South Dakota - Talk $$$

[sarahlee]

Good idea from a diary at Kos

If you are as disgusted with the recent South Dakota anti-abortion legislation as I am, there are things you can do. Sure you can write the Governor's office, but I think you will have far more effect if you contact the Office of Economic Development. You see - South Dakota has been losing people, jobs, and entire communities for most of the past 60 years. They are hurting.






Although this map shows recent population loss - it misses two things. It doesn't cover population loss between 1940 and 1970 when nearly every county in the state lost considerable population - plus it doesn't indicate population losses greater than 5%. Since WWII, more than half the counties in South Dakota have lost 50% of their population.

So hit them where it counts.
Contact South Dakota Economic Development.

Mary Lehecka Nelson
[phone]
[e-mail]

Here are 4 things you can do:

1. Make it clear that your personal travel and vacation plans will not include South Dakota. There are other Interstates in North Dakota and Nebraska. There are other places to gamble besides Deadwood. There are other mountains to visit besides the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore.

2. If you own your own business, tell SDED that you would not consider relocating or expanding operations in South Dakota. Let the people at Economic Development understand that women's reproductive rights are part of economic development.

3. If you work for a company that provides a full range of reproductive health benefits, let SDED know that it would be difficult for a company such as yours to locate in South Dakota. Also, let them know that in the competition for top employees, you could not consider working in South Dakota.

4. Better yet, try to get your company to issue a statement on reproductive rights' benefits. It can be very neutral in tone. "XYZ Corp. could not locate in any state which did not offer a full range of health protections" would be a powerful reminder to SDED.

Make sure that state officials in South Dakota know the real cost of their proposed abortion legislation. It's sad that these ideologues have no concern for women's health, but they may think twice before plunging their state into further economic decline.

by johnnygunn at:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/2/23/124829/214