Former Sioux Falls mayor Knobe: I am qualified for governor of our state and I am ready to serve. Here’s what I would do
I would love to be governor of South Dakota.
I’m a former Republican, now an independent. I left the party when they went from conservative to controlling, from accepting to accusatory, from compassionate to cruel.
Can’t be a Democrat. They have been trying, and failing, for years searching for who they are, what they stand for.
As an independent I don’t have to “toe any party line.” I’m free.
If I were going to run for governor, here are my platform planks:
I’m going to bring back the words “public servant.”
At each appearance while campaigning and in office, I will start communicating by saying these words, “What can I do to make your life better?”
I will make sure there is always time to listen for answers.
Our state is diverse. The second-largest racial group is Native American. I will nominate, with tribal consultation, a Native American to be our lieutenant governor. Aside from the statutory responsibilities, I will assign that person the responsibility of creating partnerships with willing tribes to find long-term solutions for human problems affecting our citizens who are also tribal members. Poverty, addiction, poor medical care and other issues are holding them, and therefore us, from reaching our full potential.
On education, I don’t pretend to understand all the issues. I do understand that teaching facts/truths about our history, while uncomfortable to some, is critical to understand how we got here and how to avoid going backwards.
I also understand that the job of being a teacher is much more complicated these days. Hungry children. Angry children. Sick children are more common. Also, children whose first language is not English and whose cultural norms are much different than ours. We need to build stronger support mechanisms both in and outside of our schools to deal with that reality.
I want successful children.
It is obvious we, as a country, are in a mental health crisis. The incidents of cruel, hateful behavior are rising. Yes, we need more mental health professionals, all over the state. We need our community leaders, be they ministers, business people, government leaders and the medical folks in our towns to create human environments that are calming, uplifting, healing.
We need to stop making it harder for people to vote. It should be easy to participate. The state motto: “Under God, the people rule,” is being abused, constantly making it harder to refer or initiate laws. That needs to stop. I would work against and veto bills getting between you and democracy. If necessary, I will use the power of the office — the bully pulpit — to help citizens refer bad laws and initiate good ones.
Current political leaders in the majority party are all about control, mandates. They control access to medical care. They control what cities, counties, and schools can do.
Many of us are NOT free, regardless of the political rhetoric claiming otherwise.
My approach will be different. I will ask local leaders what I/we can do to make the job of providing services to our citizens easier.
I will convene regular sessions bringing business, religious, labor and minority groups together to guide me, therefore the state.
Bottom line, my administration would be lifting people up, helping them find pathways to success, whatever that means to them. It’s not always about money.
I would be a one-termer. I believe I could make the changes above in that time.
I’m living an amazing life. Mayor of Sioux Falls at the age of 27. Served 10 years. Did local talk radio for almost 30 years. Owned a small bison herd. Did some consulting. Sold real estate. Been on numerous local and state boards. Still active in public policy issues.
No question in my mind, I’m qualified.
Now the reality. I’m from Sioux Falls. Nobody from Sioux Falls has won the governorship. I’ve been here over 50 years. I did not attend school in South Dakota. No alma mater. No classmates.
And in some people’s minds, I’m old. Not sure how you feel about the number 78. That’s my current number. If I ran and was elected, I would be 80 when sworn in.
Based on recent history and current events, it’s clear being 80 is probably a deal-breaker. And should be.
Ok, I’m done now. This would be my platform — if I were running for governor.
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: Change Agents of South Dakota
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