Which way on Initiated Measure 17?

I've been pondering Initiated Measure 17, (see Ballotpedia.org summary) which we have to vote on in a few weeks.

The law asks the question whether we want to continue to allow insurance companies to charge more for "out-of-network" care than "in-network" care. I finally found an article that helped me think about it. This article talks about how it is done in New York. In that state, like here, they leave it up to the insurance companies.

Surprisingly, they insurance companies have shown that they prefer closed networks. Why?

The Medical Society’s Mo Auster said that the idea that insurance companies and individual doctors engage in a genuine negotiation — whether concerning fees or medical decisions — is a fiction. Since the insurer’s terms are “pretty much ‘take it or leave it,’” he said, a doctor’s only influence over the process was his or her ability to run a practice without signing up with a network. “The extent to which that ability is minimized,” Auster said, “further enhances the negotiating leverage of the health insurance company to basically take the clinical control away form the doctor.” (Out-of-network coverage in New York? We left it up to the insurers, Remapping The Debate (10/30/2013)  (emphasis mine)

This argument is pretty strong:

If you want medical decisions to be just a little more tilted toward insurance company's bottom line instead of the best care for you and your kid, vote no on IM17.

I know there's balance, if the business end of healthcare doesn't work, everyone's care suffers. But I've been reading both sides on this one, and have been a participant in our health-care "system"... and my research and my experience lead me to believe that patients and doctors both are getting the fuzzy end of the lollipop on this one.

And insurers and big hospitals seem to be doing overt well on Main Street and Wall Street.

This isn't as radical an idea as it sounds. If IM17 passes, insurers won't be required to include everyone in their network, the insurers just can't deny providers the opportunity to join the network as long as they agree to meet the insurer's requirements. Today, it's invitation only, like joining a fraternity - I think it make sense to open up the process just a little bit.

I'm voting yes on IM17.

SDDIA election guide

Here are SD Democracy In Action's voting recommendations. Although they don't exactly line up with mine, their principles and thinking are sound.

Love dat DIA!

• We recommend a vote AGAINST Referred Law 14, the governor's development fund.
• We took NO POSITION ON Referred Law 15, the one cent sales tax increase to benefit medicaid and education.
• We recommend a vote AGAINST Referred Law 16, the governor's education reform law.
• We recommend a vote AGAINST Constitutional Amendment M which changes stockholder provisions.
• We recommend a vote FOR Constitutional Amendment N which removes travel compensation for legislators from the Constitution.
• We recommend a vote AGAINST Constitutional Amendment O which changes provisions of the trust fund created by sale of the Cement Plant.
• We recommend a vote AGANST Constitutional Amendment P which requires the governor to propose a balanced budget.
• Whether you choose to take DIA's recommendations or not, please remember to VOTE!

DIA has endorsed the following Candidates *indicates PAC support): (They, like me, are radical enough to support Republicans that support their core principles.)

• District 32: *Jackie Swanson for House
• District 33: *Matt McGrath for Senate, *Robin Page for House
• District 34: Mike Reardon for House
• District 35: Jay Pond and Shane Liebig for House
• County Commission: Nancy Trautman
• PUC: *Matt McGovern and Chris Nelson

The Radical Voter Guide: Ballot Issues 2012

Secretary Of State Gant was apparently too lazy to get both for and against the ballot issues, but the Attorney General (under pressure from many) forced him to put a booklet together, which you can read online here. Note he still didn't get "con" for three of them.

2012 Ballot Questions Pamphlet (SD SOS site)

It's typical that our Governor and  one-part House and Senate don't believe opinions other than their own are important. Given that reality, the inability of SOS Gant to find the time to obtain opposing views to what the Pierre Political Class thinks is not surprising. We've grown to expect it.

Another reason to elect Democrats to the Legislature, no matter what your ideology: one-party rule leads to bad government.

But I digress. Let's get to it.




Constitutional Amendment M
Loosens laws controlling corporations, making them less accountable to shareholders. I vote no.

Constitutional Amendment N
 Legislators should get reasonable travel expenses, this will make it easier for middle-class folks to serve. I vote yes.

