Powerful statement: Tony needs to realize that. Dusty never earned it. And Rhoden partnered with Noem & wouldn’t stand for the people (even his Establishment Lt. Gov pick didn’t get 1st place in his own District.)
Jon & Karla have proven themselves in the arena to SD’ans, especially Patriots.
Add more passenger cars to that train; it’s filling up quickly!
Honestly, we are seeing the same issues within the grassroots that were a problem with those in power before. For example, the mega prison is creating a lot of division because it isn't really necessary or prudent. Rather than do a complete reset, grassroots people are talking about moving it around to various communities (as long as it isn't in theirs). The latest suggestion is Sioux Falls. The murder rate has increased in Sioux Falls recently. I can only imagine what will happen if the state locates a mega prison there and starts importing prisoners to fill it. Then we'll end up with all the families of the prisoners (many also involved in crime) within a few miles of downtown. Talk about crushing your community and creating Minneapolis. A candidate could gain a lot of credibility by looking at the hard data and removing the Covid period from the analysis (lots of substance abuse and financial issues due to insane government policies -- normally increase incarceration rates) and coming up with a reasonable approach that doesn't involve a huge structure in a metropolitan area. Just suggesting we move it from one community to another is doing nothing but making people angry and splitting the grassroots base.
Well spoken Chris and I agree/aprove of what you wrote! I have heard from several people that Toby is the only one that can win the Governorship! My wife and I helped Bruce Whalen's bid against John Thune in the primary(that's another storyand if you think Bruce lost every county by the exact same percentage margins I have some hurricane proof dry swamp land in Florida to sell you!). If I would have used their logic, I would not have been all in on helping Bruce! People like to pick winners regardless of their credentials/trustworthiness-this is WRONG THINKING!
WELL SAID.....I'm onboard! I try hard not to lean onto my own understanding as it usually doesn't mean squat anyway. So, I do what the Bible says...judge them by their fruit and those two have GOOD FRUIT. I see the JOB 28:28 Wisdom and Understanding in their actions. YOU Prayer Warriors know what to do from now on going forward. Enough SAID, BLESSINGS
The only thing that will stop the grassroots patriots from taking back our government is us! The ballot measures in November proved we can outwork work big money!
Never forget that the work of SD Canvassing’s tireless Patriot warriors was the tip of the spear in righting the ship. Even though the initial passing of 5% hand count audits had a clause saying that if a recount was approved due to a close count the ballots would just be ran back thru the machines and no hand count audit was required! See by getting rid of the hand count audit requirement on those close elections they could just run the same ballots back thru the same machines and they could assure the machines would not be exposed.
BUT they made a big mistake! They didn’t say hand count audit had to be limited to 5% or that hand count audit couldn’t still be done after a recount and along came Leah Anderson in Minnehaha County! She and her election coordinator stood up to ES&S and the establishment and forced their hand! They knew Leah and Mike would do a 100% hand count audit if at all possible therefore forcing the machines to be set to count as accurately as possible! What happened in that June 2024 primary? 14 establishment legislators across the state were sent home!!!
Yes, all those people who got voted out did vote against the landowners on property rights but the machines could have been set to cover up those blunders if not for the threat of hand count audits! A blunder like that even in SD would have went viral and ended the machines and the money laundering skeem all across our country forever!
Now we are finding out every week with new details coming out that SD Canvassing was right about EVERYTHING!
Thank you. I had similar thoughts about Jon when I first met him at the Sanford complex Freedom Rally after he gave a speech during Covid. A true believer. For life, liberty and property. Your points about Karla are absolutely correct, spot on. This is a great ticket. I think the pipeline issue was a turning point in the liberty movement in SD. Carpe Diem! Full speed ahead.
I have written about the Trump first term on my own website quite lengthy. I disagree his first term was not a good one. And I do believe a businessman is the right fit to lead your government.
Donald Trump's first term was an unconventional one at best. It was mostly will go down as the Great Awakening. Its sole purpose was to fully organize and convince people to jump on the Patriot train.
1) It was Donald Trump's 2017 Innaugeral Speech that set the tone, it was masterful and complete. It was a Declaration in itself, an announcement to the World, to Congress, to the Deep State what is about to come.
2) Donald Trump's first term, 2017-2021 was the icing on the cake for what had started back in 2009 with the Tea Party Movement and the 14 Articles of Freedom, to what had transpired since, a gradual overtaking of Patriots, completly rebranding the Republican Party as a America-First, Patriot Party. IT led the movement to install new people within the party, the U.S House, several State Legislatures, to yes, led to the Rise of Trump, into the White House.
