Like I have already said, we could avoid all of this if people just voluntarily got the FREE and EFFECTIVE and SAFE shot instead of making this a political issue.

While I kind of understand the back and forth on mandating vaccinations for private sector employees (Noem is not only allowing it, but she is essentially promoting it) I feel that public employees who receive their pay and health benefits from taxpayers should be required to be vaccinated, especially if they work with the public (which is most of them). This has more to do with me as a taxpayer investing in the city employees health and wellbeing and wanting them to be healthy instead of sitting in a hospital on a ventilator or out of work for a few weeks.

President Biden announced today sweeping vaccine mandates, and since the city of Sioux Falls receive Federal dollars, they really should follow suit. So should the counties and school districts within Sioux Falls.

I find it a bit hypocritical of our Health Department promoting Covid Vaccinations to the general public when they are not encouraging it with city employees. I wouldn’t even be opposed to a $100 bonus to city employees who get the shot. Or have someone from Falls Community Health go around to the different city offices and give them the shots in the comfort of their workspace.

It often seems odd to me the mixed messaging we are getting from our elected officials on Covid. Do as I say, not as I do.

30 Thoughts on “Should Mayor TenHaken Mandate Covid Vaccinations for City Employees? YES!

  1. name thankfully no longer in quotes on September 9, 2021 at 8:36 pm said:

    Please state your source that says the City is not encouraging vaccinations for employees? You can’t, because the City is very strongly encouraging.

  2. Mike Lee Zitterich on September 9, 2021 at 8:50 pm said:

    Scott,
    Great topic, and a very concerning development and one of the reasons I am very against taking of any Federal Funds, whether its Grants, Monetary Funds, or Loans.

    I would agree with Scott, that if it is ordered by the President through executive order, that all Federal Departments, Agencies, Officers, Officials, and any Federal Contractors and Employees who gain from Federal Taxes – would be required to get the Vaccine.

    But, the argument would be – does the Executive Order extend outside the Territory of the District of Columbia?

    Now, whereas any State or City by means of the Governor or Mayor’s direction to accept Federal Grants, Monetary Funds or any form of Federal Taxes – does that “executive order” extend to State and Local Officials, Officers, and Employees of those Entities.

    I would believe by ‘merging’ these entities thru collecting Federal Taxes.

    Then to not include all American Citizens whether Businesses or Individuals who have also taken Federal Monies as well…

    So it comes down to “YOU” open up yourself by agreeing to take Federal Taxes to subsidize a portion of your lifestyle, you then sign a contract to accept the terms that come with taking those monies.

    Raises a few questions yes…

  3. There is a difference between encouraging and mandating.

  4. Ironically, don’t we all receive Federal funds in one form or another?

  5. Mike Lee Zitterich on September 9, 2021 at 10:30 pm said:

    No, I dont accept them. I hate paying Federal Income Taxes, so I try my best to stay outside of their little box.

    But I do pay tons in federal taxes to the POST OFFICE, LOL, they add up.

    Its gonna come down to the fact if YOU file your 1040 and accept any Federal Subsidies, Credits, or Monetary funds, your gonna have to get a VACCINE if you want your refund back.

    What I would do – is change your W-4 to 9 Exemptions and UNDER PAY your income tax, then upon filing your 1040, pay what you owe, just the minimum due. DO NOT over pay that ‘tax liability; Then you have no issues.

    You see, they are holding peoples refunds now, so I urge you to UNDER PAY your INCOME TAX, it is not due until Dec 31st anyways. Put the money in a IRA make your 10% GAINS, then pull income from that, upon filing a 1040 and pay your “TAX DUE”

  6. My body my choice. Isn’t that a Democrat theme? So do you now support mandates for births? 100% of abortion result in death.

    Why do you not trust the vaccine? If you have been vaccinated why do you care if others are, or do you not understand how vaccines work?

    Only a fool types out a daily blog about not trusting government then wants the government to force something on you.

