Ask not for kings to rule over you.

Catch your breath, Heidelberger best choice for Madison school board.

2011-04-09T09:31:00.000-07:00

Candidate for Madison school board, Cory Heidelberger, took time to answer three questions.

Question 1. Will you reach out to the parents that home-school and offer to them the services that the Madison school district provides?

Yes. I am a parent who home-schools. Home-school parents still pay the same taxes as everyone else. They are contributing additional resources to their school districts in the form of the human capital they invest in educating their own children. The fact that a family decides to take on the great duty of educating their own children does not end the community's responsibility to help ensure those children receive a good education. School districts should be open to helping home-school parents in whatever ways they can.

Question 2. Should the role of the school board be an advocate for the taxpayers, teachers, administration or students?

Yes. :-) All of the above. The school board serves the entire community and must balance its obligations to all parties. Providing our kids the best education we can is our primary mission, but doing that means serving all interested parties fairly. Finding that balance of interests is not easy, but that's the job of the school board.

Question 3. How would you handle executive sessions with respect to the freedom of information requests?

State law (SDCL 1-25-2) lays out very specific situations when school boards *may* (not *shall*, which is an important distinction) close the doors to the public. Federal law (FERPA) requires that we protect certain aspects of student and family privacy. But I take a very dim view of keeping things secret from the public that we serve. Executive sessions should be kept to the bare legal minimum. Outside of those very specific legal allowances for secrecy, the school board should make all of its discussions, notes, agenda packets, budgets, and other materials available to everyone (especially when that's so easy to do with the Internet).

(Editors note) With the upcoming budget cuts to education in the forefront, Mr. Heidelberger proposes and wait and see approach to the local opt-out, school expansion and retention of teachers. This prudent and fiscally wise vision is the reason why Proverbs1322.blogspot.com endorses Mr. Heidelberger for Madison school board.

Candidate for State House Stace Nelson on school consolidation.

2010-10-27T18:25:00.000-07:00

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Stace Nelson is a candidate for South Dakota State House District 25. I submitted a question, this one on HB1182, which would make force all school districts to have at least 190 students enrolled, or be forced to merge. The following is Mr. Nelson's response.

Question 1: Last session a bill was introduced HB1182 to consolidate school districts under 190 students. What is your position on school size?

Thanks,

Thad Wasson

Thad,
My grandma, Freda Nelson, was a “one room” schoolteacher over near Lake Andes. That school house was on the front part of their farm, I have some of the books that they once used, and that building will forever be in my memories. I imagine that she would be shaking her head in wonderment and disgust that we have lost our way here in South Dakota. Even with the advent of the most miraculous of technology, we are closing schools and devastating small communities? I do not support our state mandating schools close/consolidate. I believe that the future of small schools should be left in the hands of the community. That being said, these communities need to understand that if they want to keep their schools open then they need to think outside of the box and run these schools only with the funds appropriated for their student population. Our state cannot ensure a Roosevelt/Mitchell/Baltic/etc. high school experience to every child in rural South Dakota; however, with the availability of video conferencing and computer technology our small schools should be given the chance to adapt their teaching environments so these small communities do not lose their schools or heritage.

Respectfully,

Stace Nelson
District 25 Republican Candidate for South Dakota House of Representatives
24739 420th Ave.
Fulton, SD 57340-8004
Cell: (605) 770-7461
Tel: (605) 996-0882
WWW.StaceNelson.Com

This answer reveals a concern to keep our rural communities alive and viable for future generations. South Dakota is more than I90, Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Our leaders must always be on guard for the entire state, and consolidation is not the wise course.

Thanks Stace and good luck!

NPR gets it wrong.

2010-10-21T20:31:00.000-07:00

Juan Williams was canned for remarks made on Fox news. Williams said that he 'gets nervous when around those in Muslim garb' while waiting in airports. NPR has no problem when their other commentators demean the tea party or Republican candidates.

As the old saying goes - we are all equal, but some are more equal than others.

Jay Pond responds!

2010-10-20T20:35:00.000-07:00

Jay,

Question #1: You are a proponent of wind energy. How could the state of South Dakota generate revenue from wind to add to our tax base?
Yes I am a proponent of wind energy production - call me the Drill Baby Drill of Wind.