3) From day one, Donald Trump's first term was nothing more, than about educating the masses, informing the people of our founding documents aka Project 1776 leading to teaching the 1776 Declaration, the 1777 Articles of Confederation, the 1783 Peace Treaty, the 1788 Ordinance, the 1789 Constitution, with the goal of revolutionizing, and continuing the Patriot quest to Change the National Government.
4) The Tax Cuts led to major re-investment in America, setting us up for the tariffs to take hold.
5) Donald Trump delivered on his key promise, to shake things up, to disrupt the status quo, to become a pain in the rear end of the Deep State Actors, Long Time career officials, etc.
6) Lets not forget the TRAP that Donald Trump had set - Executive Oroders 13848, 13959, 13961, 13971 which yes, those Deep State Actors, Joe Biden, the Left all fell right into.
7) Lets not forget, that 2020 had to happen just as it did, to continue to wake people up. The Carreer Politicians, the Left, the Deep State Actors had to fall into that trap, for all Americans to see what actually they were trying to do, push American closer and closer to a Feudal State.
8) Donald Trump never left the presidency, he transitioned it, he continued on as a "Commander of a Military Operation, setting traps along the way, waking your eyes, to establishing the OFFICE OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT, which allowed him to maintain and build his Second Administration.
9) Lets not forget, it was the Second Term that was going to be used to begin that transition, to Restructuring the Government, to Re-Organizing the Offices under that government, to Rebuilding America. This is was the real purpose of Project 1776, to show the people how the plan will unfold.
10) The Deep State, the Long Time Career Establishment did NOT get the best of Donald Trump in his first term. Donald Trump's first term accomplished what it was always meant to do. Cause Disruption, Wake People Up, Inform them on how to Take Back America.
Chris, I disagree with you on one thing, Toby is an excellent candidate if your goal is to do the same exact thing as Donald Trump has done nationally, to cause disruption, to wake people up, to put someone new in the Governor's Office, someone that is NOT like them, someone that is NOT a politician. My goal has always been to "end the deep, administrative state, even here in S.D The true Patriot Movement is about putting true "grassroots people" in that government, to start new.
Jon Hansen and Karla Lems both supported removing the Lt. Governor from the Convention format, stripping the Precinct people of choosing their own, independent choice for Lt. Gov. They chose to side with, and support the Peoples Choice for Governor, to hand pick their Running Mate That is where I disagree and abandoned them.
IF we are to follow the S.D Constitution, then you allow these At-Large Officials to be chosen before the people's delegates at that State Convention, just as Article 26 says.
While the Governor becomes a popular pick of the voters statewide during an election, the Lt. Governor must be someone independent of that popular choice Therefore, you push Karla Lems into the Convention, forcing her to go head to head, and prove herself to the delegates.
I honestly believe, a Toby Doeden as Governor is exactly what this "State" needs if we are to latch onto the Make America, Take Back America movement here in South Dakota. Americans are done with politicians, they lie, cheat, steal, they deceive, they conquer. Americans are done with them.
I 100% Disagree with the fact that Donald Trimp's first term was a failure. IT set out and accomplished everything it was designed to do. And now, we are right where we want to be.
I want to see a Toby Doeden as Governor, while he works with Jon Hansen and Karla Lems as leaders of the State Legislature. Now that would be the ultimate dream team.
3 major things missing from this article, and 2 incorrect statements.
1. WINNABLE.
2. COMPETITION.
3. MONEY
4. abortion single handedly?
5. Trump's first term a disaster?
#1 WINNABLE: Failed to be mentioned, it doesn't matter if we have Billy Graham in the position. What matters is who can actually win. That is what makes all the difference. While Hansen/Lems are great, they have primarily a small/vocal/great grassroots group. They do not have the masses of low information voters. Christian star power will only go so far. The masses have to be won.
#2 COMPETITION: Let's be frank, Dusty is the primary and only competition. Formidable at that. Huge war machine close to $10M, people, statewide recognition, even national recognition. Pictures with Trump, long incumbency. Even if you don't like him, he is an extraordinary marketer, virtual town halls, mailers, frequent visitor, and politically savvy. The only thing that matters is IF you can beat him and you are going to have to be over the top known to the masses and super-marketer to beat him.
#3 MONEY: Public records show 20-30k raised by Hansen in the past. Is a FAR reach to get $5-7+Million minimum together. The unfortunate sad thing about most politics is it takes lots of money to win. Unless you have an absolute clear path to the finances, it's going to be impossible.
#4 Hansen didn't single handedly help Amendment G get stopped (no abortion). While it was great he was helping stop G there were MANY different people putting 1-2M into the campaign, others doing major events, other doing postcards, others standing a polling centers, etc.