  7. Mike Lee Zitterich on September 10, 2021 at 10:30 am said:

    Scott, in addition to my previous thoughts – any executive order by the “president” could play out as such:

    Depending on how the “order” is fashioned, it could go out and be enforced on all MULTI NATIONAL CORPORATIONS who are contractually bound and obligated to Federal License, Permits, and Obligations.

    These Multi-National Corporations have been widely used by the Federal Govt to push forward, and enforce Federal Policies into the private sector, and again, as they to have taken “Federal Tax Dollars” to manage themselves thru the supposed COVID PANDEMIC – taking the money oblgates them to specific terms and conditions placed on the money.

    I have spoken on this very often as an out spoken critic of the Federal Government.

    Because of this fact – Biden can enforce this Vaccine Mandate onto those Multi National Corporations who do business through out the Federal Territory, and whom of which are acting in the capacity of “Foreign Commerce”.

    The Executive Order would stop short of being enforced on the lives of Private Citizens workin in the private sector jobs in the “Republic of South Dakota” – the so called Small Business Community doing business ONLY within the borders of South Dakota, and whereas Kristi Noem as our Governor – has NOT enforced, nor mandated an COVID VACCINE on any “Employer” doing business in South Dakota. The Biden “order” would NOT effect these businesses, and he has no jurisdiction to do so.

    However – the Federal Govt pushing their policies, and marketing and encouraging Americans to only do business with Multi National Corps who are vaccinated, could have drastic effects on the Small Business Community where they now find it hard to compete with big business, which would effect a large base of our “workers”, keep in mind, SMALL BUSINESS employes a greater population of workers, but are NOT bound to Federal Laws cause they are not doing business outside their “State Borders”.

    So you bring up a very interesting topic for discussion.

  8. Ironically only government can mandate vaccines to public employees, and private business cannot, but it is the opposite in S.D. The ignorance is mind boggling.

  9. D@ily Spin on September 10, 2021 at 10:54 am said:

    Not getting the shot proves how ignorant some are. The vaccine is like a drivers license. If you can’t show a shot card you shouldn’t be allowed in public. If not protected join the smoker corner behind buildings. We don’t want to be around suicidal outcasts. Tat the dandelion germ on your forehead. You’ll get lots of attention and we’ll walk around you.

  10. So if we continue to follow your logic, public employees must be mandated to stop drinking alcohol and smoking and overeating because all of those things put people in the hospital with much higher rates than COVID.

    Medicare and Medicaid recepeints are funded by the taxpayers. Gotta mandate them to, oh but but Biden’s to gutless to mandate his major voting block

    Your ignorance on personal rights is mind boggling. Your dependency on government to make you feel safe is pathetic.

  11. Not sure you need to mandate them, as Sep 1, 87% of people over 65 have at least one dose. You only have to mandate the ignorant.

  12. I have something much better, natural immunity, tell me why you feel the need for bullying and name calling Scott? It has not one thing to do with politics, freedom sure, politics no. You do realize the largest group of unvaccinated is the African American community, followed by Hispanics….that certainly doesn’t seem to be down party lines, as the media wants you to believe-which, like a good sheep, you do.

  13. D@ily Spin on September 10, 2021 at 12:59 pm said:

    There’s a practical approach. 80 million adults refuse the vaccine. Give one of their shots to school age children whose parents consent. For now, children can’t get the shot. Adults who decline the vaccine should be denied health insurance. Covid is a potential preexisting condition. We can appreciate declining adults. They’re heroes. This is an opportunity to get children vaccinated.

  14. Vote on it on September 10, 2021 at 1:02 pm said:

    You know, I voted for recreational marijuana, but now am having second thoughts. It is too bad for you, and we must mandate that EVERYONE test monthly for MJ, and just like a driver’s license, if you can’t show your MJ Clean Card, you can’t go out in public.

