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Dobbs v. Jackson: Supreme Court Opinion Reversing Roe v. Wade, Critical Analysis, And Predictions
COUNTERSPEECH with Constitutional Law Professor Deana Sacks



Dana Wefer and Deana Pollard Sacks discuss the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade and Casey v. Planned Parenthood in Dobbs v. Jackson on June 24, 2022. The decision was 6-3, with Justices Thomas, Kavanaugh, Barrett, and Gorsuch agreeing with the majority opinion written by Justice Alito. The Chief Justice, Roberts, authored an opinion concurring in the judgment but departing from the majority opinion that Roe v. Wade had to be overruled to uphold the Mississippi law at issue in Dobbs v. Jackson. Three justices dissented: Justices Sotomayor, Breyer, and Kagan.

A special thanks to Professor Sacks for allowing The Dakota Leader to share "COUNTERSPEECH," with our audience. To help support the litigation costs, and expert legal services of Professor Sacks, and Dana Wefer, DONATE HERE



To Help Support The Dakota Leader... DONATE HERE!

--COUNTERSPEECH

Post Date: 2022-07-01 11:00:57Last Update: 2022-07-01 14:35:03

    


Amendment C Made Easy
UPDATED 5/24/22 By Representative Kevin Jensen

UPDATED NOTE 5/24/22 “I want to clarify my position - I Voted yes, and I encourage others to do the same as I think it should be more difficult for out-of-state groups, and corporations to raise your taxes.” - Rep Kevin Jensen on follow-up.

Everywhere I go while campaigning in District 16, the most frequently asked question is “What’s the deal on Amendment C?” The truth is, one side is doing a terrible marketing job and the other is just flat out deceiving you.

Let’s start with some facts. In order for the legislature to raise taxes and spend money, a two- thirds majority is required in the House and in the Senate and the Governor must sign it. That two thirds is of what we refer to as ‘members elect,’ which means two thirds of all the elected legislators, not just two thirds of those voting. If 5 people are absent it still takes two thirds of both houses, or of all 105 legislators, to pass it. If they are absent it is considered a 'No' vote.

There are currently 640,185 registered voters in South Dakota. According to the Secretary of State’s office there are 576,829 ‘active’ voters. I am not certain what they deem is an active voter, but these numbers do not include deceased individuals. So, to keep the math simple I will use the number 600,000 to represent ‘the voters.’

The ‘vote yes’ campaign keeps using the phrase – ‘60% of the voters.’ That is a little misleading because there are potentially 600,000 voters (using the example above). The truth, is that it currently only takes a simple majority of THOSE WHO VOTED to raise your taxes. If we have a 60% voter turnout, that means only 360,000 people voted. A simple majority is then 180,001. So in this scenario, it only takes 180,001 voters to raise your taxes, which represents less than one third of the total number of potential voters.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

And now, the misleading ads. The ‘vote no’ campaign makes claims that it ends majority rule and it allows the minority to raise your taxes. Well folks, the TRUTH is, that is what we already have! In almost every possible scenario, a minority is all that is required to raise your taxes, even if Amendment C passes. In my previous example it CLEARLY shows that a minority of the voters can raise your taxes, and unless we get all 600,000+ to go to the polls it will likely always be that way.

Amendment C raises the requirement to raise your taxes from a simple majority of 50% of those voting to a majority of 60%. Using the previously used number of 360,000 people voting, it would raise the number required to increase taxes to 216,000. That clearly is still a minority of all the voters (600,000).

What neither side is telling in the ads is that none of Amendment C goes into effect unless the ballot measure or Constitutional amendment you are voting on commits the state to spending 10 million dollars or more. If it does not commit over 10 million in taxes or fees, the 50% simple majority is still the law.

Help Support Community Journalism... DONATE TODAY!

--Kevin Jensen Majority Whip District 16 SD House of Representatives

Post Date: 2022-05-23 14:01:28Last Update: 2022-05-24 12:13:04

    


Good Policy Makes Good Politics
Family Heritage Alliance

When it comes to many of our modern hot button issues such as women’s sports, gender ideology, and free speech, we are seeing that good policy is becoming good politics. These issues are highlighting the fact that not only is the primacy of policy vital, but good policy is both a means and an end.

After Disney protested Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill, Gov. Ron DeSantis doubled down and fought back. He signed the bill into law and continued to vouch for parent’s rights. He even condemned the company and exposed its hypocrisy.

