Brian Bengs

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Brian Bengs completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bengs' responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-353479-2025-10-30\" id=\"heading-key-message-353479-2025-10-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-353479-2025-10-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-353479-2025-10-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-353479-2025-10-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-353479-2025-10-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Big Money has so completely corrupted our political system that regular people playing by the rules can’t afford the same lifestyle their parents enjoyed. Inflation makes daily life more expensive; medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy; owning a home is often an unachievable dream; &amp; our national debt has grown to 20% more than the value of all goods &amp; services Americans produced last year. Yet, just 25 years ago, we had a federal budget surplus &amp; talked about potentially paying off the debt. What happened? We let billionaires buy politicians to rig the system so they can pay a lower tax rate than their secretaries &amp; condition us to see only through red or blue-colored glasses disguising how they pick our pockets.</li><li>Getting America's finances in order will be a battle with Big Money interests that do not want to pay their fair share, but it can and must be done. Big Money also owns the Supreme Court so we must address its corruption to ensure it doesn't simply veto necessary changes. If regular people set aside partisanship and unite with righteous grit we can make it happen by doing these things: \r\n<p>- Get Money Out of Politics\r\n- Target &amp; Eliminate Corruption \r\n- Hold The Supreme Court Accountable\r\n- Get Term Limits In Place\r\n- Take Power Away From Self-Serving Partisans\r\n- Unrig The Tax Code\r\n</p>\n- Balance The Budget &amp; Pay Down The Debt</li><li>Government exists to create a stable and safe society where regular people can enjoy the liberty to lead a life of meaning and purpose—whatever that means to you. Here’s what needs to happen so that goal is realized:\r\n\r\n- Make Daily Life More Affordable\r\n- Establish Affordable &amp; Accessible Healthcare\r\n- Safeguard Social Security &amp; Medicare\r\n- Keep Government Out of Your Business</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-353479-2025-10-30\" id=\"heading1-353479-2025-10-30\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-353479-2025-10-30\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-353479-2025-10-30\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-353479-2025-10-30\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-353479-2025-10-30\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tCorruption comes in many illegal &amp; “legal” forms enabled by partisanship that holds fellow partisans to different standards than rivals. Eliminating corruption is essential to ensure the rule of law &amp; guarantee taxpayer money truly serves the public interest.<br/><br/>\r\nI am passionate about the principles of the constitutional system we all learned about in school. As a child, I pledged allegiance every morning to the ideals of limited government, republicanism, checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, and popular sovereignty. I am driven to pursue systemic reforms that will enable regular people to once again enjoy their American birthright of a functional political system that actually works on their behalf.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<p>Brian Bengs did not complete <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection</a> survey.\n</p>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nBrian Bengs completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bengs' responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Big Money has so completely corrupted our political system that regular people playing by the rules can’t afford the same lifestyle their parents enjoyed. Inflation makes daily life more expensive; medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy; owning a home is often an unachievable dream; & our national debt has grown to 20% more than the value of all goods & services Americans produced last year. Yet, just 25 years ago, we had a federal budget surplus & talked about potentially paying off the debt. What happened? We let billionaires buy politicians to rig the system so they can pay a lower tax rate than their secretaries & condition us to see only through red or blue-colored glasses disguising how they pick our pockets. Getting America's finances in order will be a battle with Big Money interests that do not want to pay their fair share, but it can and must be done. Big Money also owns the Supreme Court so we must address its corruption to ensure it doesn't simply veto necessary changes. If regular people set aside partisanship and unite with righteous grit we can make it happen by doing these things: - Get Money Out of Politics\r\n- Target & Eliminate Corruption \r\n- Hold The Supreme Court Accountable\r\n- Get Term Limits In Place\r\n- Take Power Away From Self-Serving Partisans\r\n- Unrig The Tax Code - Balance The Budget & Pay Down The Debt Government exists to create a stable and safe society where regular people can enjoy the liberty to lead a life of meaning and purpose—whatever that means to you. Here’s what needs to happen so that goal is realized:\r\n\r\n- Make Daily Life More Affordable\r\n- Establish Affordable & Accessible Healthcare\r\n- Safeguard Social Security & Medicare\r\n- Keep Government Out of Your Business What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Corruption comes in many illegal & “legal” forms enabled by partisanship that holds fellow partisans to different standards than rivals. Eliminating corruption is essential to ensure the rule of law & guarantee taxpayer money truly serves the public interest. I am passionate about the principles of the constitutional system we all learned about in school. As a child, I pledged allegiance every morning to the ideals of limited government, republicanism, checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, and popular sovereignty. I am driven to pursue systemic reforms that will enable regular people to once again enjoy their American birthright of a functional political system that actually works on their behalf.