#5 Trump's first term a disaster? Huh? Maybe if you are a democrat. Did he get swindled on Covid with Fauci/Birx and others - yes. Is he accountable for that - yes, did he fail with the jab, yes. (though remember he TOLD pastors to make sure they were open on Easter - even though most pastors capitulated).
What did he do that was success? He put in massive tax cuts, he brought 3 new "conservative" justices to the supreme court, he smashed ISIS in Syria, 7 million new jobs, helped the stock market with a meteoric rise, stopped all abortion funding monies going to other countries, had a policy of deregulation 2 policies out for 1 new one in, got rid of regulations, did his phase 1 of fair trade by ending NAFTA, opened up American oil and gas exploration, confirmed over 230 federal judges, built 450 miles of border fencing, reinstated the stay in Mexico policy, made Europeans spend more on NATO than they ever had been for as they were cheating, created the Space Force, massive criminal justice reform, and the list goes on.
Be careful about following MSDNC talking points that Trump was an unmitigated disaster first term. Nothing farther from the truth. The businessman DELIVERED!
It's important to evaluate all aspects.
Agree that we can't split the vote between conservatives. So let's pick who can WIN, BEAT DUSTY, and HAS THE MONEY OR ABILITY TO RAISE THE MONEY - to do it!
Jan, you must have missed "He didn't do it by himself".
I fundamentally disagree with your 3 assertions. Jon & Karla have a winning record on major issues. As for money, you clearly don't know how much $ Jon helped raise for the NO on G camapign.
As for Trump 45, I agree that he did accomplish some positive things, but the way he got owned by the Deep State in so many ways - particularly covid - made his 1st term a disaster. I did not learn this from MSNBC, cuz I'm not libtarded.
Fighting the co2 pipeline & billion $ prison takes backbone Vince. Karla has provided leadership in these & other areas, which is why she is respected & feared by our enemies.
She basically supports moving the new prison to the old Citibank building in Sioux Falls on the interstate. And, she voted in favor of criminally prosecuting people who quote large sections of the Bible. That takes cowardice
Hi Vince, not looking for a conflict here, as we usually have agreement. But I attended that prison reset meeting in Sioux Falls. It is astounding the number of volunteers and church leaders that have personally transformed the lives of the incarcerated here in Sioux Falls, and, there's another pipeline that some of the leaders on this Taskforce and folks like Steve Haugaard and others are currently in the midst of, to effectively work with those DOC leaders inside the prison ( the Angola church ministry model is one example, there are others) and as they exit to meet their functional and spiritual needs. One church here is called Freedoms Gate, and there are others committed to this. Karla made this statement after that meeting. "To those ministries and churches that are ministering to these people, good job. And amen,” said Republican Rep. Karla Lems, who represents Lincoln County. “And may all of us take that to heart." I wrote about my thoughts on that meeting and their plans going forward in my Substack, please check it out. Ryan Kolbeck, defense attorney, also had great ideas to follow ND model, which would effectively, once implemented, cut our population in half if we screened out the nonviolent drug addicted and other nonviolents into separate treatment centers. This CAN be done if there's a will. Then follow Steve Haugaard's ideas on followup supervision. The taskforce heard all of this. We won this issue to be heard on prison reset taskforce ( by one vote!) because of the Karla Lems, we just have to keep pushing forward and stay together. Thanks.
I am opposed any more prisoners in Sioux Falls, period. The ridiculous Citibank suggestion is not a solution. That brings another 600 prisoners to downtown Sioux Falls. Latest I've read is 70% of the kids of prisoners are in the justice system. We already have a crime problem in Sioux Falls and 600 prisoners and their families will just make it WORSE. And now it looks like the Broins (Poet) in some sort of partnership with Tre Ministries are putting what appears to be a rehab center for young people on the corner of 18th and Minnesota. Insane! Looks like someone wants downtown Sioux Falls to be Minneapolis. My vote is for Rep Jensen and Rep Lems to keep the criminals in Lincoln County or find a way to avoid a prison all together. We don't want any more of them in Sioux Falls (we are already paying our dues). Honestly, someone needs to tell Sec. Wasko to get the system in order. There is no need for any more facilities. She needs to get the recidivism under control (we are at over 40%, that ridiculous -- Florida is at 25% and they run a tight ship) and ship everyone with an out of state ID home.
Many that day that testified told her straight up what needs to happen. I am still hopeful the ideas of Kolbeck, Haugaard, and many church volunteers take hold. We have authentic rehabilitation solutions; we just need the will to make it happen.
I know this isn't a popular idea but they've done it Louisiana at Angola and various places for those that have truly changed.
Taken from John Holt at Searchlight:
Karen Schwebach, a 30-year prison volunteer, zeroed in on the potential of mercy to lessen the state’s correctional workload. There are numerous inmates with life sentences who have long since changed their ways, she said, and clemency actions for those with records of self-improvement ought to be part of any conversation on how to address the prison population.
