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Defend Voters, Support Education, Fight Corruption: Heidelberger Declares for District 3 Senate

In other news…

Cory Heidelberger—Democrat for State Senate, District 3

I’m running for the District 3 State Senate seat. From my campaign Issues page…

I’m running for South Dakota Senate because I love South Dakota, and I see our Legislature failing to do right by South Dakota. Here are the three biggest issues motivating me to go to Pierre and make a difference for you and for all of South Dakota:

Defending Voters: The Legislature needs to respect us voters. When we pass a ballot measure like the minimum wage increase and “any willing provider” health insurance law of 2014, we should be able to count on legislators not to tinker with or undo what we’ve done. The Legislature should make it easier for all South Dakotans to vote, to refer and initiate laws, and circulate petitions and run for office. Instead, our current Legislature has acted as if it fears and loathes real citizen democracy. I want all of us South Dakotans to vote and to have lots of good choices when we vote. When you send me to Pierre, I’ll fight to protect the initiative and referendum, the petition process, and every South Dakotan’s right to vote.

Supporting Education: Our public schools are the foundation of everything good that happens in South Dakota. If we don’t have good public schools, we don’t have economic development, vibrant cultural life, or healthy democracy. Yet for thirty years, our Legislature has let our teacher pay languish at last in the nation. Our Legislature’s long neglect of K-12 education has led to a critical teacher shortage that threatens the quality and survival of our public schools. When you send me to Pierre, I will fight every Session to make sure we pay teachers what they are worth—and what our kids and our future are worth.

Fighting Corruption: GEAR UP and Mid-Central. EB-5 and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Secretary Gant, lost iPads, and the stolen state flag. Those scandals broke out because serious oversight and accountability have disappeared during two generations of one-party rule in Pierre. Our Legislature could drop the hammer on corruption by asking tough questions and demanding answers. Instead, our current Legislature too often distracts us with frivolous culture-war bills while corrupt cronies pick our pockets. When you send me to Pierre, I’ll work as hard as I have in my blogging to expose corruption, hold government crooks accountable, and make sure we get the most bang for our tax bucks.

You can find many of my policy positions and proposals on my blog Dakota Free Press. If you’d like to know what I think about a specific issue, check the blog or just give me a shout, and I’ll be happy to compare notes and talk about what we need to do for the good of all South Dakotans.

133 Comments

  1. larry kurtz 2016-02-08 14:22

    it’s about effing time.

  2. Joe 2016-02-08 14:24

    Congrats….

    Do you know how many people have taken out a petition in District 3? The District was lost by the democrat by approx 6%…. What are you going to do (campaign more, attack, etc.) to make up that 6%……

    Good luck

  3. Jason Sebern 2016-02-08 14:25

    Heck Yes!!!!

  4. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-08 14:34

    Joe, the first step to making up that 6% is knocking on every door I can. The second step is to get out the message: I offer a platform of fighting for issues that matter, issues that make a practical difference in every South Dakotan’s life. The third step is go knock on more doors!

  5. Jenny 2016-02-08 14:36

    Congrats, Cory. Come on Brown County Dems, get out and support Cory for Senate!

  6. Jenny 2016-02-08 14:40

    6% is nothing, Joe. Brown county has always been historically Democrat. Those dems will come back when they hear Cory’s message. Plenty of South Dakotans are sick of all the corruption going in Pierre.

  7. leslie 2016-02-08 14:41

    ffo!

  8. Jim in DC 2016-02-08 14:46

    Seriously-)

    Most of the people of South Dakota deseve better and those that don’t need to get out of the way. Congratulations, Cory and good work. Can’t wait to stream your debates.

  9. Rorschach 2016-02-08 14:47

    Yes! Don’t forget that Aberdeen area is ground zero for other corruption besides EB-5. There’s the Schwab/Taliaferro prosecution debacle. There is the debacle with Rep. Kaiser’s wife getting fired after being harassed. Going back a bit further there’s the Anderson Seed debacle where farmers got fleeced. Aberdeen deserves better than what it has. The GOP party will come after you hard.

  10. Lynn 2016-02-08 14:48

    Who are you running against up there in Dist 3?

  11. larry kurtz 2016-02-08 14:59

    Cannabis!

  12. leslie 2016-02-08 15:01

    larry: excellent denr stats on yer blog. thought provoking.

    agree rohr-repubs will come after our man hard. we shall overcome.

    lynn u are an extremely deceitful person.

  13. leslie 2016-02-08 15:07

    great ballot page cory!!

  14. Kim Conlin 2016-02-08 15:14

    Proud of you for stepping up!! You would have my vote if I lived in your district. Tired of the “culture-war” garbage that keeps cropping up every session because it is a waste of time and resources. How on earth do these clowns that sponsor these bills (suspect they are ALEC members and just regurgitate that garbage)get elected?

  15. Mark Winegar 2016-02-08 15:58

    Congratulations Corey! It will be an honor to serve with you.

  16. owen reitzel 2016-02-08 15:58

    Congratulations Cory. My dad would be very proud of you.
    Now give them hell!

  17. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-08 16:09

    Kim, the Dems in your district will need all the love you can give them. But I do take donations from outside the district. :-)

    I’ve even set up an ActBlue page to make it easy for all of my supporters here and abroad to contribute online almost instantly: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/coryforsd

  18. Roger Cornelius 2016-02-08 16:21

    Cory,
    You just gave Pat Powers a coronary.

    Will be glad to contribute.

  19. Dana P 2016-02-08 16:21

    This news made my day. Way to go, Cory. Wish I could vote for you!

