Senator Lee Schoenbeck’s recent op-ed in the Rapid City Journal is a feeble attempt to try and smear
some of the state’s top conservative republican legislators. Lawmakers such as, Representatives Phil Jensen,
Tony Randolph and Taffy Howard, with proven track records of defending the ideals outlined by those who elected them.
What's more, Schoenbeck has decided to use the left-leaning Elevate Rapid City scorecard as the basis for his assertions. Ironically,
using this scorecard is the equivalent to Congresswoman Liz Cheney telling Americans which conservative republicans to vote for, based upon
the democratic party's platform.
Congresswoman Liz Cheney, also happens to be someone who Schoenbeck admires for
her “courage, in a room of wimps,†which he tweeted on May 12, 2021.
McCarthy is an embarrassment for real Republicans. Thank you Liz Cheney for your courage, in a room of wimps
His assessment of Elevate Rapid City’s scorecard, as being a “fair scorecard … [that is]
only about making your lives and your family's lives better [with] no political
agenda,†is nothing but disingenuous. Elevate Rapid City actively opposed
legislation to stop forced sex changes on children (2020: HB 1057) , and they consistently
take taxpayer dollars for projects that could be easily funded by private enterprise
and a free market.
But it should come as no surprise coming from the self-proclaimed
“conservative,†Senator Lee Schoenbeck, who referred to Trump “as a con manâ€
in his tweet on Mar. 1, 2016, while chiding those that supported President Trump
as “fake conservatives infiltrating our party.â€
Schoenbeck accusing real conservatives of supporting big government is also
extremely hypocritical. He has voted to increase our state’s budget by $1.226 billion dollars since 2018 (2018: HB 1320, 2019: SB 191, 2020: HB 1294, 2021: SB 195 & 2022: HB 1340).
He actively fought against repealing the half-cent internet sales tax this year (2022: HB 1327), saying
it was like “throwing money away.†This is the same tax that he “broke kneecapsâ€
to impose, during the 2016 legislative session. He has also voted an exorbitant
number of times to increase other taxes and fees during his time in the legislature, which began in 2015.
Perhaps worse of all, Senator Schoenbeck voted to expand emergency powers
during the pandemic (2020: HB 1296), supported medical arrests (2021: SB 3) and supported
President Joe Biden’s Executive Orders without review (2021: HB 1194).
Without a doubt, Schoenbeck is the proverbial pot calling the kettle black.
Schoenbeck consistently receives low scores from conservative organizations. He has even received a lower score than some Democrats, like former Sen. Craig Kennedy from Yankton, who scored higher than Schoenbeck on the Family Heritage Action’s 2020 scorecard. Meanwhile, Schoenbeck has
received failing grades from the American Conservative Union Foundation (57% Lifetime Avg), The National Rifle Association (67% 2022 NRA-PVF), and even Americans for Prosperity (“F†2020 & 2019).
With a liberal record like this, Schoenbeck and his Senate puppets should stop
deceiving voters and just switch parties.
His support of big government aside, his recent outbursts against his colleagues is
par for the course for Schoenbeck, who’s known for unprofessional behavior
and demeaning rhetoric. In 2016, after referring to Republican Majority Leader
Brian Gosch as a “coward,†“pond scum†and a “chicken,†which resulted in him
being banished from the Republican caucus by the Majority Leader, Schoenbeck
threatened to resign from his legislative seat early.
When it comes to scorecards, SD Citizen’s for Liberty scorecard is one of the best
for showing how your legislators are voting in alliance with the Constitution and
the South Dakota Republican party platform. Because of their strong scores, we
would strongly encourage support for Representatives Jensen, Randolph and
Howard. They are a few of the best conservative legislators, as nationally
recognized by organizations like the American Conservative Union and other
national groups, who are still fighting for your individual liberty and freedom.
Senator-elect Tom Pischke
District 25
Representative Aaron Aylward
SD Freedom Caucus Chair
District 6
Help Support The Dakota Leader... DONATE TODAY!
--Senator Tom Pischke and Representative Aaron Aylward
We know what the decarbonized world of the 1800’s was like, so how about proving the new parachute, i.e., the replacement for crude oil, works before we jump out of the plane?
Clean Energy is only Clean ELECTRICITY.
Those clean renewables, like wind turbines and solar panels, can only generate ELECTRICITY,
and intermittent electricity at best from available breezes and sunshine. The indisputable science
is that renewables CANNOT manufacture any of the oil derivatives that are the basis of the
thousands of products that are the foundation of societies and economies around the world.
In fact, these renewables cannot exist without crude oil as all the parts of wind turbines and solar
panels are made with oil derivatives manufactured from crude oil.
Crude oil is useless unless it can be manufactured into something usable like the fuels for the
heavy-weight and long-range transportation infrastructures of ships and jets and the derivatives
that make the thousands of products that have made our lives more comfortable. But wind and
solar cannot manufacture anything for society. Before we jump out of an airplane without a
tested parachute, we need to be able to support the demands of all the infrastructures that exist
today that did not exist a few hundred years ago.
The Supreme Court just confirmed that the EPA cannot pick winners and losers to meet
the electricity and products demanded by society. Clean Energy is only Clean
ELECTRICITY.
Those clean renewables, like wind turbines and solar panels, can only generate ELECTRICITY,
and intermittent electricity at best from available breezes and sunshine. The indisputable science
is that renewables CANNOT manufacture any of the oil derivatives that are the basis of the
thousands of products that are the foundation of societies and economies around the world.