“South Dakota can still be tough on crime, but we can strike a balance by giving another chance to the men that really have changed their lives,” Schwebach said.
With all due respect, I think people are missing the point. I think everyone agrees we need to get the recidivism under control. Where we differ is the location and the need for a building to make this happen. The people in Sioux Falls already have over 1280 prisoners and all the associated crime from their families (about 70% of the juveniles with incarcerated parents end up in the justice system and there frequently issues with other family members as well). Adding another 600 prisoners (which the Citibank facility would do) and their families is not something people in D10 and D15 will accept. In fact, the people in those districts are very angry that the "powers that be" are discussing ramming more crime down their throats. Unfortunately, criminal behavior in families of the incarcerated is real and treating recidivism is not related to a building. The people of Sioux Falls expect the prison system to show they are actually doing something before they create an even bigger mess.
There's a prison task force that is looking at all possible options. You should email your input. The other vote you mention sounds ludicrous. You won't find many ppl more devout than Karla.
I wasn't a fan of that bill either, & almost reached out to Fred Deutsch (sponsor) to tell him. However, so many ppl were worked up over the Israeli/Hamas conflict that no one wanted to look like they were sympathetic to either side.
I can promise you no one is going to hassled in SD for reading the Bible.
And, like Real ID, these bills lie dormant until "crisis" times, then gets enforced by a Homeland Security 'just following orders'. Jon voted no, in Committee as well as floor vote. AIPAC and dual citizenship needs to either outlawed or registered as foreign agent under FARA - Thomas Massie is a leader here! 🙏
I have a genuinely hard time with this, Chris. While I like what Karla and Jon *claim to* stand for, I still have a problem with people working from inside a broken system. I'm not beyond convincing, but it's going to take some convincing going forward. I'm not at the point of being excited about them/it yet.
I see what you’re saying. Here’s the difference: Jon & Karla chose to enter and be inside the broken system in order to be part of the repair team. Not everyone can, should or would be willing to do that. But they took that leap and now need the continued support and people willing to help. They didn’t create it or break it; but they are showing an authentic, non-self-serving desire-and have the ability-to fix it.
Your assertions may be true for all I know. But right now, at this point in time, I have only your word to take. And Chris’. I just don’t know. And that’s as far as I can go at this point — I don’t know. I said the same thing about Trump throughout most of 2024, and ended up pulling the lever next to Trump’s name anyway. Believe me when I say, this conversation is a good one to be having. We’ll see just where we go between now and the next election.
Chris’s comment about nobody distrusting our state government more than Karla Lems is spot on! The picture of her praying in the gallery speaks volumes to her character. Most not willing to do that in public for fear of persecution! Jon’s willingness to take on such a divisive issue as abortion tells us all he is not one to shy from ANY battle! I personally will trust this team far more than any other names listed as potential candidates!
I’m okay with you thinking that. Just keep in mind, what looks like sincerity to you might look like naked political pandering to someone else. Please don’t misunderstand me; I’m not accusing Jon or Karla of such pandering outright. But I’m not going to trust them on someone else’s word that sounds to me like something out of a campaign ad. I may be ready to make that leap at some point in the future. I’m just not there yet.
I get your sentiment RK. But I would counter that the system is not completely broken, as evidenced by the fact that we were able to get real anti-establishment legislators in Pierre this year, doing good work for The People.
The defeat of the CO2 pipeline, Amendemnts G & H, election integrity reforms, are all worthy of celebration. Now is not the time for blackpilling. Now is the time to press our advantage, & push the enemy into oblivion.
God has chosen to bless us. Gratitude is in order.
Trusting people to maintain their connections to the "grassroots" is just that: A gesture of trust. And I have a hard time with trust these days. If I can't trust the hacks, the Mortensens and the Schoenbecks, I gotta have one helluva good reason to trust the folks that want to take their place. Like I said, I'm not beyond convincing, but as long as these substack pieces read like campaign ads, I'm not quite there.
Wow. Wow. Wow.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
“You’s can’t buy trust.”
Powerful statement: Tony needs to realize that. Dusty never earned it. And Rhoden partnered with Noem & wouldn’t stand for the people (even his Establishment Lt. Gov pick didn’t get 1st place in his own District.)
Jon & Karla have proven themselves in the arena to SD’ans, especially Patriots.
Add more passenger cars to that train; it’s filling up quickly!
*Toby (D.) needs to..