I see wind as a new crop - a new source of sales income for South Dakotans. I don't want our wind production capabilities to be owned by out-of-state corporations that will take the profits out-of-state. I want the opportunity to purchase my energy from local production. By purchasing from others outside the state we are exporting the profits from our consumption. This need not be the case for our energy consumption. We have the means and the technology to produce our own energy. Let's keep the profits in-state. More money staying in the state translates to a boast in sales for homes, retail, restaurants...all tof which increase our sales tax revenue.

For South Dakotans to own the production process - the windmills, I support Federal, State and our local investment class to guarantee loans through our local banks and credit unions enabling individuals, if they choose, to purchase the means to tap into wind and solar. The opportunity to produce and sell energy is particularly good for rural South Dakotans. Loan guarantees are not subsidies - they are means to provide the necessary capital for South Dakotans to develop their own means of production.

Question #2: Japan was home for you during the early 1990's. How could you maximize that international experience to increase and build new ag and tourism markets?
Great question - I appreciate the opportunity to answer it. Before getting to the specifics of tourism and ag, I want to mention the Japanese value of community-based economics.

My living experience in Japan taught me that as a culture the Japanese are incredibly good at maximizing a very limited amount of natural resource available to such a huge population living in on very small island country. The Japanese are great at refining... improving quality and process. The economy, for as large as it is, is very community-based. The Japanese buy from each other first, then if items are not available from Japanese-based production, they then turn to the outside world. This allows for the refinement process, as everyone and all the processes are connected. By keeping the chain of production local, they support each other. The emergence of their economy into the second largest on the planet is evidence of this very simple economic value.

I want to see South Dakota do the same - we are so blessed with abundant resources and well-educated hard-working people, yet a vast amount of our consumption of goods produced outside our state - most of our retail consumption is produced outside the country. This is economic insanity in my opinion.

To your question of tourism and ag. My travels and living abroad make in easier for me to understand exactly how unique the Black Hills are. Our agriculture is produced with some of the last remaining naturally pure water in the world. Our beef and buffalo production is done ethically - small and medium sized ranches, not large scale animal production lots. Our production process still is naturally ORGANIC! The Japanese value quality, and have the means to pay extra for the increased value.

Also, I'd like to see a broadening of our tourism promotions to market to a more up-scale traveler. I'd like to see our state promoted as one enormous sculpture garden . Not just our two biggies - Rushmore and Crazy Horse, but our city sculpture gardens - the Presidents here in Rapid, the sculpture walk in Sioux Falls and Yankton, the great art popping up along I-90. We truly are emerging as a sculpture destination. I'd like to see the state promote our sculptors abroad. Local sculptors are emerging as masters - Dale Lamphere, John Lopez, Jim Maher just to name a few.

Question #3: The state Veteran's Home in Hot Springs is being lured by the elected leadership in Rapid City to place new roots in Rapid. Where would the Home best serve all veteran's?
Thad, I need to know more about this issue before I'm able to offer an intelligent opinion. Please point in the direction of any information to get me up to speed on the issue.

Question #4: Medicaid is a growing item in our state budget that has an insatiable appetite. How do we manage this going forward?
Big Pharm has us by the balls. I'd like to see South Dakota join with other states in the region to buy in bulk. Obama in my opinion screwed the nation when he made a backdoor deal with Big Pharm by agreeing to not negotiate price. Canada negotiates as a bulk buyer, so should we! I think Medicare Part D needs to be repealed.

"Calculations by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office and other independent fiscal experts show that the $1.1 trillion cost over the next 10 years of the Medicare prescription drug program, which the Republican-controlled Congress adopted in 2003, by itself would add more to the deficit than the combined costs of the bailout, the stimulus and the health care law."

Thanks for your time and answers Jay. Good luck on November 2, 2010.

Interview with Jay Pond.

2010-10-20T18:55:00.000-07:00

Jay Pond is an Independent running for the South Dakota State House in District 35. Mr. Pond has kindly agreed to answer a few questions that I submitted to him. Stay tuned!

2010-09-26T20:15:00.000-07:00

The path to wings.

2010-08-03T20:18:00.000-07:00

The children could not part with the caterpillar when we got home. So they placed it in a plastic container and this morning woke up to a cocoon. The caterpillar is on its way to becoming a monarch butterfly.

2010-08-01T19:57:00.000-07:00

A lazy Saturday afternoon was spent at Dalton Lake in the Black Hills. Henry reached up and grabbed a dragonfly, he also snagged a caterpillar.

Hannah snapped pictures of all the flowers.

Shedding blood for religon.

