Wealth redistribution: Popular with South Dakotans

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Dissing Obama’s supposed “income redistribution plan” is pretty popular in SD these days. What most here won’t admit or realise is that our state is on federal welfare and has been for some time.

Check THIS out for the numbers.

In 2005 (the most current year in the study), we got back$1.53 for every dollar we sent to the federal government.

In other words, the tax dollars of other states are being redistributed to fund our low tax lifestyle.

Many of you have seen the Johnson/Munson ad where Munson does everything but fellate Johnson for bringing in so much money for pet projects around SF. Rep. Herseth-Sandlin also mentions in her ads the money she’s helped to bring in while she’s been in congress. Why are we as frugal, up-by-the-bootstraps (whatever that means), God-fearing South Dakotans electing such welfare queens to office?

Could it be that deep down, we really like the idea of wealth redistribution? 

Sales Tax Revenue down in Sioux Falls

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According to the Sioux Falls City Finance Director in the informational meeting yesterday, Councilor Brown, and the State Economic Advisor the larger cities in South Dakota are seeing a decrease in retail tax revenue and the smaller towns are seeing an increase. They seem to be puzzled why this is. Brown seemed to think it was the rural economy doing well.

I’m gonna guess he is wrong.

I’m not an economist, and trust me, I haven’t really done much research on this after hearing about this development, but I’m gonna guess that it is due to high gas prices and inflation. Used to be small town people would go to the big city on weekends, buy all their groceries, buy clothes and fillup their tanks. I know this because we used to go to Mitchell every Saturday to do the same thing growing up (I lived in rural Ethan). With inflation people are cutting back on buying luxuries in the big cities and buying groceries in their hometowns to save gas.

This may not be good for Sioux Falls, but it is good for smaller towns because it may help to revitalize them.

Two of my favorite South Dakotans

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Not sure if you know Jerry and Norma Wilson, but the Argus Leader did a story about their property by Vermillion.

“Since I was a small child, I’ve felt most alive in nature. I’ve spent most of life in rural areas observing, learning, hiking, skiing and lying in the grass and looking around,” Wilson, 63, says.

I met Jerry when he was editor of South Dakota magazine. Him and his wife are regulars at the Touch of Europe in Sioux Falls. Amazing people and great examples of how to live a progressive and honest lifestyle.