12 Comments

Representative Odenbach,

Yet another great column.

Thank you for standing tall and firm in the beliefs that our forefathers wanted for themselves and us.

Thank you for speaking out and for being a servant of the people.

It seems to be forgotten by many what the duties of a public servant are.

You are a refreshing voice in the midst of chaos.

Thank you again!

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Hi Scott, I am one South Dakota voter who would appreciate the chance to select these Republican leaders. I am not happy that partisan insiders, by means of a closed convention system, want to tell the rest of us who and what our choices should be. Let all the voters decide. Thank You.

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Excellent column. Makes perfect sense. Any time there is a proposed amendment to the constitution, it raises the red flag. No one that is paying attention wants this. Thanks for writing this for the Dakota Scout readers.

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Thank you! Yes, this process is how people who are concerned and want to have a voice can actually have a chance. A chance by stepping outside his or her front door, talking with their neighbors, becoming a Precinct person and getting involved. This process creates a MUCH better chance to get the elected persons you feel best represents you and your Precinct (neighborhood) on the ballot. (Also, having Districts for representation is the same concept for the Legislators-the same ones, ironically, bringing Bill 5001-including one from my district-to remove the voice & local control-SMH). The “stepping outside one’s door” is what happened in Watertown at State Convention. And now, those who thought they were a cake-walked in with no eyes on them or opposition, are MAD that the “everyday people” who don’t “make a fuss” but vote, are now showing up to get involved. Egads. Thus, the important of Precinct committee men & women is essential. HJR 5001 is a bill to cut out the people who decide to take that unnerving first step and do something. I’ll be sending messages to both my D13 representative asking him to rethink his sponsorship of the bill and the other Representative to vote NO against 5001 if it gets out of Committee. I hope others step up to speak out as well.

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The number of years it has been done this way, and the sudden desire to change should cause everyone to take pause, and ask why. The process is a way to engage people with how their government is handled at the very simplest level, and should be heralded as a great way to keep our representative republic working. How unfortunate that some want to cave to big money interests, their “favored sons” leading to smaller representation. Look at context, to see how eliminating it will reduce the way that people in this republic can get involved and begin to understand how government works for or against them by being part of the bigger picture. Thank you Scott for challenging the knee jerk reaction to what is working.

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Agreed! Vote no.

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Never seen anyone more afraid of their own voters as a South Dakota legislator.

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Thanks for taking the time to share this Representative Odenbach. You’re a good man.

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The process is open to anyone that cares enough to put in the effort! I highly recommend participating as it is quite an eye opener. The last time the "closed convention system" was held, grassroots citizens shook up the "partisan insiders." The representative system worked, and this is the backlash - don't fall for it. Thank you Rep. Odenbach for a thoughtful article.

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Agreed! Vote no.

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It is always better to let a room full of politicains decide which of their cronies get elected instead a whole state of taxpayers who are paying the salaries of those friends and relatives in that room.

1 question? If Joe Nobody, a good Republican off the street, who has never donated a dime to the Republican party but has the credentials and experinence in private business wanted to run, what would you say the odds would be of him/her making the ballot in South Dakota? What would the odds of a Brock Greenfield, a career politcian, have if he was that nobody off the street?

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THIS sounds like a REAL South Dakota FREEDOM!

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