The Sioux Falls Argus Leader recently reported Gov. Kristi Noem speaking about her past congressional association with Tim Walz. Noem and Walz worked together on various pieces of legislation. She found Tim Walz to be an easy conversationalist; also that he was quite radical (the dictionary defines “radical” as a personality that strives to attain desirable results).

I observe Democratic House candidate Sheryl Johnson to be likewise radical according to that definition. Democrats who run for elective office are like that. They believe much can be done to improve lives and create opportunity regardless of people’s social or economic status.

In a recently published story about Noem refusing to accept $70 million in federal monies, she stated that no South Dakota citizen should receive individual monetary help from federal government. Those citizen rebates were intended to help cover the expense of energy-efficient retrofits and high-efficiency electric appliances. The funding was part of President Biden’s “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.” I gather that Noem only saw this funding as taxpayer’s hard-earned monies being given freely to individuals. Back when this legislation was being considered and debated, South Dakota’s three representatives in Congress all voted to block it.

Rep. Dusty Johnson said in 2021 that he simply could not support more unsustainable spending. Were our three congressional reps and governor being highly principled, or just plain stupid? But they have no problem with billionaires being allowed to pay less than their fair share of taxes; nor did he have a problem in voting for the enormous 2017 Trump tax cuts that increased the federal debt by several trillions.

That’s how it goes when only Republicans are elected time after time. Democrats are projected by some observers to win control of the presidency and both congressional bodies in November. Sending Sheryl Johnson to represent South Dakota in Congress would bolster South Dakota’s influence based on current realities. Sending Dusty back to Washington would waste the opportunity of this reality.