As usual, Dakota War College, the fake-named tool of the South Dakota Republican Party Central Committee, ignores the issues in talking about candidates. Pretending in vain to be a real blogger who does real research, Tim Rave's mouthpiece prints a few results of past statewide elections and concludes that Democrats Nick Nemec and Matt McGovern can't win their bids for Public Utilities Commission.
DWC resorts to numerology because, as is the case with their rare references to Rep. Kristi Noem, the SDGOP doesn't want to talk about the real policy matters that will shape the election. DWC quotes the boring stuff in journalist Bob Mercer's reaction to the Nemec announcement but ignores the big policy issue, the all-Republican PUC's failure to regulate the Anderson Seed Company and protect area farmers from losing millions in that outfit's collapse:
Nemec is a farmer and the South Dakota committee man on the Democratic national committee. Whether one issue is enough to defeat Nelson isn't clear, because it's hard to say how many people will care about the issue. The Democrats were able to take the state treasurer post in the 1990s by Dick Butler punishing Republican Homer Harding on the mystifying and confusing unclaimed-property fight over millions of dollars involving Citibank. Whether one grain buyer's bust-up reaches the same level doesn't seem likely, but Nemec has the political ability to make the most of it [Bob Mercer, "Democrats Turn Their Lonely Eyes to Nick Nemec," Pure Pierre Politics, 2012.06.17].
PUC can be a hard race. It deals with wonky issues that don't reduce easily to sound bites and motivate voters at the gut level. We Democrats never labor under the illusion that we can coast to victory in South Dakota. But sharp Dems like Nick Nemec and Matt McGovern know how to capitalize on Republican failures of governance like those committed by incumbent Daugaard appointees Chris Nelson and Kristie Fiegen.
And DWC/GOP Central has never said anything to stick up for the farmers Nelson and Fiegen failed to serve. Never.
Frank Farrar lost the governorship and the GOP lost most of the elections of 1970 and 1972 because of the farmer uprising resulting from the 1969 attempted take-down of their beloved REA. Dick Kneip was an energetic candidate who was able to make people notice.
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The GOP was on a major power grab in the late 60's, upset with McGovern's win in 1968 and ready to do the deed. They gambled it all and proceeded to lose big. The big difference between then and now is we no longer have a Democratic party or grassroots belief in what a Democrat really is.
Nemec would have had an easier chance of getting conservative votes against Fiegen. McGovern has no chance of getting conservative support. Getting conservatives to support Dems is the only chance on defeating the liberal well-monied GOP Establishment. That is why it is important for Dems to understand that the solution to crony capitalism is less government, not a Marxist inspired big government.
While I don't know all of the politics well, I know Nick Nemec and I'm thrilled he has entered this race. I honestly don't like the horse race discussions around politics It doesn't really matter. We have a good candidate running and hopefully this race will revolve around a discussion of the issues. I also know Chris Nelson and have a lot of respect for his integrity as a man. In fact both of these guys are friends of mine and I am pleased they will be running against each other. Hopefully this race will be come an example of a race focused on what's important.
The current PUC and Chris Nelson have to answer for the losses producers suffered. They also have to answer for the lack of focus on community wind development. So hopefully there will be hard questions, good answers and honest debate.
McGovern can get plenty of conservatives to support him if instead of wallowing in labels as you do, Steve, he just says to farmers, "Look, folks, Fiegen let you down, and your neighbors lost millions. Kick her out, and I'll watch your back."
McGovern is a liberal who will use farmers as political pawns, and then throw them under the bus in favor of his New Age agenda. Nemec is sincere and I could support him, but as Frank pointed out, Chris Nelson is also a sincere rural minded person.
Sibby, what is a new age agenda when it comes to the PUC? I know what an ALEC agenda is but your constant references to a New Age whatever is lost on me and maybe most who are students of politics.
I don't know McGovern as well but I am supporting him. He has stepped up to be the attorney for a landowner currently in condemnation court with TransCanada. He's an honorable young man who works for what he says and right now he's standing with a farmer in the face of a multinational corporation when the rest of the state government and PUC threw him under the bus.
Mr. Sibson, take each person as they present themselves and don't rely upon empty labels.
It doesn't do anyone any good. Liberal, Conservative, New Age, etc. are as useful as a fart in a wind storm.
Sibson sounds very reasonable here,
Mike, listen to Frank. Using the phrase "New Age" in any discussion of PUC matters automatically forfeits reasonability.
