Messages from the Chair

Get this. The North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party has laid down a challenge for South Dakotans. They think they can collect more new Facebook fans in the next week than the South Dakota Democratic Party can.

Ha. We don’t think so.

We’ve confidently accepted their challenge! Starting today at 9AM the great Facebook Fan race began, and it will run for one full week, concluding on Tuesday, February 14th, Valentine’s Day.

Our pride is on the line! We can’t let the North Dakota Democratic Party beat us for bragging rights to the “Better Democratic Party of the Dakotas.”

‘Like’ the SDDP on Facebook! »

Need a little incentive? Well, here’s my list of 10 reasons for you to “Like” the South Dakota Democratic Party on Facebook:

10.  To help us beat North Dakota!
9.  For up to the minute news and analysis of the issues of the day.
8.  George McGovern. Enough said.
7.  For reports on the ludicrous things Republicans say in the SD legislature.
6.  For [deservedly] snarky posts about Congresswoman Kristi Noem.
5.  Sometimes, we share pictures of our cats. Ok, we don’t often share pictures of our cats, but we would if you wanted us to! [We'd refer to them as Demo-cats]
4.  For cool infographics comparing President Obama to President Bush.
3.  For the interaction with fellow Democrats from across the state.
2.  For the opportunity to offer your comments about South Dakota policy and politics.
1.  You’ll have an online Democratic home to come to, no matter how Republican your relatives are!

Please ‘Like us’, and spread the word! »

Already on Facebook? Share our Badge »

Let’s stand up for the South Dakota! Our pride is at stake!

Ben

Governor Daugaard just released his education “reform” bill. It offers monumental – and potentially destructive – changes for our schools. Daugaard wants to:

• End teacher tenure
• Impose testing-based rankings of teachers, and
• Institute merit pay for only the top 20% of our educators.

As you can imagine, many Democratic and Republican leaders are deeply concerned about the proposal, and are wondering how we’ll decide who gets bonuses; how we expect to foster collaboration among teachers if we pit them against each other for bonuses; how we recruit and retain teachers for ALL subjects of critical need.

They’re demanding an answer to one important question: How do we fulfill our obligation to fund our schools if our focus is on attacking teachers?

Take action today to put a stop to this legislation. Remind Governor Daugaard that attacking teachers is not a substitute for funding our schools. Remind Governor Daugaard that adequately preparing our workforce starts by adequately funding their education. Remind Governor Daugaard that you stand with our students and educators, and you won’t stand for his questionable education agenda.

Here’s what you can do right now to help:

Email Your Legislator »
Write a Letter to Your Local Paper »

Our students are counting on us. Please take action today.

Ben

Dear Friend,

With the new year upon us, we’ve made a few resolutions for 2012:

• Re-elect President Obama
• Send Noem Home
• Recruit strong state legislative candidates across South Dakota
• Defeat proposed ‘Money for Millionaires’ law

At the core of all our resolutions is a simple belief: Putting People First. Whether it’s retiring Noem to protect Medicare for our seniors, recruiting the best candidates to return sane, two-party government back to South Dakota, or defeating a proposed law that stops Governor Daugaard from robbing our general fund to pay for more corporate welfare, our vision is clear, our resolution is strong, and our purpose is right.

If your resolve matches our own, stand with us with a contribution today of $50, $25, $10, or whatever you can afford.

South Dakota Democrats will beat Congresswoman Kristi Noem. We will recruit top candidates across South Dakota. And we will defeat ‘Money for Millionaires’. But we will not be able to do it without your support.

Make our New Year’s Resolutions your own. Make a commitment of $50, $25, $10, or whatever you can afford to our common cause today.

Sincerely,

Chairman
South Dakota Democratic Party

We recently asked how the SDDP could best provide you with policy information and breaking news during the 2012 legislative session. You overwhelmed us – and our inbox – with feedback on your preferences and great new ideas. Thank you!

After a review of all input received, South Dakota Democrats were most excited about two new communication tools:

• Bill Status Update. A weekly email message will spotlight what bills are being pushed in Pierre and where the legislation is in the process.
• Legislative Alerts. The SDDP mail notify you before a significant vote on the issue(s) you’ve identifed as most important to you.

