I can only cringe to think that Marion Mike Rounds could become our next US Senator. Only in South Dakota would we choose a crooked Republican over a Liberal Democrat. Whether you are Republican, Indy or Democrat, please, I beg you NOT to vote for Rounds. His clear record of corruption make him unfit for office.
REFRESHER GRAPHIC: republican-graphic
There are many reasons NOT to vote for Mike Rounds, and let’s just pretend for a moment that he did nothing wrong in the EB-5 scandal (he’ll lie to you and tell you he hasn’t).
Rounds’ record as governor wasn’t anything less than corrupt.
– Using his gigantic fleet of state owned airplanes for personal use, then paying the fuel bill from the Governor’s club fund ‘after’ he was busted. It was so scandalous at the time, Professor Reynold Nesiba got it on the ballot to limit Rounds’ travels, and the good people of SD agreed.
– Increased the FTE’s by over a thousand during his short tenure, giving many jobs to family members and family members of campaign contributors.
– No bid contracts to campaign contributors. Just call Scott Lawrence over at Lawrence and Schiller, he will explain it all to you, or maybe his brother can, you know, Craig Lawrence, the guy running the State GOP now.Â
– Elkpoint / Hyperion fiasco. That has so many layers, don’t even know where to begin. How is that project going by the way? And how much state tax dollars were wasted?
– Millions in subsidies to TransCanada, that they didn’t need or ask for.
– Taking public education funding in SD back to the stone age (remember, one of Rounds’ objectives is to get rid of the Federal Department of Education as senator).
And let’s move on to EB-5.
While we could discuss all the lying Rounds has done about what he knew, and what he didn’t know, I have often said there are two finer points that stick out, the unknown.
– The FBI has admitted there is an ongoing investigation. That means there is a possibility that Rounds could be indicted after the election. Do we want a newly elected Senator being indicted?
– Richard Benda’s autopsy report NOT being released. I have often told people this is the lynchpin of the entire scandal. It has been determined by several people that suicide by a shotgun blast to the stomach would be an awful way to do yourself in. Candidate for governor, Mike Myers has done several demonstrations showing how difficult it would be to shoot yourself using a branch and a shotgun. Attorney General Jackley has even made the comment that his suicide was suspicious. But what really got me thinking was when former senator Larry Pressler, who has many FBI connections asked the question at the last debate, “Was Richard Benda Murdered?â€
Unlike all the other documents released in this fiasco called EB-5, doesn’t it seem strange that this autopsy report hasn’t? Is it so damning that not even Rounds could attempt to lie his way out of it? I ask, as does Larry Pressler, “Was Richard Benda murdered?â€
With all of this information about Marion Mike Rounds, that we know of, why on earth would any South Dakota voter cast one for him? It baffles my mind.
Well, if Senator Rounds gets indicted and frog marched out of the U.S. Capitol there’s still a chance that Governor Daugaard will appoint us all a popular moderate replacement like Dusty Johnson, so there’s that.
There is nothing strange about the Benda death report. You will just have to wait for Claire Benda to turn 18. If she wants to release the details of Daddy’s death she will. Of course you could stalk and harass her on her way to and from school if you don’t want to wait for the child to grow up. I’m surprised members of the press haven’t already done it.
anom, you beat me to the punch, just had a phone convo about who would Daugaard appoint if Rounds is indicted and criminally charged. We both agreed, Dusty Johnson.
“There is nothing strange about the Benda death report.”
Anne, you speak as if you have seen it? Please fill us in. I have said all along if their is nothing strange about the report, why not release it? I have said all along that wouldn’t Claire want to defend her father’s good name instead of having all these rumors swirling around? Clear it up once and for all. I would bet that Claire probably hasn’t even seen it.
Why do so many Repubs vote for folks like Rounds? Reading comprehension is fundamental to having a clear understanding of the world. They don’t read, let alone comprehend what they’re reading. And QUESTIONING – ANYTHING? Forget about it. Don’t even know what to ask.
Simply, Rounds would not debate other candidates and he’s not campaigned across the state. It looks as if he feels his name and smile is all he feels he needs. His pal Daurguard has distanced himself for a reason.
Yes, the criminal activity but just the surface stuff is enough. I suspect Rounds knows he’ll not be elected. He’s after the pool of republican PAC money he can use for his forthcoming trial defense.
I’d rather not see Rounds elected. But have a gut feeling I will be wrong and he will be giving his acceptance speech. Rather sad that there are so many crooked politicians in this country and they can win elections.
I wonder what Rounds does with his big fancy campaign bus.
It baffles your mind because we are just so much better than the stupid people who don’t read or comprehend anything just like ruf said. I guess we all could leave for places like Illinois or California where we progressives can bask in fine wines and cheese while we ponder how much better we are than the sheeple who vote repug. I mean those states are run by people just like us and they are doing absolutely wonderful. Who’s with me – lets get out of this brain dead state.