Constitutional Amendment O
A Yes vote will preserve the income from the fund for education. I vote yes.

Constitutional Amendment P
Stan Adelstein has passed more state budgets than anyone in Pierre. I trust him when he says P is a bad idea, especially since our state constitution already requires a balanced budget. I vote no.

Referred Law 14
This bill diverted funds from education and Medicaid to give a big checking account to unelected officials in the Governor's office to promote business. The problem is that this money is needed elsewhere. The way to bring business to South Dakota is not graft -- instead we should be improving our schools, colleges, and infrastructure, building cheap wind power, and stop having anti-woman and anti-science legislators in the national news scaring good people away from our state! This is massive corporate welfare, inviting corruption -- a really bad idea. I vote no.

Referred law 16
This law anti-teacher, especially elementary and music teachers. Only science and math teachers get extra $, and this is done by pitting teacher against each other based on their student's test scores -- this has been shown by studies not to work! Lots of good arguments against this at http://madvilletimes.com. I vote no!!!!

Initiated Measure 15
This is a very tough one -- a 1c sales tax to help pay for Medicare and K-12 education that the legislature didn't have the guts to pass, so it was passed along to the voters. However, if it passes, I think we are adding a regressive tax (harder on lower income people) -- just so matching proceeds can be cut from the General Fund by the Legislature and crow about how fiscally responsible they are. I vote no. This is hard one to decide though.

Comments?

Mayor race in Rapid City heats up...

... and I have no idea who to vote for.

The Rapid City Journal has posted video statements from all the candidates on their website so at least that's somewhere to start.

I'm quite torn myself, as Alan Hanks is going around taking partisan slams at city council candidates that don't fit his particularly right-wing political persuasion, and, let's face it, a vote for Sam Kooiker is a vote to annoy Hanks and the "city fathers" behind the scenes.

The other two candidates aren't very well known to me, although Ron Weifenbach is a very interesting candidate as he's been around for a while and knows what I'm talking about.

The status quo is not good though, from a Civic Center that is more interested in attracting big names and a sports team instead of serving our cultural life right here in Rapid City, to an awful record of secret government at the city level, this election hopefully can get us a mayor and city council members that are a little more on deck for our citizens instead of our bigwigs.

Rapid City friends: the election is coming up and it's important! Download a sample ballot and make your choices!

Mathew Murray Event

Mathew Murray is running as an Independent in District 32 this fall for State House. Here's your chance to meet him and throw him a little support as he takes on the partisan machine!


WINE AND CHEESE TASTING
FUND RAISER – MEET THE CANDIDATE
MATHEW MURRAY, INDEPENDENT DISTRICT 32 HOUSE
QUINCY HOUSE, 1228 QUINCY
(CORNER WEST AVE. & QUINCY)
SATURDAY JULY 24, 2010 AT 4:30P – 6:30P

More info, email: Matmurraydist32@gmail.com

District 32 has options

Yes it's true -- you can have a representative in the State House that was not hand-picked by Governor Rounds from the Pierre political class!



UPDATE:

Meet Mat!

WINE AND CHEESE TASTING
FUND RAISER – MEET THE CANDIDATE
MATHEW MURRAY, INDEPENDENT DISTRICT 32 HOUSE
QUINCY HOUSE, 1228 QUINCY – CORNER WEST AVE. & QUINCY
SATURDAY JULY 24, 2010 AT 4:30P – 6:30P

Kristin Conzet rubs it in with the voters of District 32

We in Robbinsdale received a friendly Independence Day postcard with pictures of watermelons, flags, and balloons -- paid for by "Kristin Conzet for House."

There are also pictures our good-looking, well-connected Pierre-political-class legislators, both appointed by Gov. Marion Rounds, with the statement:

On this Independence Day, let us never forget the sacrifices and principles of our founding fathers
[sic - they forgot the caps].

Like, fr-instance, their refusal to accept taxation without representation?

I think the voters of District 32 should ask some questions and consider why they shouldn't be looking at their options (namely, the independent candidates running for the seats). We aren't all Republicans, and we have needs from the Legislature outside of the political gamesmanship.

To Reps. Conzet and Gosch: instead of complaining about being "attacked" by bloggers, I ask you please to use this election season to inform us what you've done for District 32. We're all ears.

