Kind of sounds like Pierre during the legislative session
l3wis 
February 2014
Why are SD Banks coming after the Credit Unions?
The credit union national organization is in a regulatory battle with the American Bankers Association with South Dakota the battlefield.
Credit unions make the bankers look bad and the ABA wants to crush them every way they can. There are many credit union misunderstandings. Credit unions are member owned cooperatives. By being member owned cooperatives they are designed to only have their members best interests as their primary mission. Lower loan rates, member community first. We used to have member owned credit union co-ops as part of many businesses and government departments. As time has gone on, the little credit unions have consolidated and became open ‘community’ credit unions, serving a larger cross section of the locality they are based. Remember the Bell Credit Union? How about the Morrell Credit Union? Air Guard, All American, and so many more. All of these have changed their missions or names as their associated companies or offices changed hands over the years.
Talk to a credit union member, you will see why they are for the most part a happier bunch. When you go into your credit union, you will often see the same faces you have seen for years. Stability in policy and function. Try to get this at your multi-national mega bank. So back to the battle, if you can’t beat the credit union on the PR front, kill the little buggers with state regulations and taxes.
In the South Dakota legislature this year is a movement to strip the non-profit / cooperative credit unions of their tax exempt status. The NCUA and ABA have been fighting for their versions of model legislation in the land of ALEC.
READ the plea letter here:Â Credit Union 2014
UPDATE: My pet goat?
The irony of the bunny questions is almost tragic.
Been there, done that.
The Tale of Two Politicians
I had an amazing some experiences on Friday. Seeing contrasting politicians.
First, at Democratic Forum, where Democratic governor candidate, Joe Lowe captivated the crowd. A man who is funny, intelligent, and passionate about people. At one point saying,
“Aren’t Democrats good people? Don’t we have morals? Don’t we do good things and want to do good things for PEOPLE!?”
I watched as a man who could barely contain himself (he is Irish) work a room like no other. Then after the gig, invited me to an adult beverage meeting in the future (I’m game).
Don’t know who this Susan Wismer is, but she better find her 4-Leaf clover, and quick.
Mr. Jamison
Had a good chuckle last night as I was walking out of Lucky’s Pub to go next door to MESO. There is a sticker on Lucky’s door that says, ‘Jameson Whiskey’ and as I look over to MESO’s door, there is a ‘Jamison for Mayor’ sign.
Should have taken a picture, I guess.
I attended a silent auction for Greg Jamison. His mother is a very talented painter, and she offered her work. I will say this to my artist friends, while her stuff is not my ‘cup of tea’ she is actually very good, and reminiscent of Edward Hopper, but in a very colorful, DTSF kind of way.
I digress.
Greg gave a great talk about Sioux Falls and his goals, and said there is a ‘Disconnect between City Hall and the People’ to which I applauded.
It amazes me more then anything about the diversity of ideas in this city and state. I remember listening to my grandpa Carl talk about politics as a child and was fascinated with the arguments he would have with the locals in the Scotland corner bar (though I did not understand) over stale pretzels and tomato beers. Can SD bring itself back to those roots? Can we debate issues as adults without talking about education, guns or abortion?
We are good people. We want to do good things. Does our armband really matter?
Does the city need to advertise the dump at a cost of 76K?
I am starting to become fond of the city council’s ‘Approval of Contracts’. It’s a shady little item that they can hide all of their ‘dark’ secret expenditures, in a tidy little PDF document:Â dumpycanoe
This weeks expenditures don’t disappoint;
The canoe access speaks for itself. A canoe was made to slip into the water anywhere, a 100K access is really not needed. But 76K for a marketing campaign about the city dump?! We need to educate the public about what garbage is and where it belongs? For Christ’s Sakes!