When President Obama and Congressional Democrats were trying to sell a skeptical American public on their health care overhaul bill, they frequently claimed that their proposals would cut health care costs and reduce our exploding national debt. There was plenty of evidence to the contrary at the time, but now... Continue Reading
Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, and I hope that we get a beautiful, warm weekend across the state. Throughout South Dakota and across the nation, people will gather for barbecues and picnics with family and friends, as well we should. During our celebration, however, we must not... Continue Reading
The Senate continues to debate a bill that would restructure the way the federal government regulates our nation’s financial sector, and it is clear from the events of the last two years that smart changes are necessary. Unfortunately, the Senate recently missed an opportunity to address an underlying cause of... Continue Reading
There are many reasons why South Dakota is a great place to live. Friendly people, strong communities, and many opportunities for recreation are just some of the reasons we choose to call South Dakota home, but a reason that may be overlooked sometimes is our state’s way of doing business.... Continue Reading
For lots of South Dakota families, including ours, May is graduation season. It’s a season of milestones and memories. If there is any one image that stands out in my mind this graduation season, it’s of a bouncing red ponytail. I first became acquainted with it somewhere in my daughter’s... Continue Reading
All of us have special people in our lives who have guided us, loved us, and made us into the individuals we become. For many of us, no one person does more for us than our mothers. As Mother’s Day approaches, we are once again reminded of how much our... Continue Reading
South Dakota’s farmers deserve to take considerable pride in the fact that they are able to coax such abundant yields out of land that can appropriately be described as temperamental. Harsh winters, periodic droughts, flooding, and other challenges create uncertainty, but the resilience of our state’s agricultural producers leads to... Continue Reading
Spring has arrived in South Dakota, and we are once again reminded of how critical thriving farms are to our state. South Dakota farmers and ranchers work hard to maintain their lands, knowing that proper land management increases the likelihood of future success. Through conservation and smart land management, South... Continue Reading
Members of Congress from both parties as well as President Obama have been talking a great deal recently about creating jobs and moving the economy forward. What has generated far less discussion, however, is where new jobs might be created. The White House and Democrats in Congress have pursued policies... Continue Reading
Banks and other financial institutions play an important role in our economy and in the day to day financial needs of South Dakota families. Most of us who have bought a home or even a car have borrowed money from a financial institution, and we trust them to act responsibly... Continue Reading
South Dakotans want to see the federal government take steps to make it easier for businesses in our state to create jobs and remain strong. Unfortunately, some of the proposals coming out of Washington today would have an opposite effect. One such policy is the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plan... Continue Reading
Across South Dakota, high school seniors are looking to the future, which for many of them will include attending college. Unfortunately the costs of attending college can create a challenging and stressful situation. Many students choose to borrow money for college, but the federal government may soon limit the choice... Continue Reading