Honestly, we are seeing the same issues within the grassroots that were a problem with those in power before. For example, the mega prison is creating a lot of division because it isn't really necessary or prudent. Rather than do a complete reset, grassroots people are talking about moving it around to various communities (as long as it isn't in theirs). The latest suggestion is Sioux Falls. The murder rate has increased in Sioux Falls recently. I can only imagine what will happen if the state locates a mega prison there and starts importing prisoners to fill it. Then we'll end up with all the families of the prisoners (many also involved in crime) within a few miles of downtown. Talk about crushing your community and creating Minneapolis. A candidate could gain a lot of credibility by looking at the hard data and removing the Covid period from the analysis (lots of substance abuse and financial issues due to insane government policies -- normally increase incarceration rates) and coming up with a reasonable approach that doesn't involve a huge structure in a metropolitan area. Just suggesting we move it from one community to another is doing nothing but making people angry and splitting the grassroots base.
the establishment knows what they're doing with that. Trying to find any way to save their billion dollar grift opportunity
Thank you for your insightful comments! I too am getting on board!
Well spoken Chris and I agree/aprove of what you wrote! I have heard from several people that Toby is the only one that can win the Governorship! My wife and I helped Bruce Whalen's bid against John Thune in the primary(that's another storyand if you think Bruce lost every county by the exact same percentage margins I have some hurricane proof dry swamp land in Florida to sell you!). If I would have used their logic, I would not have been all in on helping Bruce! People like to pick winners regardless of their credentials/trustworthiness-this is WRONG THINKING!
WELL SAID.....I'm onboard! I try hard not to lean onto my own understanding as it usually doesn't mean squat anyway. So, I do what the Bible says...judge them by their fruit and those two have GOOD FRUIT. I see the JOB 28:28 Wisdom and Understanding in their actions. YOU Prayer Warriors know what to do from now on going forward. Enough SAID, BLESSINGS
The only thing that will stop the grassroots patriots from taking back our government is us! The ballot measures in November proved we can outwork work big money!
Never forget that the work of SD Canvassing’s tireless Patriot warriors was the tip of the spear in righting the ship. Even though the initial passing of 5% hand count audits had a clause saying that if a recount was approved due to a close count the ballots would just be ran back thru the machines and no hand count audit was required! See by getting rid of the hand count audit requirement on those close elections they could just run the same ballots back thru the same machines and they could assure the machines would not be exposed.
BUT they made a big mistake! They didn’t say hand count audit had to be limited to 5% or that hand count audit couldn’t still be done after a recount and along came Leah Anderson in Minnehaha County! She and her election coordinator stood up to ES&S and the establishment and forced their hand! They knew Leah and Mike would do a 100% hand count audit if at all possible therefore forcing the machines to be set to count as accurately as possible! What happened in that June 2024 primary? 14 establishment legislators across the state were sent home!!!
Yes, all those people who got voted out did vote against the landowners on property rights but the machines could have been set to cover up those blunders if not for the threat of hand count audits! A blunder like that even in SD would have went viral and ended the machines and the money laundering skeem all across our country forever!
Now we are finding out every week with new details coming out that SD Canvassing was right about EVERYTHING!
Thank you. I had similar thoughts about Jon when I first met him at the Sanford complex Freedom Rally after he gave a speech during Covid. A true believer. For life, liberty and property. Your points about Karla are absolutely correct, spot on. This is a great ticket. I think the pipeline issue was a turning point in the liberty movement in SD. Carpe Diem! Full speed ahead.
Sign me up for the ride Chris!
Who will take over their duties as House Speaker and Speaker Pro Tempore while they campaign?
Spot on! This is exactly how we take back out state!
I have written about the Trump first term on my own website quite lengthy. I disagree his first term was not a good one. And I do believe a businessman is the right fit to lead your government.
Donald Trump's first term was an unconventional one at best. It was mostly will go down as the Great Awakening. Its sole purpose was to fully organize and convince people to jump on the Patriot train.
1) It was Donald Trump's 2017 Innaugeral Speech that set the tone, it was masterful and complete. It was a Declaration in itself, an announcement to the World, to Congress, to the Deep State what is about to come.
2) Donald Trump's first term, 2017-2021 was the icing on the cake for what had started back in 2009 with the Tea Party Movement and the 14 Articles of Freedom, to what had transpired since, a gradual overtaking of Patriots, completly rebranding the Republican Party as a America-First, Patriot Party. IT led the movement to install new people within the party, the U.S House, several State Legislatures, to yes, led to the Rise of Trump, into the White House.
3) From day one, Donald Trump's first term was nothing more, than about educating the masses, informing the people of our founding documents aka Project 1776 leading to teaching the 1776 Declaration, the 1777 Articles of Confederation, the 1783 Peace Treaty, the 1788 Ordinance, the 1789 Constitution, with the goal of revolutionizing, and continuing the Patriot quest to Change the National Government.
