks, SD is in the same boat. Why are we not talking about this? Why are we not in the streets of Pierre protesting (which would require five-buckle overboots, or waders for that matter)?
Because SD voters are thick. Thick in the skull.
