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Stace Nelson Lures Republicans into Voting Against Republican National Committee

Rep. Stace Nelson continues to demonstrate how not to make friends among his fellow Republicans.

This afternoon, Rep. Nelson brought to the House floor House Concurrent Resolution 1023, yet another legislative protest against Common Core. Bills attempting to hamstring Common Core have consistently failed; Rep. Nelson felt the House needed one more chance to hear Common Core opponents vent their frustrations at the evil they perceive.

But Rep. Nelson appears to have been as interested in luring his Republican colleagues into a vote-scoreboard trap as in stamping out edu-corporate conspiracies. He made his speech in favor of his resolution. He heard Republican Reps. Mike Stevens and Jacqueline Sly rise to oppose HCR 1023. Rep. Stevens simply said the resolution was filled with inaccuracies; Rep. Sly detailed those inaccuracies, rebutting Rep. Nelson's Whereas clauses point by point:

  • Sly said the Common Core development and implementation process had public hearings, one of which she attended.
  • Sly noted that President Obama couldn't have used the 2009 stimulus to push Common Core, because Common Core was developed until 2010.
  • Sly refuted the notion that schools have to buy new Common Core-aligned teaching materials, saying that schools have a wealth of online, open-source materials to use in their classrooms (very true... like the Madville Times!)
  • Sly said federally funded testing is nothing new; the feds have funded testing for years. She noted that the outgoing Dakota Step test cost $48 per student. By joining the Smarter Balanced consortium to develop our Common Core tests, we've brought the test cost down to $22–$27 per student.
  • Sly said the data collection dreaded by so many Common Core opponents has been going on for many years. The tests, she said, use student ID numbers to prevent tracing information back to students. Only aggregate data is sent on to education agencies, protecting the identity of students and families.
  • Sly rejected the notion that Common Core imposes one-size-fits-all instruction. She said our teachers do all sorts of differentiated instruction.
  • Finally, Sly said she finds "most disturbing" HCR 1023's language about Common Core's putting America in a "nationwide straitjacket on academic freedom and achievement."

HCR 1023 drew fire from Democrats as well, with Rep. Julie Bartling saying South Dakota is better than a resolution that tells children we don't want them to excel (HCR 1023 doesn't actually say that) and Rep. Spence Hawley expressing his frustration with all the useless resolutions brought forward and asking for a rule change to send all resolutions to committee so as not to waste the House's real problem-solving time (second!).

Rep. Nelson wasn't sweating Dem heat. Rising to rebut Reps. Stevens and Sly, he pulled the card he'd kept in his sleeve: he cribbed HCR 1023 mostly verbatim from a resolution passed by the Republican National Committee in April 2013. So was his next resolution, HCR 1024, a resolution condemning China for waging cyberwarfare against the United States.

Not amused, Rep. Nelson's fellow Republicans proceeded to vote down the positions of the Republican National Committee.

Advertising on a liberal blog... using Republicans' own words against them... boy, if I didn't know better, I'd think Stace Nelson was working for us Democrats.

* * *
Intra-party snark aside, Rep. Nelson dished the line of the day, calling Common Core "an unholy marrying of corporations and government control of our children." Corporations and government hand-in-hand—that's fascism, isn't it, Stace?

54 Comments

  1. owen reitzel 2014.02.25

    But the bad resolution of the day was HCR1027 honoring Dr. Ron Paul!
    What the hell??????

  2. Rep Stace Nelson 2014.02.25

    Mr "H,"

    Sorry, you are off mark here.

    There was NO effort to surprise Republicans in the House.

    Each one of my Republican colleagues were told explicitly and provided the information that these were in fact Republican positions and had been plagiarized from resolutions found here: https://www.gop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2013_Spring-Meeting_Resolutions.pdf

    The China Resolution is on page 4 of the PDF
    The Rejection of CCSS Resolution is on page 5 of the PDF

  3. Rep Stace Nelson 2014.02.25

    To make myself clear, that information was provided BEFORE these bills came up on the floor.

  4. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.02.25

    So Republicans knowingly voted against the Republican National Committee? Just how long before the floor discussion were members provided this information?

  5. Rep Stace Nelson 2014.02.25

    Mr "H,"
    It appears so.
    It was at least 45 minutes to an hour + before it was up for final determination.

  6. Jana 2014.02.25

    Almost 900,000 people in South Dakota and these idiots have to find someone like Paul to honor?

    Yep, talking to you Nelson, Greenfield, Kaiser, Kopp, Magstadt, May, Russell Begalka, Jensen, and Ernie Otten.

    If you clowns are looking to add your names to the popular national media, I'd suggest a bill honoring Senator Larry Pressler for being the honest Senator that turned down the ABSCAM bribes being popularized by the movie American Hustle. I know that I was proud to learn that the Senator from my home state had that integrity!

    Like I've said before...the GOP is working for someone other than South Dakotans.

  7. Roger Cornelius 2014.02.25

    Honor Ron Paul? For what?

