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Thune’s Partisan Whining Ignores South Dakota’s Real Infrastructure Needs

While Senator John Thune threatens that Republicans could block the Senate’s compromise infrastructure deal because they are unhappy with the President and Senate Democrats’ separate budget proposal, CNBC notes that South Dakota has the third-worst infrastructure in the nation:

The evolving definition of infrastructure chips away at the Mount Rushmore State’s performance. Roads are in good shape (though bridges need some work), and the drinking water and wastewater systems are in good shape. But South Dakota’s average internet speeds are the lowest in the continental United States at a sluggish 75 Mbps, according to BroadbandNow Research. The power grid is on the low end of the reliability scale, and there are limited sites available for development.

2021 Infrastructure score: 141 out of 375 points (Top States Grade: D-)

U.S. population within 500 miles: 23,122,610

Bridges in poor condition: 18%

Roads in unacceptable condition: 9%

Broadband access: 78.2%

Power outages per year: 4.9 hours [Scott Cohn, “These Are America’s 10 Worst States for Infrastructure,” CNBC, 2021.07.14]

Gripe and moan all you want about the budget, Senator Thune. But when the feds could offer South Dakota billions of dollars to fix real infrastructure problems and boost our economic development, you’re letting hyperpartisanship stand in the way of the greater good.

10 Comments

  1. Thune may be vulnerable.

    I’m looking for an Alex Jones, Donald Trump type candidate to step up.

    It’s possible that conservatives in SD would vote for a nicely painted fire hydrant over Senator Thune’s feckless handling of his constitutional duty as it pertains to elections.

    If that weren’t bad enough, he’s pushing 5G without adequately addressing the dangers to the people of SD.

  2. Loren

    If the Democrats are “for” something, the GQP MUST be against it, be damned the fact that the policy might be good for the people or the nation. Stick to your talking points, cowboy.

  3. Bob Newland

    So Thune isn’t lying quite enough for you, John Dale? You want a REAL pro.

  4. Jake

    No, Bob, trump’s in line with his ilk.

  5. cibvet

    john dale says ” I’m looking for an Alex Jones, Donald Trump type candidate to step up”. Apparently he sees someone in the mirror who fits his warped psyche profile. Just needs some fools to nominate him.

  6. mike from iowa

    Marlboro Barbie’s non-handling his constitutional duties in two impeachment hearings should have got him impeached.

    Never, in history, has the number two guy designation been more appropriate than tacked to Thune’s calloused arse.

  7. Well John, if you ate more you might meet the Alex Donald standards.

  8. Spike

    Nothing says “merica” like spending July 4 in Russia kissing KGB rears. That was strange. wtf Thune.

  9. ABC

    From the Washington Post, July 5, on this crummy visit–

    By
    Karoun Demirjian
    July 5, 2018

    2.4k
    Republican lawmakers who went to Russia seeking a thaw in relations received an icy reception from Democrats and Kremlin watchers for spending the Fourth of July in a country that interfered in the U.S. presidential election and continues to deny it.

    “Cannot believe GOP, once the party that stood strong against Soviets & only a decade ago sought to democratize the Middle East, is now surrendering so foolishly to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and the Kremlin’s kleptocracy — only two years ­after Russia interfered in U.S. election,” tweeted Clint Watts, an information warfare specialist at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and frequent featured expert before congressional panels examining Russian influence operations.

    “Russians wooing with a shopworn song — repugnant as nails on a blackboard,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) wrote in a Twitter post in response to the delegation’s trip. “They are enemies and adversaries, attacking us.”

    Thune kissing Russian arse ?

    Why does Thune keep getting re-elected? Ask 160 000 voters why.

    Demovcrats handed 2010 Senate seat to him without a contest. “No Contest” Democrats don’t win when they run for 70 seats and Republicans run for 105 legislative seats.

    Rename it Sioux Falls Democratic Party. They don’t represent me any more. The No Impeach Ravnsborgg Democrats,

  10. leslie

    Do you know 35 more qualified democrats that could have afforded the time and energy to carry you until the next election.

    Have you volunteered?

    Do you know how threatening the size of Thune/McConnell’s war-chest is? Do you know anyone with the name recognition that could beat Thune in 2024??

    Do you know imminently qualified Randy Seiler? Did you do everything possible to help him beat Jason Ravnsborg, who is barely even a lawyer?

    Seiler may well have balanced out those 35 legislators in sheer competency and progressive policy. Billy Sutton nearly won last time. Had they both received more of your support, the state would certainly not be the embarrassment it is today.

    STILL looking to blame someone?

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