4) The Tax Cuts led to major re-investment in America, setting us up for the tariffs to take hold.
5) Donald Trump delivered on his key promise, to shake things up, to disrupt the status quo, to become a pain in the rear end of the Deep State Actors, Long Time career officials, etc.
6) Lets not forget the TRAP that Donald Trump had set - Executive Oroders 13848, 13959, 13961, 13971 which yes, those Deep State Actors, Joe Biden, the Left all fell right into.
7) Lets not forget, that 2020 had to happen just as it did, to continue to wake people up. The Carreer Politicians, the Left, the Deep State Actors had to fall into that trap, for all Americans to see what actually they were trying to do, push American closer and closer to a Feudal State.
8) Donald Trump never left the presidency, he transitioned it, he continued on as a "Commander of a Military Operation, setting traps along the way, waking your eyes, to establishing the OFFICE OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT, which allowed him to maintain and build his Second Administration.
9) Lets not forget, it was the Second Term that was going to be used to begin that transition, to Restructuring the Government, to Re-Organizing the Offices under that government, to Rebuilding America. This is was the real purpose of Project 1776, to show the people how the plan will unfold.
10) The Deep State, the Long Time Career Establishment did NOT get the best of Donald Trump in his first term. Donald Trump's first term accomplished what it was always meant to do. Cause Disruption, Wake People Up, Inform them on how to Take Back America.
Chris, I disagree with you on one thing, Toby is an excellent candidate if your goal is to do the same exact thing as Donald Trump has done nationally, to cause disruption, to wake people up, to put someone new in the Governor's Office, someone that is NOT like them, someone that is NOT a politician. My goal has always been to "end the deep, administrative state, even here in S.D The true Patriot Movement is about putting true "grassroots people" in that government, to start new.
Jon Hansen and Karla Lems both supported removing the Lt. Governor from the Convention format, stripping the Precinct people of choosing their own, independent choice for Lt. Gov. They chose to side with, and support the Peoples Choice for Governor, to hand pick their Running Mate That is where I disagree and abandoned them.
IF we are to follow the S.D Constitution, then you allow these At-Large Officials to be chosen before the people's delegates at that State Convention, just as Article 26 says.
While the Governor becomes a popular pick of the voters statewide during an election, the Lt. Governor must be someone independent of that popular choice Therefore, you push Karla Lems into the Convention, forcing her to go head to head, and prove herself to the delegates.
I honestly believe, a Toby Doeden as Governor is exactly what this "State" needs if we are to latch onto the Make America, Take Back America movement here in South Dakota. Americans are done with politicians, they lie, cheat, steal, they deceive, they conquer. Americans are done with them.
I 100% Disagree with the fact that Donald Trimp's first term was a failure. IT set out and accomplished everything it was designed to do. And now, we are right where we want to be.
I want to see a Toby Doeden as Governor, while he works with Jon Hansen and Karla Lems as leaders of the State Legislature. Now that would be the ultimate dream team.
3 major things missing from this article, and 2 incorrect statements.
1. WINNABLE.
2. COMPETITION.
3. MONEY
4. abortion single handedly?
5. Trump's first term a disaster?
#1 WINNABLE: Failed to be mentioned, it doesn't matter if we have Billy Graham in the position. What matters is who can actually win. That is what makes all the difference. While Hansen/Lems are great, they have primarily a small/vocal/great grassroots group. They do not have the masses of low information voters. Christian star power will only go so far. The masses have to be won.
#2 COMPETITION: Let's be frank, Dusty is the primary and only competition. Formidable at that. Huge war machine close to $10M, people, statewide recognition, even national recognition. Pictures with Trump, long incumbency. Even if you don't like him, he is an extraordinary marketer, virtual town halls, mailers, frequent visitor, and politically savvy. The only thing that matters is IF you can beat him and you are going to have to be over the top known to the masses and super-marketer to beat him.
#3 MONEY: Public records show 20-30k raised by Hansen in the past. Is a FAR reach to get $5-7+Million minimum together. The unfortunate sad thing about most politics is it takes lots of money to win. Unless you have an absolute clear path to the finances, it's going to be impossible.
#4 Hansen didn't single handedly help Amendment G get stopped (no abortion). While it was great he was helping stop G there were MANY different people putting 1-2M into the campaign, others doing major events, other doing postcards, others standing a polling centers, etc.
#5 Trump's first term a disaster? Huh? Maybe if you are a democrat. Did he get swindled on Covid with Fauci/Birx and others - yes. Is he accountable for that - yes, did he fail with the jab, yes. (though remember he TOLD pastors to make sure they were open on Easter - even though most pastors capitulated).