    What meaningful contribution to society has he made?

    Last week there was a Yahoo news article about a serious shortage of clowns in America. I suggested Ron Paul and the Republican state legislature.

  8. Laura 2014.02.25

    Rep. Nelson you are shady and you know it. HCR are the hugest waste of time and energy and carry absolutely no water. And they were not given the information 45 minutes before the session today, and even if they were, there are much bigger issues and items that need dealing with (I would imagine that most of the Adult Representatives were reseaching those items) than your petty HCR's...they aren't going to change a thing in South Dakota! Get over yourself and do something productive with your time in Pierre.

  9. Laura 2014.02.25

    Oh and Ron Paul? Seriously, you need to research a little deeper into who he really is. If that is what you want to align yourself with than go ahead but I would say that most South Dakotans would not want the likes of Ron Paul around...changed to the Libertarian party in the 1980's, supported and stands with American Nazi Party. Look it up it all out there.
    You sir need to stay in Fulton and farm your little piece of land.

  10. RW&B 2014.02.25

    So Rep. Nelson strongly opposes National Education Standards because people outside our state shouldn’t impose their views upon us, but he feels that South Dakota Republicans should blindly support a resolution just because the National Republican Committee drafted a resolution. Does he see any confliction in those positions?

  11. Rep Stace Nelson 2014.02.25

    @ "Laura" I sent the email at 13:23 and advised my colleagues minutes before. If these resolutions in fact were a "huge waste of time" then there would be no debate and you wouldn't have brought them up. You want any further responses, engage in civil discourse.

  12. Jana 2014.02.25

    Funny they (read GOP) feels that people outside our state shouldn’t impose their views upon us and then suck at the teat of ALEC, evangelical fringe, any anti choice or 'economic winter' chicken little who writes a bill for them.

    Consistency boys. Oops I meant to say hypocrisy.

  13. Porter Lansing 2014.02.25

    Rep. Nelson: If you're going to gaggle with we liberals please learn to play nice. Lesson 1.: We prefer that older angry white-privileged male politicians use the word "please" when telling us (or anyone really) what to do. Civil discourse is courted with politeness. (to be cont.)

  14. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.02.25

    Laura, let's be fair and dish the criticism on all of the legislators who waste our time with HCRs. Rep. Hawley expressed his disgust with all the resolutions up for debate today and most of the resolutions that come before the House.

  15. grudznick 2014.02.25

    I, for one, think these waste of resolution things need to be outlawed. Young Mr. Hawley probably has it right. I know he's a libbie but he's a big hunter and gun owner too and sometimes he is right.

  16. owen reitzel 2014.02.25

    I agree Cory. Criticism should be for all legislators who waste time with these HCR's.
    However an HCR honoring Ron Paul? That is taking it too far and needs to be criticized a bit more. That's a political statement.
    Unless we can get a Democrat to come up with an HCR to honor Hillary Clinton as first lady, U.S. Senator and Secretary of State.

  17. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.02.25

    Sometimes bills get as silly as resolutions. Rep. May's HB 1215, amended to discount fishing licenses for the 85+ crowd to $1, was debated and voted on twice in the House this afternoon. Some of the discussion was serious, some was silly. When May and proponents contended that cheap fishing licenses are economic stimulus, the House started to sound like a punchy, late-hour session of Student Congress when Coach Kallis steps out of the room and Coach Larson lets the kids get silly.

  18. owen reitzel 2014.02.25

    I think I get your point Larry but there is a difference between the U.S. Senate and South Dakota. McGovern had ties to South Dakota and he passed away.
    Ron Paul has not connection to South Dakota and this was meant as a useless political statement

  19. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.02.25

    Jana, remember, Stace is not an ALEC member. He just acts like one... sometimes. :-)

    RWB, there's a difference. Common Core opponents contend that Common Core is coming from outsiders, corporations, Marxists, whoever—groups whose values don't align with ours with whom we do not associate. South Dakota Republicans have a little harder time drawing the same distance between themselves and national Republicans.

  20. Jana 2014.02.25

    Wait a minute. Is South Dakota like Iowa where the Paulites have taken over the party in terms of delegates?

  21. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.02.25

    Answer me that by answering this, Jana: who's the frontrunner in the GOP Senate primary?

  22. Daniel Willard 2014.02.25

    Laura I really have to question if you really know what you are even talking about. Please provide evidence that can't be disproven and that shows anything you have said about the honorable Dr. Paul is true besides he once was a member of the Libertarian Party. Now I'm sure you will run to the typical tabloids and claim it to be the gospel of god himself but unfortunately it will quickly be proven false and you will just yell at the top of your lungs hoping no one realizes you are a farce. One last thing Laura how is standing up for the Constitution, free markets, being anti-war, protecting civil liberties, and trying to stop corruption a bad thing? Oh wait I can answer that its because Dr. Paul is someone that actually does what he says instead of just saying he cares and then killing thousands of defenseless children with drone strikes based on a tribal feud of get-backs.