- What do you think about RCRH's responding to a 50 million dollar surplus (earned by stiffing their care-giving staff BTW) with a 5% rate increase on their services? Since we taxpayers are the #1 payer of health care in this State, what do you think the Legislature should do about it?
- Do you support talk in Rapid City of Home Rule? Why or why not?
- How should the Legislature close their widening budget deficits?
- Why did the Republican legislature stiff the Sanford lab last year -- when the educational investment there would benefit the state's students and keep them here?
- Why is it in District 32's interest that the Legislature hasn't seen fit to support the Regents in developing a Physics PhD program in our state -- which would bring important new blood to SDSMT and the rest of our University science programs?
- Why, in the name of all that is holy, did you both vote for promoting the giving astrology equal time in our high schools? Could we send a louder message to scientists across the country warning them not to bring their families while they work at DUSEL?

I mean, check out Kristin Conzet's Facebook page:



Nothing there about the interests of District 32 - all the wall posts are about electing Republicans and Republican political events. (OK, time for a pot-shot, based on my experience: For someone who has no time for meeting with constituents during the session because of her family commitments, she sure seems to get out a lot.)

I think this screen shot says it all:


So let's have some discussions! That's what the political process should be about, not who's in and out in the Republican Party.

Tom Katus is a candidate for State Treasurer!

Former State Senator Tom Katus was elected last weekend as the Democratic nominee for South Dakota State Treasurer.

I think this is great news. Whoever takes over as treasurer is facing cleaning up after years of mismanagement and cronyism. Katus is a straight talker and a fair guy with friends on both sides of the aisle in Pierre -- so I think he's a great choice to help Gov. Heidepriem (we hope) clean house.

Tom's campaign is starting up - be looking for him. Out here in Robbinsdale, we're certain he will be saying things worth hearing.

KOTA-TV story on Sandlin vs Noem includes Radical comments

Yes, it's all about me.


Just in case you missed it on KOTA news a week or so ago.

For the first time in history two women will compete for the state's only congressional seat.

Some said the dynamic of two women has the potential to affect the election.

People on both sides of the political aisle said it's less about two women running and more about which woman you want in Congress.

Political experts in KOTA Territory agree it could take away one of Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin's advantages.

The local president of the Republican women says the campaign will focus on the issues, since the "cute factor" is off the table. (She really thought that Janklow guy was hot.)

Would the Rapid City BID be bad for democracy?

Anonymous comments:

Do you also support the BID? I didn't think you would. I found this off the Internet and thought it was of interest:

There is concern that overt control of BIDs by business and property owners results in the privileging of the interests of those people over the democratic interests of society at large. There has also been substantial attention to the manner in which BIDs have often attempted to rid the spaces they control of the homeless, ethnic minorities, and political activists who might frighten off potential shoppers.

In preparation for the vote, I did a little more reading, here's the article where the above quote came from BIDs on Wikipedia. (And like any good Wikipedia article, there are primary references/links to check out.)

A business improvement district (BID) is a public-private partnership in which businesses in a defined area pay an additional tax or fee in order to fund improvements within the district's boundaries... BIDs provide services, such as cleaning streets, providing security, making capital improvements, and marketing the area. The services provided by BIDs are supplemental to those already provided by the municipality.

I have decided I will vote in favor of the BID - if the downtown business owners want to get together to make our downtown more vibrant so we don't have to drive all over the place to obtain goods and services, I'm all for it.

Honestly, I hadn't thought about these potential side-effects. We should watch for them.

In this case, the BID's potential as a method of oppression of "those we don't like" is fairly limited -- largely because the scale of this BID is small and situated directly next to many public spaces. Also, Rapid City is a small town, leading to a more open debate and discussion of things.

Furthermore, the success of the BID will depend on the public for 2010 funding and other support -- and Rapid City has a great history of people taking ownership of their community. An example of this is when the City's citizens loudly said no to Nash Finch building in the floodplain, and their support of the Cornerstone Mission and Church Response over the years. Sure, things happen behind the scenes (like, when the City Fathers formed the "committee for art that we like" and quietly ignored them when they decided to replace the powerful sculptures giving a voice to the Native American experience and replace them with white males on every street corner).

