Commenter Pete Weisel says it best;
So the Argus should apologize for pointing out that elected representatives are NOT voting based on the electorates needs but their own?
In South Dakota, we have always let legislators who are attorneys vote on legislation to make changes in criminal and civil law. We let farmers vote on agricultural issues. We let teachers vote on issues of education and teacher salaries.
So why has the Argus Leader’s Editorial Board chosen to attack the credibility of Rep. Arch Beal, R-Dist. 12, and Sen. Jack Kolbeck, R-Dist. 13, just because they work for a beer distributor? They have the right and responsibility to consider all proposed legislation, including bills that would impact the beer industry.
People who are elected to serve in Pierre do so at the pleasure of their constituents, not at the whim of the Argus Leader Editorial Board.
The editorial board owes these gentlemen an apology for an unwarranted attack.
Dean has a special interest in this topic as he is the Chamber of Commerce which receives funds from the distributors.
You Dean, are the problem with this country sir.
Beal and Kolbeck have the right to vote on all legislation, I think; but if they take votes that are suspicious, because they benefit their own financial interests, then it becomes the right of the public to question their votes with reason.
And there is a difference between criminal and civil law, agricultural issues, and educational issues versus the liquor industry’s concerns, the latter is a vice, a luxury, at times a means to pleasure. Where the only ones who really profit from such an industry are the ones who promote it with a profit motivation and not the ones who consume it….
Sometimes criminal law changes can fill our jails, but usually for the good, but education and agricultural issues do not, but we all know that the liquor industry is the genesis of most of our criminal justice issues and costs in this state, and when members of that industry can control the laws that control that industry, then the public has a right to be concerned…
The alcohol tax in South Dakota has not been raised since 1987. One of the Legislators mentioned specifically warned me to leave his beer business alone.
Nobody should be in office for personal profit. Do what is best for the people, the State and the USA.
It is time to cover the damage that alcohol does with revenue from alcohol. Raise the taxes on alcohol!
The alcohol industry and excessive drinkers only pay 3% of alcohol harm costs. Taxpayers and small business are forced to pay 97% of the tab. This simply is inequitable.
If Beal and Kolbeck are in Pierre representing taxpayers, they should be highly in favor of alcohol taxation. Of course, they will likely either vote against or abstain from voting – which indicate self-interest.
According to the CDC, the alcohol industry in SD leaves taxpayers and small businesses with a bill of $600m annually. Big alcohol only pays $20m in taxes. The difference has to come from somewhere – and is thus forcibly socialized.
They are elected to represent us in SD and so is every Washington politician. Andrew McCarthy, National Review knows the DC score and is speaking truth. Look him up.
I’m waiting for someone to suggest ousting the lawyers from the Judiciary Committees, the insurance agents from Commerce, the farmers from Ag and Natural Resources, and the health system employees from the Health Committees.
Self dealers are a feature – not a bug, especially in a part time citizen legislature. They are valued on Committees precisely because of their work experience with their area of “expertise†coming before the legislature.
Dean is not the Chamber of Commerce. He isn’t an officer, employee or on the Board of Directors. He was a Director many years ago, but that is a volunteer position. The Chamber receives funds from distributors no differently than they do from all other businesses in the Sioux Falls area – through membership dues. Dean never received a dollar from them. The Chamber does not take money from folks and then advocate on their behalf as a direct lobbyist. Policies for the Chamber are set by a huge issues management council. Those are then vetted vigorously by a board comprised of over 18 individuals representing a wide swath of businesses.
You are clueless dude.