How will we choose the next president? Will a weed oligarchy come to SD?: Your letters

Your letters to the editor for July 14, 2024:

Voting for Trump would end the 'great experiment'

Last week was the first presidential debate. My initial reaction was that Biden lost. Biden looked like he was awoken mid-nap and Trump gave his usual rally speech. If the Thursday night debate was open mic night at the comedy club, sure, Trump won. Trump gave us his usual rambling stream-of-consciousness thoughts, which can actually be rather amusing. Biden, who usually has a zinger or two, had nothing.But in hindsight, I have come to realize that nothing has changed. The debate is not about who is the wittiest, or most charming, or most presidential; it is about what form of government they represent. Biden is old school Democrat who believes in equal rights for everyone, representative government, and building a stronger country. Trump wants to take the country in an entirely different direction. He believes in winners and losers, rewarding his loyal followers and punishing everyone else He wants to turn our government into his own tool to build a more powerful Trump.Over the last several centuries, a variety of European countries and strongmen have tried to rule the world. Their empires were short lived and they are now second and third rate powers. The USA has continued George Washington's “experiment in democracy” for 250 years and is the only world power. If elected, Trump would end the great experiment. Biden would try to make a more perfect form of union.

− Allen Walter, Groton, South Dakota

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Establishment Republicans are on thin ice in South Dakota

I wonder who really has the power in Minnehaha County government. A little research will show that those who talk down to our duly elected Minnehaha County Auditor in commission meetings and have since she defeated their hand picked auditor and serve, it would seem, to make her life miserable, actually received fewer votes when they were elected to their positions than Leah Anderson did.As a case in point Chairman Dean Karsky was recently narrowly re-elected to his position on the commission garnering a total of 3,972 votes. When Anderson was elected back in 2022 she garnered 39,485 votes. 58% of the voters chose Leah over her Democrat challenger. TEN times more people elected Leah Anderson to her current position than voted for the person chairing the commission who has found it necessary to "sneer" at Anderson as she responds to the commissions questions during meetings.In the case of the commissioner who compared Anderson to Pontius Pilate back around Easter time in a public forum, she received almost 5,000 more votes than he did in the 2022 election. So just from those numbers it would appear to the casual observer that Anderson has more grassroots support in the Republican party than those who have been antagonizing her since she was sworn in to office.It is past time that the establishment Republicans in this state and county realize they are on thin ice. Anderson is doing the right thing. Some of you commissioners may not approve of her methods. Most of you disagree with her position on the tabulators and all of you are on a path that will lead to your ouster as sitting commissioners unless and until you embrace transparency in our elections and start supporting efforts by elected officials to prove that the current methods used to tabulate votes is providing accurate representations of votes legally cast in Minnehaha County. Anderson has put in the work to renew confidence in the process that has under question. It needs to continue to guard against the liberties complacency allow. I applaud Leah for the extra work she has put herself through to renew that confidence. It is effort well invested.

− Randy Amundson, Sioux Falls

Shall we choose a president?

We are in one of those times when we Americans have the opportunity and the responsibility to give direction to our future as a healthy nation and good citizen of the world.  We are about to choose our President and leader.  Before we lose ourselves in political wrangling, perhaps we should review some of the responsibilities and qualifications for the office.

Do we want a president, who believes that the oath of office taken before God and the people binds the President to uphold the Constitution?  To violate this oath is a grave moral and civil violation of those before whom the oath was sworn.

Do we want a president who understands that the Constitution specifies three branches of power: Legislative, Executive, Judicial?  A president who is committed to the responsibilities provided for the Executive branch, and who realizes our success as a republic demands total operational respect among the three branches?

Do we want a President who recognizes that the US is a citizen of the world, and leadership which ignores or politicizes other nations is irresponsible and dangerous;  a President who understands and values alliances with other nations who together aspire to build a world of peace and prosperity for all?

Do we want a President who understands the critical condition of our common home at this time; who recognizes the fact that the nation he/she leads is one of the major perpetrators whose activities and business practices created the critical condition of our mother earth?  A President who is committed to working with the Legislative branch in addressing the manner in which this nation is doing business in ways that further the earth’s illness? A President who understands that we have taken more than our share out of the earth’s bread basket, often by way of predatorial business practice, and that this history carries subsequent responsibility for those made poor by these business activities?

Furthermore, do we want a president who respects every person, including those of a different mindset; a President who by his/her character and values, authentically represents the character of America on the world stage?

A President who has the competence, the command of information, and a sense of the current world order such that together nations may forward justice and peace; a President who possesses the skills and selfless dedication to discern and negotiate the means to this goal?

A President who Is dedicated to lead with transparency, integrity, and with a selfless commitment to the good of this nation, rejecting the temptation to repurpose the powers of the Presidency to forward his/her own private advancement?

The Christian and Jewish scriptures warn us of allowing our egos “to plot the defeat of goodness;” and to beware of using our positions in life solely “to flatter ourselves in our own eyes.”  The Quran says, “Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.”  Quran 49:13

Voting is a privilege and an obligation which has been entrusted to us by our Constitution and by our fellow citizens.   Let us pray for guidance and wisdom as we discern committed and responsible leadership in all three sectors of our government, and most especially in the President.

−Sister Lynn Marie Welbig,  Sioux Falls

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A plea to to find out more about my grandmother

My name is Nicole Wright. I am writing to hopefully find information about my grandmother, Her name is Audrey Mae (Maye) House and she was born in South Dakota in 1932. Her parents were Rev. Clifford Earl House and Cassie House. I do not know much about her and am hoping that the amazing people of South Dakota might be able to help me learn more about my family. I have reached out to family members and have very little to no information about her. I am really needing help with this, I would appreciate any information at all.Thank you so much to everyone.

−Nicole Wright, Clearlake, California

Weed oligarchy will sweep into South Dakota if weed's legalized

The Weed economy collapsed rapidly after legalization in California and Colorado. All the small businesses collapsed into each other to form an oligarchy of roughly five different groups with deep ties to the pharmaceutical industry. If legalized here, that oligarchy will sweep in, consume all competition, and take the entire market. Not one local business will benefit from legalization. All of that money will go out of state.

− Joshua Crager, Sioux Falls

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This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: How will we choose the next president? Will a weed oligarchy come to SD?: Your letters