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My good blogger friend Third Way Donkey captured Elli Schwiesow lurking in the hall outside while Howard Dean was inspiring the heck out of us all.

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Stop Amendment C

My wife Beth sent this out today. We're having an event at our house on Saturday and my local readers are very much invited.


Hello all,

I am writing to you with a plea for help. South Dakotan's Against Discrimination is fighting hard to prevent Amendment C from passing in November, but here in Rapid City, SDAD is having a hard time finding enough volunteers. Time is running short, and you can be sure that proponents of this Amendment are working very hard. The religious-right has had enormous success in the past because they are incredibly organized, and they have a wealth of volunteers who are willing to put in time and effort. Those of us who feel strongly about this issue must do the same to defeat this proposed amendment. Don't feel strongly one way or another? Consider some of the unintended consequences to Amendment C if it passes:

Amendment C states:

Only a marriage between a man and a woman shall be valid and recognized in South Dakota. The uniting of two or more persons in a civil union, domestic partnership, or other 'quasi-marital' relationship shall not be valid or recognized in South Dakota."

- Domestic Violence: When Ohio passed a similar amendment in 2004, women abused by their boyfriends could no longer file domestic violence charges. A "no" vote ensures our domestic violence laws will remain entact.

- Senior Care: Seniors often live together without being married for a variety of reasons including Social Security and Pension benefits. This amendment may add difficult steps in caring for our seniors, endanger their pensions, and disrespect their end of life care.

- Fortune 500 companies are increasingly offering domestic partnership benefits to both straight and gay employees. Successful businesses see domestic partner benefits as a way to attract top talent. This amendment tells businesses that they don't know what's best for their own business and may encourage those businesses to invest in a state other than South Dakota.

- In Michigan, people supporting a similar amendment were told that it would in no way affect health insurance. THIS WAS A LIE. The day after the vote, the same people who assured voters there would be to ill-affects on health insurance sued to take it away from non-married families and their children. These lies are both dangerous and immoral.

- Tribal Sovereignty: Tribal governments interact with the state government at a variety of points. If Amendment C passes, it may reduce the type of families that are eligible for enrollment in state programs because some families that are recognized on tribal land may not be recognized if they leave.

If you'd like to learn more about how you can help, please call me at 341-1871 or send me an email. Even if you can just volunteer one or two hours between now and the election, that would be GREAT. We're ALL busy - believe me, I understand that as well as anyone. If you don't have time to spare, but want to make a donation, please visit the SDAD website to find out how to do that, or give me a call, and I can help you with.

You are also invited to our House Party this Saturday, August 19, at 4:00, in the Robbinsdale area of Rapid City There will be LOTS of food, LOTS of drinks, and great conversation! You don't HAVE to RSVP (390-8873), but it would be nice to know if you're coming!

At the VERY least - VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT C!

Peace,

Beth Wojahn

The Quotable George McGovern

George McGovern was asked in a recent interview about the defeat of Joe Lieberman:

What about the GOP's charge that the left has hijacked the Democratic Party?

I don't think that will happen. I've always been proud to be a liberal. I've never thought of myself as a big left-winger. How the heck do people think I got elected in South Dakota? I never felt like some wild-eyed left-winger. I had a few of those people supporting me—I needed votes wherever I could get them. The Republican Party was a great party. That's the party that's been hijacked.

Rounds Billboards

I've been having thoughts about the Gov. Rounds campaign billboards. These billboards sure don't recommend Rounds to me. As a matter of fact, they remind me why I would love to have a different Governor.

Here's my take:

Leadership

• "I believe this year we should raise the minimum wage in South Dakota," (2005)
  
• "I did not write this Bill" (defending signing of HB1215)
  
• "we want [matching] funding for laptops in grades 9 through 12 ('05 budget address)
  
• Boldly led the state to take deed to the Homestake Mine (and its toxic waste)
  
• Secret meetings and political/business gatherings
  

Results

• Minimum wage unchanged
  
• The SD median wage lower than all adjacent states.
  
• 6-19 percent increase in state budget (depending on who you read); a paltry 3% increase in education
  
• No laptops, as the proposal only covered minimal matching money and nothing for maintainance and upkeep. And, South Dakota teacher pay still at 51st in the nation. Republican legislators continue to blather that we don't need more, with no comment from the Governor's mansion, the executive entrusted with carrying out fair state funding of schools.
  
• Mining companies are held harmless for any environmental damage from Homestake
  
• Particle physicists wake up in a cold sweat worrying that they may have to move their daughters to the Misogynist State.
  
• A referendum specifically limiting use of state airplanes, since the Governor has refused to do the right thing on his own and even the "conservative" Lege won't call him on it.
  
• We have a neat new South Dakota quarter.

RR has a Good Weekend

Last weekend was just fabulous. There has been so much going on. I've really been enjoying help the Pennington Democrats get their message out, and it is a real thrill being part of a renaissance of political action in South Dakota.

Saturday I helped out the PenDems at the Pride and Diversity Festival down at Old Storybook Island.


Here I am holding down the PenDem booth umbrella (as the wind almost blew me away!), and meeting Jon Hoadley, campaign manager of South Dakotans Against Discrimination. (Remember, although I support the Pennington Dems, my opinions are my own and I speak for no one but me!!)

I also got to finally meet Jennifer Ring, of ACLU of the Dakotas. We can trust her to do right by everyone, no matter what their political persuasion. Okay, I'm a fan, I'll admit it.


Sunday I got to hang out with the Democrats at the Labor Temple where they all gathered a a Meet & Greet hosted by the Democratic candidates, with help from Democracy In Action, and emcee'd by the Hon. Tim Johnson, Democratic U.S. Senator from South Dakota.

L to R: Sen. Johnson, Bloomer, Ratliff, Lena, Hanson, Long Fox, Lena, Nolan, Finch, Spry, Katus, Hemmingsen, Wudtke)

Sen. Johnson said something we need to all think about: the main thing between these excellent candidates and Pierre at this point is money (and, I would add, a lot of other kinds of support too). So I hope you all are thinking about how you can help them!

I have to say I haven't always agreed with Sen. Johnson on everything, but he sure stood tall that day for Democrats. On Sunday he invested a lot of time and effort for our local candidates--that goes a long way for me... so I'm a big fan of his too.


(And I'm not just saying that because he agreed to a quick vanity picture.)

Thanks for coming, Sen. Johnson. You really helped out our energy level and we are going to do our best to send lots of Democrats to Pierre!!