A Christmas Wish List from the Left and the Right

We were trying to come up with a good topic appropriate for the Christmas Holidays, and Todd had the idea of wishing a few of our South Dakota politicians well. So, we're going with that topic.

What would the respective representatives from the ideological left and the right give our favorite politicians?




Gift #1 - Gimme Back My Plane!

We all know Gov. Mike Rounds likes to fly. And fly. And fly some more. But the voters this fall sort of took Gov. Rounds' airplane away with the passage of the initiated law. So, for our Governor, I give him back his state airplane for Christmas, as long as he uses it in accordance with the law--and keeps accurate flight logs and makes them public.

Gift #2 - A Clue

This gift goes to the pro-life zealots like Leslee Unruh and Rep. Roger Hunt who apparently didn't get the message this fall that South Dakotans don't want draconian abortion bills shoved down their throats. So, to those who don't understand and plan to bring another bill to the Legislature in 2007, I give you the gift that keeps on giving the whole year through--a clue about what the public wants--and doesn't want.

Gift #3 - Cat Herding Lessons

As someone who's been fairly involved in state Democratic politics the past several years, I can tell you that trying to get our state's Democrats to point in one direction--any direction--is a Herculean chore. So, for new State Party Chair Jack Billion and new Senate Minority Leader Scott Heidepriem, I give you each cat herding lessons so you can try and wrangle our fellow Dems and point them in the same direction.

Gift #4 - A Trainload of Yellow Legal Pads

Attorney General Larry Long apparently is the only person in state government willing to take on everyone else's dirty jobs--open government, consumer fraud, investigations of state senators and pages, whatever happened to Ridgefield Farms' money--the list goes on. So, to help Larry and his staff during the new year, I give you a trainload of yellow legal pads to keep you going through all this work.

Gift #5 - Nothing for the Man Who Has Everything

Sioux Falls Mayor Dave Munson doesn't need anything this Yuletide season as he basically got everything he wanted in 2006, even though he wasn't exactly a "good boy" this year. He got caught not reporting a questionable fundraising event, he had problems reporting transfers in the city budget, and he dropped in, then out, then back in to the mayoral race. But he pulled perhaps the political comeback of recent South Dakota history when he was reelected. And to boot, frequent City Council critics Darrin Smith and Andy Howe left the Council. Christmas came early and often for Dave in 2006.

Gift #6 - A New Website Design for the Argus Leader

I think the Sioux Falls Argus Leader has its heart in the right place with the ideas behind its redesign and focus on local news and views. But the website is a mess. Breaking news is hard to find and reader stories about the Canton Girls Scout troop seem to get higher placement than hard news. So, my present for the Argus is a new web design. In fact, go look at the Austin (TX) American-Statesman and do what they do.

And on a serious note, I hope Sen. Tim Johnson a speedy and full recovery. I also hope that in 2007, we can all--Republicans and Democrats and Libertarians and Independents and whatevers--can all be a little more gracious to each other and work together on our state's problems. It's more fun and productive to pull together than to pull apart.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good blog!




Gift #1 - E-mail for dummies.

Gee. I wonder who this gift is for?

Well, that could only be State Senator Frank Kloucek who seems to have this problem with typing what he thinks. And then sending it out in e-mails to media across the state.

But of course, I don't know if this book will cover those unique programs that only work with cutting and pasting.


Gift #2 - A change of voter registration card from Democrat to Republican.

Not that we'd give him a leadership position right out of the starting gate, but Democratic State Senator Scott Heidepreim has got to be hating being in the driver's seat of this caucus.

First, he's got Democratic Senator Dan Sutton who seems hell bent on putting the Senate through a hearing on how he may or may not have groped a high school boy. Now, as above, he's got Frank Kloucek baring his soul to the state's media.

Scott's campaign talked about getting the legislature back to business. With this kind of start... It may be a while.

Gift #3 - Righteous indignation

For the Argus Leader. Because after going after the Governor, Roger Hunt, and any number of assorted topics (State airplanes, the Governor's Hunt, pistol permits, health records, etcetera...) in an overblown and overhyped manner this year, I think they used up everything they had.

Unless Santa brings them more to restock their supply, they'll be stuck running pictures of people's cats....

Oops. too late.


Gift #4 - The Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalog

Former Republican State Senator Stan Adelstein sure has a lot of money. He's dropped "$100 large" on more than one occasion into his primary elections as well as putting obscene amounts of money into other state legislative efforts (and most of them typically lose).

So, instead of blowing that kind of money on races where he doesn't get much back - why not spend it and walk away with neat stuff?

I'm sorry, but this pencil skyscraper for $40,000 is a way cooler purchase than Democratic State Senator Tom Katus was.

And it's much cuter when you hang a sock monkey off of it.

Gift #5 - The Richard Nixon Memoirs.

For Former City Commissioner, Former Senator, former "everything" Ron Volesky. Upon his exit from state politics, he really didn't have a great ending quote. It really came out as more of a rant against the SDDP for not supporting him.

Richard Nixon had one of the best quotes ever in 1962 when he and everyone mistakenly thought he was done in politics.

"You won't have Nixon to kick around anymore. Because this is my last press conference, gentlemen."

Now that was memorable. And just like Nixon eventually was, Ron will be back.


Gift #6 - A toaster.

For who? DUH. Newly engaged Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth. Everyone needs to get a toaster as a wedding gift. Or towels. Monogrammed towels are always nice. I have a set myself.


And Finally - on a more serious note, I'd wish for the continued improvement of Senator Johnson's health and for his family to have a peaceful and joyous Christmas. They certainly deserve it.