Without a backup plan to replace crude oil, ridding the world of crude oil will be depriving
citizens of the more than 6,000 products that were non-existent before 1900, made from the oil
derivatives manufactured from crude oil. Ridding the world of oil, without a replacement in mind
is immoral and evil, as extreme shortages will result in billions of fatalities from diseases,
malnutrition, and weather-related deaths.
The domino effects of tinkering with the supply chain of fossil fuels, is supply shortages and
soaring prices for not only electricity, but for the thousands of products that support the entire
medical industry, all branches of the military, airports, electronics, communications, merchant
ships, container ships, and cruise liners, as well as asphalt for roads, and fertilizers to help feed
the world.
Having confidence in humanity’s ability to adapt to climate changes, like they have done since
the beginning of time, in my heart of hearts I dream of the day when the public recognizes
climate change will not bring on an end of the world as we know it, or even a long-term net
decline for human civilization.
However, efforts to cease the use of crude oil could be the greatest threat to civilization’s eight
billion, and may result in billions, not millions, of fatalities from diseases, malnutrition, and
weather-related deaths trying to live without the fossil fuels that have been benefiting society.
Here is a reminder of what wind turbines and solar panels CANNOT manufacture, as these are
all manufactured from crude oil. These manufactured items from oil did not exist before 1900.
Most importantly, they are needed to support the growing demands of the world’s economy and
for the health and well-being of the world’s eight billion residents.
Fuels for the;
50,000 heavy-weight and long-range merchant ships that are moving products
throughout the world.
50,000 heavy-weight and long-range jets used by commercial airlines, private usage,
and the military.
The 290 million registered vehicles in the U.S. as of 2021, that were comprised of
about 56 percent trucks, 40 percent cars, and 4 percent motorcycles.
The cruise ships that now move twenty-five million passengers around the world.
The space program.
Oil derivatives to make thousands of products such as:
Tires for the billions of vehicles.
Asphalt for the millions of miles of roadways.
Medications and medical equipment.
Vaccines.
Communications systems, including cell phones, computers, iPhones, and iPads.
Water filtration systems.
Sanitation systems.
Fertilizers that come from natural gas to help feed billions.
Pesticides to control locusts and other pests.
Wind turbines and solar panels as they are all made with products from fossil fuels.
Life Without Oil is NOT AS SIMPLE AS YOU MAY THINKÂ as renewable energy is only
intermittent electricity from breezes and sunshine and NEITHER wind turbines, nor solar panels,
can manufacture direct energy for society. Climate change may impact humanity but being
mandated to live without the products manufactured from oil, will necessitate lifestyles being
mandated back to the horse and buggy days of the 1800’s and could be the greatest threat to the
planet's eight billion residents.
Everything that needs electricity, from lights, vehicles, iPhones, defibrillators, computers,
telecommunications, etc., are all made with the oil derivatives manufactured from crude oil.
There would be nothing to power in a world without fossil fuels!
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Banks and investment giants that are driving today’s Environmental, Social and Governance
(ESG) divesting in fossil fuels are all the rage on Wall Street to divest in all three fossil fuels of
coal, natural gas, and crude oil. It is appalling that both President Biden and the United Nations
support allowing the investment community to collude to reshape economies and our energy
infrastructure.
Before divesting in all three fossil fuels of coal, natural gas, and crude oil, where is the
replacement or clone for crude oil, to keep today’s societies and economies running in the
healthy and wealthy developed countries?
--By Ronald Stein Pulitzer Prize nominated author, and Policy advisor for The Heartland Institute on Energy
Immersive Art Exhibit Tells the Story of "The Rest of Us"
“It feels like the whole paradigm of the world has shifted, changed gear, got colder and less unified....we are further from solving any global issues as love is being diminished daily, nothing left to trust in when your fellow man treats you like a pariah....†–Mollixillom, Australia
“The effects could be seen everywhere in the street. Especially when it came to Venezuelan refugees in the streets of Colombia, you could tell the situation was now much worse for them.†–Po, Columbia
“I no longer think the majority of people are good. I don't want to have friends anymore. I don't trust people. I can't believe how easily people have been brainwashed. After the Traffic Light System came into effect, I started having suicidal thoughts. I didn't want to live in this world anymore.†–Martz, New Zealand
“I believe the effects, psychologically and physically in people, has not hit us full force yet but god help us when it does,†–Jacob, Northern Ireland, UK
Out of Lockstep has been collecting pandemic stories and photographs from all over the world since February 2022. These stories will be featured in an immersive art installation along with other artistic representations of the pandemic zeitgeist – how the media stoked fear, what people were told to think and not think, what the effects on individual people were, and how we can find unity, resilience, and healing together. The exhibit will feature a variety of media elements and engage multiple senses through sound design, lighting, visual art, and interactivity.
