Beresford celebrated socialism Wednesday, as U.S. Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Tanya Trujillo came to cut the ribbon of Beresford’s new water tower, which will be filled with 2.5 million gallons of water from the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System, another community-saving project built by collective action:
Speaking to an audience of contributors to the project, Trujillo remarked “this is a tremendous piece of infrastructure” and praised the regional partnerships that brought the idea to fruition.
She spoke to a theme of bipartisanship, noting the unique across-the-aisle approach from legislators in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota. Trujillo also recognized President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated $75.5 million to the project. The teamwork was crucial in pushing the project to its near-completion.
“It helps bring water to people who need it. It’s important in our rural communities, in our cities and in our farming communities,” Trujillo said [Dominik Dausch, “Lewis & Clark Water System Ribbon Cutting Signals Bright Future for Tri-State Communities,” Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 2022.08.10].
Maybe they can paint the town’s name on the tower: Beresford—Brought to You by Big Government!
With drought taking hold in the upper basin we should be sending thoughts and prayers in advance for the wretched masses that have poisoned their own wells and tapped into big gubmint to water lawns while they complain about WOTUS.
What’s the point of the headline saying, “Socialism Slakes Beresford’s Thirst?” A government based on capitalism can’t fund infrastructure projects or, if it does, that is socialistic thus validating socialism as inherently good and capitalism is less so? Or maybe you are just trying to score points against political enemies and, of course, decrying it when they do the same to you? It could have been a positive post about a positive activity of government helping people but, no, not when there is owning to be had.
Imagine South Dakota’s Republican governor and its Republican congressional delegation appearing for selfies with a representative of the Biden administration, indeed. If it wasn’t for Minnesota Democrats Lewis and Clark would still be begging for money.
Ron, there is a positive point here. I am reminding people that Socialism does positive things for South Dakota. I’m trying to correct the widespread misconception that Socialism is inherently evil. I am reminding the good people of Beresford and people who love people from Beresford that Socialism makes possible meeting the basic needs of the community.
The collection of taxes, like my own, help to provide the needed, life giving services to communities all over the country. Water is life man.
How will the Lewis and Clark water system boondoggle embolden the proponents of the pipeline to Rapid City since there are no Democrats to drive it? Will the military push Republicans to get on the socialist bandwagon?
Lest I be pedantic, yet lest we conflate “socialism” per se with social programs in the form of “democratic socialism.”
1. Socialism per se:
“a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.”
2. Democratic Socialism:
“Social programs are not socialism….many social programs that could be construed by some as “socialist.” However, those people would be incorrect. These programs are “social programs,” and “safety nets.” The system we are evolving here is Democratic Socialism, where the means of production remains securely in the hands of private capital. Private capital is the chief employer in the U.S., not the government. The U.S. government is simply the point of transfer and distribution of taxes paid to provide the programs and federal infrastructure necessary in a large and complex society and economy as we are. Private capital cannot be relied upon to provide needed safety nets or security, in most cases. ”
https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/social-programs-are-not-socialism/
See also:
https://www.modbee.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/community-columns/article232512087.html
Ron Jon – the Water and the tower and all the infrastructure for delivering and storing it are OWNED BY THE GOVERNMENT and are a critical part of the MEANS OF PRODUCTION for everyone in that city. Those facts – by definition – makes them a SOCIALIST enterprise.