Thune lied, we deserve an explanation
For over 40 days of government shutdown, John Thune insisted that democrats should stop obstructing and simply vote for "a clean CR". In Washington-speak, that means a Continuing Resolution. A simple maneuver to delay the argument for another few months. Now we find out that instead of a "clean CR", Thune himself had slipped in a provision to allow eight corrupt republican senators to sue the federal government! John Thune lied to the American citizens, and now he should explain why.
-- Kevin Kavanaugh, Sioux Falls
Sen. Thune saves small businesses
Senator John Thune has more than repaid South Dakota's -- and America's -- trust. That's the reality nine months after our state's senior senator was elected as the Majority Leader in the U.S. Senate. People wondered what, exactly, he would do in this powerful role. The answer: John Thune stood up for the small businesses that power our state and all our communities. At this very moment, thousands of small businesses across South Dakota are getting ready to hire, boost wages, and give back. They're able to do this because Leader Thune prevented a huge tax hike -- and gave them a permanent tax cut -- in the sweeping bill that President Trump signed on Independence Day. The small business tax cut is the most important part of that law by far. Main Street job creators can attest to this truth. Eight years ago, in 2017, Senator Thune and Congress gave them what's known as the Small Business Deduction. Since then, small businesses have had the freedom to deduct 20% of their income on their taxes. This single policy has powerfully helped small businesses compete with big businesses. It was the biggest reason why our economy was booming before the pandemic hit. It was even more crucial to the survival of countless small businesses during the shutdowns that came next. But while the Small Business Deduction has helped small companies survive and thrive, the deduction itself was set to die in December. Taxes would have skyrocketed for mom-and-pop, family-owned, and Main Street stores next year -- a devastating blow for small businesses that are already struggling with inflation and labor shortages. The small business community was preparing for the worst. Job creators need certainty to grow and give back, but with a tax hike looming, they've been holding onto money that our economy desperately needs. Thankfully, Leader Thune came to their defense. He made sure that the Small Business Deduction became permanent, giving Main Street the confidence to invest in our shared future. And what a future it will be. Nationwide, this permanent tax relief is expected to create 12 million new small business jobs over the next decade. Thousands of those jobs will be right here in South Dakota. And small businesses now have more money to give their workers a raise or bigger benefits. This tax cut is already making a powerful difference in our state. And to think that if it hadn't happened, small businesses would be cutting back -- or even closing their doors -- once that tax hike went into effect. The pain would have been felt across South Dakota for decades to come. That threat is no longer on the table, thanks to Leader Thune. He came through for small businesses when it mattered most, putting Main Street ahead of Wall Street. Whether they know it or not, every South Dakotan has good reason to thank him. He repaid our trust -- and our families, our towns, and our entire state are only getting stronger because he put small business first.
-- Jason Glodt, South Dakota state director for the National Federation of Independent Business
When Right isn't right enough
White Nationalism and Christian Nationalism, while not new movements, have become frequent topics of conversation in recent months.My questions are:
What is the 'right' kind of white and the 'right' kind of Christian?For context, the U.S. Census Bureau defines a white person as those having origins in the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. Among those are Western Europeans: German, Irish, English, French, and Dutch.Southern Europeans: Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Greek.Eastern/Central/Northern Europeans:Polish, Russian, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Austrian, Ukrainian, Norwegian, Swedish, and Finnish.Those with origins in the Middle Eastern and North African regions who specifically report themselves as white include Lebanese, Arab (e.g. Syrian, Saudi, Egyptian), as well as Moroccan, Iranian, and Armenian.I see glaring problems White Nationalists would face as they attempt to curate their perfect nation.Similarly, Christian Nationalists would find it difficult to agree on the preferred type of Christian. It is estimated that 30,000-45,000 denominations under three main branches - Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism - exist.That’s a lot of Christians to wade through.Even in an increasingly aggressive culling of 'undesirables', there would always be those who consider themselves to be the most worthy.That’s why religious and racial wars never come to a satisfying conclusion: the aggressors are never right.Race and religion aside, as with most things, the bottom line is money. Many high level individuals and groups associated with the current administration might broadly agree that the preferred American is white, born in the country, Christian, straight, and wealthy.I’ll go one step further and postulate that being a cis gender male is favored, as well.