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.\n\nBrian Bengs did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Bengs' campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p><b>CLIMATE</b>\n</p><p><b>Heat, Drought, Storms, &amp; Floods Cost US $145 Billion In 2021</b>\n</p><p><b>Nearly 45,000 South Dakotans will face increased flood risk due to more frequent, heavier downpours.</b>\n</p><p><b>South Dakota can expect a roughly 75% increase in the severity of widespread summer drought by 2050.</b>\n</p><p><b>In the future, South Dakota will face more extreme heat, drought, and flooding. 2021 was a drought year for much of our state while 2019 brought us severe floods. Although both have happened before, the climate change risk is increased regularity and severity that imposes significant costs in human life, livelihood, and security.</b>\n</p><p>Widespread drought decreases crop yields and increases livestock feed prices for farmers and ranchers. Wildfires threaten total destruction of homes, businesses, and livestock. More frequent and heavier precipitation increases floods harming livestock, crops, homes, and businesses. These types of changes require coordinated federal and state action as costs are growing. After 40 years of self-sufficiency, the National Flood Insurance Program has relied upon billions in taxpayer subsidies since 2005 due to more frequent and severe hurricanes. Indeed, Florida governor Ron DeSantis has advocated for legislation to address the risk from rising sea levels. Even the Department of Defense treats climate change as a threat multiplier and is planning accordingly.\n</p><p>American energy independence is first and foremost a national security issue, but it overlaps substantially with the climate issue. Oil is a global commodity so its price is determined by global events no matter how much is produced here. In fact, export of American oil was banned from 1977-2015 but that did not insulate gasoline prices from global events. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is simply the most recent in a string of events dating back to the 1973 OPEC oil embargo that highlight our dependence upon foreign actors. In contrast, electricity is not a global commodity because it cannot be put on a ship and taken elsewhere for sale so its price is only impacted by events here. Protecting our economy from the adverse consequences of overseas events is best accomplished by reducing our reliance upon oil as much as reasonably possible. Thus, maximizing development and implementation of clean energy sources offers a unique two for one return on our investment.\n</p><p>In South Dakota, the sun shines bright and the wind blows hard (third-most-active winds in the US). It is precisely those attributes that give our state the potential to be a 21st century American energy leader. As senator, I will support actions such as tax incentives to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and for clean energy vehicles, investments to speed the transition of our economy from fossil fuels toward renewable sources, and more funding for renewable energy research. When I think about clean energy, I see Americans – South Dakotans – with good paying jobs and more money in their pockets due to lower utility bills. American ingenuity has changed the world in the past and it can do so again if we support the effort.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>JOBS</b>\n</p><p><b>Working Hard Building Bridges So Hard-Working South Dakotans Can Get To Work</b>\n</p><p><b>Small businesses donate 250% more to community causes than large businesses.</b>\n</p><p><b>At least $9.3 billion would recirculate in local economies if every American family spent $10 per month at a local business.</b>\n</p><p><b>Small businesses are the key to prosperity, entrepreneurial spirit, and a thriving economy in both South Dakota and America. Nationally, small businesses created two-thirds of all new jobs over the past decade. In South Dakota, 99% of businesses are small and account for 58.5% of paid employees in our state. For every dollar spent at a small business, $0.67 recirculates in the community where it fosters creation of more local businesses and jobs. Thriving small businesses generate higher tax revenue which also stays local to help fund law enforcement, emergency response, and schools. Fostering small business growth requires responsible investments in public education and job training programs connecting skilled workers with jobs here.</b>\n</p><p>Although corporate outsourcing of jobs to foreign workers continues to harm our economy and American workers, a much bigger risk is looming. Rapid advancements in automated intelligence and artificial intelligence technology are poised to fundamentally change the U.S. job market within the next 10 to 20 years.\n</p><p>This year John Deere debuted a tractor that doesn’t need a driver. Freight hauling companies are pursuing similar technology to eventually eliminate the need for truck drivers. Meat processing companies are already implementing robotic automation to minimize the need for workers. Similarly, fast food restaurants are currently installing robot cooks that can identify specific foods, pick them up, and cook them in designated fry baskets before placing the finished product into a holding area. Physical activities in controlled and predictable surroundings are most prone to automation. Such activities comprise roughly half of American jobs worth nearly $3 trillion in wages.