But I think all in all the BID will be a good thing and we should try to support the downtown businesses in what they are trying to do. I love the Firehouse, Global Market, Prairie Edge, and other businesses downtown and want it to continue to get better. I think downtown is a much better place then when I moved here 15 years ago and for many reasons I think it's good for our community for the downtown to continue to thrive.

After all, demonstrators need to eat too!

Excellent analysis of Daugaard's primary "romp" by Mr. X

Worth reading... from an anonymous author over at Dakota Day.

I wonder who?

Tuesday's Republican Gubernatorial Primary: What it All Means...

On Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Denny Daugaard won the Republican nomination for Governor by garnering just barely 50 percent of the Republican votes that were cast in defeating four other candidates. While the Daugaard camp contends that this is a major victory and while some pundits and analysts lauded the "strong" showing, a more critical look at Daugaard's rather anemic showing tells a different story. The truth is, losing one out of two Republican votes should be a dangerous warning sign to Daugaard and his supporters.

More over at Dakota Day...

Angie Buhl is the youngest legislator ever!

This is such incredible news. Congratulations Angie -- and congratulations to District 15 for choosing a fine new state senator-elect!

And many thanks are due to Sen. Miles for her years of service - I know we don't agree but I have a great deal of appreciation for anyone that is willing to serve in the Legislature -- it can be a thankless office and the pay is pretty minimal.

Dear Friends,

As you know, Tuesday was a victorious night for us. With your help, we were able to defeat 8 year incumbent Kathy Miles by a solid 59-41 margin. We also made history. You helped send the youngest woman ever elected to the South Dakota state legislature to Pierre next January.

This happened because of you. And I thank you for it!

We learned what we all already knew to be true: that District 15 wants representation that's about our people, not the politics it has seen in the past. With the help of so many friends and family, supporters, and donors, we were able to give that voice back to District 15. We should be very proud and celebrate this significant victory!

But our work is never over. While I don't have a challenger in the November general election, we need to make sure we all step up to help other candidates who do. As we learned with this race, when we all come together, we can do great things. Let's work together to continue to make South Dakota a better place while spreading our message of people, not politics.


Thank you for your support and enjoy this victory -- it's yours!

Will Thune have to stand for election?

The RCJ reports that Chris Nelson got our petitions. (I collected a page full of St. Pierre signatures on Election Day myself.)

Secretary of State Chris Nelson said Wednesday that his office has received petitions for Mark St. Pierre of Kyle, who is trying to make the general election ballot as an independent in the U.S. Senate race.

I needs almost 3500 signatures -- we'll see if it happened or not. It sure would be nice for Thune to have an opponent.

I hear rumors we may have some more independents running here in West River too...

Success for Radical Picks!

Looks like Republican David Lust has will continue to the general election - and Bonny Petersen will serve on City Council -- IF she prevails in the run-off election (go Bonny go!) And Jeff Nelsen will be on our School Board -- welcome Jeff and thanks Daphne for your great work -- I hope this opens the door for you to contribute your gifts to our community in new ways!

And I managed to get Ruth's vote in today -- and along the way pick up some St. Pierre petition sigs (25 or so) -- it looks like Thune just may have to have is name in the ballot in the fall.

More later.

Rock on!

Election Day

Just an encouragement to all to get out there and vote. Polls are open 7 to 7 in your local time zone.

I'm voting early and often -- using my hard-earned Notary stamp to help my disabled friend Ruth to vote tomorrow too.

If you are more mobile than Ruth, you have no excuse. C'mon, if you don't vote, you can't complain -- and who would want to give up THAT privilege around here?

To save time tomorrow - check your polling place here.

I wish good luck and hope for the best for my friends that are running tomorrow -- all excellent candidates that I hope garner a lot of support (the best in their respective fields, but I am a little biased -- on the other hand, I try to choose my friends well!)