HAHAHA! I didn't even notice that! Good point!
Put yourself in the shoes of South Dakota farmers, a shiny new sunflower processing plant, Anderson Seeds, is built in Redfield, and touted as adding value to a crop you plant. Popular newly elected Governor Dennis Daugaard cuts the big red ribbon at the grand openning. It's advertised as a bonded warehouse regulated by the Public Utilities Commission. Any reasonable person would think Anderson Seeds had the blessing of the state with the imprimatur of the governor stamped on the front gate.
A year later the plant is bankrupt and owes farmers millions. Oh and that bond? $100,000……$100,000, enough to pay farmers a few cents on the dollar. Gee thanks, thanks for nothing.
Now we find out that the Governor's Office of Economic Development had advanced warning of the pending demise of Anderson Seeds and had refused to loan them money, but South Dakota government secrecy laws had been prevented GOED from warning the PUC, the regulatory agency in charge, let alone giving South Dakota farmers a heads up.
As an independent farmer I'm opposed to over regulation as much as the next person but I'll support adequate regulation to protect the citizens everyday of the week. Our secrecy laws need to be changed as do our bonding laws. This kind of outright theft of the livelyhood of South Dakotans by robber barons must not stand and must never be permitted to happen again.
Perfect pitch, Nick! Spread that word! Got a website yet?
...and I so totally want to hear the words "robber barons" on the campaign trail! :-)
"what is a new age agenda when it comes to the PUC?"
An energy policy that is based on worshipping "Mother Earth".
"Using the phrase “New Age†in any discussion of PUC matters automatically forfeits reasonability."
Like politically correct cultural Marxist attacks on free speech and the truth.
"Mr. Sibson, take each person as they present themselves and don’t rely upon empty labels."
" so totally want to hear the words “robber barons†on the campaign trail!"
I will let you two work it out.
Nick,
I agree with your description of the problem, but your solution is more of what caused the problem in the first place...Daugaard interfering in the free competitive market place, including reliance on PUC regulation.
Mr Sibson in your last post, you quoted something from one of my posts and something from one of Cory's in making a point. Cory and I are not the same person and both of us have been consistent to our own points.
Also based upon your last post, I've given you too much credit. I don't know of either candidate we're discussing having "An energy policy based on worshipping (sic) 'Mother Earth'".
It seems Nick's main plank deals with strictly an economic issue and the failure of the PUC to carry out diligent oversight in an area they are tasked to oversea.
In closing, energy policies that value a healthy environment and vigorous oversight of corporations does not equal worshiping anything. This is the type of energy policy I support.
Have a good day all!
Thanks, Frank! I worship nothing. I praise politicians who talk serious issues and come up with good policy... but I also expect them to do that. Nick and Matt can do that.
Frank, yes Nick is sincere, but McGovern is a flaming environmental extremist. The labels I use are not "empty". I have and will continue to provide substance when challenged in regard to exposing the New Age agenda.
I challenge you, Steve! Please provide substance. I would evidence of what, exactly, makes McGovern a flaming environmental extremist New Ager.
Mr. Sibson. We disagree. I've provided an example of McGovern's working with a farmer facing condemnation from TransCanada as proof of his weight and worth. You have thrown around accusations. We not only disagree on the issues we also have different approaches to debate and politics.
"In closing, energy policies that value a healthy environment and vigorous oversight of corporations does not equal worshiping anything."
That would completely change farming as we know it today. And the "oversight of corporations" is promoted by those very same corporations to rid the market of competition, and in farming that means the family farmer. Again, I agree with the problem statement, but the solutions proposed by the Democrats are the very same policies that created the problems in the first place. Want some more empty labels, then try industrialzation, urbanization, and globalization...or more simple stated, the New World Order and their New Age Theocracy that includes worship of Mother Earth, goddesses, and sexual perversions.
One label at a time: I'll settle first for evidence that Matt McGovern is "flaming."
Carter:
"He is 100 percent dedicated to the success of Repower America. But if Matt McGovern truly does become the Democratic challenger to Republican U.S. Sen. John Thune in 2010, South Dakota could suddenly have a very interesting contest. McGovern currently is the director for Repower South Dakota, an organization working on behalf of the Obama and Gore forces for U.S. Senate passage of environmental regulations intended to slow down climate change. A McGovern candidacy would put climate change on the forefront of the 2010 U.S. Senate race here and give the issue a platform far beyond what Repower South Dakota can accomplish on its own."
http://my605.com/pierrereview/?p=672
1) A blog post is not evidence. As much as I agree with Cory on most issues, I'd never even consider using his blog as a source. He's an English teacher (or something like that). I'm sure he can clarify exactly why a blog post will get you an F on even High School research papers.