\n</p><p>The increased productivity and cost reduction of automation is obviously quite appealing to business, but Congress cannot simply ignore the likely impact upon our economy and society. For example, payroll taxes collected from current workers fund the Social Security benefits of all current retirees. Robots are not paid so the potential decline in payroll taxes will jeopardize the sustainability of Social Security. I will work proactively with business and labor leaders to develop innovative policies that smooth the transition. New approaches to training and education, income support, and social safety nets must be studied in good faith.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>NATIONAL DEFENSE</b>\n</p><p><b>Strong On National Defense &amp; Military Jobs In South Dakota</b>\n</p><p><b>Federal defense spending accounts for 1.1% of South Dakota's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).</b>\n</p><p><b>6.2% of South Dakota's 57,550 veterans live in poverty.</b>\n</p><p><b>Our state proudly hosts the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base and will welcome new B-21 Raider bombers in the near future. The wing falls under the mighty Eighth Air Force and Air Force Global Strike Command where I have worked on each commander’s staff so I am quite familiar with the Ellsworth mission and its role in our national defense strategy.</b>\n</p><p>Military spending in South Dakota, $377 million in payroll and $238 million in contracts, is an important part of our economy. As senator, I will pursue additional federal investment to build and diversify the military’s economic impact and work with state leaders to foster associated industries and the jobs they create.\n</p><p>Most importantly, I will work to answer the national defense identity crisis afflicting our country. Determining the correct force structure and amount of defense spending requires Americans to know who we are and what we stand for in this unfriendly world. At the end of World War II, the U.S. played a key role in establishing a rules-based international system to prevent or minimize armed conflict and a network of allied democracies (NATO) as a force multiplier to support it. This system is what defeated Soviet communism and is now being actively undermined by China and Russia who seek a return to the “might makes right” international system of the 19th century. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a clear example of this “might makes right” approach.\n</p><p>Although imperfect, the rules-based international system is essential to maintaining peace and minimizing suffering. Preserving a close relationship with allies who share our democratic values makes us all safer and saves money. In contrast, the “America First” ideology of the Republican Party isolates us by abandoning our allies and withdrawing from the international system to face threats alone. At the same time, it emboldens the use of armed force against smaller nations by both Russia and China.\n</p><p>In 2020, our defense budget was larger than the next 11 countries combined. Russian action against Ukraine has it poised to increase substantially next year. In 1953, President Eisenhower observed that “Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children.” As a career military officer, I certainly understand the need for an effective military but I also share President Eisenhower’s concerns about what our society trades for it and will work to maximize accountability for defense spending.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>TAXES</b>\n</p><p><b>Focused On Helping Regular Americans With A Fairer Tax Code</b>\n</p><p><b>The Bezos yacht value is $500 million.</b>\n<b>He would pay $.03 for every dollar over $1 billion.</b>\n</p><p><b>The median South Dakota home value is $167,000.</b>\n<b>South Dakotans pay $.01 per dollar of home value.</b>\n</p><p><b>740 American billionaires are worth $5.1 trillion, including $2 trillion accumulated during the COVID pandemic. Elon Musk alone has more wealth than 40% of Americans. For decades our country, regular Americans, have been victimized by the false promise of trickle-down economics – we would all be better off if those at the top had more for themselves. Instead, our national debt has gone up dramatically, good paying jobs went overseas, and our middle class is hollowed out while billionaires pay a lower tax rate than they do.</b>\n</p><p>It’s no secret that regular Americans are priced out of our government because money speaks loudest to lifetime politicians. When these same politicians support a tax code that only benefits wealthy elites, they are not looking out for the majority of Americans who work for a living. I am focused on helping regular South Dakotans so I support a wealth (yacht) tax.\n</p><p>A wealth tax is imposed annually on the net wealth held by a person. In South Dakota every homeowner and farmer/rancher with agricultural land is subject to its equivalent in the form of a property tax. Real estate is an asset whose financial value is regularly calculated by county assessors. South Dakotans pay an average effective tax rate of 1.22% of a property’s value regardless of their income level.\n</p><p>A federal wealth tax of 2% would apply to households worth $50 million to $1 billion. The wealthiest 75,000 households in America would pay $0.02 for every dollar above $50 million. Households worth more than $1 billion would be subject to a 3% wealth tax. 740 Americans would thus pay $0.03 on every dollar over $1 billion. Paying pennies per dollar would not impact the lifestyle of ultra-millionaires or billionaires at all.