Former Sioux Falls mayor Rick Knobe: It’s time to stand up to the attacks on our country and our freedom

Editor’s note: We posted the above photo, submitted by John Tsitrian, earlier this month and are using it again to illustrate the author’s point that groups around the state are organizing in response to Trump administration initiatives.

We are being attacked. Attacked on two fronts.

These are serious attacks. The first is coming from the president and his billionaire minions. Funding freezes, mass firings of employees hired to help us, threats of retaliation to anyone getting in their way.

Our financial security and privacy is under attack, too. Tariffs. More deficit spending. Unlawful access to our tax records, Social Security and other benefits.

You would think our senators and congressmen would step in. Actually they have stepped out. No words or actions to help us.

The other attack is coming from people we elected in South Dakota to be public servants — our legislators. Many of them are exhibiting control-freak behavior.

There are over 50 proposed bills and resolutions affecting our ability to vote. One puts restrictions on absentee/early voting. Another bars us from bringing initiatives on the same topic two election cycles in a row. There is a bill to throw out your signature on a petition if you do not fill it out 100 percent accurately.

There is a proposal to outlaw majority rule and replace it with the tyranny of the minority. There are others.

Based on attendance at the League of Women Voters legislative coffee, attendance at Rep. Dusty Johnson’s office and the numerous posts and responses to them on Facebook, there is frustration, some fear and a building anger.

I feel it. I see it. Groups are organizing to let our so-called leaders know what is happening is not acceptable. If you want to join us, let me know. It’s time to set aside South Dakota nice.

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: Demonstrators in Rapid City earlier this month, submitted by John Tsitrian