  20. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-08 16:24

    Thank you all, friends, for congrats on the launch. Now for some real work—collecting 39+ signatures (not a problem), recruiting two neighbors to join me on the ballot to run for District 3 House (a little tougher), knocking on every door I can reach in District 3 (extra shoes ready to go), beating back the influx of money and negative attacks from Rushmore PAC and Prairie Country PAC (tough!), and winning (can do). I won’t do it alone—I’m going to need your help!

  21. mike from iowa 2016-02-08 16:25

    Congrats,Master. Timing is a bit sooner than I figured,but go kick some wingnut butts(and don’t ever stop).

  22. moses 2016-02-08 16:44

    moses will send you a check

  23. moses 2016-02-08 16:45

    moses will send you a check.I will give you a thousand if you run against Photo OP, IN THE U.S.SENATE RACE.

  24. Mark N 2016-02-08 17:05

    Congrats, Cory.

  25. Bob Newland 2016-02-08 17:35

    Legislators get paid less than teachers. Did you know that?

  26. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-08 17:37

    Bob, I’ve always been a sucker for low-paying, high-stress jobs. My experience is perfect for this job! :-D

  27. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-08 17:38

    Moses, a thousand to run against Thune? I appreciate the encouragement, but Pierre is where it’s at for me right now. Save that thousand for Thune’s challenger!

  28. jerry 2016-02-08 17:48

    Good for you and good for the state when you win this thing!

  29. Lynn 2016-02-08 17:51

    Should be fun! I’ll be donating and doing what I can to support the others up there. :)

  30. mikeyc, that's me! 2016-02-08 17:54

    Way to go Cory!
    Sending a check.

  31. Ed 2016-02-08 18:16

    I wish that I could vote for you. Good luck. Could you maybe add an Anti-FHA plan if you get elected?

  32. grudznick 2016-02-08 18:17

    Novstrups Beware

  33. Lynn 2016-02-08 18:24

    I’ll drop off some checks for the Novstrups in Pierre tomorrow on my way out to Rapid and send Mr. Kaiser one in the mail. 2016 will be shaping up to be an exciting election year for everyone!

  34. grudznick 2016-02-08 18:25

    Mr. Kaiser won’t be running against Mr. H, but I think a 3-way with Mr. H, Novstrup the younger, and PuppyMonkeyBaby would be a great race there in Aberdeen.

  35. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-08 18:29

    Lynn, you are undermining your own interests. But hey, it’s a free country. See you at the polls!

    A three-way, Grudz? Do you anticipate an Independent or Libertarian running up here?

  36. Lynn 2016-02-08 18:37

    Cory,

    I am protecting my interests. Yes it is a free country! This will be fun to volunteer for.

  37. larry kurtz 2016-02-08 18:39

    lol.

  38. grudznick 2016-02-08 18:41

    I hear the Libertarians are making a big push to have a comeback. They may be running as independents if their party doesn’t have the paperwork in order.

  39. Rorschach 2016-02-08 18:42

    PuppyMonkeyBaby would run under the GOP party banner, grudz, it it were old enough and a SD resident. If I were Gene Simmons I would be concerned about taking a paternity test on that one. Lynn is obviously the mother.

  40. Wayne 2016-02-08 18:44

    Late to the party here. Congrats on taking the plunge, hoping the best for you, and I will be helping you with a bit on Ka-Ching…by the way, who is this Lynn person?

  41. Ben Cerwinske 2016-02-08 18:44

    Go get em’ Cory

  42. grudznick 2016-02-08 18:48

    If PuppyMonkeyBaby, Mr. H, and Novstrup the younger all ran in the same race the public would be very, very confused.

  43. grudznick 2016-02-08 18:49

    If Mr. H wins a trip to the legislatures, we can only hope Mr. Sibby joins him in the same side of the senate. Seatmates.

  44. Rorschach 2016-02-08 18:51

    PuppyMonkeyBaby would beat Novstrup Jr. in the GOP party primary grudz. Who doesn’t like puppies? or monkeys? or babies? Novstrup Jr. stands no chance. Then Cory would disqualify PuppyMonkeyBaby for any number of reasons and win unopposed.

  45. Lynn 2016-02-08 18:54

    SDDP is desperate for candidates. Porter could move back and run against Schoenbeck, Larry moves back to Lead or where ever West River and runs. Sibby from Mitchell. Tara? It could be a campaign of mixed nuts ready to take on Pierre.

  46. Rorschach 2016-02-08 18:55

    Mixed nuts. That’s what the GOP party gives us already.

  47. larry kurtz 2016-02-08 18:58

    Until South Dakota is safe for Democrats again my visits will be legal, safe and rare.

  48. Lynn 2016-02-08 18:58

    Chocolate covered? Vanilla?

  49. Roger Cornelius 2016-02-08 18:58

    Tara from Mitchell, now I know who Lynn reminds me of. She was like Lynn, consistently distracting and forever irrelevant.

  50. owen reitzel 2016-02-08 18:58

    There is a lot of good Democrats who’d like to run but can’t because their employers won’t let them.

  51. grudznick 2016-02-08 19:00

    It would be really swell if Mr. kurtz moved back to live here for quality of life but he is always having to duck the long arm, if you know what I mean. He can only watch from New Mexico.

  52. Lynn 2016-02-08 19:06

    Grudz he always has to be on the lookout for those unmarked cars and HP & Police cruisers, aircraft and now drones and satellite surveillance but it would be nice for him to come back.

  53. larry kurtz 2016-02-08 19:12

    I’m in shorts and spent the afternoon on the portal in the sun while South Duck gets blasted again by the blizzards you miserable bastards deserve.

  54. Don Coyote 2016-02-08 19:19

    @cah: “When we pass a ballot measure like the minimum wage increase and “any willing provider” health insurance law of 2014, we should be able to count on legislators not to tinker with or undo what we’ve done.”

