I’m skeptical of the practical effectiveness of Democratic Congressional candidate Tim Bjorkman’s banner pledge not to take PAC money. (For the record, I just got a $250 check from an education PAC today, and I’m going to spend it on my campaign for District 3 Senate.) My friend Tyler Volesky does not share my skepticism. Quite to the contrary, the Democratic candidate for District 22 House is joining Bjorkman and declaring PAC money off-limits in his campaign:
Who needsPAC money when you’ve got Peggy Gibson and Harvey Wollman on your side? (Photo by Mary Lou Davis, Facebook, 2018.05.17.)
The influence of special interest money has negatively impacted our Democratic system of government.
…The influence of organized money has created a divisive culture in state government which has resulted in a mistrust and cynical attitude towards government because people feel their voices are being drowned out of the political process in favor of big money players.
…By not accepting big money, I will be free to take the gloves off and fight for District 22 the way I want to in a non-partisan manner, knowing I will not be beholding to any special interest money in my back pocket
…I hear many people say we need to drain the swamp, and I say the first step we must take is to get big money out of our political system to ensure government is working to address the concerns of its citizens rather than the goals of special interest [Tyler Volesky, press release, 2018.08.21].
Good for you, Mr. H. I, too, am skeptical about the practicality of making such pledges. Young Mr. Volesky seems a swell enough fellow, and was probably quite a decent basketball player in his day, but he is being short sighted by not taking any money like the $250 unless nobody is offering him any money anyway and he can make this pledge with no harm done. If so, it’s all just for show.
As to having Ms. Gibson on your side, that will hurt you badly. Even having The Harv on your side, despite his opposition to The Borehole, cannot offset the angriness that Ms. Gibson brings to any endeavor. Did you know she’s trying to roust some tent people out of Pennington County just because she doesn’t like tents?
Matt
2018-08-25 18:06
grud Please inform us the Unwashed about Ms. G and her tent phobia
Porter Lansing
2018-08-25 19:44
Corporate-pac donations don’t constitute a significant amount of any Democratic candidate’s funding, and nothing precludes candidates from accepting individual donations from corporate executives. But, the symbolism still matters, and it’s a step in the right direction for reforming America’s campaign-finance system.
Debbo
2018-08-25 20:31
Campaign funding absolutely must be reformed by statute or amendment to fully restore a democratic electoral process in the nation. However, when only one side voluntarily eschews big donations, that side is putting itself at a disadvantage.
I would like to see 100% public funding of political campaigns. No bribes/donations at all. Also complete transparency in how each campaign spends every cent. Other aspects of our electoral process need reforming too, but that’s probably for another post.
In the meantime, I urge Democrats to give themselves a fighting chance. Once Bjorkman, Volesky, Toni Miller and all the other great Democratic candidates win their races and are sworn in, then they can begin to reform the campaign system for all candidates equally.
grudznick
2018-08-25 21:23
Mr. Matt, Dale and Peggy Gibson own several properties in Pennington County. You can find this as a matter of public record. Or so I am told, by my granddaughter’s boyfriend who is more computer savvy than I but probably not more than you. Use those skills and check.
Then, go to the commission meetings. Ms. Peggy shows up whining, representing a group of these elitist high-brow rich people. She’s a libbie, on paper, but in reality she’s an elitist.
Then, go check out the commission meetings where all the neighbors have Ms. Peggy representing them against the Summer Creek Inn. They are all mad about a tent. It’s quite a show that Ms. Peggy, the “woman of the people” puts on, then goes out and represents the elite who have fancy homes among the rocks and want to squash the little people.
You can read, so go read the minutes. grudznick should not have to read them to you.
grudznick
2018-08-25 21:26
And Mr. Matt, wash thyself. Do not expect free washings. Get out and work harder and wash yourself. Cut your own toenails. Do not expect the government to do it for you.
Susan Christen
2018-08-29 14:00
Peggy Gibson is an asset to South Dakota she works HARD and works WELL with Democrats as well as Republicans. She’s not an elitist but a retired teacher with a heart as big as Dakota Prairie. She’s as polite and kind to poor person as she is to a wealthy person. We can learn much from Peggy as to how to treat people. Trust me we are are always glad to see her coming and appreciate her courage.
Good for you, Mr. H. I, too, am skeptical about the practicality of making such pledges. Young Mr. Volesky seems a swell enough fellow, and was probably quite a decent basketball player in his day, but he is being short sighted by not taking any money like the $250 unless nobody is offering him any money anyway and he can make this pledge with no harm done. If so, it’s all just for show.
As to having Ms. Gibson on your side, that will hurt you badly. Even having The Harv on your side, despite his opposition to The Borehole, cannot offset the angriness that Ms. Gibson brings to any endeavor. Did you know she’s trying to roust some tent people out of Pennington County just because she doesn’t like tents?
grud Please inform us the Unwashed about Ms. G and her tent phobia
Corporate-pac donations don’t constitute a significant amount of any Democratic candidate’s funding, and nothing precludes candidates from accepting individual donations from corporate executives. But, the symbolism still matters, and it’s a step in the right direction for reforming America’s campaign-finance system.
Campaign funding absolutely must be reformed by statute or amendment to fully restore a democratic electoral process in the nation. However, when only one side voluntarily eschews big donations, that side is putting itself at a disadvantage.
I would like to see 100% public funding of political campaigns. No bribes/donations at all. Also complete transparency in how each campaign spends every cent. Other aspects of our electoral process need reforming too, but that’s probably for another post.
In the meantime, I urge Democrats to give themselves a fighting chance. Once Bjorkman, Volesky, Toni Miller and all the other great Democratic candidates win their races and are sworn in, then they can begin to reform the campaign system for all candidates equally.
Mr. Matt, Dale and Peggy Gibson own several properties in Pennington County. You can find this as a matter of public record. Or so I am told, by my granddaughter’s boyfriend who is more computer savvy than I but probably not more than you. Use those skills and check.
Then, go to the commission meetings. Ms. Peggy shows up whining, representing a group of these elitist high-brow rich people. She’s a libbie, on paper, but in reality she’s an elitist.
Then, go check out the commission meetings where all the neighbors have Ms. Peggy representing them against the Summer Creek Inn. They are all mad about a tent. It’s quite a show that Ms. Peggy, the “woman of the people” puts on, then goes out and represents the elite who have fancy homes among the rocks and want to squash the little people.
You can read, so go read the minutes. grudznick should not have to read them to you.
And Mr. Matt, wash thyself. Do not expect free washings. Get out and work harder and wash yourself. Cut your own toenails. Do not expect the government to do it for you.
Peggy Gibson is an asset to South Dakota she works HARD and works WELL with Democrats as well as Republicans. She’s not an elitist but a retired teacher with a heart as big as Dakota Prairie. She’s as polite and kind to poor person as she is to a wealthy person. We can learn much from Peggy as to how to treat people. Trust me we are are always glad to see her coming and appreciate her courage.