Change Agents of SD

11/09/2026

My advice to the new members of the House and Senate.

Put your time and energy in your first 100 days to lifting people up. Deal with inflation, healthcare, the war in Iran, cuts in medical research and rehiring the fired critical employees for starters.

You can and should spend time on the corruption and abandonment of the rule of law. But not all your time and energy.

Go after Hegseth. Go after Patel. Go after violations of the emollients clause.

But your highest priorities should be helping the people you represent.

I suggest new leadership in the Senate. Shumer has been there a long time. Make him assistant majority leader.

Probably good to make Jeffries Speaker of the House. He will be the first black to hold that position. A powerful message.

I strongly suggest you listen to the new members. They succeeded in states they weren’t supposed to. They have been on the muddy and bloody playing field and won.

You can make life better for all of us. Don’t squander it by being as revengeful as the President.

Godspeed,

The Independent Rick Knobe

11/06/2026

How did we do?

Change Agents of South Dakota took positions on two Constitutional Amendments and endorsed seven candidates.

We said NO to taking medical coverage away from the working poor. Amendment I.

WE said NO to trashing majority rule. Amendment L.

The voters agreed with us.

The prime sponsor of Amendment L finished third in district 13. A non-Republican will be taking his place.

One of our endorsed candidates for Minnehaha County Commission won. Kenny Anderson Jr.

The others we endorsed did not get enough votes. It is hard for non-Republicans to win in our state. Rs, outnumber both Ds and Is combined. A harsh reality.

In Minnehaha and northern Lincoln County, at least four new faces and voices did win in red districts.

The controlling grip of the Republican dominated legislature will be less strong for at least two years. That is good for all of us, regardless of party affiliation.

At the National level, it wasn’t a blue ripple. It was a large blue wave. Texas being the biggest example. There are many others. Kansas and Maine are examples.

Our senior senator, John Thune will no longer be running the Senate. He may not even be elected as minority leader. That is good for us, too. He faces the voters in 2028. If he does decide to run again, polling shows he will have a tough time. His approval numbers are not good for an incumbent.

Bottom line, We the People have spoken. In some places, loudly. It is up to us, to both support and hold the new folks accountable. It is up to us to hold the incumbents accountable too.

Good public policy was affirmed with the defeat of Amendments I and L.

The system of Democracy still works.

Let’s keep it that way.

The Independent Rick Knobe

11/03/2026

11/02/2026

Final reminder:

Change Agents of South Dakota are urging a NO vote on Amendment I, because it hurts the working poor; and a NO vote (L NO) on Amendment L because it trashes majority rule replacing it with the tyranny of the minority.

We have endorsed the following candidates after individual interviews:

Kenny Anderson, Rick Bonander, and Curt Soehl for Minnehaha County Commission; Curt Deedrich for Minnehaha County Auditor;

Terrence Davis for SD Secretary of State; Frank Kloucek for P***c Utilities Commission; and Brian Bengs for U.S. Senate.

Change Agents of SD is a group of Independents, Republicans, and Democrats, focused on protecting democracy and supporting candidates with integrity, compassion, and support transparency.

We anticipate close votes. Your voice, your vote matters.

The Independent Rick knobe

10/30/2026

The following does not necessarily represent the collective opinion of Change Agents of South Dakota

He has lost it.

The confidence of voters.

Four years ago, Senator John Thune won re-election by a landslide. According to recent polling that would not happen now.

South Dakota News Watch partnered with the Chiesman Center for Democracy at USD to conduct a poll. The Mason Dixon firm did the work. 500 likely voters. You can access South Dakota News Watch for the details.

Thune’s high approval rating has evaporated. 43% of likely voters disapprove of John Thune’s performance. 49% approve. 8% are undecided.

The heat of the spotlight and defending Donald Trump, no doubt, caused the evaporation.

Donald Trump’s approval numbers are also much lower.
49% disapprove. 49% approve. 2% undecided. Trump easily won South Dakota in 2024.

It is obvious Trump’s actions and Thune’s lack of action, protecting us, have caused the drop in approval numbers.

I am not surprised. Voters in South Dakota have felt the bite of tariffs, inflation, and healthcare cuts. They are not happy.

Election day is Tuesday. The voters will be deciding who will best represent their interests in Washington and Pierre.