Well, you asked for it, you got it! Starting in January, we’ll launch SDDP Newswire: Legislative Edition, to keep you up to date on session action in Pierre each week. What’s more, we’ll not only closely monitor legislative activity, but promptly send you a brief email alert when there’s important activity related to your issue area.

Make sure you’re in the loop! Update your email preferences to identify your top issues »

There are 11 categories to choose from. Select as many as interest you.

Ben

Just in time for Halloween, Kristi Noem has unleashed a zombie!

Her ridiculous plan to stop farm dust regulations that don’t exist has been debunked by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Argus Leader and the Yankton Press & Dakotan editorial boards have panned her idea. And even her own Republican co-sponsor has left her idea for dead.

But Kristi Noem keeps bringing the non-existent dust regulation problem back to life!

Instead of focusing on job creation, Kristi Noem keeps reviving a farm dust regulation zombie she alone refuses to bury!

We’ve got serious challenges in this country, including a devastating jobs crisis. The last thing we need is a zombie stopping real efforts to address our country’s real issues.

Ben

In one short week the South Dakota Legislature will take action on an issue that should get everyone’s attention. State lawmakers will decide where your legislative district will be – in which races you will be permitted to cast a ballot.

This process, called ‘redistricting,’ comes along only every 10 years – when electoral district boundaries are drawn to reflect population changes recorded by the latest census numbers. It’s an involved process, and it’s intended to ensure that your representation in the state legislature truly mirrors the state’s demographic trends. But in reality, it’s a process that often gets hijacked by the interests of narrow, majority partisans who want to stay in power.

Email Your Legislator to Keep Our Communities Intact. (Need Help? Here’s a Sample.)

The voting district map that is currently up for final approval has big problems. Among them is split communities of interest - meaning that the map carves up neighborhoods and/or towns that have been represented together because of their geography, and the social and economic interests they have in common. Sometimes this homogeny is sacrificed during the redistricting process to make districts easier for the majority party to win.

Send a message to Your Representative: Don’t Play Games with our District!

The decision made next week in Pierre about our legislative districts will dictate our state’s priorities for years to come. This issue is too important to sit on the sidelines. Please take action today.

Fight For True Representation in Your District. Email Your Legislator Now.

We only get one chance over the next ten years to get this right. Tell your legislator to keep our communities strong and our communities of interest intact when voting on the new legislative districts this Monday, October 24th, 2011.

Ben

This week, President Obama proclaimed October to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), calling on Americans to speak out against domestic violence and support victim assistance.

DVAM evolved from the “Day of Unity” first held in 1987 – the same year the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline was established to connect advocates working to end violence against women and their children. In 1994, legislation co-authored by the late Senator Paul Wellstone and his wife Sheila Wellstone, fundamentally changed the way our society responds to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Today, the month of October is devoted to raising awareness about this important issue through a range of activities held at the local, state, and national levels.

Here in South Dakota, almost every county has organizations that provide both education and resources for victims of domestic violence. In addition we have two statewide groups that perform these valuable services: the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and the South Dakota Coalition Against Domestic Violence. For victims of domestic violence and their families, there is hope and there is help. You are not alone.

I hope you’ll take the opportunity to learn more about this important issue and take action when possible.

• Dial-in to today’s 2011 National Call of Unity
• Host an event to raise awareness in your community (view sample events)
• Visit the National Online Resource Center
• Access a checklist of behaviors to help decide if domestic violence is occurring.
• Develop a safety plan for yourself or help someone you know who may be in a dangerous situation.
• Educate yourself on myths.
• Learn how to support a survivor.

Join me in raising your voice. Let’s make domestic violence a thing of the past.

Ben

Congresswoman Noem voted to end Medicare as we know it. On behalf of South Dakotans who depend on Medicare now, and for those who will in the decades to come, we’ve released a new ad to hold Noem accountable.

Listen to the SDDP Radio Ad

Your financial gift makes it possible for us to produce ads like the one on the air now. With continued strong investment from our supporters, we will be able to communicate with more people across the state and keep folks informed about important issues that matter to us all.

Contribute Today

With each election cycle comes reason for cheer, frustration, and ultimately hope: cheer for the races we win, frustration from those we lose, and hope that judgment ultimately vindicates the courage, determination, and integrity of those who seek to serve. Continue Reading »