  15. As of today 57% of the unvaccinated are white adults.

  16. Health insurance on September 10, 2021 at 4:02 pm said:

    Deny health insurance? Pre existing condition? I’m not going to name call or anything like lib’rals do. But, please, explain why you say that?

    I don’t wish any ill will on anyone, why do lib’rals do this when someone doesn’t agree with them? Seriously, what is wrong with lib’rals that makes them think like this? I feel sorry for you, and will pray for you on Sunday, you too Scott.

    Scott, 57% are white, so 43% aren’t? So….13% of the population has 43% of the unvaccinations? Kinda proves my point, it’s not political, it is on racial lines.

  17. Very Stable Genius on September 10, 2021 at 4:23 pm said:

    I can’t believe the Sioux Falls School District hasn’t mandated masks, yet.

    If you remember last year, hardly anyone was wearing them at board meetings until some parents and teachers demanded a mask mandate, then at the next board meeting the board recommended a mask mandate with all of the board members and staff wearing masks.

    I can’t believe how little of a spine some political leaders have.

    But don’t expect Mayor PoopsThuneHaken to support a mask mandate, however. He’s one of those politicians who’s against the war before he was for it (Or, is that against the administration building before for it?).

    ( and Woodstock adds: “Now, wait a minute, our school district teaches science, they are not required to practice it”…. )

  18. Fear & Loathing in Sioux Falls on September 10, 2021 at 4:25 pm said:

    Let me get this right, the unvaccinated are highest at risk and they voted for Trump, and you want me to wear a mask to save them? Is that right? I’ll get back to you on that one.

  19. "Woodstock" on September 10, 2021 at 5:39 pm said:

    “Anti-quotation boy has proved to be a city connection”… “Are we really surprised?”…

  20. Mike Zitterich on September 10, 2021 at 6:48 pm said:

    I do not believe in mandates, no one should be forced to do anything they do not want to. I do not care who you are. Period.

    But. if you are a PUBLIC EMPLOYEE and you helped lobbied the legislative bodies to enact a ‘crappy law’ that recommends that Americans get vaccinated, then the MAYOR signs an E.O to mandate that since the CITY has taken Federal Dollars, he shall comply with Biden’s E.Order , that all public employees must get vaccinated, I say, you pushed for such laws, you are bound to such laws, especially since you are PRIVILEGED to gain from the “TAX PAYER”.

    Executive Orders are NOT law, they written by the “Executive” of the Government to instruct Public Employees to do something. At that point, I I am sorry, the PUBLIC Employees must do what they are ordered. They are “PUBLIC EMPLOYEES” earning an income from “our taxes” – privileged income.

    I dont see that happening here in Sioux Falls, I do nto see Paul Tenhaken signing such ‘order’.

    But then again, the CITY does seem to take tons of Federal Grants, Monetary Funds, Federal Tax Dollars. And it seems to be something that “CITY STAFF” lobby for in order to pay for a portion of their recommended $654,000,000 million dollar budget, which the people of the city only contribute roughly $400,000,000 in taxes.

    I chose NOT to take Federal Dollars, I do not take Care ACt Funds, nor beg for Federal Subsidies, or Grants. NO GOVERNMENT can control me nor tell me what to do.

    I like many of you are residing OUTSIDE the jurisdiction of the Government, only volunteering myself to use certain services which I agree to pay that tax at the time of service.

    NO “EXECUTIVE ORDER” can mandate to me what I can do or not do. I Will not get the vaccine cause govenrment wants me to , I will get it when my doctor instructs me to, but that time has not come as of yet.

    So No Vaccine for me. You cant force me to do anything I choose not to do. I am not a Public Official, Officer, or Employee, nor have I agreed to obligate myself to some Federal Monetary Grant, Tax Subsidy, or Money.

  21. Not sure what is worse: you trying to convince yourself that the Govt has your best interests in mind or that you are trying to away your readers into believing the same.

    🙄

    You want the vaccine, then take it. Heck, take 50 of them. Worry less about other’s medical decisions.