    There is nothing in the SD Constitution that states that a vote by initiative or referendum is sacrosanct. To do so would bind a future Legislature in perpetuity to possibly bad legislation. In fact a faithful reading of the SD Constitution implies the opposite by stating explicitly that it is the Legislature’s prerogative to do that very thing.

    Article 3, Section 1 on Initiative and Referendum: “This section shall not be construed so as to deprive the Legislature or any member thereof of the right to propose any measure.”

    Jeebus, not even elected to the Legislature and already unable to uphold the Constitution.

  55. grudznick 2016-02-08 19:37

    I have that vision of you with your sinewed, leathery legs crossed, khaki shorts, leather Jesus sandals sported. Multi-colored nylon strapped lawn chair. Hat shading your bloodshot eyes. Foul smokers breath all sexy as hell, Lar.

  56. Madman 2016-02-08 19:52

    Wow the mudslinging has already begun. I see someone here has a passion for talking about pot in every post. Makes me wonder…..

  57. BOHICA 2016-02-08 19:56

    Congratulations ! As a former ‘dark sider’ do what they do…Vote early … Vote often.

  58. larry kurtz 2016-02-08 19:59

    Dragons are truly too seldom, for sure. Bob Ewing has proven to be a dork. That’s a vulnerable seat for a smart Democrat like Reed Richards.

  59. grudznick 2016-02-08 20:03

    Draft Sibby Now!

  60. Chris McClure 2016-02-08 20:17

    Good Luck buddy!

  61. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-08 22:30

    Don Coyote, once again, you dodge principle by appealing to existing text. The fact that the Constitution says the Legislature may do a thing does not mean that the Legislature should do a thing. Tell me why legislators should ignore and abrogate the will of the people expressed by initiative.

    And as we see from the five amendments on this year’s ballot, the state Constitution is far from fixed.

  62. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-08 22:33

    Sibby? Heck no—I want Stace Nelson across the aisle from me.

  63. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-08 22:37

    Ed, anti-FHA? I like the Federal Housing Administration. I miss the good old Future Homemakers of America. I won’t even ban the Family Heritage Alliance; I’ll just try to get them to stop distracting the Legislature from practical problem solving.

  64. Ed 2016-02-08 23:42

    Federal housing is ok. Homemakers would be fine too.
    Stop distracting is a start.

  65. Daniel Buresh 2016-02-09 00:02

    Homemakers? Whoever heard of such a thing besides our parents, the most entitled generation to date. They stood for a minimum wage that could support a family, purchase a home, allow a parent to stay home to raise their kids, and experience everything we think of it when it comes to describing the American dream. I guess living during the most economically prosperous time known to man-kind only ended with the perpetuation of class welfare, greed, sexism, racism, bigotry, and homophobia. What do they have to show for it?….depleted resources, destroyed environment, limited economic opportunity, insurmountable debt to a foreign nation, civil unrest in just about every war torn nation we have decided to “help”, class warfare, and slaves to financial creditors. Ask me again why we should thank them for everything they have done for us. I haven’t found a thing we should thank them for. They stood on the shoulders of giants and did just about everything possible to destroy that dream for all of us. And we are the entitlement generation? F-ing hypocrites.

  66. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-09 06:27

    Daniel—you seem a bit frustrated with the Baby Boom generation. Tell us more.

    There’s a kernel of policy truth in Daniel’s second sentence that I’d love to hear the Family Heritage Alliance talk more about. A decent minimum wage—and, more broadly, living wages and respect for labor rights—creates a livable economy in which one parent can choose not to work full-time and instead focus on home-making, a profoundly important task. When lots of parents can dedicate themselves to homemaking (not be forced into it by rigid gender roles, but choose to do it), lots of kids have better, more stable homes.

    But Daniel, your critique is a little ambiguous, and I want to make sure I’m not missing something. Are you simply saying that the generation that benefited from the prosperity that allowed more homemaking have squandered those benefits, or is there a hint in your critique that such prosperity actually led to an entitlement mindset that has gotten us into trouble? And whichever direction that critique is going, what policies should I push as District 3’s next Senator to right the ship of state?

  67. mike from iowa 2016-02-09 07:48

    Any program that helps poor people-minimum wages,overtime pay,Mediaid,Medicare,Social Security are all programs under siege by wingnuts. Why do wingnuts love poverty so much? Hint-greed.

  68. Daniel Buresh 2016-02-09 08:28

    It’s both. They squandered it while causing a disillusioned generation. I really don’t know if it is possible to right the ship. The next 50 years of this country could be the most depressing that we have ever seen.

  69. moses 2016-02-09 09:07

    Sorry cory like the song says only you.

  70. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-09 09:31

    Daniel—the next 50 years could also be the most inspiring, if we refuse to give in to cynicism and culture-war distraction, if we elect some real statesmen and stateswomen, and if we all participate in our democracy to solve real problems.

    Maybe the previous generation squandered economic prosperity. We should still seek a just economy that offers prosperity to everyone. We should still fight concentration of wealth and power. We should still try to make it possible for every family to take care of kids and not be burdened by poverty and hunger.

  71. Les 2016-02-09 09:47

    You wrote that post at mid nite or so, Daniel. Must have been a bad dream or nightmare to place all that blame on one generation..?

    I don’t know a single boomer that didn’t start as a two person income producing family to make life work. That is back in the sixties coming forward. I heard the same whining from the boomers in the 70’s about the greatest generation. My advice to them and my gen X kids, get off your butt and make your own world.

    Sorry for my intrusion into your dream Daniel. Usually you make more sense than this!

  72. Les 2016-02-09 09:58

    Of course you could go back to those same times of the. 60’s and 70’s and look to those voters allowing the Cheney, Rumsfeld and others of the same ilk to destroy the nations you say we helped all in the name of virtue instead of the theft and control of the natural resources for friends and themeselves. Think Clintons uranium and Cheney’s oil for starters and then tell me our freedoms were any different than today.

