Gun control, 'spineless' Amendment C, elected officials don't care about voters: Your letters
Do we love guns more than children?
As I watch the news in regard to the shootings at Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, N.Y., I am extremely saddened for these acts of violence against life. I say life because I feel there are many South Dakotans who believe in pro-life. These acts of violence are pro-death, and we are allowing these actions to go on. Hundreds of children and adults are being killed right before our eyes. We sanction these deaths because we appear to love guns more then children. This so saddens me to the point of tears and anguish.
Can we as South Dakotans be brave and courageous enough to stand up to this horrible violence? We need to speak up to the National Rifle Association and the legislators of South Dakota who maintain a high rating with the NRA.
Please, in the name of goodness and love of children, let’s stop this madness and speak out and use our voting power. We do not need M15 rifles or people purchasing a gun without a permit.
Sister Myra Remily, Aberdeen
'Spineless' Amendment C hurts South Dakota voters
Amendment C is not about tax protection. It is about citizens' initiated measures presented to the South Dakota voters through due process. State Sen. Lee Schoenbeck, R-Watertown, has admitted it is on the primary ballot to prevent some initiated measures that may pass in the November election from becoming law. A spineless way for some lawmakers to impose their political ideology on all South Dakota citizens.
To present a referendum that would add a section to the state constitution on a primary ballot is not good policy. South Dakotans expect and deserve far better than this style of representation from our elected representatives and senators.
This Republican voter will vote no on Amendment C.
Dean Hade, Rapid City
Difference in gun magazine size regulations makes no sense
I wonder why state and federal regulations restrict the number of rounds in your hunting weapon when hunting deer or waterfowl, but there are no restrictions on magazine size when a person with a weapon of war is hunting our children in their schools? Does anyone have a sensible answer for me?
Joe Van De Rostyne, Aberdeen
Elected officials put voters second
Elected officials, do you remember when you used to vote as the people who elected you wanted? Now, you put party affiliation and religion first and voters second. I hope people are paying attention when they vote next election.
South Dakota voters have voted twice overwhelmingly against a total ban on abortion. Elected officials, we are watching you. Time to vote. We will remember when it’s are turn.
Bob Rohl, Pierre
Bengs cares about democracy
When I first heard someone would challenge John Thune, I thought that man must be brave. Then, I saw his social media posts and started doing my homework on Brian Bengs. I came away thoroughly impressed. I learned Brian was a 26-year Air Force and Navy veteran. He was a lieutenant colonel and Judge Advocate General corps officer whose job was to make sure the defense department was as ethical as possible. He taught courses at the Air Force Academy and the NATO school. He’s not a career politician; he is an average guy like you and me who got into the race because of Jan. 6 and how he cares about democracy.
Bengs' posts have a consistent theme talking about how working-class South Dakotans don’t have a voice at the table. I see that every day. I feel the pain when I pay for gas, but notice that big oil companies are making record profits. I feel the pain when I go to the grocery store to buy meat, and meat companies make record profits. I want access to cheaper prescription drugs. I want my voice to be heard by our elected officials, and I feel like Brian is the type of guy who is talking about these things. If I were you, I would give his platform a look.
Sawyer Van Horn, Brandon
This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Letter writers sound off on gun control, Amendment C, elected officials