2010-05-25T14:15:00.000-07:00

American troops have been fighting in Afghanistan since October 2001. We are there to establish and create and maintain the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Huh? Why is American treasure and blood being spent to support a country devoted to the rule of Islam? Using our military muscle to groom a nation whose guiding principle in their constitution is the rule of Islam? Where are my liberal friends who preach separation of church and state in the U.S.A? Are they proud of this?

Barn fun.

2010-04-17T16:45:00.000-07:00

Off to the wild blue yonder.

Its good to have a local economist.

2010-04-13T16:05:00.000-07:00

Our janitor also moonlights as an economist. Case in point, today he came in the crew room and said he can tell our company has gotten rid of a lot of employees because he rarely has to replace the toilet paper.

Raise your hand if you are a hawk.

2010-04-12T20:08:00.000-07:00

Since President Obama signed the new treaty with Russia limiting and reducing the stockpiles of nuclear weapons, and the outrage by candidates and elected officials over his decision, its time to compare and contrast with our hero, Ronald Reagan.

Let's look at the reaction by Reagan when the Marine barracks were blown up by Islamic terrorists in Beirut, Lebanon 1983. Nothing. No ground troops stationed in the Middle East. No special forces involvement. No sustained air bombardment.

How about dealing with the Russians and their nuclear ambitions? Quote 'I call upon the scientific community in our country, those who gave us nuclear weapons, to turn their great talents now to the cause of mankind and world peace: to give us the means of rendering these nuclear weapons impotent and obsolete'. Ronald Reagan.

President Obama has increased troops in Afghanistan and plans to maintain a troop level of over 50,000 American military personal in Iraq indefinitely.

Mr. Obama to this point is more of a hawk than Mr. Reagan ever was.

Golf Tournament Fundraiser has been set.

2010-04-05T21:07:00.000-07:00

The 21st of June is the date for the Bethany Christian Services golf tournament. This is a best ball four man scramble held at Hart Ranch in Rapid City. Last year I put down an 18 for a handicap, on hole 6 my partner mentioned that next time I say my handicap is 26.

Under the age of 27?

2010-03-24T16:22:00.000-07:00

The new 'law of the land' health care bill needs to be discussed on this blog. Allowing your children up to the age of 27 to be on your current health insurance plan is counterproductive. The goal is to get the young and healthy to pay into the insurance pool. Why extend the umbrella of their parent's policy? Obama said everyone in, no one out. Get a job! Drop the Xbox headset and show some desire to earn some cash.

Border war

2010-03-05T15:52:00.000-08:00

A crowd of over 300 gathered Thursday evening at the convention center off of exit 48.

The quickly announced special zoning for Meade county residents near the border with the city of Summerset took place Thursday evening. It began with confusion and ended with a question. What happens next?

Meade county officials are proposing a new special zoning committee that would hold the title of number 5 in layers of government bureaucracy. Government chain of command currently is the state of SD, the city of Summerset, the county of Meade, and current covenants of homeowners associations that would be grandfathered in.

Why create something that will have no taxing authority or legal recourse to enforce codes that are on the books? Why get the people excited over a committee that has been hyped with a false sense of bravado?

Is this being created to provide a blueprint for Summerset to annex the area and for the Meade county commission to wash their hands of us?

All in a day's work.

2010-03-03T19:08:00.000-08:00

My work routine takes me to a variety of homes, apartments and businesses throughout the day. These pictures were taken at a rental unit in Rapid City. The image to the left is the entrance to the rental. Notice the punched-out sheet rock. At the upper right hand corner is trash piled at the main door. Cost monthly for this tenant is $600 dollars.

Eye Contact with Meaning

2010-02-09T18:36:00.000-08:00

Mary Fast Horse died Monday night. How do I know this? I made eye contact with one of her relatives today on the job. His eyes carried a heavy burden which prompted me to ask if he was okay. His reply was, "No a family member died." His family member was Mary Fast Horse. She was drinking at Romeo's bar in Rapid City, the liquor gave her a false sense of warmth. She left the bar without her shoes or coat, curled up next to a dumpster and froze to death.

What causes a person to die this way and a city that seems to have indifference? Is this a reflection of Rapid City or a one time occurrence?

May God have peace on her soul and give her family comfort.

China vs. U.S.

2010-02-08T22:07:00.000-08:00

China gets referenced a lot on my blog. They are currently positioned better than the U.S. is economically and until our nation addresses this, we will continue to lose jobs.