Bon, are you renting the U-Haul, or shall I?
Bon Voyage, you think the State of California is doing absolutely wonderful….maybe, you aren’t quite as well-informed as you think you are!
Very seriously thinking about moving as well. One just needs to cross the border into MN for a more progressive state. VT is also very progressive.
I’m leaving tomorrow to meet with Realtors in Mn. I sacrificed a lot moving back here to my home state of SD to be closer to family but depending on the election results it may seal the deal. Quality of life, income including factoring taxes was better in Minnesota and if things are so bad there why is there not a traffic jam here at the SD border with people escaping. I’ll be starting a business there too in that high tax oppressive state of Minnesota. lol
The take-over not just of places like SD, but the nation in general by the “Don’t Read to Me! Intelligence Sucks!” crowd started me planning my exit from this country a couple years ago. Almost there.
I’m taking my ball and going home…
Rufsux, what if you win tonight? You won’t be able to leave the country without serving your legislative term, BAHAHAHA! Or were you another one of those place holder Democrats?
Are you guys really leaving or is this more like an Obama “If I can’t fix this it will be a one term deal for me” type quote?
If so, see ya…have a blast in whatever progressive bastion you think you need to be in. I’ll submit that geography has nothing to do with your mental state of happy vs. unhappy. For two years you Lefties had the White House and Congress and what happened? You got everything your Dear Leader wanted crammed down the throats of the American people by any means necessary with the exception of Immigration reform/Amnesty which went ignored until about 2 years ago. O’Care..Stimulus 1 & 2, Dodd Frank, gay marriage, legal weed etc. etc. Yet still the Democrats are as angry & unhinged as I’ve seen them. Statewide, Dems have given no reason to vote for them…they just aren’t Mike Rounds. None of them bask in the victories of the Obama Admin, none of them even want Obama here to campaign for them…yet if anyone disagrees with what’s been done and HOW it’s been done then obviously they must be a stupid racist. Misery loves company, so have fun in whatever blue state you end up in.
Speaking of legal weed, is it true that these sales can be taxed (income) 80%+. Attributed to “war on drug” laws. Anyone know?
“Misery loves company so have fun in whatever blue state you end up”
Are you serious? No misery where I’m going in Minnesota lol I took a substantial hit in income moving back to South Dakota and coming back was like going back 30 years in public policy. The state is fairly stagnant in on many levels due to the complacent majority rule that doesn’t challenge itself to be better. Those that are cronies or family members of those in power will do well. I’m doing ok financially but what I see are a growing number of working poor South Dakotans working multiple jobs within the household.
Priorities are screwed up with lack of funding for education. Everything is geared towards short term gains with a lack of focus on long term investment and solving serious challenges facing the state with just a continual kicking the can down the street.
The state’s tax system needs an overhaul being that it is very regressive but I doubt that and other issues here will be addressed for a very long time due to how they majority votes. It’s unfortunate since my roots go deep here since this was Dakota Territory but need to go where my opportunities and quality of life are substantially better. Life is to short!
My point is that you make your own luck in this all too short life. If your attitude is as you state in that you see zero opportunity here in a State where you claim to have deep roots to me sounds like you haven’t taken the steps necessary here to advance yourself and that won’ t change just because you move to a blue state. The only thing that will change is you will be around more like minded people who want the Government to “level the playing field” or whatever vs. setting yourself apart from your peers due to effort, timing & perseverance. You rail against our tax system, the same one that’s rated one of the best in the nation for both businesses and individuals, so by moving to a higher tax environment like MN you are accomplishing what, exactly? You are paying more to support the State each paycheck? No one’s stopping you from doing that here, somehow if it’s not your choice as opposed to how the system is set up it makes it all the more happy-go-lucky for you?
Sorry, but that doesn’t make any sense to me.
My point is that you make your own luck in this all too short life. If your attitude is as you state in that you see zero opportunity here in a State where you claim to have deep roots to me sounds like you haven’t taken the steps necessary here to advance yourself and that won’ t change just because you move to a blue state. The only thing that will change is you will be around more like minded people who want the Government to “level the playing field†or whatever vs. setting yourself apart from your peers due to effort, timing & perseverance.
Interesting thoughts Sy. Seen through the republican prism. The republican motto. “I got mine. The rest of you are on your own”. “You make your own luck.” And on and on. Look at the median income of Joe Sixpack Sy. That’s where we need to begin a discussion.
Instead I will lay money the only thing your party will try to ram down our throats is impeachment, or boots on the ground in God knows what of the hundreds of hotspots on the globe where we just have to be the worlds policemen.