    The control of this country was lost long before a boomer was a sparkle in daddy’s eye!

  73. Don Coyote 2016-02-09 10:27

    @cah: “Tell me why legislators should ignore and abrogate the will of the people expressed by initiative.”

    The will of the people is also expressed in the election of a representative legislature. The powers granted to the People in Initiative/Referendum is limited to the assumption of the powers of the Legislature to propose and pass statutes and amendments as well as the assumption of the power of the Executive veto (since initiatives are not subject to the veto).

    Half of the states with the initiative allow repeal or amending the ballot initiative without restriction of which South Dakota is one. Others have some passage of time restrictions and still others require legislative super majorities. Only California has a prohibition of any legislative changes or repeal.

    The inherent problem with you assuming a Constitutional power not granted to the initiative process and instead looking at it through the lens of your moral principles is that it makes you the sole arbiter of what reflects the will of the people. By your reasoning if the Legislature voted to change IM18 by increasing the minimum wage to a flat $15 they would be ignoring and abrogating the will of the people.

  74. Craig 2016-02-09 10:56

    Don obviously each issue should be considered on its own merits, but the examples Cory cites are clear cases where the citizens voted their feelings, and where a select few elected representatives felt it was their responsibility to “correct” the voters.

    We elect representatives so that we don’t have to have mass elections to vote on every bill or research every proposal. That doesn’t mean that we should allow our elected leaders to make bad decisions which go against the majority.

    You’re grasping at straws, but Cory’s concept is a valid one. We, as the citizens, should not have our voice quelched merely because a few members of the legislature disagree with what the public voted for. They are elected to represent us – not to contradict us.

    The same concept also applies to many of the bills that come out of Pierre each year. How many times are we going to have anti-abortion bills passed only to see that the citizens don’t want them? How many years will the legislature ponder a half dozen bills related to firearms while ignoring topics like education or health care? How many times will we see bills proposed that deal with “traditional marriage”, abstinence only education, drug testing of welfare recipients, etc. etc. all of which appear to be opposed by a majority of our citizens?

    When we see a pattern of the legislature in Pierre being in conflict with the will of the people, it isn’t the people who should change… it is the legislature. Unfortunately we can’t or don’t always know how an elected leader will vote after they win a seat and often times their vote is in conflict with the public. Even more disappointing is that many in Pierre don’t seem to care what the citizens say as they feel their voice is the only one worth consideration.

    Time for a change.

  75. Daniel Buresh 2016-02-09 11:51

    Les the spineless coward…The difference is I can provide all the economic numbers to prove my point while yours is nothing more than conjecture. If your worthless opinion were true, your medicare and SS payments would be more than sufficient. Instead, you whine because you feel your are entitled to more of my money because you were unable to think ahead. Just more programs that will go defunct because of your entitled generation. You guys are so clueless I will be happy when you are dead and gone. You have done nothing for those you leave the world to. You are right though in one aspect, we want to make our own world so anyone aged 50 and up, get the f— out of the way with your archaic views.

  76. Les 2016-02-09 12:10

    You truly are living in a nightmare, Daniel. My sympathies for anyone with so many internally self destructive thoughts. You really are worth more than that. btw, I’ll meet you any day anywhere, Daniel, for a complete overview of my thoughts if that will help your pain.

  77. jerry 2016-02-09 12:31

    Daniel, most of us do not think we are entitled to anything other than a roof over our head and food in the belly. Oh, I am an old guy. I did not get any kind of coddling or legacy to do anything other than what was expected of me and that was not to screw up and cost my family any money. We did not have any. I did not have indoor plumbing until I was a teen. No tee vee until the same and it was the size of a Buick (big car) with a screen the size of your laptop. I started to work when I was about 9 delivering papers and saving money for clothes and fishing, trapping, and hunting supplies. My trapping paid dividends, my hunting and fishing helped feed us. I did not think of the future any further than wondering what some of the girls would look like without clothes, sorry I am an old guy and I drift.

    In the early 70’s, I was able to purchase a brand new VW for just over $2,000.00 bucks right off the show room floor with my own money that I had saved. I was no different than any of the baby boomers at that time in many regards. We really did not think about retirement as we saved money in savings accounts for that. We paid social security and we paid medicare not giving a thought to the fact that we would someday be old. We were living man, we had the good music and we were living. Then the 80’s came and we saw changes that seemed to tell us that if we invested in those changes, we could have a retirement. Damn good idea, so we bought into that. It made us some returns and we could see a balance sheet that said so. Then the interest rates went through the roof and savings accounts were making money (if you had them) and then, the bottom fell out. If you had savings, you had security, if not, you were out of luck. The 90’s brought us Clinton and the economy surged and jobs started to shift overseas, and across our borders both North and South. It was surging so much Clinton cut all the safety valves for protection. We didn’t think about it to much as it was boom times with more and more jobs being shipped overseas. Then Bush got in and all hell broke loose. We got lied into a war and the economy exploded as well. In 2007, the bottom fell out catastrophically. All the work and money that was invested, evaporated as it was stolen by the thieves of Wall Street. So, you are right in many ways, but you are wrong to think negatively about social security and medicare. You think you have the world by the balls, but you do not. Anything can happen to you along your way to a perfect retirement with all the bells and whistles. Many people in their 20’s up into their late 40’s get in accidents or get sick and need to stop work and depend on social security and medicare to keep them alive. Their 401’s have been spent down (a cheap nursing home costs $170.00 a day) their assets have been attached for medical payments and yet they live. Those disability payments were paid by those before you. Be careful about those rocks you throw because sometimes they can bounce back on you.

