Pride. Challenges. Foundations. Determination.
All four are words used by Gov. Mike Rounds during Tuesday's State of the State address, during which he discussed the state's economic crisis. It seems the poor economy has come on faster than he and his advisers expected when he gave a rather grim budget address a month ago.
So the governor on Tuesday spent ample time discussing the innate ability of this state's residents to overcome challenges. He discussed laying foundations today for better growth tomorrow. He said it will take determination by everyone to make things better and he alluded to the pride this state's residents have in helping themselves.
We appreciate the governor's pep talk, and truly, that's what Tuesday's State of the State was.
Again, the financial situation here in South Dakota isn't good. Foreclosures are high and unemployment is on the rise. Sales taxes are trending downward, and were 2.1 percent lower in December 2008 than in December 2007.
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Round spent ample time during the speech discussing the many good things that are happening in South Dakota. That's not only his prerogative, but it's also his style. He's always been optimistic, and especially about South Dakota.
We don't think things are so great in the state, and figure the best way to fix them is to ask the Legislature to funnel money in this and perhaps coming sessions toward only the most necessary programs.
Rounds, who has pushed for some considerable expenditures of his own over the years, evidently agrees.
He asked the 105 lawmakers in attendance to use the utmost caution when proceeding with budget requests this year.
In essence, he told them they better be ready to tell constituents that one word that no politician enjoys saying: "No."
"You and I will hear a lot of new spending requests," he told the lawmakers. "Have the determination to say no.
"You also will hear requests for promises for more money in the future. We must also make that determination to just say no to that."
Although some groups would disagree -- such as those wanting more funding for school aid -- South Dakotans haven't been told "no" much in recent years. When expensive ideas and projects have arisen, we have proceeded.
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It's because we've been optimistic about our finances and our future.
Rounds is right: Lawmakers and residents are going to have to start denying projects and requests.
Hearing a flat "no" to a request isn't easy for anybody. But to make things right in the coming years here in South Dakota, it's simply going to have to happen.