What did he do that was success? He put in massive tax cuts, he brought 3 new "conservative" justices to the supreme court, he smashed ISIS in Syria, 7 million new jobs, helped the stock market with a meteoric rise, stopped all abortion funding monies going to other countries, had a policy of deregulation 2 policies out for 1 new one in, got rid of regulations, did his phase 1 of fair trade by ending NAFTA, opened up American oil and gas exploration, confirmed over 230 federal judges, built 450 miles of border fencing, reinstated the stay in Mexico policy, made Europeans spend more on NATO than they ever had been for as they were cheating, created the Space Force, massive criminal justice reform, and the list goes on.
Be careful about following MSDNC talking points that Trump was an unmitigated disaster first term. Nothing farther from the truth. The businessman DELIVERED!
It's important to evaluate all aspects.
Agree that we can't split the vote between conservatives. So let's pick who can WIN, BEAT DUSTY, and HAS THE MONEY OR ABILITY TO RAISE THE MONEY - to do it!
Jan, you must have missed "He didn't do it by himself".
I fundamentally disagree with your 3 assertions. Jon & Karla have a winning record on major issues. As for money, you clearly don't know how much $ Jon helped raise for the NO on G camapign.
As for Trump 45, I agree that he did accomplish some positive things, but the way he got owned by the Deep State in so many ways - particularly covid - made his 1st term a disaster. I did not learn this from MSNBC, cuz I'm not libtarded.
I'm not sure who you are advocating for?
Chris, I love you like a brother. But, you are wrong on Karla Lems. Karla is weak. Has no backbone. I don't know much about Hanson
Fighting the co2 pipeline & billion $ prison takes backbone Vince. Karla has provided leadership in these & other areas, which is why she is respected & feared by our enemies.
She basically supports moving the new prison to the old Citibank building in Sioux Falls on the interstate. And, she voted in favor of criminally prosecuting people who quote large sections of the Bible. That takes cowardice
Hi Vince, not looking for a conflict here, as we usually have agreement. But I attended that prison reset meeting in Sioux Falls. It is astounding the number of volunteers and church leaders that have personally transformed the lives of the incarcerated here in Sioux Falls, and, there's another pipeline that some of the leaders on this Taskforce and folks like Steve Haugaard and others are currently in the midst of, to effectively work with those DOC leaders inside the prison ( the Angola church ministry model is one example, there are others) and as they exit to meet their functional and spiritual needs. One church here is called Freedoms Gate, and there are others committed to this. Karla made this statement after that meeting. "To those ministries and churches that are ministering to these people, good job. And amen,” said Republican Rep. Karla Lems, who represents Lincoln County. “And may all of us take that to heart." I wrote about my thoughts on that meeting and their plans going forward in my Substack, please check it out. Ryan Kolbeck, defense attorney, also had great ideas to follow ND model, which would effectively, once implemented, cut our population in half if we screened out the nonviolent drug addicted and other nonviolents into separate treatment centers. This CAN be done if there's a will. Then follow Steve Haugaard's ideas on followup supervision. The taskforce heard all of this. We won this issue to be heard on prison reset taskforce ( by one vote!) because of the Karla Lems, we just have to keep pushing forward and stay together. Thanks.
I am opposed any more prisoners in Sioux Falls, period. The ridiculous Citibank suggestion is not a solution. That brings another 600 prisoners to downtown Sioux Falls. Latest I've read is 70% of the kids of prisoners are in the justice system. We already have a crime problem in Sioux Falls and 600 prisoners and their families will just make it WORSE. And now it looks like the Broins (Poet) in some sort of partnership with Tre Ministries are putting what appears to be a rehab center for young people on the corner of 18th and Minnesota. Insane! Looks like someone wants downtown Sioux Falls to be Minneapolis. My vote is for Rep Jensen and Rep Lems to keep the criminals in Lincoln County or find a way to avoid a prison all together. We don't want any more of them in Sioux Falls (we are already paying our dues). Honestly, someone needs to tell Sec. Wasko to get the system in order. There is no need for any more facilities. She needs to get the recidivism under control (we are at over 40%, that ridiculous -- Florida is at 25% and they run a tight ship) and ship everyone with an out of state ID home.
Many that day that testified told her straight up what needs to happen. I am still hopeful the ideas of Kolbeck, Haugaard, and many church volunteers take hold. We have authentic rehabilitation solutions; we just need the will to make it happen.
I know this isn't a popular idea but they've done it Louisiana at Angola and various places for those that have truly changed.
Taken from John Holt at Searchlight:
Karen Schwebach, a 30-year prison volunteer, zeroed in on the potential of mercy to lessen the state’s correctional workload. There are numerous inmates with life sentences who have long since changed their ways, she said, and clemency actions for those with records of self-improvement ought to be part of any conversation on how to address the prison population.