    Also, what has been given to you as a legacy gift is the hard work we have put in so you and yours can enjoy a national park or a state park. We have given you clean water to drink courtesy of the EPA that it would behoove you to keep protecting, we have given you a highway system to travel on with your jalopy and we have given you an electronic highway to access information. We have even done that in rural areas that at one time not so long ago, did not have electricity. The idea is for you to build on it for those younger than you that will come along, to improve things. Les may be many things, but he is not a spineless coward. Les has used his back to work to make this better for you and for those who come after you.

  78. Lanny V Stricherz 2016-02-09 13:24

    Just don’t let them “Kathy Tyler” you Cory.

  79. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-09 13:41

    They will try, Lanny. Can you help me Kathy Tyler them right back?

  80. Lanny V Stricherz 2016-02-09 13:42

    Well said, Jerry. There is also another issue that contributes to what Daniel is P and moaning about. When I started in the work force with a “real job”, ( I had those other ones that you describe starting at 5 or 6 years old), I was working in a packing house and we were well paid making between 5 and 7 k a year. The CEO of our company, Mr McCullum in Chicago was making 25k a year. When I retired 43 years later, (having owned my own business in between times) I was working at a credit card company. I earned 32k and the CEO of the company got paid, (notice I didn’t say earned) 155 million. A few years later with his stock options he retired with a half billion in income.

    The stock was sold on closed deal with the board of Directors at 48 dollars a share. The following year during the downturn (which he helped to create) the stock sold for under a dollar a share.

    My point being that Daniel is right in one sense, but he is pissing on the wrong people’s graves.

    http://yeli.us/Flash/Fire.html

  81. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-09 13:51

    Craig, wow! That’s a hefty response. Well done.

    Don, you keep dodging the point. First, your use of the term “assumption” suggests the people’s legislative power is inferior. The Constitution indicates otherwise. Article 3 Section 1 says “the people expressly reserve to themselves” the legislative power of initiative and referendum. Legislative power was ours to begin with. The Legislature’s exercise of that power is derivative of our willingness to vest it in them. The Legislature’s power ought to be restricted at least as much as the original popular power, if not more so. Given that, as you admit, legislators receive their power by the will of the people, acting contrary to the will of the people would seem to undermine legislators’ legitimacy.

  82. Porter Lansing 2016-02-09 14:14

    Mr. Heidelberger announces that he’s sacrificing time with his family to work for the good of his future constituents and damn near every last one of you want to talk about yourselves? Try constructing an entire paragraph without writing the words I, me, myself or mine. It’d do wonders for your lacking self-esteem. Self-consumption is a Republic Party paradigm. If you’re liberal act like it. You’re in this to help people that need help. If you’re not in it for the needy just sit there and think about yourself because no one else gives a good gosh darn about you.

  83. Lanny V Stricherz 2016-02-09 14:30

    @Porter Lansing, Since mine was the last post before yours, other than Cory’s and since I use I mine etc several times, I feel like I instigated your rant. But I can assure you I am a liberal since I worked hard in Iowa and then in South Dakota for Dennis Kucinich, who is way more liberal than anything the Democrats have offered for a long time and I support Bernie Sanders this time. I won’t bother to list for you what I have done to try to help the poor or the letters I have sent to legislators at both the Federal and state level for those causes, but I just want you to know that just because we talk about our own experiences does not make us self centered or selfish.

  84. Bob Newland 2016-02-09 14:56

    Cory will now have to start prefacing most of his statements with “Quite frankly….”

  85. Daniel Buresh 2016-02-09 15:06

    Mr. Porter, enough with the party generalizations. I could put you to shame with all the volunteer hours and money I put in each year to help the needy.

    Jerry, I understand where you are coming from and I am probably wrong to generalize them all as I do. However, the destruction began well before Bush. The fact the 40 years after WWII was an economic prosperous time that mankind may never see again is sad. And don’t forget about Vietnam, desert storm, or any of the smaller conflicts we engaged in. For me, minimum wage is the biggest factor that shows the shortfalls. If you understand that minimum wage should be equal to the minimum standard of living then our experiences are different from what the boomers were given. They worked hard and got their jobs and so did we, but when they got into power they inherited corporations and businesses and did everything in their power to be profitable. Even if this meant at the expense of you and me, because they can’t conceive of a world in which there is no adult job waiting for you. They were literally breastfeed by the greatest generation post WWII boom. They have essentially bankrupted our country. Don’t forget the 2 recessions they threw us in. They lived during a time when 80% of college was publicly supported when these days it is less than 20%. They paid for their post-secondary education working part-time at Dairy Queen while we straddle debt for a decade working a full time job trying to pay back financial institutions who have no skin in the game but get paid for it. We literally have to have that extensive education to even make it, and even then your job outlook is still bleak. The bubble is coming and most economists would agree. I wouldn’t be surprised if every safety net we have available is removed within 20 years.

  86. Daniel Buresh 2016-02-09 15:21

    And if you don’t believe me, google it. Many people are willing to show you how they may go down in history as the worst generation to contribute so much to the decline of the viability of our country. We literally have nothing to show for it today for all that prosperity other than a disappearing middle class and an even greater divide.

  87. mike from iowa 2016-02-09 15:43

    Party generalizations? Why is it the economy grows better and debt and deficits grow less when there be a Dem in the White House? Why is it the wingnuts trying to derail and bankrupt America are fondly called Patriots while stealing civil and constitutional rights from Americans?

    Why is wanting to get workers paid a decent wage so anti-American? How about taking care of the least among us? How is it kids are getting cheated on education and health but wingnuts will filibuster to the death to allow schoolkids to get blown away with assault weapons? Why must whitey wingnut rail in anger at the black guy in the White House instead of being civil? Why do wingnuts persist in claining godliness when their actions belie their proclamations of piety? How much money is enough for one family? How much property is enough. How many homes does one family need? Why can’t that one family pay more taxes?

