Former Sioux Falls mayor Knobe: It’s easy to simply say ‘no,’ but it’s time to say yes to Amendments G and H

It’s easy to say “No.” As we get closer to Election Day, there are individuals and small groups loudly telling you to vote “No.”

They say one measure is too extreme. On another they proclaim it’s an out-of-state group seeking to take over their political party. One group goes so far to say South Dakota is fine just the way it is, so vote “No.”

I’m not going to use the harsh language, point fingers and insult like they do. But confess I’m tempted. Too many South Dakotans are NOT free, contrary to the political punchline “Freedom Works Here.” Girls lose their freedom as soon as they start menstruation cycles. The state seizes their wombs. They are NOT free.

A total of 153,000 independent South Dakotans are prevented from voting in a primary election they help pay for. They are NOT Free.

Hundreds of South Dakotans are in jail or prison because they had a small amount of pot in their possession.

Too many South Dakotans can’t break free from poverty because our state sales tax system takes a higher percentage of their income buying food to feed themselves and their children.

Our state is far from perfect. Many describe us as the “Mississippi or Alabama of the north.” Most of the people encouraging you to vote “No” have their own agenda. They have control and they don’t want to share it.

These two sentences will be my harshest. They want women barefoot and pregnant. They want poor people to stay poor, so they can feel better about themselves.

Two of the issues on the ballot, Amendments G and H,  if approved, will give girls and women, their families, and independents freedom. I’ve lived in this state for 53 years. I believe in lifting people up, not keeping them controlled.

Saying no is easy. Doesn’t take any deep thinking. Saying “Yes” takes thought and some courage. I believe most of us are up to the challenge.

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