Bonny Peterson - City Council

Patti Martinson - City Council

Jeff Nelson and Daphne Richards-Cook - School Board
(unfortunately running against each other - I support them both -- glad it's not my area so I don't have to choose)

David Lust - District 34 State House (Republican primary)

Angie Buhl - District 15 State House (Sioux Falls, Dem primary)

The patriotic pride flag above is a special election day treat in honor of our blogger friend Bob Ellis, who has been expending a lot of energy over at Madville Times and needs some patriotic West River support.


Go out there and vote your values, friends!

Family Matters Liars

From a super-size postcard mailing seen around the State this weekend from "SD Family Matters PAC" -- that is, 26-year-old David Astin of Hermosa:



Okay. Check out Mr Astin's #2 footnote above, which refers the reader to pac.eqsd.org -- here's what we read there:

To help support or oppose ballot propositions according to the goals and objectives of LGBT South Dakotans as determined by Equality South Dakota (EqSD).
- Add sexual orientation & gender identity to existing non-discrimination clauses.
- Continue working for rights associated with civil unions.
- Reach out to open and affirming faith communities.
- Support and elect LGBT/Allied officials.

A little less scary before they warped it, don't you think?

This is the very definition of smear. Take something true and positive and distort it into something false and ugly.

Don't be fooled, South Dakota. Mr. Astin and his friends are against personal liberty, they want to control what we see, what we do, and how we live.

Not South Dakota values, in my view.

UPDATE

and what's up with the photoshopped-in yarmulkes on the front of the postcard?



Creepy.

An excellent candidate in Sioux Falls

Letters: Buhl willing to listen

Helen J. Frank • Sioux Falls • May 21, 2010 Sioux Falls Argus Leader

I recently had the opportunity to meet and talk with state Senate candidate Angie Buhl. As a longtime member of the South Dakota political community, I was impressed with her willingness to listen to the people of our district and her passion for human services - something I haven't seen from a candidate in a long time.

Our district needs someone in Pierre who communicates with their constituents and understands their needs. We also need someone who has the passion and drive to get something done in their time in office. Buhl is that person.

I encourage all District 15 Democrats to vote in the June 8 primary election to send Buhl to Pierre. She will be the first one on the ballot.

Tired of the same 'ol in Pierre? Slide Angie a little support!

West River 2010 primary hats are in the ring!

Looks like we've got a couple of Dems signed up in West River and some really interesting primary races on the Republican side. We're bound to see a few more pop up on the Sec of State's candidate list in the next couple of days.

Click on the images below to zoom in and see what's there in the West River House and Senate races.






Don't know what District you're in? Check out this pdf map of the county. Your tax dollars at work!


A few races I'm looking forward to:

• Anthony Vallela is a young Dem and seriously considering running the race for real (he first signed up as a placeholder but he's seeing how important it is having good candidates like him running!
  
• Elizabeth Kraus (Munro???) v J.P. Duniphan in 33. How long do you think it will be before this one gets ugly? A traditional versus "new" "liberty" Republican race.
  
• Bruce Rampelberg, well-known volunteer in the "save Ellsworth" effort, is running against a virtual unknown in a Republican primary. What's that about?
  
• Sen. Stan Adelstein is running again, and so are our two appointed Representatives, who if the past is any guide, will have no problem being re-elected because of the solid "vote-R" majority in 32 which was very craftily gerrymandered (with the rest of West River) in 2002. Oh well.
  

SIX DAYS IN MARCH

The SDDP reminds us that the clock is running out for the 2010 primary election...:

March 30 is the deadline for petitions for:

- SD Legislature
- SD Statewide Races (Turns out our at-large Rep may have a primary challenger: Dr Kevin Weiland! -- is already national news.)
- Delegates for State Convention

More details at the South Dakota Sec of State site.

UPDATE: oh boy oh boy, Elizabeth Kraus (is she no longer Munro?) has her hat in the ring already.

Some Really Smart People Live In District 2-1

We thank everyone for working so hard and for your support of candidates working for a better South Dakota. A lot of people voted for our Dems, but a lot of people didn't as well. The really exciting thing of course is that a LOT of people got involved and a LOT of people voted. This is all to the good.


And a special God bless the good voters of 2-1... the majority of you are clearly looking to the future, and this writer appreciates that.

Complete election results have been posted by the Secretary Of State.

We'll talk later.