Our nation has three bills that China does not. Bill 1. A military that we spend half of our budget on. Bill 2. $800 billion dollar bank redemption plan. Bill 3. Two wars.

Their is a loud cry of our desire to wean ourselves from foreign oil, and the capital that flows outside our borders to other lands. A concern that is valid, but what of imported electronics, textiles, clothes, food, and vehicles?

Get ready for the next Cuban missle crisis.

2010-02-04T20:36:00.000-08:00

Keep your eye on what is going on in Taiwan. An American company, McDonnell Douglas, sold $37 million dollars worth of missiles to Taiwan. China claims Taiwan as their property and the U.S. state department favors a one China policy. Having Taiwan with the ability to defend herself is unacceptable to the mainland and they are pushing back hard on America.

This is where we see who has the power at the start of the new decade.

Worst idea of the session.

2010-02-03T19:30:00.000-08:00

First reported by Pat Powers of Dakotawarcollege followed by CAH of Madvilletimes a bill only a Bolshevik could love and one only a communist dictator would draft. A law requiring all bloggers to provide information on comments posted on their blogs. Id's must be kept for purposes of government tracking.

Senator Nancy Turback Berry and Rep. Noel Hamiel are the authors of this gross violation of the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The shine on the presumed crown that both these elected officials wear must be affecting the function of all common sense in the halls of Pierre.

When war is your trade.

2010-02-02T19:19:00.000-08:00

A resolution was presented to our state investment council from our elected reps seeking to divest our state retirement funds from companies that do business with Iran. Iran has been providing training for terrorists that have fought and killed American and British military personal in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It looks like the Chinese government likes what it sees over here in the South Dakota legislature and is going for their own version of that resolution. BBC news has reported that China has warned an American company, Boeing, that they will be suspended from doing business with the Chinese government unless they cease military trade with Taiwan. China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and having a Boeing subsidiary McDonnell Douglas provide missiles to Taiwan has gotten the attention of the Chinese leaders.

Carry the flag to battle.

2010-01-24T20:33:00.000-08:00

The sign of a great society is how well it treats its wounded military personnel. A recent program of brain damaged veterans was presented by public television. It showed parents and spouses left with the financial obligation of providing the needed medical care for their injured loved ones.

Our country should provide all the monetary resources needed to alleviate this burden.

Go ahead and lump'em all together.

2010-01-11T20:13:00.000-08:00

There has been a disturbing trend these past months. NATO has assumed broadcasting American military deaths in Afghanistan. This is not a NATO led mission in Afghanistan, this is an American mission with NATO support. To have NATO place a generic announcement about military deaths is very insulting. The least the Obama administration could do is have the fallen service members names, hometown and branch of service recognized for their ultimate sacrifice.

The way to beat Congresswoman Herseth-Sandlin. Step 2.

2010-01-04T21:05:00.000-08:00

Offer to take this elected position to the next level. The next level is to appear before the public and to stand tall before your citizens. Promise to choose a town that will host you monthly. Whether it is Rapid City, Brookings, Madison or Pine Ridge bring congress home to South Dakota. This will be the platform to explain bills and take questions. Compliments and praise is nice but you grow faster by accepting constructive criticism. You get that by not being afraid of the people that elect you.

The way to beat Congresswoman Herseth-Sandlin.

2009-12-29T19:18:00.000-08:00

If you want to defeat our current Congresswoman at the ballot box, you have to go for her field soldiers. They are the ones that go door-to-door, man the phones, and wave signs on election day.

Since the beginning of her political career, her followers have always assumed she was a progressive Democrat and would vote that way. And from the start she talked a good game, but it was easy to vote against Bush and the Republicans.

2008 was the pinnacle with her drawing an amazing 50% of registered Democrat voters. Compare that to the Republicans only pulling a 28% turnout of our registered voters. Early 2009 was to be the beginning of Big Government with Obama and both houses of Congress all controlled by the Democrats. But our Congresswoman voted against all the important bills for libs starting with climate change and ending with the health reform bill. She also failed to submit bills dealing with gay rights, gun control and ending the wars in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

To win in 2010 you must shine a light on her voting record. Show it to her ground troops and let the see they have been supporting a Representative that votes like a modern day Republican.

Big government liberals need to oppose this health bill.

2009-12-24T09:21:00.000-08:00

Under threat of a monetary fine and/or prison every citizen will participate in this new health care bill. Check under H.R. 3962, section 7203, 7201.