Submissions for Out of Lockstep are open to anyone in the world who wishes to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, regardless of their background or political positions. Ameris Poquette, the Creative Director of Out of Lockstep hopes that “this project helps to bridge the gap between pro-mask and anti-lockdown movements, but I would settle for increased visibility around this issue and prompting important conversations. I’m excited to start a conversation, but even more so, I’m excited to tell the stories of many who were ignored or censored during the pandemic and mandates.â€
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However, some have been reluctant to share their stories with Out of Lockstep because they feel that it would contribute to an anti-lockdown message. While the project was initially conceived as a response to lockdown policies, the goal is to share a wide range of stories from different viewpoints in the same place, allowing the viewer to make their own decision. “When Anna explained the concept behind Out of Lockstep, I knew it had to happen,†Poquette explains. “While the construction of the actual exhibit presents its challenges, the biggest challenge to this project is perception. We’ve been programmed by the media into a binary of thought, prompting many to call this an anti-vax or right-wing project. Many seem to have lost the independent thought necessary to appreciate and consider a project like this in the spirit in which it is presented.â€
Even among those who were against lockdowns and mandates, there is trepidation over losing friends, creating family conflicts, and attracting the attention of authorities. Several members of a Chinese subreddit who were invited to participate declined due to their concern that the CCP was trying to gather intelligence. While it may be easy to imagine this happening in China, the response from several members of an anti-lockdown Facebook group based in New York was eerily similar. Poquette described how her friend who is enrolled in art school in New York City expressed an interest in getting involved with creating pieces for Out of Lockstep, but decided against it due to fears of being kicked out of school for her participation. That same friend joked about how she “lost all her friends in the pandemic… but they are still alive!â€
With these concerns in mind, people working on and submitting stories to Out of Lockstep have been given the option to remain anonymous. This means that some portraits will be done in an abstract style that captures the essence of the story while also being unrecognizable. It also means that some artists are working under pseudonyms, such as one Australian musician who refused to reveal even his first name out of fear of his government. “To succeed in our mission of giving a voice to those who were silenced, we have to protect their safety,†said John Healy, the project’s executive producer.
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When asked about the divided political climate and how that could affect how Out of Lockstep will be received by the general public, Poquette answered, “It’s going to be a controversial piece. The point is to get people thinking, present them with facts, and allow them to come to their own conclusions. I believe this project will be appreciated by people on both the left and the right, so long as they are willing to consider the message.â€
“The timing is also crucial,†Healy added. “While the pandemic is a contentious topic for many people today, it will become less so over time as people continue to heal.â€
Out of Lockstep is inviting creative professionals to join the project and continues to collect stories from the public. The exhibition is expected to open in Sioux Falls in 2023.
“Their struggle, their pain, their deaths deserve to be acknowledged for what they are — the result of medical malfeasance, regulatory corruption and societal ‘mass formation’ insanity driven by media fearmongering and outright lies.†- Dr Joseph Mercola
“A common thread in these stories is the consistent dismissal by the medical community. Even in cases where the doctors do suspect a COVID jab injury, they still have no idea how the symptoms are caused or how to treat them, so they just send the victims home. Successful treatments appear to be extremely rare, which adds insult to injury,†stated Dr. Joseph Mercola.
The medical community is unifying and speaking out after alarming information has come to light. Many are now calling on lawmakers to pump the breaks on childhood covid shots, after disparities between clinical trial results, and documents submitted to the FDA, for the Emergency Use Authorization, show malfeasance. Approval for, never before used biologicals, was granted by the FDA to combat COVID-19. However, after FOIA requests were compelled by court order, it is now understood that both Pfizer and Moderna withheld vital information from their clinical studies, when presenting benefits vs risk to the FDA.[Full Report]
According to an analysis of the Pfizer documents, Robert W. Chandler, M.D., M.B.A shares, "but [the shot] did not all stay in the deltoid muscle. From the injection site in the deltoid muscle, mRNA/ Lipid Nanoparticles appeared in blood and plasma fifteen minutes after injection and persisted for the entire duration of the two-day study..."The major tissues that contained the drug concentration, aside from muscle at the injection site, were identified as being the liver, spleen, adrenal glands, and ovaries. The drug persisted in tissues throughout the duration of the study. The meaning and potential implications of the persistence in tissues was not addressed."
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Dr Noami Wolf, via Daily Clout has covered the release of the FDA FOIA documents, and revelations that have come from hidden clinical trial evidence. Of particular concern, was the revelation that the shots created for children, contained 100 micro grams of mRNA, twice the level considered to be toxic during clinical trails.
“We are seeing, right now, the highest death rates we have seen in the history of this business – not just at OneAmerica,†the company’s CEO Scott Davison said during an online news conference. “The data is consistent across every player in that business.â€
According to Dr. Lindsay Weaver, Indiana’s chief medical officer, "the number of hospitalizations in the state is now higher than before the COVID-19 vaccine was introduced a year ago, and in fact is higher than it’s been in the past five years," Dr. Weaver stated during a news conference with Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Parents, and even college students are now saying they will leave public schools, and universities, rather than face vaccine mandates. With various social factors effecting public school enrollment, some say this could end up being the last line in the sand for parents, and a major issue for public school funding going forward.
--Breeauna Sagdal- Editor and Health Policy Journalist for The Dakota Leader
Most adults grew up starting out in life working customer service jobs. That was the first thing
kids learned after mastering how to ride a two-wheel bike and tying their own shoes. Customer
service became the foundation for all their future careers, a financial starting point, and
important lessons of interactions with customers, co-workers, clients, employers, and the public.
Excellent customer service has always been the main driver of a business’ revenue. But what is
happening in Sioux Falls?
As one shops around town in Sioux Falls and interacts with businesses on the phone, it’s
become more and more noticeable that this valuable skill is nearly null and void, almost a lost
art. Yet, the lack of good customer service may not always be the employee’s fault - let’s face it-
unless employees are utilizing their own learned “common-sense†skills and “thinking outside
the boxâ€, the employer should still be providing customer service training to all new hires. Also,
they should be providing ongoing customer service workshops and opportunities to existing
employees so they can graduate to the next financial level. The employer’s #1 most important
and valuable lesson is to…
Invest in Your Employees with the Proper Tools and Training!