“South Dakota can still be tough on crime, but we can strike a balance by giving another chance to the men that really have changed their lives,” Schwebach said.
With all due respect, I think people are missing the point. I think everyone agrees we need to get the recidivism under control. Where we differ is the location and the need for a building to make this happen. The people in Sioux Falls already have over 1280 prisoners and all the associated crime from their families (about 70% of the juveniles with incarcerated parents end up in the justice system and there frequently issues with other family members as well). Adding another 600 prisoners (which the Citibank facility would do) and their families is not something people in D10 and D15 will accept. In fact, the people in those districts are very angry that the "powers that be" are discussing ramming more crime down their throats. Unfortunately, criminal behavior in families of the incarcerated is real and treating recidivism is not related to a building. The people of Sioux Falls expect the prison system to show they are actually doing something before they create an even bigger mess.
There's a prison task force that is looking at all possible options. You should email your input. The other vote you mention sounds ludicrous. You won't find many ppl more devout than Karla.
Don't think you're correct on this one. Lems voted for this: https://www.capjournal.com/news/noem-signs-historic-anti-semitism-bill-into-law/article_a4b33f2a-dd48-11ee-84ea-03150986621c.html
Which technically makes uttering this, either in church or privately, a felony in South Dakota: Matthew 27:25, Revelation 2:9, 3:9.
I wasn't a fan of that bill either, & almost reached out to Fred Deutsch (sponsor) to tell him. However, so many ppl were worked up over the Israeli/Hamas conflict that no one wanted to look like they were sympathetic to either side.
I can promise you no one is going to hassled in SD for reading the Bible.
And, like Real ID, these bills lie dormant until "crisis" times, then gets enforced by a Homeland Security 'just following orders'. Jon voted no, in Committee as well as floor vote. AIPAC and dual citizenship needs to either outlawed or registered as foreign agent under FARA - Thomas Massie is a leader here! 🙏
But Lems voted yes. And when asked about it, stuck her tail between her legs and ran off like a scalded dog
I have a genuinely hard time with this, Chris. While I like what Karla and Jon *claim to* stand for, I still have a problem with people working from inside a broken system. I'm not beyond convincing, but it's going to take some convincing going forward. I'm not at the point of being excited about them/it yet.
I see what you’re saying. Here’s the difference: Jon & Karla chose to enter and be inside the broken system in order to be part of the repair team. Not everyone can, should or would be willing to do that. But they took that leap and now need the continued support and people willing to help. They didn’t create it or break it; but they are showing an authentic, non-self-serving desire-and have the ability-to fix it.
Your assertions may be true for all I know. But right now, at this point in time, I have only your word to take. And Chris’. I just don’t know. And that’s as far as I can go at this point — I don’t know. I said the same thing about Trump throughout most of 2024, and ended up pulling the lever next to Trump’s name anyway. Believe me when I say, this conversation is a good one to be having. We’ll see just where we go between now and the next election.
Chris’s comment about nobody distrusting our state government more than Karla Lems is spot on! The picture of her praying in the gallery speaks volumes to her character. Most not willing to do that in public for fear of persecution! Jon’s willingness to take on such a divisive issue as abortion tells us all he is not one to shy from ANY battle! I personally will trust this team far more than any other names listed as potential candidates!
I’m okay with you thinking that. Just keep in mind, what looks like sincerity to you might look like naked political pandering to someone else. Please don’t misunderstand me; I’m not accusing Jon or Karla of such pandering outright. But I’m not going to trust them on someone else’s word that sounds to me like something out of a campaign ad. I may be ready to make that leap at some point in the future. I’m just not there yet.
I get your sentiment RK. But I would counter that the system is not completely broken, as evidenced by the fact that we were able to get real anti-establishment legislators in Pierre this year, doing good work for The People.
The defeat of the CO2 pipeline, Amendemnts G & H, election integrity reforms, are all worthy of celebration. Now is not the time for blackpilling. Now is the time to press our advantage, & push the enemy into oblivion.
God has chosen to bless us. Gratitude is in order.
I am grateful for the good work that was done. I just hope it’s enough. Time will tell.
There is much more work to do.
Also, we should be electing people who will maintain their connections to the grassroots once they take office.
Trusting people to maintain their connections to the "grassroots" is just that: A gesture of trust. And I have a hard time with trust these days. If I can't trust the hacks, the Mortensens and the Schoenbecks, I gotta have one helluva good reason to trust the folks that want to take their place. Like I said, I'm not beyond convincing, but as long as these substack pieces read like campaign ads, I'm not quite there.
Good dialog is healthy. Thanks for sharing.