  23. owen reitzel 2014.02.25

    even so Daniel an HCR from South Dakota for Paul? I don't think so

  24. interested party 2014.02.25

    Ron Paul is a fascist of biblical proportions.

  25. Winston 2014.02.25

    Why are we so surprised by all of this resolution nonsense from the SD GOP any way ? Don't you remember when Rounds proclaimed it "G. Gordon Liddy Day" in South Dakota back in August of 2003?….. This is merely the same old SD GOP in action…. or should we say inaction to the issues which really matter to South Dakotans…..

  26. Daniel Willard 2014.02.25

    Interested Party facts please not just what you wish to be true and are unable to prove.

  27. interested party 2014.02.25

    Don't fuck with me, asshole.

  28. interested party 2014.02.25

    Let's be clear: Stace gets a pass with me until he wins the GOP primary.

  29. Roger Cornelius 2014.02.25

    Daniel Willard,
    Jana most certainly does know what she is talking about, seriously Ron Paul is not that deep.

    Most Americans that I know:
    Support and defend the Constitution
    Support free markets (even when they aren't really free)
    Are anti-war (except if your Bush or McCain)
    Are in support of protecting civil liberties (except if you are a Republican in the South Dakota State Legislature).
    If anyone of us could stop political corruption, we would.

    Now, tell me again why Ron Paul would need a special distinction for what we all do in our own ways.

  30. grudznick 2014.02.25

    Mr. Willard, my friend Larry gets testy this time of the year. He has few teeth. By the way, I enjoy your posts, Mr. Willard, and wonder if you have ever seen the movie "Ben." It's a show from back in the day when I was working long hours to provide for my family but enjoyed the cinema. "Ben". It's a good movie. Don't worry about Larry. He is mostly harmless.

  31. Jerry 2014.02.25

    Why would the republicans want to honor Rupaul? Oh yeah, because of the act. In the end, it is all about play and not work.

  32. grudznick 2014.02.25

    Nobody can deny Borgnine.

  33. interested party 2014.02.25

    nine: seven of nine.

  34. grudznick 2014.02.25

    I did some googles and this Rupaul fellow doesn't seem like the sort that Mr. Nelson woucld be memorating. This is just insaner than all get it. Why would we do these waste of time HCRs for some bow-tie wearing fellow with questionable tastes? My goodness.

  35. Taunia 2014.02.26

    Stacey Nelson is advertising here? And bringing his Ron Paul worshipers. Sigh.

  36. Rep. Stace Nelson 2014.02.26

    Folks,
    In 2011 I signed as a co-sponsor on a bill honoring former Democratic 6-year Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. While I disagreed with her politics, showing respect for her service to South Dakotans, and our fellow Americans, was appropriate.

    In addition to the roughly 30 years of service to our nation as a USAF veteran & Congressman, Dr Paul was a US President candidate and inspired several generations of Americans.

    I have shown appropriate respect and tolerance for someone many of you hold in high esteem and we have done so for other past dignitaries. Be grudging this resolution that I drafted in my personal time, let's not do such based off of bitter partisan politics. Good night & God bless.

  37. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.02.26

    Taunia, it is a little scary having that ad up in the sidebar. Sometimes I wonder if both Rep. Nelson and I are crazy to send such signals to our respective markets. But his supporters and my readers have at least one thing in common: a desire to expose the hypocrisy and lack of principle of the Republican Party. We differ on whom we'd pick to replace those Republicans.

  38. owen reitzel 2014.02.26

    The only thing I'm saying is that there shouldn't have been and HCR from South Dakota honoring him.
    If that's the case lets have an HCR for Hillary Clinton for being the first lady, U.S. Senator and Secretary of State. She's inspired million as well.

  39. Daniel Willard 2014.02.26

    Interested Party nice threat and what a great way to show your childish behavior.

  40. Daniel Willard 2014.02.26

    CAH proof please

  41. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.02.26

    Proof? I provided two news reports. Rebuttal?

  42. Jerry 2014.02.26

    RPaul is like the Bos, they are charismatic and speak in dog whistles that attract the ignorant. Unfortunately, here in South Dakota we think that is a badge of honor.

  43. Daniel Willard 2014.02.26

    Interested Party that article is well laughable at best and is based on a lot who said she said and basically no concrete facts. CAH I haven't had time to read your links I will this evening when I have more time.

  44. Lynn G. 2014.02.26

    Well if the legislature is going to spend valuable time with an HCR for people that are not from South Dakota nor ever resided here how about Ralph Nader? He has helped with consumer protection, helped expose corruption and has been a Patriot.

    Doesn't the state legislature have more important things to do with the limited time they are in session?

  45. Roger Cornelius 2014.02.26

    Stace Nelson,

    How many dollars has, or will. be Ron Paul be donating to your campaign?

    Will he be campaigning with you?

  46. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.02.26

    Roger, I have yet to see Ron Paul on Nelson's FEC reports. But anything is possible.

Comments are closed.