Because most employers are not investing in their employees with the proper tools of customer
service training. If they are expected to learn as they go, this sets them up for failure. Are they
learning any new habits, good customer service phone skills, coworker non-bullying tactics, how
to count back change, are they encouraged to cross train - so they become more valuable?
If you answered ‘No’ to any of the above or you honestly don’t know, then that’s where the
breakdown begins. The loss of customers and high employee turnover is on the business
owner/employer not the employee.
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Employers / Business Owners - Heed this Warning!
All employers and managers should inspect what they expect. Be alert and aware of ‘what’ your
employee says to your customer and ‘how’ they say it -either in person or on the phone. This
will determine your profits, return customers, new future customers, and help in avoiding the
high cost of rehiring/retraining staff all over again!
If You Are Still Not Clear, Then Ask Yourself These Questions…
Question: When was the last time Human Resources (HR), management, or corporate
checked the cost of the new hire on-boarding/orientation process to include drug testing?
Question: Is HR providing any mock customer service workshops or phone scripts?
Question: What can big corporations or small business do to fix their crumbling customer
service dilemma and retain valuable employees?
Question: Is your HR and the hiring manager(s) keeping their promise or are their hours cut
after on-boarding?
Question: What else are you doing to retain your employee -if raises are not an option?
Answer: Click on this link to Ask Mare! Write to me, I’m here with a few solutions that may help
save time/money.
1. Never pump when the fuel truck is refilling. As doing so, causes air to fill in the tank and will
result in less fuel per fill.
2. Never top off. That will cause added air in the tank.
3. Never gas up when the ground is HOT.
4. Keep the tank full, and gas up before your tank reaches the half-way point. I know that’s hard now, but payout will be less.
5. Use Premium when possible; this costs a bit more but you will get better gas mileage.
6. Keep tires inflated properly. This saves gas, and each tank will go farther due to the added efficiency.
7. Keep the trunk empty! Added weight lowers fuel efficiency.
8. Maintain the vehicle; change out air filters, use high grade oil, and keep wheels aligned.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
9. When traveling on the freeway; keep steady speed at 65 mph. Do not speed or continually
accelerate. Use the cruise control when safe to do so.
10. Plan out errands and routes to avoid backtracking and unnecessary driving.
11. Avoid excessive acceleration and abrupt stops. This creates wear-and-tear on the foot brake
and may cause you to be rear ended. To save on gas and brakes, try this…
When approaching an intersection - about 100 yards in advance – start early to slow the
vehicle by letting off the accelerator (gas pedal) let the car/truck slow on its own and upon
approach of the stop light, apply the foot break gently, and gradually come to a safe stop.
No need to race up to the light, or the car ahead of you in line, only to slam on the brakes.
12. Do not leave the car/truck on idle for long periods of time.
13. Use the air conditioner only when needed, this can help reduce fuel consumption by 5-20%.
Let me know how you’re doing, click HERE to Ask Mare.
Pierre, S.D. (Aug 1, 2022) – Governor Kristi Noem recently announced a $115.5 million state budget surplus, and today the South Dakota Freedom Caucus responded to that announcement in a public statement calling on Governor Noem to give the money back to the citizens.
“South Dakota has nearly a half a billion dollars in reserves,†said Freedom Caucus Representative Tina Mulally, who also serves on the House Appropriations Committee, “and this is not the time for the state to be hording money when people are struggling to fill up their gas tanks or buy groceries.â€
The $115.5 million surplus was transferred into the state budget reserves, which now totals $422.6 million dollars.
Governor Noem claimed in a recent press release that the large reserves are a positive sign of the state’s economic conditions and will help with the economic uncertainty caused by the 40-year highs in inflation, which she says is being caused “by the Biden Administration’s heavy spending.†Governor Noem said in another public statement that she intends for the state to “spend taxpayer money wisely and responsibly,†and has publicly cautioned against “a reduction in our state’s tax structure.â€
But the South Dakota Freedom Caucus sees the large reserves as a clear sign of over-taxation and reckless spending priorities by the Noem administration.
“The Governor and her legislative allies need to remember this isn’t our money,†said Freedom Caucus Chairman Representative Aaron Aylward, “it’s the people’s money that we’ve been entrusted for their benefit, not to hold on to or horde when people need it the most.â€
The South Dakota Freedom Caucus further pointed to expenditures totaling over $5 million under the Noem administration, which the Freedom Caucus publicly stated are “wasteful and unnecessary expenditures,†including the: Governor’s new private jet; Governor Mansion security wall & redecoration costs; a personal tv media studio; and a still undisclosed amount of taxpayer funds that were spent on political campaign related activities.
“Using public money for personal benefit, is not wisely spent taxpayer money,†said Mulally, “when the public never sees the benefit.â€
The South Dakota Freedom Caucus intends to make the issue a priority at the upcoming 2023 legislative session, which starts January 10, 2023.
Earlier this week, the State of South Dakota closed the financial books for fiscal year 2022 with a record-breaking $115.5 million surplus. This historic surplus was a combination of revenues unexpectedly being $72.3 million above what was adopted by the legislature this past session and the general fund budget for state government operations having expenses $43.2 million less than budgeted.