    How does Trumps assertion if he wasn’t married and wasn’t the father Of Ivanka,he’d be chasing her around the bedroom/boardroom stack up to Ask not what your country can do for you,or I have a dream? Where do all these quaint wingnut notions about what is and isn’t constitutional come from? Where do they find these wingnut losers?

  88. mike from iowa 2016-02-09 15:52

    We have the party of inclusion,actively trying to get America going some more and the party of no,actively trying to stop America in its tracks.

  89. Daniel Buresh 2016-02-09 15:56

    Yes Mike, you have described the extreme right well, but you and the extreme left aren’t any better. There is a reason why independents and modern populists are growing. No one likes an extremist.

  90. moses 2016-02-09 16:17

    Are you talking about Cam Newton.

  91. Les 2016-02-09 16:33

    DB, all google and no hat. Life experience counts more in my opinion than numbers conflated from internet sources where anyone can find another internet source to deflect. My father predicted the loss of the middle class in the mid 60’s predicated upon the actions of the 1% in control of world finance/governments.

    You will more than likely be given ample opportunity to help rebuild the world economy coming after this world war we are in closes for the next phase of growth as those folks of your favorite generation had to do. Wear that opportunity well, cowboy.

    Don’t forget a nickel a day was a starting wage for many of them.

    The truly heart felt part of your comment, Jerry, you have actually read with care, my comments over the last 8 years and know that 60% of my efforts in life have been by the sweat of my brow in labor and 40% by the furrow of thought. I do appreciate.

    btw, DB, put us to shame with your volunteer time and dollars. I’d like to hear. Encourages me in reaching to a higher level, finding those in need.

    I’m sorry for diverting off an important topic, Cory. I do appreciate your efforts to help stem the problems, and bring new ideas and life to Pierre. I don’t appreciate the constant twist from the folks you will take out in the election and will support you in every way I can. Red dollars for Cory.

  92. Porter Lansing 2016-02-09 16:35

    [CAH: Whoa—tone it down!]… Buresh you self-centered bigot.

  93. Lanny V Stricherz 2016-02-09 16:48

    I’ll join Les in those dollars for Cory. Where do you want them Cory, in the tip jar or a check to you in Aberdeen?

  94. Daniel Buresh 2016-02-09 16:51

    Les, And who put the 1% in control? Wasn’t the millennials. I hope you aren’t right about another world war, because that is not going to be pretty and I wouldn’t be surprised if more of that hits american soil. Sorry if the internet is giving us access to so much information we weren’t able to experience. You might as well complain about the tv for helping your generation while you are at it. There is so much eye opening information about our elders from both sides, and neither are saying much good about it.

    I put in over 500 hours of volunteer work last year alone, much of which included destroying my body for the safety of our community along with over 10% of my income going to charities and not churches by any means. Nothing like spending all night on a fire scene to go home and cough up carcinogens and black globs for days. I also try to help at the banquet when i can and donate food there if I am able to. Yard work for ECCO. Painting street poles on main street. You name it, I’ve probably done it.

    There’s the real Porter I was hoping to show. I’m not worried about you, you—[CAH: jeepers! really?]— will die of a coronary before you hit retirement age. For that, I thank you.

  95. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-09 16:52

    Obviously I’m not trying too hard to control the message here. Remind me, though: does where this discussion has headed have anything to do with my seeking the District 3 Senate seat? Am I surrounded in Aberdeen by indistinguishable right-wing and left-wing extremists? (If I were, I remain confident I could distinguish them. The Right and Left are not the same, Daniel. The Right says a lot of wild things about the Left that are actually more true about the Right, but the Leftism I know is not akin to the right-wing extremism I’ve experienced in this state.) Are there lots of independents and populists in District 3 eager to vote for change or even start a new political movement? Let’s tone down the barroom shouting and the pox-on-all-houses pessimism and figure out how these statements practically apply to running for office and legislating in South Dakota.

  96. Daniel Buresh 2016-02-09 16:54

    Les, if you can find the sources praising baby boomers, I’ll find 10 for every one you find. I’ll even pull from both sides of the aisle so source doesn’t matter. Go!

  97. Porter Lansing 2016-02-09 16:55

    Voluntary service is just selfish if you need to tell people about it and attempt to extrude sympathy.

  98. Daniel Buresh 2016-02-09 16:56

    It’s time things change and I’m glad you are throwing your hat into the ring. I’m just sick of being legislated by grey hairs who seem to think they know what is right when they have nothing more than a warped sense of reality.

  99. Daniel Buresh 2016-02-09 16:58

    You put forth the effort where it is best utilized. I enjoy manual labor so I extend that across all facets. If you would quit talking about how we are all self-serving republicans, then I wouldn’t have to talk about it.

  100. Roger Elgersma 2016-02-09 16:59

    you know the issues. You will be the most prepared freshman legislator. In a culture of term limits, you should be the norm so we do not have a lot of people wondering what they are doing there.

  101. Bill Dithmer 2016-02-09 17:02

    First, Cory, Maintenant, vous avez rejoint le fou.

    Now, if you want to put the state in a better posistion to grow, both intellectually and economically, revisit the reorganization of the state in 73. Just one example would be GF&PS.

    The governor gets to hand pick those commissioners, and the secretary. That money paid by sportsmen amounts to one of the biggest wish funds that any governor would envy.

    Isnt it time to put those GF&PS commission seats to a vote of the people? Let the governor pick his secretary, still with the oversight of the legislature.

    You wouldnt have to change the whole thing, just those parts that proved over time to be less then efficient.

    I’m sure there are many other places in state government like GF&Ps. Money rich, and morally poor.

    The Blindman

  102. Lanny V Stricherz 2016-02-09 17:18

    @Daniel Buresh, If you want a perfect example of a State legislator from your side of the aisle who is from the boomer generation and helped defeat another boomer piece of legislation to help your generation here it is. I have sounded this here before.