There is no difference between this and a mandatory draft to serve in the U.S. military. The health bill claims to help strengthen medicare and continue prosperity for all Americans. A draft could use the same language, just replace medicare with the military.

In my opinion, liberals would be mortified providing their children to a mandatory tour in the armed services. I am asking all liberals to call congress and demand this bill be taken down. Forcing Americans to submit is not the way to pass legislation.

Freedom from want.

2009-12-23T17:55:00.000-08:00

I caught a little of Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd on the Senate floor and his speech on the current health care bill. President FDR said Americans deserve four freedoms - speech, religion, from want and from fear. Dodd said he was proud to carry on the legacy of FDR and said this bill will free Americans from having to fear about paying for health care. No longer will bankruptcy come with medical care.

There is plenty of fear right now with the current government control in health care. Medicare borrows a large portion of their money now from the general fund, Indian Health Services always runs out of money before their fiscal year renews, and the VA is always before congressional committees to explain their problems.

If it was truly people without health care, the federal government could just buy insurance policies for all that need the help. This is about control and a congress that wants more.

I urge congress to vote no on the Cobell settlement.

2009-12-17T19:58:00.000-08:00

Recently a decision from our courts came down that gave a monetary award to our Indian tribes. The federal government assumed a fiduciary responsibility for the Native Americans and for decades neglected their role and mismanaged billions of dollars of tribal properties.

Congress now has to vote to approve this settlement. In my opinion, I believe it should be no. I would not trust congress to balance a checkbook, let alone manage property for the entire Native American population.

The federal government needs to get out of the business of tribal management. Let the land trusts be managed by the Natives. Allow them to be independent and provide for their people. We have to remove this crutch and the Natives have to stop blaming the federal government for their problems.

Giving just enough to tribes so they can scratch out a living is destroying their desire to live. Handouts cause boredom which leads to violence, alcohol abuse and suicide. We all must be strong and have the courage to end this cycle.

An open letter to Governor Rounds.

2009-12-15T18:44:00.000-08:00

Dear Governor Rounds,

I would like to suggest a fellow citizen that deserves to be pardoned. Mr. Bob Newland was arrested and convicted of having 3.4 oz. of marijuana. Mr. Newland has served his jail time and is currently on probation.

Some believe that you promote from within your own circle of friends, campaign contributors and business partners. A pardon for Mr. Newland would end these accusations and rumors, it would show that you are a kind man and are willing to be compassionate to those less fortunate.

Sincerely,

Thad Wasson

Republican candidate for U.S. Congress South Dakota 2010.

Fraud and waste and we're in charge.

2009-12-14T20:04:00.000-08:00

One of the selling points for the Health Care bill before the Senate right now is the desire to remove fraud from Medicare. The Democrats announce that there is waste and unnecessary payments to insurance companies but we will not fix that unless you give us control over the entire health care system.

If you have a vote in either chamber and you know about waste and fraud, do the right thing and stop the waste now! Your duty to maintain the Medicare program comes before any political gains or threats.

I was hoping it was 10%.

2009-12-02T16:02:00.000-08:00

I caught the NPR interview this afternoon on the Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. His name is Arnold Fields, a retired Marine Corps Major General. He was asked what percentage of the 39 billion dollars that American taxpayers have spent in that country, intended to build or rebuild infrastructure, has gone to waste or graft. The answer was between 60-70%.

Stick with your wife.

2009-11-29T18:25:00.000-08:00

With the latest rumors swirling around Tiger Woods regarding his marital problems, one solution comes to mind - stick with your wife.

If we could learn anything from former Senator John Edwards, Governor Mark Sanford, former Governor Elliot Spitzer and former President Bill Clinton is that marriage vows prevent heartache and broken trust. The temptation will always be there but you have to have the courage to not put yourself in the position of being led astray.

It will always end badly, very badly. Honor your wife and stick with her.

Union benefits.

2009-11-26T06:26:00.000-08:00

I belong to a union, CWA Local 7505. The cost for union membership is $800 a year. Yesterday I received a credit card offer that was specially negotiated for union members.

Interest rates between 13 - 17 % depending on my creditworthiness.
Cash advance at 20% interest.
If we have a strike and wish to skip a payment, interest continues to accrue and I still must meet eligibility requirements.

They used to call this usury but now it is a negotiated advantage.

Economic dysfunction.