\n</p><p>If you aren’t sure about asking some of the wealthiest people who ever lived for pocket change to help fund our government, consider some conservative views:\n</p><p>“Billionaires should not be paying a lower rate than you are paying, no matter who they are, no matter who the president is. The main problem with America right now is that a shrinking group of people controls a growing share of our nation’s wealth and power. America is lopsided, and it’s getting more lopsided every year. That makes our country unstable.” — Tucker Carlson (2019)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_4-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-4\">[4]</a></sup>\n</p>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Brian Bengs' campaign website (2022)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-5\"><a href=\"#cite_note-5\">[5]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>", "answer_text": "Bengs' campaign website stated the following:\n“ CLIMATE Heat, Drought, Storms, & Floods Cost US $145 Billion In 2021 Nearly 45,000 South Dakotans will face increased flood risk due to more frequent, heavier downpours. South Dakota can expect a roughly 75% increase in the severity of widespread summer drought by 2050. In the future, South Dakota will face more extreme heat, drought, and flooding. 2021 was a drought year for much of our state while 2019 brought us severe floods. Although both have happened before, the climate change risk is increased regularity and severity that imposes significant costs in human life, livelihood, and security. Widespread drought decreases crop yields and increases livestock feed prices for farmers and ranchers. Wildfires threaten total destruction of homes, businesses, and livestock. More frequent and heavier precipitation increases floods harming livestock, crops, homes, and businesses. These types of changes require coordinated federal and state action as costs are growing. After 40 years of self-sufficiency, the National Flood Insurance Program has relied upon billions in taxpayer subsidies since 2005 due to more frequent and severe hurricanes. Indeed, Florida governor Ron DeSantis has advocated for legislation to address the risk from rising sea levels. Even the Department of Defense treats climate change as a threat multiplier and is planning accordingly. American energy independence is first and foremost a national security issue, but it overlaps substantially with the climate issue. Oil is a global commodity so its price is determined by global events no matter how much is produced here. In fact, export of American oil was banned from 1977-2015 but that did not insulate gasoline prices from global events. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is simply the most recent in a string of events dating back to the 1973 OPEC oil embargo that highlight our dependence upon foreign actors. In contrast, electricity is not a global commodity because it cannot be put on a ship and taken elsewhere for sale so its price is only impacted by events here. Protecting our economy from the adverse consequences of overseas events is best accomplished by reducing our reliance upon oil as much as reasonably possible. Thus, maximizing development and implementation of clean energy sources offers a unique two for one return on our investment. In South Dakota, the sun shines bright and the wind blows hard (third-most-active winds in the US). It is precisely those attributes that give our state the potential to be a 21st century American energy leader. As senator, I will support actions such as tax incentives to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and for clean energy vehicles, investments to speed the transition of our economy from fossil fuels toward renewable sources, and more funding for renewable energy research. When I think about clean energy, I see Americans – South Dakotans – with good paying jobs and more money in their pockets due to lower utility bills. American ingenuity has changed the world in the past and it can do so again if we support the effort. JOBS Working Hard Building Bridges So Hard-Working South Dakotans Can Get To Work Small businesses donate 250% more to community causes than large businesses. At least $9.3 billion would recirculate in local economies if every American family spent $10 per month at a local business. Small businesses are the key to prosperity, entrepreneurial spirit, and a thriving economy in both South Dakota and America. Nationally, small businesses created two-thirds of all new jobs over the past decade. In South Dakota, 99% of businesses are small and account for 58.5% of paid employees in our state. For every dollar spent at a small business, $0.67 recirculates in the community where it fosters creation of more local businesses and jobs. Thriving small businesses generate higher tax revenue which also stays local to help fund law enforcement, emergency response, and schools. Fostering small business growth requires responsible investments in public education and job training programs connecting skilled workers with jobs here. Although corporate outsourcing of jobs to foreign workers continues to harm our economy and American workers, a much bigger risk is looming. Rapid advancements in automated intelligence and artificial intelligence technology are poised to fundamentally change the U.S. job market within the next 10 to 20 years. This year John Deere debuted a tractor that doesn’t need a driver. Freight hauling companies are pursuing similar technology to eventually eliminate the need for truck drivers. Meat processing companies are already implementing robotic automation to minimize the need for workers. Similarly, fast food restaurants are currently installing robot cooks that can identify specific foods, pick them up, and cook them in designated fry baskets before placing the finished product into a holding area. Physical activities in controlled and predictable surroundings are most prone to automation. Such activities comprise roughly half of American jobs worth nearly $3 