Dear Senator Thune, Senator Rounds, and Representative Johnson:

As residents of the United States and the State of South Dakota, we have, until recent times, lived securely in a democratic society. Our expectations within that system of government have been, and continue to be, these: we expect our government to abide by the Constitution and its amendments; we expect fair and equal treatment of ALL people; we expect freedom of speech; we expect freedom from unreasonable search and seizure; we expect due process and protection from cruel and unusual punishment.

A number of these rights are currently under assault. Money allocated by Congress to support services we hold dear is being withheld unilaterally. Many are suffering the consequences of these cuts including those who benefit from those programs directly or indirectly.

The people tasked with carrying out those functions are being bullied, fired, and, in some cases, unfairly maligned as incompetent or useless. Individuals and organizations are being punished by the government for speaking out against injustices. These are just a few examples of how the U.S. government is behaving capriciously and erratically. Moreover, the U.S. is no longer a reliable ally. Our word means nothing. We have ceded any moral high ground with our corrupt behavior.

In addition to harming federal employees, all the actions mentioned above will directly hurt the people of South Dakota. Tariff wars hurt small businesses, farmers, and consumers. Cutting programs that provide food to impoverished nations and to South Dakotans with limited resources hurts farmers as well as South Dakota residents. If Medicaid funding is cut, South Dakota is one of three states that will be particularly hard hit financially, not to mention the sheer immorality of not providing adequate health care to those in need. We can probably also expect additional losses of rural medical facilities and quality long-term care facilities.

Congress has relinquished its role as one of the three coequal branches of government. We have not seen any Congressional action to stop the wholesale destruction of the Constitution and the Rule of Law.

We ask that, as our elected representatives, you step up to reclaim the power of the purse and to protect the balance of power, including respect for the judiciary. If there is fraud and waste, investigate and make changes as needed, but such a determination must be evidence based. Employees affected must be treated fairly and with respect. Tariffs must be thoughtfully and equitably imposed. Support programs that protect our basic human rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Make sure the U.S. is a good global citizen, not a pariah. Prevent detainees from being sent to El Salvador to what is essentially a concentration camp. Pledge that detainees in U.S. ICE facilities and prisons be treated humanely with access to due process, food, water, and medical treatment. The Rule of Law must be followed by everyone, including the Executive and Legislative Branches.

When you assumed office, you took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Our plea to you is to please fulfill your oath of office.

This is an open letter to Sens. Thune and Rounds and Rep. Johnson. Each of these letters was signed by more than 120 people between April 17 and April 19 and sent to our senators and representative on April 21.