2009-11-22T19:48:00.000-08:00

This is how far we have fallen from prosperity and economic freedom. President Obama returns from his Asian trip and reports to the American citizens that China may be interested in trade. The Chinese only hold 8% of our debt but act as if they are our master. Our leaders hope that as their incomes grow they will have enough power to buy American products. Currently we import 30 billion dollars worth of goods from China alone. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that 1 billion worth of foreign trade equals 115,000 American jobs. This much imbalance in trade equals millions of jobs lost.

Lost in all the doom and gloom is that the American taxpayer has half their income taken away by our government. Releasing our tax burden will benefit us more than waiting for the Asians to increase their purchasing power.

What do we cut? Tighten up and stop waste and fraud. Cut military spending. Open up trade with nations that we have U.N. embargoes against. Raise the federal funds rate so our dollar will not become worthless.

Afternoon delight.

2009-11-22T16:56:00.000-08:00

One of the great things about living near the National Forest is having access to world-class hiking trails. Sunday afternoon our family went out and spent a couple of hours enjoying the Lord's earth. This hike was near the Piedmont/Blackhawk closure area.

We started the hike with Henry being carried and Hannah holding the walking stick. Vivien held her own for awhile but soon wanted up on my neck.

Hannah hanging on.

Waterfall about two miles in. This also serves as a wonderful backdrop for family pictures.

Vivien and I climbing. Michelle thought it would be wise not to take our two year old daughter any higher.

Why trade with Iran is important.

2009-11-20T16:57:00.000-08:00

The U.S.A. is the only one abiding by the United Nations embargo on Iran. China, Russia and Germany have been some of the biggest traders with the Iranian regime. The nation of Iran is rich in oil and natural gas, and they have been trading those commodities, not in dollars but in euros and the Japanese yen. Iran is the sixth largest supplier energy products for the European Union.

The reason trade with Iran is important is to keep the value of the American dollar strong. Giving Iran a chance and a reason to dump the dollar and replace it with the euro or yen is a gamble we cannot take.

Pickup shopping.

2009-11-19T19:06:00.000-08:00

I have been visiting car lots and pricing vehicles since my truck broke down. The choice came down to this - part with thousands of dollars or trade in the family Toyota. My wife and I went with option #3, rebuild the engine in the 82 Chevy. This will be my first experience with a rebuilt engine. The mechanic who is going to do the work is ready to get at. Let's hope its worth it.

America first.

2009-11-19T18:46:00.000-08:00

Since I ask others to stand and be responsible for themselves, I am going to ask the rest of the world to do it also. Our nation spends about 200 billion more on military spending than the rest of the world combined, so I am calling on our world community to police themselves. There is no reason for us to still be in Kosovo, Italy, Japan and Korea.

I also believe that we can solve our problems with North Korea and Iran by engaging in agricultural trading. My opinion is, these countries see us and believe vast military power is the way to power. By staying involved with these countries, we are able to define America. The USA is about freedom and with freedom comes great wealth. If we share these ideals, we can shape these countries.

We can still have a lean and mean military by spending half what we do now on our Department of Defense.

Trip to the big city.

2009-11-18T17:29:00.000-08:00

Tuesday our family arrived in Sioux Falls, as I was invited to participate in two media events. A radio interview with KSOO AM 1140 and a Q and A with the other U.S. House candidates. The kids loved the indoor water park and the pull - out couch bed.

I felt the Q and A went well, except my attempt at a joke fell harder than a frat boy for Taylor Swift. There was talk of our Congresswoman being a blue dog fiscal conservative. I stood at the podium and said 'I wouldn't trust a blue dog to balance a checkbook!' Silence. I composed myself and kept on script.

This is how we succeed in Afghanistan.

2009-11-14T21:45:00.000-08:00

Remember our war for Independence against the British? How we needed the help of the French? Did we want the Frenchmen to stick around and be an occupying army? No, we wanted to be left alone.

Our current plan of nation building is the worst path to take. We are not going to find Bin Laden, we are not going to hunt and kill those that support him and his ideology, and we are not getting support from the locals for a central government in Afghanistan. Our goal of eradicating the poppy fields is also foolish, we are only making it more valuable to grow and also taking a source of income away from the local farmers.

We leave 15,000 troops in Kabul, handle only the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the rest of the country will take care of itself.

Me and my Chevy.

2009-11-13T19:29:00.000-08:00

On the way to drop Hannah at school and to continue on to my work Thursday morning, my '82 Chevy pickup blew its engine. This happened 3 miles North of exit 55 in Rapid. I received the bad news Friday that it has served its duty and the engine is to be laid to rest.