trillion in wages. The increased productivity and cost reduction of automation is obviously quite appealing to business, but Congress cannot simply ignore the likely impact upon our economy and society. For example, payroll taxes collected from current workers fund the Social Security benefits of all current retirees. Robots are not paid so the potential decline in payroll taxes will jeopardize the sustainability of Social Security. I will work proactively with business and labor leaders to develop innovative policies that smooth the transition. New approaches to training and education, income support, and social safety nets must be studied in good faith. NATIONAL DEFENSE Strong On National Defense & Military Jobs In South Dakota Federal defense spending accounts for 1.1% of South Dakota's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 6.2% of South Dakota's 57,550 veterans live in poverty. Our state proudly hosts the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base and will welcome new B-21 Raider bombers in the near future. The wing falls under the mighty Eighth Air Force and Air Force Global Strike Command where I have worked on each commander’s staff so I am quite familiar with the Ellsworth mission and its role in our national defense strategy. Military spending in South Dakota, $377 million in payroll and $238 million in contracts, is an important part of our economy. As senator, I will pursue additional federal investment to build and diversify the military’s economic impact and work with state leaders to foster associated industries and the jobs they create. Most importantly, I will work to answer the national defense identity crisis afflicting our country. Determining the correct force structure and amount of defense spending requires Americans to know who we are and what we stand for in this unfriendly world. At the end of World War II, the U.S. played a key role in establishing a rules-based international system to prevent or minimize armed conflict and a network of allied democracies (NATO) as a force multiplier to support it. This system is what defeated Soviet communism and is now being actively undermined by China and Russia who seek a return to the “might makes right” international system of the 19th century. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a clear example of this “might makes right” approach. Although imperfect, the rules-based international system is essential to maintaining peace and minimizing suffering. Preserving a close relationship with allies who share our democratic values makes us all safer and saves money. In contrast, the “America First” ideology of the Republican Party isolates us by abandoning our allies and withdrawing from the international system to face threats alone. At the same time, it emboldens the use of armed force against smaller nations by both Russia and China. In 2020, our defense budget was larger than the next 11 countries combined. Russian action against Ukraine has it poised to increase substantially next year. In 1953, President Eisenhower observed that “Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children.” As a career military officer, I certainly understand the need for an effective military but I also share President Eisenhower’s concerns about what our society trades for it and will work to maximize accountability for defense spending. TAXES Focused On Helping Regular Americans With A Fairer Tax Code The Bezos yacht value is $500 million. He would pay $.03 for every dollar over $1 billion. The median South Dakota home value is $167,000. South Dakotans pay $.01 per dollar of home value. 740 American billionaires are worth $5.1 trillion, including $2 trillion accumulated during the COVID pandemic. Elon Musk alone has more wealth than 40% of Americans. For decades our country, regular Americans, have been victimized by the false promise of trickle-down economics – we would all be better off if those at the top had more for themselves. Instead, our national debt has gone up dramatically, good paying jobs went overseas, and our middle class is hollowed out while billionaires pay a lower tax rate than they do. It’s no secret that regular Americans are priced out of our government because money speaks loudest to lifetime politicians. When these same politicians support a tax code that only benefits wealthy elites, they are not looking out for the majority of Americans who work for a living. I am focused on helping regular South Dakotans so I support a wealth (yacht) tax. A wealth tax is imposed annually on the net wealth held by a person. In South Dakota every homeowner and farmer/rancher with agricultural land is subject to its equivalent in the form of a property tax. Real estate is an asset whose financial value is regularly calculated by county assessors. South Dakotans pay an average effective tax rate of 1.22% of a property’s value regardless of their income level. A federal wealth tax of 2% would apply to households worth $50 million to $1 billion. The wealthiest 75,000 households in America would pay $0.02 for every dollar above $50 million. Households worth more than $1 billion would be subject to a 3% wealth tax. 740 Americans would thus pay $0.03 on every dollar over $1 billion. Paying pennies per dollar would not impact the lifestyle of ultra-millionaires or billionaires at all. If you aren’t sure about asking some of the wealthiest people who ever lived for pocket change to help fund our government, consider some conservative views: “Billionaires should not be paying a lower rate than you are paying, no matter who they are, no matter who the president is. The main problem with America right now is that a shrinking group of people controls a growing share of our nation’s wealth and power. America is lopsided, and it’s getting more lopsided every year. That makes our country unstable.” — Tucker Carlson (2019) [4] ” —Brian Bengs' campaign website (2022) [5]"}]