    In the 2005 session of the legislature, R) Clarence Kooistra and D) Maggie Gillespie introduced a bill and were aided in lobbying for it by former national Commander of the DAV, Roger Andal, to insist that veterans of the current wars (your generation) be tested for depleted uranium poisoning if they had served in a theatre of operations where DU had been used. They proposed and supported that bill because all with Viet Nam ties knew the havoc that agent orange had wracked on Viet Nam Vets.

    Rep GordonPeterson R) from wall a Career Air Force person and career state legislator after that, testified that he had sat next to barrels of defoliant over Viet Nam and asked what was in the orange barrel next to him. They told him that was the strongest of the defoliants, agent orange. He got a big laugh when he said I sat right next to it and look at me, it had no effect on me. The bill was defeated.

    Not to be denied they brought the bill back in 2006 and it passed both houses, but then rather than veto it, then Govrnor Rounds sent it back to the House where House leader Rhoden brought it back out with a hoghouse and they changed a lot of the language so it had to go to conference committee. The senate members of the committee led by Senator Gil Koetzel and Clarence Kooistra refused to change the language and the bill died. Those who stopped it were all Republicans even though it was cosponsored by a Republican.

  103. Porter Lansing 2016-02-09 17:20

    It appears you are putting forth your best effort on a stool at Foley’s, Buresh. ALL Republicans aren’t self-serving “self-servatives”. Some are just compliant stooges.

  104. Daniel Buresh 2016-02-09 17:25

    They learned from their mistakes and tried to act on them, even though they may have been futile. It’s too bad they can’t do it elsewhere. Instead, they tell us how entitled we supposedly are without looking into the mirror. I’m sure there are more instances of what you speak of as well. Problem is, 40+ years of their entitlement will take 100 years to reverse along with the deaths of millions if something severe isn’t done.

  105. Daniel Buresh 2016-02-09 17:32

    Porter, and some of us are trying to take the party back from those who have drifted so far. I’m the closest friend you will have on the right side so if you can’t work with me, then there is no hope. We might as well all stand in the middle of the street and duel to the last one is standing because that is what it will accomplish in the end.

  106. Porter Lansing 2016-02-09 17:36

    I’m a hired gun, Buresh. The middle of the street it is …

  107. Roger Cornelius 2016-02-09 17:48

    Cory,
    Back to the matter at hand, getting you elected to the state legislature.

    As you have stated above, it will require knocking on doors and than knocking on more doors.

    I’m not familiar with the Brown County Democrats and whether or not they will actively support your candidacy, surely you plan to meet with them.

    The same is true of the SDDP, they too need to get off their butts and support our candidates with media support and money. Will they do that?

    It is often difficult to get county support because of pettiness and a minimum of activity, can you light a fire under them?

    I’ll get myself over to your website and make a donation.

    Thanks for all you do.

  108. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-09 17:50

    Bill D, I’ve gone crazy? Most will tell you I was already there. :-) Now, if we make the GF&P commission all elected, how many other state boards and commissions do we have to open up for public votes? Was GF&P Commission elected pre-Kneip?

    Daniel, I have several grey hairs, caused mostly by students but a few by crazy legislation. I also enjoy manual labor, building a deck and mowing the lawn. You mention trying to take the GOP back from your side… may I ask which candidates represent that effort to take the GOP back? Are they candidates with whom we Dems can find common ground in seeking change in Pierre? Are they candidates who get behind my three main principles of defending voters, supporting education, and fighting corruption? Or is their focus elsewhere?

  109. Daniel Buresh 2016-02-09 17:50

    I don’t think you want to take me up on that offer. It’s the one thing I do extremely well. Precision shooting is where I find my peace. I apologize for the earlier outburst. My anxiety and emotions get the best of me. Much of the reason why i will never be directly involved in politics.

  110. Bob Newland 2016-02-09 17:52

    If the story about Gordon Pederson (above @ 17:18) was true, it’s a belly laugh. Gordon Pederson was about as good an illustration of someone with debilitated faculties as existed. If you look in the dictionary at the word “pathetic,” you will see a picture of Gordon.

  111. Daniel Buresh 2016-02-09 17:54

    I think we have some up and coming ones who will find that common ground. Right now, they are followers who have to concede to the voting blocks. If we can get people aged 35 and younger to show up, they may be more likely to help fix the problems and we will likely get more of those types in the gov’t. Until then, it’s going to be an uphill battle. The greatest thing I can do is make sure as many younger people actually get to the polls. Many agree with my stances but are still under the umbrella for fear of upsetting their elders. We need to change that. We owe them nothing.

  112. Porter Lansing 2016-02-09 18:04

    I apologize, as well. I’ve great respect for the under 35 demographic. They are USA’s solid wall against the older, angry, white male dominance of the SoDak Republic Party. Their elders are why the best and brightest often move on. We owe them nothing because they’ve become selfish and noncompassionate of the needy.

  113. Lanny V Stricherz 2016-02-09 18:22

    I can assure you the story is true, Bob Newland. I had lobbied many legislators via the internet from my computer when I was living in Sisseton. I then listened to the testimony on my computer and was livid, not just at the sanctimonious testimony by Pederson, but more at the fact that the legislators found it a laughing matter. Roger Andal, who fought for veterans through DAV but also working through Tom Daschle, ended up dying shortly after that from the debilitations that he received from agent orange. Much of the credit that Daschle gets for supporting Viet Nam Veterans actually belongs to Roger and Gene Murphy.

    But you are actually spot on. I hate to speak unkindly of the deceased, but Gordon Peterson would be the ultimate buffoon, but was reelected time after time.

  114. Lanny V Stricherz 2016-02-09 18:25

    Sounds like you will be voting for Bernie Sanders, Daniel.

