Republican leadership in the South Dakota Legislature demanded a signed “Loyalty Pledge”…

Most Legislators, yielded to the pressure and intimidation and signed the “Pledge”.  Many viewed it as a mafia-style demand… an “offer you can’t refuse”.  The demand for a signed document requiring Legislators to forsake all others was met with some resistance, but most Legislators kissed the ring of leadership and submitted like good little soldiers.

If you haven’t seen the “Loyalty Pledge”, you can READ IT HERE

Now, some are having buyers remorse and regrets.  Enter SD Citizens for Liberty.  The following is a letter sent by CFL to Legislators, offering them an opportunity to reject the mandate issued by the GOP (Gangsters on Parade).

Legislators with the courage to resist the dictatorial mandates of the GOP Leadership have now been given a second chance to demonstrate their commitment to liberty and rescind their blood oath to the GOP.  Here is the letter sent by CFL:

“You are receiving this letter because our information indicates you have signed and submitted the Republican Caucus Memorandum dated July 11, 2018.  If this information is incorrect, please respond immediately and we will not include your name and district in the list of those who complied with the demand of current Senate and House leaders.  

 

The citizens of South Dakota are rightly concerned that Republican legislators and candidates are being pressured to pledge their loyalty to House and Senate leaders and to agree to certain conditions in exchange for campaign money, committee assignments and chairmanships and admission to their own caucus.  

 

The only loyalty our elected representatives owe is to the people of their districts and to the founding documents of our state and nation as specified in their sworn oath of office.  On the heels of the deadly and corrupt EB5 and GEAR UP scandals, the optics of this strong-arm tactic are appalling and have the potential to cause big problems for Republicans in state legislative races.  Consider the following: 

• The “confidentiality” requirement violates the first statement in the RNC rules (page 4 as well as rule 7), SDGOP platform planks supporting open government (Platform Summary -LIMITED GOVERNMENT, & 5.8), AND the SD Constitution Article 3, Section15 which guarantees our citizens the right to an open Legislature.
• Provisions in the “memorandum” could be interpreted as quid pro quo bribery and extortion and are definitely in conflict with your oath of office.  [Recall that former Illinois Governor, Rob Blagojevich, was not prosecuted by his state Attorney General, but by the US Attorney for this same kind of tradeoff.  The “Memorandum” implies that your compliance will be rewarded (monetary support, admittance to the caucus and official legislative committee appointments).  Your refusal to sign will be punished (expulsion, no ability to vote). Please read 2-4-14 and 22-12A4 ; the issuance of the memorandum could be actionable.]
• The ultimate goal of the memorandum is to exclude as many conservatives from the caucus leadership votes in both chambers as possible in order to advance the ambitions of certain legislators wanting to avoid a fair fight.  Senate Majority Leader Blake Curd has properly confirmed to several legislators that the Senate Caucus is an official caucus of the SD Republican Party, and that the Republican Party rules, which are Roberts Rules of Order (adopted by the RNC and the South Dakota GOP to be the GOP rules), are in effect.  According to Senator Curd, the Senate caucus CANNOT expel anyone for failure to sign and return the “Memorandum.” 
• Your signature on a document that subjugates you – and your constituents by extension – would hand a political opponent some powerful ammunition.

In the electorate at large, the power to govern flows up, not down.  You are elected to work for the people. That model holds true in the statehouse. Your leaders are elected to work for the caucus members, not the other way around.      

We recommend that you immediately fill out and email the following letter to the chamber leader to whom you mailed your signed “Memorandum”:
Lee.Qualm@sdlegislature.gov  and  riverbluff@midstatesd.net
Blake.Curd@sdlegislature.gov  and  blakecurd@gmail.com

LETTER OF RESCISSION

Dear Leader ___________________________:

The purpose of this email is to inform you that I have reconsidered the July 11, 2018 Memorandum and I rescind the previous letter that I signed.

Please confirm via email or by written correspondence that you have received this rescission and return the previously signed letter to me at your earliest convenience.

Respectfully,

###

We regret that the self-serving ambitions of some have put so many good people in a difficult position.  Our mission statement requires that we reach out and encourage you.
If you in fact rescind your signed “Memorandum”, please advise us so we can be accurate in our report to the public.
Respectfully,

Mrs. Tonchi Weaver,
SD Citizens for Liberty, Inc.  “

The “Loyalty Pledge” demonstrates so much of what is wrong with the GOP leadership.  It doesn’t encourage freedom of thought and adherence to principle and integrity.  It fosters a dictatorial culture of back-room politics at its worst.  A few brave Legislators refused to sign “The Pledge”.  Thank you to all of them with the courage to stand against this intimidation.

Now, it’s time for others to renew their strength and stand for political freedom.

*** Gordon Howie *** is an author and CEO of Life and Liberty Media

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