This truck had only 90,000 miles on it and was a great pickup to throw hay in, drink a beer in, and over the 4th of July, watch fireworks in. I do not know what to do, its almost like losing the family dog.

Grandpa Wasson owned a bar, Grandpa Johnson worked the soil.

2009-11-10T21:48:00.000-08:00

Both of my Grandfathers lived in a little town called Ainsworth, Nebraska. My dad's dad owned a bar 'The Longhorn' which was fascinating for a kid growing up. When I was able to spend time in Ainsworth, my siblings and cousins would walk down and have Grandpa make us a drink. The drink was called a suicide, a fountain soda mixed with ice and water served in a tall glass. Then he would break out quarters and we would play pool.

My mother's dad grew crops and drove truck during the winter. He would always give me advice when we were alone 'never buy anything on credit' and 'always pray for rain' were his favorites.
When he was a young man he loved to play baseball. During the late 30's and early 40's the U.S. Army had an airfield in Johnstown, Nebraska. The servicemen would get a team and the local farmers had theirs. We would always drive out to the old ball field and airstrip and I would listen to him reminisce.

Happy Birthday!

2009-11-10T18:39:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Marine Corps!

Tme for a misdirection play on Iran.

2009-11-08T18:12:00.000-08:00

Since economic sanctions have shown little fruit for the labor, its time to do what works. We need to abandon our love affair with U.N. sanctions and be the best friend Iran has ever seen.

America is getting blamed for all the woes in Iran when the Mullahs can't even keep the natural gas flowing. Lets not lose this Nation to our 'friends' Russia and China. If we offer expertise on natural gas exploration and agricultural commodities, we can win over the 66 million Iranians.

...the son does what the father does...

2009-11-08T14:20:00.000-08:00

These guys are good.

2009-11-06T19:12:00.000-08:00

In 2008 the boys from Goldman Sachs put the fear of God into our members of Congress. The result was a 10 billion dollar loan and a 12 billion dollar payoff in GS's AIG investment, compliments of the congressional approved 800 billion dollar tarp plan.

The bankers have put their skills to use once again, securing 200 H1N1 vaccines from the federal government. They even got their shots before the prisoners at Gitmo.

ID Please!

2009-11-05T19:19:00.000-08:00

Recently, Pat Powers from dakotawarcollege.com questioned my 'street cred' on being a Republican. Specifically, my issues with increasing immigration and also our tribes. I believe we need more immigrants, heck, my ancestors came from Germany. We need them to buy houses, start businesses and join our rich history of melting together. Of course they need to check in at the border but the Republicans are supposed to be the party of new and innovative ideas to improve this great Nation. As for our tribes, the point I was trying to make was that as Republicans we want to reduce the size of the federal government and gave all people the chance to succeed. If having the National Forest deeded to the tribes would help them achieve a level above poverty, then I am for it. I did not say give away west river or Rapid City.

Maybe I am the real Republican.

Surge or Study?

2009-11-05T04:57:00.000-08:00

President Obama is back to the drawing board with Afghanistan. While the troops and Generals wait for the word, no talk exists as to the reason for this war. Religion, or the lack of it in America. Specifically, Islam.

You can tell this is a religious war because our enemies do not hold land. They are nomadic and use Islam to encourage young recruits to take up arms against us. The terrorists are in Kashmir, Somalia, Iran, Syria, and Iraq. They have planned attacks from Spain, America, and Great Britain.

To win, we must reduce our footprint and not be the occupying army in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. We must be able to change our military doctrine to adapt and know our enemy.

November is National Adoption Month.

2009-11-04T19:34:00.000-08:00

Michelle and I have been blessed with the joy of adoption. I believe that all praise should go to the Lord for this wonderful blessing, but I have love for the birth parents that allowed our child to come into this world. Without the strength and tears of birth parents the greatness of that personal sacrifice would not be possible.

The love and bonding we have does not change, nor is it different, from our other children. It is my desire to share this joy and to have our government promote life. This country is to great, our national story to rich, not be shared with more and more children.

My challenge to South Dakota

2009-11-04T16:28:00.000-08:00

I am a fiscal and social conservative running for public office in the great land of South Dakota. I am promising to cut programs and spending, but I will need your support. South Dakota receives much in stimulus money, farm programs, military spending and tribal payments from Uncle Sam. I wish to bring lower taxes and more individual freedom and some money will not get here because of that stance. I am asking for our people to stand on our own and sacrifice now so we aren't spending our children's future incomes.

