Shame on POET, value citizens over party leaders, another $1B to Ukraine: Your letters

Farmers should stop supporting POET after opposition to Sioux Falls pork plant

Friends and neighbors, we need to stop selling grain to and buying dried distillers grains from POET until they remember who made them a success.

POET’s decision to support the Sioux Falls initiative banning the construction of a modern, new pork processing plant hurts Sioux Falls, hurts South Dakota and, mostly, it hurts farmers and those who invested in POET. Shame on POET!

They can talk about smell all they want, but what really stinks is the misinformation being spread about how the new pork plant will smell like an old pork plant.

The new pork plant, owned by local farm families, will be an asset to the community far greater than a single gated home. Voters of Sioux Falls should support the new, clean pork plant, support open business in Sioux Falls and shame POET for their pushing selfish interests.

John Horter, Andover

Politicians need to do what's right by citizens, not parties

Dear Democrat and Republican elected officials, I have been registered in the same political party for over 65 years. During this time, I have voted a straight party ticket a few times, but in many more elections I have voted for members of both parties. I made my choices of the individual candidates and measures that I thought would be most beneficial for the township, the city, the county, the state or the nation. I hope that many people still vote with that in mind.

In the past few years, I have witnessed a change in how elected United States Senate and House members have voted on specific measures. If the senator or representative is a Democrat, he/she votes with the Democratic Party leadership. If the senator or representative is a Republican, he/she votes with the Republican leadership. Whatever happened to making decisions good for the people represented instead of the party? Is the political party more important than your constituents?

Please take note of what has happened during the past two years and vote for measures that are best for the people you represent! Show the people you care.

Here’s hoping you work to clean up politics in the United States of America.

William Haigh, Aberdeen

Citizens of Brown County are priority for Wiese

Mike Wiese is a prepared leader that places the citizens of Brown County first. He listens to concerns and advocates on behalf of the people to ensure their voices are heard.

I have full confidence in his ability to effectively lead and serve the citizens of Brown County. He has a proven record of integrity, effective leadership and community support for the people of Brown County. Throughout his 24 years on the commission, he has focused on a number of important Issues such as advancing the new regional jail project, interagency communication and accountability to taxpayers.Please join me in re-electing Commissioner Wiese on Election Day.

Lowell Swanson, Aberdeen

Republican Party no longer reflects values of most South Dakotans

I long supported the Republican Party in politics, but starting about the time of Newt Gingrich, I began questioning their long-term goals. Jack Kemp assured us that supply-side economics would ensure a healthier middle class and give people a chance to move up the economic ladder. Didn't happen. Most recently, Republicans offered the same platitudes when they gave rich individuals and corporations huge tax cuts. Surprise! That did not work out for anyone but the rich and richer, either.

I believe the Republican Party no longer stands for my values, nor for most South Dakotans' values. It's time to take a stand against government involvement in a woman's personal medical decisions. Gov. Kristi Noem will not state simply that a 14-year old who has been raped or victimized by incest has a right to an abortion. This is crippling to anyone's future.

When Jamie Smith campaigns, he hits the pavement and visits with South Dakotans. Noem travels to Florida for $25,000-a-plate fundraisers and to campaign in Arizona for an election denier who continues to parrot the big lie that the election was "stolen." Noem does not reflect my values, how about yours?

If Republicans take control of the House and Senate, they have publicly stated they are willing to put our national economy in the trash to force reductions in Social Security and Medicare. They call it "strengthening," but the only options they are offering are reductions.

It's past time to put aside long-term party loyalties and ask yourself what kind of country you want to live in. I will vote a straight Democratic ticket for the first time in my life. I urge you to do the same.

Mark Wismer, Britton

Thune accessible, accountable to South Dakota

When John Thune became a U.S. congressman, his conservative family values inspired my wife, Sheryl Perry, to join the Republican Party.

Thune is very accessible, available and accountable to South Dakota. He takes time to visit and listen to South Dakotans. In Aberdeen, Sheryl and I can always count on catching up with him at the Brown County Fair, Northern State homecoming and the State B basketball tournament.

He is often in small towns. Recently, he was in Roscoe, Bowdle and Hosmer.

He has offices in D.C., Rapid, Sioux Falls and Aberdeen. He and his staff work hard to collaborate and communicate to benefit constituents.

Sen. John Thune has the ability to listen, learn then react as needed. His experience is very valuable to our state. We are lucky to have him.

John Thune is the second-highest Senate Republican and is also a husband, father, grandfather and our hard-working congressional friend.

Please join us in supporting Sen. John Thune.

Carl and Sheryl Perry, Aberdeen

What's the worst that could happen from sending anther $1B to Ukraine?

If it's a day of the week ending in Y, chances are overwhelming the U.S. is sending another billion dollars in cash and weapons to Ukraine. What's the worst that could happen?

Months before Putin invaded Ukraine, Joe Biden literally said Ukraine was too corrupt to join NATO. That's puzzling since it was Biden's job to clean up Ukraine. Other than getting Viktor Shokin fired for looking into Burisma, his son Hunter's employer, what exactly did Joe accomplish? Apparently, nothing.

Remember the good old days when we used to care what happened to lethal weaponry? When Obama oversaw the fall of Iraq to ISIS and 100 Stinger missiles disappeared, we were somewhat concerned. When Biden oversaw the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban and $40 billion in arms and equipment were lost, we were told not to fret because it's the new Taliban seeking legitimacy. Now, Biden and others are dumping unknown quantities of Stinger and Javelin missiles into a chaotic war situation. Did I mention the corruption?

Maybe you're too politically correct to think about the usual terrorist suspects buying a missile from opportunistic Ukrainians and bringing down a passenger jet. What if Russians capture a weapon and dispatch agents to a European country to utilize it? Russia has already downed a Malaysian Air jetliner over Ukraine with no consequences. When an empty missile tube is found on a Paris rooftop emblazoned "Made in U.S.A.," we'll blame Putin for the smoldering wreckage, but who'll want to fly again? How many trillions disappear from the economy?

That might be the worst that could happen. Then again, New York City's running modern day "Duck and Cover" PSAs in case of nuclear attack. There's your answer.

Dan Oliver, Aberdeen

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: aberdeen-letters-to-editor-for-oct-22-2022-on-biden-politics-ethanol