For starters, the growth in our revenues reaffirms the strength of our state’s economy. South Dakota’s personal income growth led the nation again in the first quarter of 2022, and we have been a leader in this metric since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. People continue to move to South Dakota as our net inbound migration was ranked second in the nation. South Dakota’s 2.3% unemployment rate is among the lowest in the nation and lower than before the pandemic. For their part, state agencies displayed tremendous fiscal responsibility throughout the year and, at my direction, brought state expenses in under the appropriated budget.
While this surplus may lead individuals to call for a reduction in our state’s tax structure, I offer a word of caution. Our state is in a great financial position thanks to our structurally balanced budget and strong reserves, but we must be prepared to weather any economic storm that may come our way. It will be difficult for our state to maintain the unprecedented growth as our citizens struggle with the highest inflation in 40 years.
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Over the past few years, the national economy has been artificially supported by the trillions of dollars that Congress provided to states, businesses, and individuals because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The result was a predictable one: historic inflation. Until President Biden reverses the policies that have caused inflation to skyrocket, the strain of inflation will continue to be an obstacle to South Dakota’s fantastic growth. There will come a time when our economy is no longer boosted by these stimulus dollars, and we must be prepared for the impact that will have on our state’s finances.
In addition to an unknown economic climate, there are key investments our state needs to continue to make in education, healthcare, public safety, and our state workforce. As many of your wallets have felt the impact of inflation, our state’s budget will also feel this increase.
As always, we will turn these challenges into opportunities for South Dakota to continue to thrive. We will spend taxpayer dollars wisely and responsibly and save where we can. South Dakota is financially stronger than ever. I am committed to ensuring our state continues to invest in our people, workforce, and infrastructure while continuing to have as low of a tax burden as possible.
Do State Legislature’s have the Sole Authority to Create Rules Considering Federal and State Elections?
The U.S Supreme Court will soon hear North Carolina Supreme Court v the North Carolina General Assembly, case related to Article 2, Section 2-5 of the constitution. The question before the high court is a constitutional matter, related to the State of North Carolina. The general assembly has alleged that the State Court superseded its authority by nullifying the legislature's decision on redistricting based upon future, federal and state districts, per the 2020 Federal Census.
The U.S Constitution specifically gives full authority to the numerous State Legislatures, the very bodies to whom directly represent American Citizens of the several State Republics. The only delegated power given to Congress, is to ensure the proper process is being followed within all Fifty (50) States. Each state has the sovereign right to adopt their own election laws, rules, and procedures regarding time, place, and manner.
The argument being stated in Supreme Court Case #21-1271 is a pending controversy between the North Carolina Supreme Court and the North Carolina General Assembly. The court overruled, or "nullified" the legislature's facts, findings, and decision on how to align the state, by means of redistricting. The North Carolina General Assembly states that it waited for more than twelve months in obtaining the 2020 U.S Census. Then per the state constitution, held public hearings, allowing all citizens of the state to participate in redrawing their district boundaries, while debating various proposals from the redistricting committee.
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Article 2, Section 1 lays out the entire process of how federal elections for the President and Vice President shall be constructed, while emphasizing the fact the State Legislature's have the sole, direct, authority in adopting laws, rules, and procedures for how to govern that process. This includes aligning the state in federal districts, and establishing rules and procedures for how to elect the presidential electors. It's also important to note that this section outlines rules regarding time, place, and manner of voting, to ensure that only 'born citizens' of the state, who are properly vetted, domiciled, and registered, can vote in the federal election.
By bringing this matter to the U.S Supreme Court, the North Carolina General Assembly asserts the following,
"TO THE HONORABLE JOHN G. ROBERTS, JR., CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES AND CIRCUIT JUSTICE FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT: The federal constitution expressly provides that the manner of federal elections shall “be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof.†U.S. CONST. art. I, § 4. Yet barring this Court’s immediate intervention, elections during the 2022 election cycle for the U.S. House of Representatives in North Carolina will be conducted in a manner prescribed not by the State’s General Assembly but rather by its courts. “The Constitution provides that state legislaturesâ€â€”not “state judgesâ€â€” “bear primary responsibility for setting election rules,†Democratic Nat’l Comm. v. Wisconsin State Legislature, 141 S. Ct. 28, 29 (2020) (Gorsuch, J., concurring in denial of application to vacate stay), and this Court should intervene to protect the Constitution’s allocation of power over this matter of fundamental importance to our democratic system of government."
Per the landmark Supreme Court case cited, Democratic Nat'l Committee v Wisconsin State Legislature
"Elections must end sometime, a single deadline supplies clear notice, and requiring ballots be in by election day puts all voters on the same footing. 'Common sense, as well as constitutional law, compels the conclusion that the government must play an active role in structuring elections,' and States have always required voters 'to act in a timely fashion if they wish to express their views in the voting booth.'"
In Democratic Nat'l Committee v Wisconsin State Legislature, the Supreme Court upheld that the State's Legislature has the sole authority to adopt election laws, rules, and procedures, and to officially establish a firm 'date' of which the presidential election is to be held on, and ballots collected by. The court further asserts that this authority shall not be delegated to the courts, without express permission or request from the legislature.
The North Carolina General Assembly, by this request to the U.S Supreme Court, asked for and was granted preliminary relief, ahead of the 2022 Elections. This preliminary relief may now give the state enough time to adopt rules and procedures for the looming elections, and resolve potential controversies ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election. However, there are still arguments to be heard that could shape the future of the country via precedent.