This brings up another question:how wealthy is wealthy enough?The fact is that White Nationalists and Christian Nationalists can never create the country of their dreams because at some point they will begin to cannibalize one another.Those with the least amount of money will fall first, and quickly.So, the answer to all of these questions is: no 'right' is right enough for people who gauge it based only on themselves.
-- Diane Brown, Sioux Falls
Online shopping can help small businesses
Life can feel pretty hectic during the holiday season; with a ton of additional to do's like shopping, cleaning and decorating, but not enough time to get them all done. The internet, and especially social media platforms like Facebook, have provided an easy way for people to connect with each other and their communities like never before. Online shopping can make that holiday to do list a little more manageable, but people can also find locally owned small businesses online and invest their holiday dollars back into their community. As a small business owner myself I am grateful to every person that finds me through Facebook and decides to spend their money with me. Like over 97 percent of small businesses in South Dakota, I use Facebook to connect with customers who are looking for help. Small Business Saturday was created to remind people to shop small and local, and it's never been easier with social media platforms to connect us!So, this holiday season don't let stress get the better of you; remember that great gifts are just a few clicks away!
-- Erin Bosch, Sioux Falls
Congress must close risky crypto loophole
As a longtime employee of Midwest Fidelity Partners I've seen firsthand how vital local banks are to our communities. These banks finance the construction loans that make new homes, offices, and neighborhoods possible. But their ability to lend depends on stable deposits.
The GENIUS Act loophole -- allowing crypto companies to pay interest on digital holdings -- threatens that foundation. When investors shift deposits from community banks to speculative crypto accounts offering "yield," it drains the funds that support local lending. Real jobs, infrastructure, and small-business growth depend on those deposits staying in our local financial system.
Congress must act. The Senate should close this loophole before more capital leaves the real economy for risky crypto platforms. Protecting local banks means protecting the real businesses and families that rely on them every day.
-- Kari Hogstad, Sioux Falls
SD leaders, think hard on next steps in Ukraine war
Your choices, Senators Thune and Rounds and Representative Johnson, over the next few hours and days will literally change the course of world history. You can choose to go pheasant hunting or to spend Thanksgiving week with family and through your inaction cede Ukrainian territory and democratic Ukraine's future prospects to Vladamir Putin - based on the whims of a self-serving, financially driven, and cognitively failing U.S. President - or you can take a stand. The Greatest Generation took a stand against despotism and brutality. You should, too. Congress needs unequivocally to let the American People know TODAY that it DOES NOT SUPPORT this Russian-orchestrated "peace deal" that President Trump is trying to force upon the brave Ukrainian people, and that Congress will be meeting all week until it has developed a plan to support Ukraine fully against Russian aggression - despite the President's whim - by ensuring Ukraine has all the arms and support from the U.S. it needs. Since our President has clearly caved to Vladimir Putin, Congressional silence is unacceptable.Congress must act NOW to ensure President Zelensky KNOWS that he does not have to cave to the combined pressure of Donald Trump and Vladamir Putin, and thereby render fruitless the incredible sacrifices his countrymen and women have made fighting for democracy, justice and freedom.Inaction on your part is to agree that Russia has the right to invade its neighbors and brutalize civilian populations. Inaction on your part ensures that what Russia has done once it will do again. Inaction on your part confirms that the United States of America is no longer the greatest nation in the world.Inaction on your part is cowardice and shameful.May you do the right thing this week; only then may you have a well-deserved and Happy Thanksgiving.
-- Bill Cooper, Sioux Falls
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