DeSantis called his opposition from Disney and the Oscars a “badge of honor,” because he understands his role as an elected leader. He has also continued to enact vital legislation such as the Responsible Fatherhood bill, and his supporters are thanking him for it. DeSantis is paving a new way forward, making action the new litmus test.

“Those on the political left are not only becoming detached from Middle America, they are also losing their influence over politicians they once controlled. In recent years, progressive interests have used threats and intimidation to accomplish virtually all of their political goals, even in red states,”
writes Joseph Backholm, senior fellow for biblical worldview and strategic engagement at the Family Research Council.

Right here in South Dakota, a Spearfish-based group announced it is planning on offering an
“equity training” event this summer to train educators on “anti-bias,” “anti-racist,” and LGBTQ inclusivity topics. Governor Noem, however, reminded everyone that because of her executive order, the reach of this training will be limited.

“Thanks to my Executive Order,
@sddoe will not be approving the credits that this training claims to offer. Our teachers deserve training opportunities that will better educate our kids, not divisive concepts aimed at classroom indoctrination,” Gov. Noem wrote in a tweet.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Republican lawmakers cannot get away with cowardice today as they once could. Finally, individuals are being held accountable and stepping up to put good policy into action, and they are being rewarded politically because of it.

Conservatives are no longer satisfied by rhetoric and talk. They are looking to leaders who actually walk the talk and put good policy into place instead of just complaining about the status quo without using their authority to actively address it. This is their responsibility as our elected officials, and conservatives are right to force them into action.

They are cheering for Elon Musk as he makes drastic changes to social media and fights for free speech. They are ensuring that their leaders stand up for women’s sports and protect children from radical indoctrination. These issues have become litmus tests, and politics is becoming more effective because of it.

We should continue to expect our elected leaders to act boldly and hold them accountable when they don’t.

Good policy is beginning to make good politics. This is excellent news for conservatives, especially with elections quickly approaching this fall.

Most importantly, this is good news for parents in America. It is their children who have suffered the most from cowardly leadership, and with a renewed sense of responsibility, more leaders may finally listen to parents and take action to protect their children.

Visit The Family Heritage Alliance HERE

Help Support Community Journalism... DONATE TODAY!

--Norman Woods-Director Family Heritage Alliance

Post Date: 2022-05-04 10:49:46Last Update: 2022-05-06 10:40:33

    


Grass Roots, Moving and Shaking South Dakota Politics
Patriot Ripple Effect

A Sioux Falls based grass roots group, named Patriot Ripple Effect, hosted a packed election event last night April 28, 2022 at the Sioux Falls Alliance Center. The "Chit Chat" event was stated to be "an opportunity to break the ice", and help voters get to know who will be on the 2022 ballot.

Currently elected state legislators, commissioners, city council members and candidates across twelve districts met on common ground with voters. Many hosted booths for extended Q and A time, while others walked around and introduced themselves.

The event coordinators gave every candidate and incumbent equal time to speak and share their platform.



Bruce Whalen, who is running for U.S. Senate against John Thune, was met with a round of applause and much excitement from the crowd. Whalen is running a historically significant race, if elected, Whalen would be one of the only indigenous persons to ever represent Tribal Communities within the halls of the U.S. Senate.

Voters felt the noticeable absence of Gov. Kristi Noem, along with other statewide office holders. Steve Haugaard, Noem's primary challenger was in attendance, and told The Dakota Leader he has nearly doubled the millage on his vehicle this election, going from event to event.

The event was free to attend, drawing a much larger crowd than many highly anticipated election events. Attendees told the Dakota Leader that they just can't afford candidate dinners during this time, and really wish the larger names on the ballot would meet people where they're at financially, and geographically.

The Chit Chat event seems indicative of a new political class, and era of voter. In speaking with several attendees, voters report wanting to look a candidate in the eye, and ask them the hard questions, to gauge honesty and intellectual respect.

Kathleen Puttmann, a Colton resident and event attendee told The Dakota Leader, "I'm tired of pomp and circumstance. I'm a regular person and I want regular people to represent me in office. There's a real disconnect with individuals who have spent their career in the public sector, and don't understand what it's like to balance a checkbook, or have to go without. It's time we had real people in office, and events like these really show how down to earth a person is."