Based on the poll numbers the party of Trump and Thune, is in trouble.

The Independent Rick Knobe

10/27/2026

Who and why.

Change Agents of South Dakota have endorsed the following people to be public servants:

Kenny Anderson, Curt Soehl, and Rick Bonander for Minnehaha County Commission. We feel these candidates, all have served in other public offices, bring the skill set and mindset to move our county forward.

Curt Deedrich for Minnehaha County Auditor. Mr. Deedrich brings administrative and government experience to the job, and a strong orientation towards public service.

Frank Kloucek for Public Utilities Commission. Mr. Kloucek served almost two decades in the S.D. legislature. He is intelligent, articulate, and fair.

Terrence Davis for S.D. Secretary of State. Mr. Davis is organized, focused, and sees the big picture.

Brian Bengs for U.S. Senate. As an Independent he is not a partisan voice. His experience as a lawyer in the military and as n University professor is a good mix for creating good public policy.

Change Agents have taken positions on two of the four ballot issues:
We are encouraging no votes on Amendment I and L.

Amendment I overturns the vote of the people from 2022 expanding Medicaid.

Amendment L trashes majority rule. Replaces it the with tyranny of the minority.

Change Agents members include Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. We are focused on sound public policy and candidates focused on the same.

On behalf of Change Agents

The Independent Rick Knobe

10/25/2026

The Republican brand has gone from shiny to tarnished, to full-blown toxic.

Republicans used to be fiscally conservative with taxpayer’s money. They used to shun government mandates/controls over us. Republicans used to be respectful. You know, disagreeing without be disagreeable. Not anymore.

The leader of the Republican Party and current President, Donald Trump is, in my opinion TOTALLY responsible for making the party toxic.

Personal attacks, insults, mocking, and bullying are now the norm coming from him and his people.

Add to the toxicity is lawlessness, ignoring of Congress, and open distain for the courts. Think about his words and actions directed to our allies. Think about his praise of dictators.

His negative behavior has infected all of us. Civility is disappearing. Frustration, friction, and anger are growing.

Republicans used to be interested in building bridges. Now they only want to build walls with razor wire at the top and bottom.

The Republican controlled Senate and House can’t find the courage to tell Trump to STOP. They either agree with everything or are gutless.

Unless he dies, is impeached, or resigns we are stuck with Trump and his ilk for two more years. Even if he leaves it is obvious Vice President Vance will continue the toxic behavior.

What can we, the voters, do?

It’s simple, we must vote out those supporting the toxicity, at the national and state level. That includes his followers running in the legislature.

Neither of our South Dakota Senators have publicly stood up. One of them is on the November ballot Our current Republican Governor supports Trump and, therefore, his toxicity. Our current Republican Attorney General who wants to be our next member of Congress, had his picture taken with Trump. Both of them giving the “Thumbs Up,” gesture.

Are all Republican elected officials bad, nasty people?

No. But none of them have publicly criticized or renounced Trump’s toxicity.

The only logical conclusion is they support it or are gutless.

We can’t let that continue.

The Independent Rick Knobe

10/25/2026

The Republican brand has gone from shiny to tarnished, to full-blown toxic.

Republicans used to be fiscally conservative with taxpayer’s money. They used to shun government mandates/controls over us. Republicans used to be respectful. You know, disagreeing without be disagreeable. Not anymore.

The leader of the Republican Party and current President, Donald Trump is, in my opinion TOTALLY responsible for making the party toxic.

Personal attacks, insults, mocking, and bullying are now the norm coming from him and his people.

Add to the toxicity is lawlessness, ignoring of Congress, and open distain for the courts. Think about his words and actions directed to our allies. Think about his praise of dictators.

His negative behavior has infected all of us. Civility is disappearing. Frustration, friction, and anger are growing.

Republicans used to be interested in building bridges. Now they only want to build walls with razor wire at the top and bottom.

The Republican controlled Senate and House can’t find the courage to tell Trump to STOP. They either agree with everything or are gutless.

Unless he dies, is impeached, or resigns we are stuck with Trump and his ilk for two more years. Even if he leaves it is obvious Vice President Vance will continue the toxic behavior.

What can we, the voters, do?