2) Putting climate at the forefront makes him an environmental extremist how, exactly? Larry's something of an environmental "extremist" (kind of). But he goes well beyond just wanting some regulations. The fact is, global warming is happening, we do need to slow it down, and everyone needs to do their part. If big corporations and farms are contributing (they are), they need to be regulated. If small farms are contributing (they are), they need to be regulated.
I, for one, rather like the environment not warmed. If you think the environment should be warmed, maybe you'd be better off moving to a warmer state.
Side note: The U of M is going to be building some biodome type things that they're going to gradually be warming up to see how the environment responds to global warming, and what temperature is the tipping point. It'll be up and running in a few years. I can't find a link right now. If I do, I'll put it up.
Side note 2: If you don't believe in human-caused global warming (or global warming at all) you're a moron, and don't deserve to contribute to the world.
...let's just say it. Sibby is a pathalogical liar about that stuff. A lying liar who doesn't think he is lying. Impossible to reason with.
"pathOlogical..." Sorry.
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=pathology+definition&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
Bill, I believe you're correct.
Also, I wonder if he knows there's a Masonic Temple in Madison. Do you think we should give him an address? Maybe he'd spend him days scoping it out for secret meetings between the Kiwanis and the Lions! It's not like it's totally dilapidated on the inside and probably a danger for anyone who enters or anything. It's in perfectly good, working order (because the Masons still use it to conspire).
Frank makes a key point in McGovern's favor. While the GOP/DWC bleats horse race and empty labels, McGovern is doing honest work to protect landowners and the property rights that I thought were a big priority for conservatives. McGovern's work on TransCanada issues shows he's not about labels; he's about fighting for South Dakotans whom the GOP leaves up a creek.
Cory, again McGovern is using farmers as political pawns to advance a global envirnmental agenda which does benefit huge corporations like GE...the organization that gave Obama the most contributions ever. Again, I agree with the merit of the problems brought forward, but you, as I have, are being played as fools by the corporatists.
That's nutty talk, Steve. Come to a public forum. Lay out that argument to the people McGovern helps on the TransCanada land disputes. They will look at you like you've got three heads. They will then vote for McGovern. Reality trumps conspiracy.
Cory, your pragmatism trumping principles and truth is exactly the agenda the corporatists want implemented. What I say to those of you that are paying attention is much different than what I say to those who are not paying attention.
Good Gaia, Steve: sometimes it's as if you have three heads.
Far fewer Democrats call themselves liberal than earth haters who call themselves conservative: MoJo.
This is a great place for dems to get a few positions. You can say that Nelson and Nemec and McGovern are all nice people who care about farmers. But Nelson was there when the problem came and typical Republican just assumed all is well if you do not look or get government involved. Well with a lot of good people that do things right that works out ok a lot of the time. But here they simply did not do a good job. The governor is a farmer and has dealt with local coop elevators and has a lot better idea of how much grain in dollars a plant deals with that he would know that one hundred thousand in bond is incredibly low. Dennis probably sold more than that much grain off of his own farms in one year. So when the republicans drop the ball that blatantly is when people realize that no government is not enough.
In South Dakota farmers and ranchers have to take whatever the weather and prices give them and their only variables in their control is their own labor and management. You start cheating them on the grain they sell and they can change into democrats in an instant. They know that if a calf dies in the womb they lost a whole years income off of a cow and so they can relate to the fact that a dead fetus is no joke. So they can think conservative on some issues real easy. But if you cheat them on their grain and the Governor wants to get in the paper on a company that did not pay the farmer when it is grossly underbonded, they will want a lot better regulations real quick. Nemec is a farmer who fully understands this and McGovern knows from Grandpa that you do care about the little guy, if you are going to succeed and is a lawyer who can understand the legal ramifications and do this in a legal way while Nemec has the farm understanding to keep it reasonable and practical. Together they can do better than either alone.
Right on, Roger! I've got HB 1234 supporters saying that if I screw up in my classroom, I should be replaced. Fair enough. We should take the same position with Nelson and Fiegen.