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Bottom line is we have to begin to work across and through our political differences. Blaming and hating is counter-productive and a waste of time and energy. I don't see my fellow South Dakotans as the enemy that I have to vanquish or destroy.
What we call politics is really a discussion about what government should do--in general, the p…
Bottom line is we have to begin to work across and through our political differences. Blaming and hating is counter-productive and a waste of time and energy. I don't see my fellow South Dakotans as the enemy that I have to vanquish or destroy.
What we call politics is really a discussion about what government should do--in general, the purpose of government is to serve the people by creating a just and stable society to preserve our unalienable rights to life, liberty, justice and the pursuit of happiness. Winning and destroying the "enemy" will only lead to division and an inability to compromise. It shouldn't be a war where one side wins and the other loses. Those in power, in a state like SD where Republicans have held power for decades, have a responsibility to listen to opposing points of view.
For example, if I don't share the Lt. Governor's belief that we should raise the sales tax in order to give property owners a tax break, it doesn't make me the enemy, and it doesn't give him the right to force that belief on me or anyone else. I may want property tax relief, so let's explore other options for getting there. To do so, it starts by respecting each other's opinion. As I said, I'm reserving judgement on Governor Rhoeden, but it takes a real leader to forge compromise. Time will tell whether that's what we have now--when was the last time Republicans and Democrats compromised? Can anyone point to an example? If not, that seems like a problem to me.