It’s simple, we must vote out those supporting the toxicity, at the national and state level. That includes his followers running in the legislature.

Neither of our South Dakota Senators have publicly stood up. One of them is on the November ballot Our current Republican Governor supports Trump and, therefore, his toxicity. Our current Republican Attorney General who wants to be our next member of Congress, had his picture taken with Trump. Both of them giving the “Thumbs Up,” gesture.

Are all Republican elected officials bad, nasty people?

No. But none of them have publicly criticized or renounced Trump’s toxicity.

The only logical conclusion is they support it or are gutless.

We can’t let that continue.

The

10/21/2026

Me thinks he is compromised.

Morally. Ethically. Maybe Legally.

The he is Republican State Representative John Hughes from District 13.

Representative Hughes has published an op-ed in the Dakota Scout claiming Amendment L is not about Democracy, it’s about abortion. What???

Amendment L is about control. Rep Hughes and his friends in the legislature want more control over us. He is the prime sponsor. He doesn’t want us to make our own decisions.

Representative Huoges is a Lawyer. Part of his practice is handling adoptions.

Fewer freedoms for girls and women, the more opportunity for him to profit. Some might call him a profiteer.

In his op-ed piece he makes a preposterous claim, that people supporting a L NO vote are not being honest. He directly attacks the Fairness Project, claiming their support is only about abortion. It is not. They promote fairness in public policy. A worthy effort.

John Hughes is one of the leaders of the Pro-life (Birth) movement.

In his piece he names several in-state groups supporting Amendment L, some receive dollars from out of state. These groups support the continued kidnapping of girls and women. Control.

Full disclosure from me. I am not a doctor or a lawyer. None of my family members are. I am retired. Never made or lost money based on kidnapping girls and women. I am not being paid to, nor have I been asked to write this. Finally, I am the chair of Change Agents of South Dakota. A group of Rs, Is, and Ds working to protect initiative and referendum.

Change Agents took a position early against the termination of majority rule in our state. Abortion never came up. Hence L NO.

I have been in many conversations on Amendment L. One of one and in groups. At NO time was abortion mentioned.

Representative Hughes has the right to free speech. He has exercised it.

However, he I believe he has the responsibility to provide his conflict of interest. He has not.

Representative Hughes wants you to focus on his issue, not the real one.

Our freedom. Our right to Initiative and Referendum. The power of our vote.

Plain and simple, Amendment L is about control.

Our state motto is “Under Sod, the People Rule.”

Let’s keep it that way.

I am voting L No. My vote has nothing to do with holding girls and women prisoners.

The Independent Rick Knobe

10/10/2026

Our ship is off course.

We are in dangerous waters. The boat is listing too far right(starboard), sluggish as it moves, and the bow is slowly getting close to the water line. When the bow goes under, the ship will sink. People will die.

The Captain doesn’t care. He enjoys being in the wheelhouse (White House). There is power, safety, control there. He craves it.

He has surrounded himself with blindly loyal key crew members oblivious to the problem. They are fixated on being obedient to the Captain.

He has tossed t several crew and passengers overboard without life vests and without remorse.

The passengers have witnessed that and the tossing overboard (jettison) of nearly all their life vests. And have discovered the only lifeboat on board is reserved solely for the Captain. He has refurbished it to his liking.

Most passengers are nervous and scared. Some are angry.

They see and feel the rough water, the listing, and the sluggishness.

Cres members below the top select few, have been silent. They could have mutinied and removed the Captain. They have chosen numerous times not to act. They are more afraid of the Captain, than the possible sinking of the ship.

Passengers have organized with the intent of changing enough crew members to stage a legal mutiny. Several with sea experience have volunteered. They know it is a tough task. The Captain has some passengers and crew still loyal to him.

Quiet action has started on crew replacement. The big day to make that happen is November 3rd. There is optimism among passengers that enough crew members replaced so the Captain is removed and maybe jailed.

We are all passengers on this ship. Our Captain has led us into dangerous waters. He has thrown overboard our life vests and lifeboats.

Passengers can help change the course, stop the listing, and move the bow away from the waterline.

We can recover our lifeboats and vests.

Voting is required.

Godspeed to all of us on this perilous journey.

The Independent and former boat Captain

Rick Knobe

Please like and share as you wish.