Get your assault weapons (and books) while you still can!
l3wis 
2008
Why did Measure 10 fail?
Though I voted YES on 10 I knew this measure was doomed from the beginning. It was too long and only should have included the following;
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Eliminate State NO-BID contracts (which is actually Federal Contract standards)
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Create a state contractor website
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Don’t use taxpayer money for lobbying
I think this would have simplified the Measure. Though I do agree we need to punish people who give campaign contributions and expect no-bid contracts in return, I think that it could have been excluded from the IM10.
I think there is only a couple of major reasons the IM10 fell on it’s face;
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The vote NO people ran a very deceptive ad campaign ironically funded by lobbyists, politicians and our tax dollars (funneled through the municipal league). The very people that IM10 was trying to eliminate was fighting it tooth and nail. It was no surprise they never actually encouraged people to READ the measure, because people would have seen right through the bullshit.
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–         The other major reason was the Vote Yes side was made up of extremist conservatives like SDCAC, Sibby and Bob Ellis that constantly hammered home that Unions and Liberals are evil, which I found ironic since some of my most liberal pro-union friends voted Yes on IM10. In other words they should have built a consensus instead just assuming that they could carry a majority with just the neo-con vote. The VYFL people found out how well that worked out. I think liberals, moderates and conservatives alike saw something in IM10 they liked. Trying to label the Vote NO people as a bunch of ‘liberals’ couldn’t be farther from the truth. The vote No side consisted of professional politicians (from both sides) and lobbyists.
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–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â And one more thing, the TV adversting on the Vote Yes side was awful. Who was the old lady from Spearfish telling me to Vote Yes? They must have used the same producer/director that Sandy Jerstad used in her porno shop / medi-cade ads.
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In the future if this Measure ever resurfaces I think they need to use the KISS theory when writing it, Keep it Simple Stupid.
Why did Measure 11 fail?
Most would think that Measure 11 failed because 55% of the voters are pro-choice. I have a feeling that couldn’t be farther from the truth. I think people in South Dakota that would consider themselves ‘prochoice’ is a pretty small percentage, I think most people fit into a grey area like myself. Though personally pro-life, I still think women have the right to choose. So does that make me pro-choice? Not sure.  I think a lot of South Dakotans fit into that category.
I was surprised as anyone that Measure 11 failed. I thought for sure it would either pass or at least be a very close vote. But once I started thinking about it, I came to some conclusions that may explain why South Dakotans rejected it.
This is how I think the vote broke down, and obviously it is not scientific, just pulled out of my butt.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Actual self-proclaimed pro-choicers probably made up a small percentage of the vote, but still a significant number. Most of these people are probably long time feminists or young single college aged girls.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Personally prolife but actually prochoice were probably the biggest voting bloc. Probably on the fence, though they may personally disagree with abortion for themselves, they do not want the government deciding for other people.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Hardcore pro-lifers I would assume voted against IM11 because they still think a total ban is the way to go (no exceptions).
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The medical community, especially doctors and nurses that work in women’s health probably voted NO in large percentages because they don’t want government intrusion in medical decisions. One person even pointed out that if the ban passed it may also be in violation of HIPPA laws.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Another group that may have participated is people who want small government, though they may loathe abortion as a practice, they may think that government overseeing who can and cannot have abortions isn’t a good idea.
–         My last group may surprise you; Cheapskates. These are people who realized that if IM11 passed there would be a very long drawn out court case that South Dakota taxpayers would have to pay for, and ultimately the ban would never take effect anyway because it would be tied up in the courts  for years.
Any others I missed?
I’m Shocked! 50th Again!
From KELO-TV News;
South Dakota 50th In Integrity Ranking
When it comes to government integrity, a nonpartisan watchdog group says South Dakota is at the bottom of the list.South Dakota is ranked 50th in the study by the Better Government Association. It ranked states based on government transparency, accountability, whistleblower protections, open records and campaign finance laws.
New Jersey was the top-ranked state. The bottom five after South Dakota were Vermont, Alabama, Tennessee and Montana.
The Better Government Association says its mission is to fight waste, fraud and corruption in government.
Told you we didn’t need Measure 10 . . . ahem.
Cuckoo Bird Letter of the Day
Apparently if you voted for Obama, McCain or NO on 11 you are a murderer. That’s a lot of people;
“No, Barack Obama and John McCain are both child-killing socialists. ”
“This makes him a murderer by even the pro-choice definition of murder. Yet 170,884 South Dakotans gave him their stamp of approval in Tuesday’s election. Apparently, genocide is OK . . .”
I’m surprised weirdos like this know how to hold a pen. I think the Gargoyle Leader opinion page editors need to use their brains before printing this kind of crap.