Pending Arguments to be Heard:
Does the North Carolina Court have authority to strike down, change, or deny the State Legislature of adopting newly aligned voting districts?
Did the North Carolina Court have the right to rule in favor of a private political group, honoring their request to strike down a law adopted by the legislature?
Does a state court have the authority to compel the state legislature to report remedies or data used to determine the process of re-districting?
Is it constitutional for a state court to further delegate authority, as the North Carolina Court has done, when appointing political scientists to determine proper procedure of district alignment?
At stake, pending this Supreme Court Case, is the matter of who has the "authority" to govern, manage, and set the laws regarding Federal and State Elections.
There is no doubt that Supreme Court Case #21-1271, will play a huge role in determining how future Federal and State Elections will proceed going forward. This single case has the potential to reshape the future of the country. Stakes are currently so high, that Democrats have unveiled a plan to stack the Supreme Court with four new Supreme Court Justices, in an effort to overrule the current majority.
Our democracy is under assault, and the Supreme Court has dealt the sharpest blows.
With allegations of fraud and abuse during past elections, many believe it is now more important than ever, to reassure the American public that the election process can be trusted. Election security is vital to prevent violent uprisings like January 6th, and also reaffirm trust in our democratic republic.
As Senator Amy Klobuchar reminded, in the aftermath of violent events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, we have “a republic,†but only “if we can keep it.â€
With the Mayor Giving his Recommended City Budget to the City Council on July 21, Should the City Council Also Provide One?
July 21, 2021 - it is that time of year again, where we as a community sit down at the drawing table to discuss the state of the City of Sioux Falls, and its Finances.
Each year, between August 1st and September 30th, the Mayor and City Council spend countless hours discussing how much tax revenue will be collected by the City over the incoming months, while they begin the process of making plans of how to spend that future revenue being collected. But while the Mayor provides to the people and their representatives his or her "recommended plan", the City Council fails to provide to the mayor their own "recommended plan". Leading to some in the community to question whose budget is it. Is it the mayor's plan, or is it the people's plan?
While the City of Sioux Falls Charter as per Section 5.02 stipulate the Mayor's Office must provide to the City Council a Financial Plan (a budget) by August 1st of each year, and this typically takes place between July 20 and July 31st of each year, the charter has been silent on the fact the City Council must present its own budget in return. This leads to some confusion. The city council itself has to accept the mayors plan with no clear power to set a financial plan of its own in place. The charter simply says:
The mayor's message shall explain the budget both in fiscal terms and in terms of the work programs. It shall outline the proposed financial policies of the city for the ensuing fiscal year, describe the important features of the budget, indicate any major changes from the current year in financial policies, expenditures, and revenues together with the reasons for such changes, summarize the city's debt position and include such other material as the mayor deems desirable. - Section 5.03
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Therefore, between August 1st and September 30th - the Mayor's Administration, the Finance Department, and all of the City Departments bring forth the City Council's reports of plans as supported by the City of Sioux Falls itself, based on the long-term vision of the current mayor at that point in time. While the City Council may offer suggestions, may at times make slight changes, or add things to the budget, the City charter makes it well known that the mayor's recommended budget is the predominant financial plan of city government.
South Dakota Codified Law simply says by it's first public meeting to be held September of each year, the Municipality must present to the public a list of projected revenues and expenses to be paid over the course of the next fiscal year, while it does not create a deadline other than a proposed list of taxes and expenses be adopted by ordinance, it does present a legal date to be December 31st of each year:
The governing body of each municipality shall, no later than its first regular meeting in September of each year or within ten days thereafter, introduce the annual appropriation ordinance for the ensuing fiscal year, in which it shall appropriate the sums of money necessary to meet all lawful expenses and liabilities of the municipality. The ordinance shall specify the function and subfunction as prescribed by the Department of Legislative Audit for which the appropriations are made and the amount appropriated for each function and subfunction, which amount shall be appropriated from the proper fund. It is not necessary to appropriate revenue to be expended from an enterprise or trust and agency fund if the fund is not supported or subsidized by revenue derived from the annual appropriated tax levy. However, an annual budget for these funds shall be developed and published no later than December thirty-first of each year.
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The City Charter, by means of Section 5.05 (c), goes beyond the Statutory requirement by demanding that the Mayor and City Council adopt a Fiscal Budget by September 30th of the current year so the residents of the municipality may review such a budget and raise questions.
As an advocate for better government, I recommended a proposal to the City's Charter Revision Committee in 2021 to revise, amend, and change Section 5.05 to allow the City Council to have more power over taxes, fees, the expenses each year by allowing it to establish its own recommended budget. I proposed that while the Mayor provides to the council his recommended plan by August 1st, the City Council should also provide to the people directly it's own recommended budget as well, and during the month of August, the two sides should then discuss both proposals, thus allowing the people to decide which one should be the preferred choice, let alone, making compromises between the two recommendations, by no later than September 10th, which provides necessary time for the Mayor and City Council to make changes leading up to September 30th, of each year.
Under my proposal, there would be a clear separation of power between the Mayor's Office and the City Council, while keeping in mind that the city council receives updated financial updates each month or even daily, and it has its own Internal Finance Auditor, Fiscal Committee, and means to review and track financial data. The City publishes its financial report as early as March of each year.