  115. jerry 2016-02-09 18:28

    Hey there upcoming go to guy Cory. Thanks for your link. I rang the bell there and will do so monthly. I believe in you and that is why. It has nothing to do with your allowing me to blather on your site and howl at the moon be if full or waning. Good luck to you, lets win this!

  116. Bob Newland 2016-02-09 18:29

    Speaking of speaking unkindly of the dead: What better time?

  117. Daniel Buresh 2016-02-09 18:43

    Bernie has said a lot of things i like, but i’d like to see the economic feasibility behind them. I would for surely vote for him over Hilary. Right now, I haven’t seen an electable republican, but if Bernie doesn’t tone it down some on the socialism, he is going to lose the moderates. And speaking of Gene Murphy, he is a close relative of mine. He was a very well liked person.

  118. Daniel Buresh 2016-02-09 18:47

    You probably know quite a few of my relatives who are pretty involved in veteran affairs. My grandma was a Murphy, and my mother was a Barg.

  119. bearcreekbat 2016-02-09 18:49

    I disagreed with many of Gordon Peterson’s positions, but to his credit he supported funding for civil legal services for poor people (until Judge Bill Srstka convinced, Governor Mickelson, to veto the funding bill back in the 1980’s). Gordy was a character, but he did make some good policy decisions from time to time. RIP.

  120. Les 2016-02-09 18:57

    Actually, Daschle was a Nam Vet, Lanny. Fully allowed by his own party to be taken down on military issues by the no military service, Thune campaign. I don’t take that kindly regardless of being a Pub.

    Shoot, I thought you were a clone, DB. You do have parents who screwed this up for you!

  121. Lanny V Stricherz 2016-02-09 19:04

    I know that Les, but both Andal and Murph were combat vets which Daschle was not, not that that makes any difference as he did serve, and they were the ones pushing first in the 70s to get actual doctors instead of PAs at the VA in Sioux Falls and also the ones behind the push that took over 25 years for the recognition of agent orange as the debilitating conundrum that it was.

  122. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-09 19:09

    Roger, I am on speaking terms with the Brown County party leaders. As our friend David Newquist will tell us, the challenge will be getting the rank and file Brown County Dems who used to elect Dems regularly to come back and do it again. That need sends me right back to knocking and calling. I’ll see what fires I can light.

    I’d love to have big support from the SDDP. So would 104 other Legislative candidates. I recognize that the fundraising burden will fall largely on me. I’ll work my online connections and ex-pat friends for online contributions. I ask around town and around the state for checks. And I’ll do my best to spend that money intelligently and strategically.

  123. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-09 19:11

    Daniel, you are right: you don’t have to vote a certain way on any issue just to appease your elders. You have to vote in the best interest of South Dakota. You need to vote for the best candidates. And if you have some spare cash from all your hard work, you could consider sending some of it to candidates who align with a fair chunk of your principles. (Can I get there, Dan? How close am I? How close are we to working together to rectify the problems you’ve identified?)

  124. Les 2016-02-09 19:15

    The fundraising is important. Maybe 25-35K average for a Senate seat with contention.

    You have to ask for money to get it and if you don’t ask for more you won’t get enough.

  125. Daniel Buresh 2016-02-09 19:44

    You are getting dang close, close enough that my tune has changed quite a bit over the years and I’m sure you are taking notice. Trust me, at times I wonder what our party has come to if moderate dems are starting to look better and better. I just think i, like many others, are ready to find common ground and quit the demonizing. The all or nothing that the extremes are pushing is finally displaying what sort of damage they are creating. I just find blind following based on party affiliation accomplishes nothing more than stupidity and we need a good group of people on both sides to get things done and to reign in the clowns. I have no problem holding my republican leaders feet to the fire because they are forgetting who they work for. I’ve even heard some pretty staunch republicans that you wouldn’t find appealing at all suggesting that we need some good Dems to help get things done. 5 years ago I would have never thought those words would have come out of their mouths.

  126. leslie 2016-02-09 19:55

    DB-life isn’t so simple as blaming a generation or a political party, for most of us here, old and young. generalizations don’t work and to denigrate the effort ANYONE puts in every day to get by is prolly pretty shallow. yes, the net has speeded up life a little and allowed me to stay home from the university library shelves I’ve been loving for nearly 50 years. you and I have had our dust-ups but your apology or retraction was a smart move we don’t see too often here. there are brilliant people here, reading and thinking about your words, and you are lucky they are mostly forgiving, helping people.

    your participation in the social experiment of America is valuable, as is the rest of ours, no matter the size.

    pace yourself. its a long road, if you are lucky.

  127. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-10 09:24

    Interesting path you’re on, Daniel. It sounds somewhat like mine. Remember, I was a Republican Libertarian once.

    Tone down Bernie’s socialism? Bulk up on the economic feasibility of his ideas? You get that balance the same way you do with me: you don’t elect Bernie and me as dictators but as leaders who will use the bully pulpit to bring new ideas forward but who will still work with Congress (President Bernie) and the rest of the Legislature (Senator me!) to work out the practical governing compromise.

    Les: $35K? Yikes! I’d better make some phone calls.

  128. Bill Dithmer 2016-02-10 09:31

    DB, great post!

    The Blindman

  129. Les 2016-02-10 09:35

    You have it easier than most, Cory. 1000 eager Free Pressers donate 35 measly greenbacks or your top 35 donate….well, you get the pic.

  130. Les 2016-02-10 09:39

    Wish it was that easy, Cory. Work your butt off and money will come. We have in house providers of professional material, think pink in kind, and Brother Pat Powers will give you great free press as well, think Trump.

  131. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-02-10 10:00

    The key word there, Les, is work. Work, work, work. That’s the only thing a candidate can control.

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