Monae Johnson is a mother and grandmother, who worked in the Secretary of State's office and the Attorney General's Office throughout her career. Reminiscent of Dolly Parton in the movie "Working 9-5," Johnson has a bright smile and a keen wit. Johnson has that grit about her that comes from overcoming adversity, being underrated and working in a man's world, while remaining a Lady.



More events are coming up, and can be found by going to the Patriot Ripple Effect website.



Editor's Note- Many of the candidates from last night's event have paid advertising with The Dakota Leader, creating a clear conflict of interest. In an effort to report what occurred, without crossing ethical boundaries of policy reporting, this article is written in a tabloid style format.
--Breeauna Sagdal- Editor At Large

Post Date: 2022-04-29 13:43:04Last Update: 2022-04-29 16:25:14

    


CHIT CHAT- A Relaxed Evening With Legislators and Candidates


--Patriot Ripple Effect

Post Date: 2022-04-25 11:33:04Last Update: 2022-04-25 13:10:54

    


Legislative Update Provided By Representative John Mills
April 14, 2022

April 14, 2022

On Tuesday, April 12, 2022 history was made in Pierre. For the first time in South Dakota, the House of Representatives impeached an elected official. The vote to impeach was as close as it could have been, passing the threshold to reach a majority by only one vote.

Impeachment, as we have learned from watching national news is a political event. I wish that were not true in SD, but unfortunately, it is. It is also a serious act, one that neither legislator nor citizen should take lightly. I write today to offer you an inside view from one legislator who voted not to impeach.

In November, The House Select Committee on Investigation was formed to consider whether or not Attorney General Ravnsborg had committed an impeachable offense in the unfortunate death of Joe Boever. The committee makeup was solid, both Republican and Democrat. It consisted of 8 legislators; 4 who are seasoned lawyers, the leader of both political parties (2) and 2 more with extensive experience in law enforcement. The Speaker of the House chaired the committee, but was not a voting member. To a person, these legislators are seasoned, thoughtful individuals of good character. They were chosen because of their knowledge of the Constitution, the law and their reasoned approach to decision making. After days of testimony and untold hours reviewing documents and facts, their conclusion was that “Attorney General Ravnsborg did not commit an impeachable offense”.

In private, to their colleagues on Tuesday, Republican members of the Select Committee indicated they searched carefully for any fact or reason to impeach, but acknowledged they found nothing. That is why all Republicans on the committee, the committee who knew the facts best, voted not to recommend impeachment.

On Tuesday, the vote of the 8 Democrats in the House was expected. They had an opportunity to dish on a top Republican, and took it. Their vote was political. 28 Republicans joined them in voting for impeachment. Why, I don’t know.

Certainly everyone knows where the Governor stands. In spite of the fact that our Constitution clearly holds impeachment as a responsibility only of the legislature, the governor held press conferences, issued statements and constantly called for a resignation and then an impeachment. There were reports of hundreds of robocalls and even billboards directed at, and intended to squeeze the committee members to vote to impeach. While the Governor may not have ordered these attacks, they were not rebuffed either. There was even a tweet from the Governor commending the House for doing “the right thing” as soon as the vote to impeach was final. Why does the Governor feel so strongly about this?

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

If you want to be more informed, I hope you will read the report of the House Select Committee. It is 15 pages long and can be found at sdlegislature.gov in a maroon colored box labeled “HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATION”. At the end of their report is a 4 page ADDENDUM the committee issued that describes the Governor’s interference in detail. I encourage you to read that as well.

An attorney friend of mine, who is not a legislator, read the report and the ADDENDUM and said the information in the ADDENDUM was “very disturbing”. I agree. It is unsettling how the Department of Public Safety (DPS) was influenced by the Governor to inappropriately insert itself, first pushing for harsher action by a state’s attorney and then dogging the House Select Committee. I would describe their actions and those of the Governor as relentless, disruptive, misleading and unethical. Together, the Governor and the DPS were told by a judge, a states attorney and the select committee to stand down, but did not. Unfortunately, it all seems to have worked. I find that chilling. When a Governor controls the state police force (Highway Patrol) down to the level of manipulation for politics, shouldn’t we all be concerned?

Now, the outcome of an impeachment trial rests with the Senate. Lets all pray for truth and a just outcome.

In service to God and you, John Mills, Representative, District 4 mills4sd@gmail.com OR John.Mills@sdlegislature.gov


--Representative John Mills

Post Date: 2022-04-20 12:58:41Last Update: 2022-04-21 21:13:20

    


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