If you think the government doesn’t do what’s best for regular people, you’re right and researchers have confirmed it. It’s obscenely corrupt that corporate political action committees (PACs) and Big Money mega-donors can spend unlimited money to drown out the voices of everyday Americans. In 2024, a mere 25 mega-donors bought access, power, and preferred policy by contributing $1.4 billion to super PACs. The Supreme Court screwed regular people with the Citizens United (2010) decision, declaring unlimited corporate political spending free speech. Until we reclaim government for the people with a constitutional amendment banning this “legal” corruption, Big Money will always rig the system to keep us divided so their pockets stay full. Specifics are available here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-172312433

AI is probably here to stay, which means data centers are probably here to stay, too. Communities have a right to know how they’ll be impacted, a right to know what data center developers and administrators will do to prevent those impacts, and a right to say “no” if they aren’t satisfied with the answer.

I was a National Park Ranger. I know a thing or two about footpaths and making sure that folks don’t stray too far from them, for the safety and longevity of the ecosystem. AI-data centers are the same. We need to put guardrails up to define where the line is, or else it’s going to be us getting walked over.

I’ve officially signed the Independence from AI-Data Center Money Pledge. It’s also why, unlike many data center developers in small communities, I’m giving full transparency on what that means. Here’s what I’ve pledged to:

• I will not accept AI-Data Center money.
• I will return any hidden data center money given through local sources.
• I will oppose any legislation that does not offer local communities a clear and workable opportunity to say “no” to AI-data center development.

Read more here: https://bengsforsouthdakota.substack.com/p/im-declaring-independence-from-ai

Over 85 percent of Americans support term limits, and 79 percent support a maximum age for lawmakers, yet Congress refuses to send a constitutional amendment to the states. It’s time to end the era of career politicians prioritizing themselves over the people they claim to represent. That disconnect is typically the result of too much time in the Washington swamp. Term limits will restore accountability and reduce corruption by encouraging fresh ideas. No senator should be in office more than two terms (12 years), and no representative more than six terms (12 years). I pledge to advocate for those standards and lead by example in serving no more than two terms. It’s time to return power to the people and make the government work for everyone again.

Read more here: https://bengsforsouthdakota.substack.com/p/times-up-why-i-support-term-limits

We’re seeing ridiculous decisions made in this war that only drag us deeper and deeper. Four more Americans are dead. They’re never coming home. We don’t know how many more will face the same fate, all because our military “leaders” can’t seem to figure out the difference between a “tactical victory” and a “strategic victory.”

It’ll keep happening because career politicians like Mike Rounds, who has never spent a single day in uniform, are willing to toe the party line under any circumstances. Would it surprise you to hear that the entire executive suites of multiple defense companies have given tens of thousands of dollars to fund Rounds’ campaign?

This is extremely serious. Here’s reality: We’re not winning this war right now. We’ve depleted our munitions stockpiles to dangerously low levels. Once we’re finally out of this conflict, we’ll have to spend billions more dollars replenishing our weapons just to prepare for the next war down the line.

If I were a United States Senator, I wouldn’t have voted to get into this quagmire in the first place. I sure wouldn’t be voting to keep it going. It’s time we had some accountability.

Read more here:
https://bengsforsouthdakota.substack.com/p/hey-america-can-i-borrow-67-billion
https://bengsforsouthdakota.substack.com/p/the-mou-with-iran-is-over
https://bengsforsouthdakota.substack.com/p/the-cycle-repeats-a-new-war-in-the