I would like to see Section 5 of the City Charter revised to read as such, giving the City Council more power over the budgetary process:
Charter, Section 5.05 - Section 5.05 City Council Action on Budget (changes in bold, underline)
(c) Adoption. The city council shall adopt the annual appropriation ordinance for appropriated funds for the ensuing fiscal year on or before the 30th day of September of the fiscal year currently ending. The annual appropriation ordinance shall make appropriations by fund and department or organizational unit. It is not necessary to appropriate funds to be expended from a proprietary or trust fund if the fund is not supported or subsidized by revenue derived from the annual appropriated tax levy. However, an annual budget for these funds shall be adopted by resolution on or before the 30th day 10th day of September of the fiscal year currently ending and published at the same time as publication of the annual appropriation ordinance. If the city council fails to adopt the budget by this date, the budget proposed by the mayor shall go into effect.
Within ten (10) days, the city council shall return to the Mayor a detailed list of ten items that should be added or removed from the proposed budget, and the Mayor shall submit to the city council a list of ten items that should be added or removed from the proposed budget. Ten days after that deadline, the Mayor plus two City Council Members shall call forth a Special Council Meeting to discuss the changes to be made to the budget in order to pass the annual appropriation budget. If the two sides cannot agree to an appropriation budget by joint resolution, the last agreed prior budget shall remain in full effect for next twelve months.
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⦠IF the two sides cannot agree to a budget, then no new budget should be adopted.
⦠IF there is no new budget, then the budget last voted on shall remain in effect and the city shall restrict itself to spending tax dollars based on a previously adopted budget.
By making this small change, you are allowing the Mayor to propose his recommended budget between July 20th and August 1st, while at the same time allowing the City Council to present to the public its own recommended proposed budget. During the month of August, they may discuss both proposals, hash out any differences and make changes to either one. By September 10th, they must agree to one or the other, or over the next twenty days, by joint resolution, adopt an agreeable budget that is acceptable to both the mayor and the city council.
If neither side should agree, then the PEOPLE have power as residents of the city to hold the city government to the last adopted budget from a previous year. They can enforce their right to ensure that city government cannot simply run over the people's wishes beyond their voluntary consent.
All Residents of the City of Sioux Falls may upon request from the City Finance Department copies of the last updated Annual Financial Report. This provides to the residents all revenue sources, past expenses of the city, statements of all accounts, funds, and programs of the city. It provides key data, statistics, and more, which becomes a useful financial tool of residents in establishing a plan to be adopted over the next twelve months. Three times each month the city council holds key informational meetings to discuss projected revenues, projects, and other data that warrant public discussion over the course of the next year.
As we, as the residents of the City of Sioux Falls, begin budget talks to determine how to spend our public taxes and revenues for the period between January 1st of 2022, to the end of December 31 of the year 2022, lets begin to enforce the public's right to to be part of the process, as well as pay attention to each and every detail that the residents may or may not want, as participants in the commercial activity of the city each year.
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Balancing your Checkbook is an important concept in our daily lives, and that concept does not simply stop at your front door. It involves all of us as residents who are required to pay taxes to the city itself.
Be part of the governing process, help make the City of Sioux Falls a much better place to live, and be part of the "budgetary process" each month. Help to shape the City long into the future by building better roads, infrastructure, citywide programs and services, and better means for the residents to go about their daily lives within the city itself.
Beginning on July 21st with the Mayor's Budget Address, you will have the ability to participate in public discussion to establish the next year's city budget, as well as the Five Year Capital Plan, which establishes a plan for building new roads, fixing existing roads, and repairing and building infrastructure, new bike trails, bridges, a new electric grid, and our water and sewer system. Be part of the solution, not the problem.
"To implement a budget is to apply one's ideas about life and spending to the real world."
― Zachariah Renfro
Current Governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem, may have used the issue of abortion to challenge her November opponent. Representative Jamie Smith (D- Sioux Falls), who is running against Noem this November, recently held a press conference ahead of a July 24, 2022 scheduled special session, to share legislative concepts from the Democratic party. Although Noem cancelled the special session on Friday, July 15, it is believed that her administration was made aware of her opponent's intentions for the following Monday. Now insiders are speculating that Noem is playing politics with life, by placing the matter of a special session, firmly in the hands of the Democratic party.
During the press conference, Smith described Democratic party policy proposals as, “common-sense solutions†with “bi-partisan support.â€
It's now rumored, within political circles, that Noem has cancelled the special session in order to challenge Smith's ability to unify both sides of the aisle.
If Democrats and Republicans unite behind Smith, and wish to hold a special session, the legislature can call a special session any time between now and November 1, 2022. Smith would also need to unify bicameral leadership support, gaining two-thirds vote in the House and Senate. If successful of convincing his peers to call a special session, Smith could prove impressive leadership skills to voters.
The State Constitution under Article 3, Section 31 - allows for the South Dakota Legislature, giving to it, the authority to call forth a special session anytime it so chooses to discuss matters public interest.
"Convening of special sessions upon petition. In addition to the provisions of Article IV, § 3, the Legislature may be convened in special session by the presiding officers of both houses upon the written request of two-thirds of the members of each house. The petition of request shall state the purposes of the session, and only business encompassed by those purposes may be transacted."
“We are also willing and able to work with our Republican colleagues to find common ground on these issues,†said Smith, as he released the legislative concepts House Democrats planned to submit during the special session. Further adding, “Among them, tax cuts for foster families and child care providers, funding for maternal health care, and proposed exceptions for rape and incest in South Dakota’s new trigger law.â€
These statements run contrary to Noem's public policies to preserve, and protect the life of the unborn. Smith's vision for South Dakota also runs contrary to fiscally conservative principles of keeping taxes low, an issue that some say is at least honest.