Universal Health Scarce

2009-11-03T18:47:00.000-08:00

The Pentagon reported on Tuesday, November 3 2009 that the detainees held in Gitmo would receive the H1N1 flu virus shot by the end of the month. This is a shot that we are short of in America and we have millions of high risk citizens that need this vaccine.

My wife is a P.A. for the Rapid City Regional Hospital and cannot get this shot for her diabetic patients that are in need of this preventive medicine.

This is what happens when the federal government is in total control of health. Rationing and prioritizing has begun.

Cap and Trade

2009-11-03T04:56:00.000-08:00

In a nutshell, cap and trade works this way. The federal government will place a limit on carbon emissions. If your business goes over you will pay a fine, you can offset your carbon limit by buying allowances from other people or nations. This will probably cause a shutdown of the economy and roll back investment in our nation. Most manufactures will leave to do business in countries that do not abide by our standards but still ship their finished products to the great U.S.A.

Why place carbon on the open market? Isn't having corn, wheat, natural gas, cotton, gold, silver, copper, stocks, bonds, currencies, oil, ethanol, soybeans, t-bills, heating oil and sugar on the open market good for trade and for interest in America?

My opinion is, lets comb this bill and look for benefits for South Dakota and America. If we tied all nations to this bill and said no access to the American market if you fail to abide. Our market is the one all nations look to do business with, lets us our buying power to our advantage.

Made in China

2009-11-03T04:46:00.000-08:00

So what is the problem with doing business with a communist country that pegs their currency to ours and steals our copyrights? Its not like they have human rights violations that we would detach our standards from, right?

The conventional wisdom say China looks years down the road and the U.S. looks quarter to fiscal quarter. China also aborts millions of their own every year and prefers to keep boys. Well, who are these little boys going to marry in 20 years?

Ethics for Thad Wasson

2009-11-02T20:00:00.000-08:00

This afternoon I made a comment on the decorumforum.blogspot.com and I should have been more specific. It was a post by Mike Sanborn about Mayor Hanks of Rapid City and an employee memo than has not been made public. Councilman Sam Kooiker would like said memo made public. My comment was "he must be upset about the 2007 mayoral race." I meant Mayor Hanks must be upset, since it was a close election between Sam and Alan.

I will be more specific in the future.

Ethics in government.

2009-11-02T10:28:00.000-08:00

I believe it is unethical to use a position in government, whether it is local, state or federal to gather information about taxpayers that have to do business with you to get their work done and add them to your personal campaign roster.

Who have I met?

2009-11-01T18:13:00.000-08:00

Since this campaign began in July for myself and my family, I have met many interesting people, and they all have had a variety of opinions. One of the best has been Bob Newland, a resident of Hermosa and also a convicted felon. I had never heard of Mr. Newland until he called me in July and asked if he could send some e-mail questions my way. I was thrilled that I was getting some press so of course I said yes. We have had a couple face to face meetings and I also asked if he would be my campaign manager. It is not much of an offer since I wasn't able to offer a salary or even a future bonus. I told him I felt he still had the fire in the belly for freedom and I am looking for fighters to carry that message. He was under the impression that I was foolish to ask a convicted felon for any public help and that it would probably sink my campaign before it even began.

Ethan Schmidt, a Pennington County Commissioner, has also been a new found friend for me. We met for lunch, along with our wives and my two small children. I am impressed that he pushes for open meetings, even for something mundane like septic ordinances.

Gordon Howie has also been very welcoming. He is a state senator and also chairs the Citizens for Liberty.

The Sioux Falls Republican Women have invited me to a Q and A at the Westword Ho Country Club November 17, 2009 at 7 p.m. It means alot to have the opportunity to present myself to the voters of the Sioux Empire.

2009-10-28T20:21:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday my fellow GOPers all jumped on the cliff together opposing cap and trade. At first glance I would toss it away also, but South Dakota might be able to use this to our advantage. We have 1.3 billion Chinese that need to eat quality South Dakota ag products, lets get them to open their market to us. Cap and trade might be the way to get that done.

2009-10-28T05:11:00.000-07:00

Monday 14 kia in Afghanistan, Tuesday 8 kia in Afghanistan. Our President calls the terrorists "opponents." He needs to clarify the mission and send more troops to back up the ones we have serving there now.

If he does not have the courage to do that, bring the warriors home.

2009-10-27T19:41:00.001-07:00

Today is the first blog post of Thad Wasson.