  22. Name thankfully no longer in quotes on September 10, 2021 at 9:19 pm said:

    “This is my last post on this blog, I am done. I have never said one thing bad about anyone, and you all know it. Good Bye.” The thing is, Mike, people can go back and find things you’ve said. Especially the racist rants you used to post. There are a BUNCH of screenshots of that stuff saved, so if you do choose to run, be prepared to explain why you said the things you did. Once it’s on the internet, it’s for ever. I know you fancy yourself as the smartest guy in the room, but you have to know your past posts are going to haunt you if you do really run.

  23. The Guy From Guernsey on September 10, 2021 at 9:26 pm said:

    OSHA has not yet issued the Emergency Temporary Standard to accompany this executive order. But since the City of Sioux Falls has greater than 100 employees, will not the City of Sioux Falls as an employer be subject to Biden’s executive order?
    If so, someone else (Uncle Joe) has done the heavy lifting (again) for PTH.
    PTH will also be able to effortlessly be part of the rebellion movement to fight for freedoms – The governor will most certainly mount a vigorous challenge to the EO. PTH only need hide behind the governor’s chaps.

  24. Reliable Voter on September 10, 2021 at 9:31 pm said:

    Vaccination is a routine public health measure in a civilized society.
    To paraphrase a Game of Thrones scene between Tyrion Lannister and Oberlyn Martell – It is rare to meet Republicans who share my enthusiasm for dead Republicans. But here we are. The new GOP is the ODD – the party of Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Fun symptom list at: https://www.additudemag.com/oppositional-defiant-disorder-in-adults/

  25. Further Fear & Loathing on September 10, 2021 at 10:11 pm said:

    Damn, I didn’t see the quotes. I thought at first it was going to be Ntnliq’s last post. Oh well, you can’t have everything in life, I guess.

    #””””””””””””””

  26. D@ily Spin on September 10, 2021 at 10:47 pm said:

    Not having the vaccine and getting Covid is more health care cost that we pay with higher insurance premiums. Insurance is a business. They have the right to exclude those at risk. If you aren’t inoculated, you shouldn’t be insured or must have a very high copay. Obviously, government mandates poses civil rights issues. A common sense answer is this approach.

  27. Dakota Politics on September 11, 2021 at 7:00 am said:

    Name thankfully no longer in quotes:

    I have personally gotten to know Mike, and I have never known him to be anything like you say he is. I have him and his family for years, and have never known him nor his family to be bad people, nor racist at all. I feel coming on the internet and making such false pretensions about people also says a lot about your character as well. I have been a long time family friend of Mike and his family, and have done business with him in the past, he is far from a racist, and we have sat down numerous times discussing a variance of topics. He has always been someone who is very sincere, and respectful to people, and always gives you the benefit of doubt, and I have never seen him out right attack people. People like you love to use the internet to condemn people for their beliefs, and then you go out of your way to misrepresent what they do say, to make them look like the person you want them to look like. It is people like you who cause so much of the divide in this country. Personally, I would trust Mike over you in a heart meat, especially since watching his presentation this past week. He seems like a person who cares very deeply the people calling Sioux Falls home.

    I actually like to read many of his comments, cause I know he is sincere and honest with people. So here is to one person who will defend him and I would gladly vote for him if he should decide to run.

  28. Let’s get back to the topic at hand

  29. Qui Bono on September 13, 2021 at 8:24 pm said:

    I am intrigued by the question of why a positive Covid test is not accepted in lieu of vaccination. I understand the evidence points to the natural immunity being better than vaccination. I suspect the vaccine companies have been promised a certain amount of revenue in the US where their business is most profitable and at this point science is not relevant.

    I understand the government is dancing over Pfizer’s certification. Once one vaccine is approved the emergency use authorizations are void for the others – at least if people follow the law. So the current line is approved but not available. They cant force vaccines on military troops or others under an EUA so they have created this no man’s land where they can force it but you don’t get an approved vaccine you get an EUA vaccine.

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