"You might completely disagree with Jamie, but at least you know exactly where he stands, and exactly what you're going to get," an insider disclosed to The Dakota Leader.
The Democrat Party of South Dakota has now boldly placed itself out front and center, disclosing full intentions to take on the fights for legal Abortion, Medicaid Expansion, and Social Services as their leading issues.
Representative Linda Duba, a rising star within the South Dakota Democrat Party, stated
“This is not a political issue, this is a people issue. It doesn’t matter where you sit on both sides of the aisle, this is a major concern that we’ve had, one of our, our bodily autonomy rights taken away and we have no exceptions, other than the health of the mother and that is not very clearly defined.â€
However, with Kristi Noem's strong position of maintaining women's rights in the work place, to protecting females in the bathroom and in sports, this fight for women's rights will ultimately boil down to ideological lines this November. For now, it remains to be seen if Smith has the political clout to unify both parties and both chambers of the legislature, needed to govern this state. --Mike Zitterich
The wealthy countries that have chosen to go “green†have the highest cost of gasoline and electricity.
The political class's obsession within wealthy countries to lower emissions by subsidizing
expensive and utterly unreliable breezes and sunshine to generate electricity, and divesting in
fossil fuels, have already put the cost of electrical power and fuel out of the reach of the poorest
in the developed first world countries.
The healthy and wealthy countries of the United States of America, Germany, the UK, and
Australia representing 6 percent of the world’s population (505 million vs 7.8 billion) could
literally shut down, and cease to exist, and the opposite of what you have been told and believe
will take place. Emissions will be exploding from those poorer developing countries.
Simply put, in these healthy and wealthy countries, every person, animal, or anything that causes
emissions to harmfully rise could vanish off the face of the earth; or even die off, and global
emissions will still explode in the coming years and decades ahead over the population and
economic growth of China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam, and Africa.
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Richer countries now have higher gasoline prices, while poorer countries and countries that
produce and export oil have lower cost for fuels. A review of global petroleum gasoline prices per gallon in U.S. dollars shows the international intelligence and trends of gasoline prices of
the wealthy countries that have opted to go “green†at any cost, compared with poorer countries
and countries that produce and export oil.
While gasoline nationwide is at or near all-time highs, California gasoline prices tend to be more
than a dollar higher than the USA national average due to excessive State taxes and costly
environmental compliance programs, which are dumped onto the posted pricing at the pumps.
When we look outside the few wealthy countries, we see that at least 80 percent of humanity,
or more than six billion in this world are living on less than $10 a day, and billions living
with little to no access to electricity, politicians are pursuing the most expensive ways to
generate intermittent electricity. Energy poverty is among the most crippling but least talked-
about crises of the 21 st century. We should not take energy for granted. Expensive electricity and
fuels are being borne by those that can least afford living in “energy poverty.â€
Before Biden became President, for the first time since Harry Truman was president 70 years ago, we had more crude oil exports than imports. Through the fracking boom in the years before Biden, the U.S. attained crude oil independence status meaning we were no longer held hostage to unstable Petro-powers and the vagaries of foreign energy supplies. Under President Trump, America had an aggressive pro-domestic energy policy, which allowed America to become not only energy independent, which politicians have talked about for decades, but energy dominant.
Rather than expand oil exploration in America to restore America’s oil independence, President Biden is focused on ridding America of fossil fuels, and is off to visit OPEC nations seeking more oil exports to America. The USA was an oil exporter before Biden took office, but under Biden’s direction, this wealthy country now IMPORTS crude oil from unfriendly foreign countries to meet the demands of the American economy.
California, a state that was virtually independent of imported crude oil from foreign countries in
1995, today is the only state in contiguous America that imports oil, now at more than 60 percent
of the needs of the fifth largest economy in the world. At today’s price of crude oil well above
$100 per barrel the imported crude oil costs California more than $150 million dollars a day, yes,
every day, being paid to oil-rich foreign countries, depriving Californians of jobs and business
opportunities, and drivers to pay premium prices for fuel.
Biden appears to be self-motivated to clone the direction that California has taken over the last
few decades. Rather than significantly increase oil production in America, Biden is following
California Governor Newsom’s efforts toward further reductions of in-state oil production and
placing greater than the current more than 60 percent dependency on oil rich foreign sources, that
also have significantly less environmental control than California. Newsom promotes more costs
for Californians and more generated emissions for the world.
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The poorer countries that cannot subsidize themselves out of a paper bag, and the countries that
produce and export oil, have lower costs for gasoline and may also be less incentivized to seek
EV’s for their cost-effective transportation needs.
Shockingly, just to reduce emissions to supposedly stop climate change, President Biden
is following the lead of Germany, UK, Australia, and California that now have among the
highest costs for electricity and gasoline along inflation being borne by all.
--By Ronald Stein Pulitzer Prize nominated author, and Policy advisor for The Heartland Institute on Energy
Before Biden became President, for the first time since Harry Truman was president 70 years ago, we had more crude oil exports than imports. Through the fracking boom in the years before Biden, the U.S. attained crude oil independence status meaning we were no longer held hostage to unstable Petro-powers and the vagaries of foreign energy supplies. Under President Trump, America had an aggressive pro-domestic energy policy, which allowed America to become not only energy independent, which politicians have talked about for decades, but energy dominant.
