After Trump and a slew of far-right politicians took control in November, expect rough water in Pierre and Washington
It was a full house.
After taking two weeks off, Change Agents of South Dakota got back to work. Samantha Chapman of the South Dakota ACLU spoke about probable issues in the upcoming South Dakota legislative session.
Expect efforts to make it harder for you and me to initiate or refer laws. Expect efforts to make it harder for some to vote, including shortening the timeframe for early voting. Expect efforts to take more of our tax money for public schools to be given to private ones. Also possible efforts to cause further distress on women and families with children dealing with gender dysphoria.
The effort by the incoming president to deport millions of immigrants is causing concern among those who are here legally but are afraid of getting caught up in massive “sweeps” of anyone not “looking American.” Some local employers, while legal immigrants are quietly raising concerns. They want to stay quiet. Fear of anti-immigrant hysteria.
Samantha’s presentation was enlightening, somewhat frustrating, and raised concerns/fear for our fellow citizens whose first language is not English. The ACLU is working with organizations that deal with minorities and immigrants explaining their rights and how to deal with possible mass deportation efforts.
The ACLU is seeking volunteers for their various efforts. I suggest going to their website to learn how you can protect liberty in this country.
Election results in South Dakota moved the Legislature much further away from moderate. I don’t like to label them “conservative” because that doesn’t fit. These folks definitely want to control our lives.
They are not about “Freedom” although they use that word often. I hope you are able to enjoy the holidays. Expect rough “political weather” at our state Capital and in Washington, D.C., in January.
Rick Knobe is a former mayor of Sioux Falls and a longtime radio talk show host who is now retired but remains active and involved in his community and state as an independent political observer and commentator. His columns appear regularly on The South Dakota Standard.
Photo: public domain, wikimedia commons
