shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com November 15, 2016 • Page 9 Obama’s Failed Foreign Policy Legacy Second Round Of Shared Services By Senator Mike Rounds SPOT? here. Since President Obama took office nearly eight years ago, the world has changed considerably. During his time in office, ISIL rose to prominence due to the administration’s determination to withdraw all U.S. forces from Iraq. Iran has ascended as a regional destabilizing power, and it remains on a path to acquire nuclear weapons. The U.S. effort to combat the Taliban in Afghanistan faces potential under-resourcing. Russia has increased its nuclear arsenal and continues its aggression against Ukraine. In Libya, the administration half-heartedly led a U.S. military intervention, only to abandon the mission prematurely, which has created another destabilized country within which terrorists seek safe haven to plot attacks against our homeland. Recently, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), John Brennan, testified to Congress that “Despite all our progress against ISIL on the battlefield and in the financial realm, our efforts have not reduced the group’s terrorism capability and global reach.” It is clear that the president’s current course to defeat ISIL and terrorism abroad is not working. We need more proactive efforts and not more delayed, reactionary half-steps if we are to truly defeat the terrorist organization, stop the terrorist group’s online radicalization and keep Americans safe from ISIL-inspired attacks here at home. A side effect of the instability and chaos in the Middle East is a dramatic increase in refugees. In Syria alone, the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner on Refugees estimates that nearly 4.8 million Syrian refugees have fled the country and another 6.6 million are internally displaced within the country. In Libya, nearly 2.5 million are in opper.com www.missourivalleyshopper.com opper.com Visit our Web site at www.missourivalleyshopper.com opper.com Visit our Web site at desperate need of humanitarian aid, according to the UN News Center. Russia, , recently indicated that it would not consider a humanitarian ceasefire to allow refugees, antigovernment fighters and injured citizens to escape Syria safely, or allow aid vehicles to deliver food and medical supplies to those unable to flee. While most refugees are being relocated in Europe, many Americans are concerned about the prospect of a terrorist slipping into the United States, taking advantage of the refugee program. Refugees have been coming to America for generations seeking safety from war-torn regions of the world. I support efforts to help others seek shelter from persecution. However, we must be cautious to protect our own national security. While we as global leaders should take steps to assist in humanitarian efforts when possible, I believe our current refugee admission program needs further safeguards to make sure the refugees we admit have no ties to terror organizations and make sure refugees properly assimilate into American society. As events continue to unfold around the world, many have wondered from where our foreign policy problems stem. I agree with other elected officials and experts that many foreign policy failures are a symptom of this administration’s “leading from behind” mentality. In less than three months, a new president, with the guidance of experts with new ideas as well as a new Congress, will have an opportunity to reset our foreign policy. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I look forward to working with the new administration and my colleagues on a new direction for our country which includes stronger leadership to protect our citizens, advance our global interests and support our allies abroad. e at opper.com Want your business to be seen? Get your display ad here! www.missourivalleyshopper.com Visit our Web site at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Call 605-665-5884 Or Drop By At 319 Walnut St. Initiated Measure 21 Approved PIERRE, S.D. – On Nov. 8, South Dakota voters approved Initiated Measure 21 to set a maximum finance charge for all money lenders licensed under South Dakota Codified Laws chapter 54-4. These licensed lenders make commercial and personal loans, including installment, automobile, shortterm consumer, pay day and title loans. The initiated measure prohibits all state-licensed money lenders from making a loan that imposes total interest, fees and charges at an annual percentage rate greater than 36 percent. The measure also prohibits these money lenders from evading the rate limitation by indirect means. The provisions of Initiated Measure 21 apply to all loans originated, rolled over, renewed or flipped after Nov. 15, 2016. A violation of this measure is a misdemeanor crime. A loan made in violation of this measure is void, and any principal, fee, interest or charge is uncollectable. The law will take effect on Nov. 16, 2016, after the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office completes its official canvas of the votes on Nov. 15. The measure does not apply to state and national banks, bank holding companies, other federally insured financial institutions and state chartered trust companies. The measure also does not apply to businesses that provide financing for goods and services they sell. Contact the Department of Labor and Regulation, Division of Banking at 605-773-3421 for more information. EM! 882 KTON,SD 4 MOODY REAL ESTATE RENTALS AUTOMOTIVE MOTOR NIOBRARA, NE Grants Awarded To Schools PIERRE, S.D. – Two proposals from South Dakota school districts will be funded under the second round of the state’s new shared services grant program. The program was established as part of the 2016 legislative package aimed at improving teacher recruitment and retention efforts in South Dakota. Four other proposals were funded in the first round of shared services grants awarded earlier this fall. “The 2016 education package has important effects beyond raising teacher pay, and this grant program is another benefit of the legislation,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Melody Schopp. “As we see in the cases of these grant awardees, one small rural district may not be able to afford a teacher for a particular need, but when districts have the resources to work together, students benefit.” These grants were created by SB 133 to provide incentives for districts to work together to find ways to increase learning opportunities. Recipients of the second round of grants are as follows: • The Marion and Parker school districts will receive funds to share a teacher for English learners. • The Deuel and Milbank school districts will also receive funds to share a teacher for English learners. English learners are students whose native language is not English and who are not yet proficient in English. There are three distinct populations of English learners in South Dakota: Hutterite colony students, Native Americans, and immigrants and refugees. Grant awards are for a three-year time period, with a 50 percent reduction in funding in year two and a 75 percent reduction in year three. Approximately $122,000 will be distributed to these districts over the three years. Saluting Those Who Have Served By Sen. John Thune On Veterans Day in 1988, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. After the president delivered his remarks, he left a handwritten note at the memorial’s edge addressed to “our young friends.” The note read, in part, “You fought for your country and for its safety and for the freedom of others with strength and courage. We love you for it. We honor you.” President Reagan’s words captured the moment, as they often did, but his message transcends time. America had seen conflict before the Vietnam War, and as we all know, it’s seen conflict since then, too. My dad served in the Navy during World War II on the USS Intrepid. As a young Navy pilot, he flew important missions that helped protect U.S. service members and advance the cause of freedom in the Pacific theater. I’ve long believed that while “The Greatest Generation” is an honor every one of those brave men and women deserve, my dad included, it almost seems insufficient when you begin to fully understand the sacrifice they’ve made. South Dakota is home to more than 70,000 veterans, and I appreciate hearing from them as I travel across the state because the issues they face are real, and they’re often unique to those who’ve served. I take their concerns seriously, as does my staff, of which several have also served their country in uniform. And as an elected official, I consider it a top priority to ensure the men and women returning home from war receive all of the benefits and care they deserve. It’s no secret that the scars of war are not only physical, but they’re emotional, too. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 20 veterans take their own lives each day due, in part, to the invisible wounds with which they cope after returning home from combat. That’s more than 7,000 soldiers whose lives are lost each year to suicide – more deaths than the United States suffered during the entirety of our battles in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have to reverse this trend and work harder to fulfill our commitment to our veterans. In the Senate, I’ve introduced legislation that would improve the VA’s Veterans Crisis Line, which can be a critical lifeline for veterans who want and need to speak directly with someone who understands what they’re going through. Part of fulfilling our commitment to veterans means fixing this system so when they call, someone is there to answer. As Americans, we’re blessed with innumerable opportunities throughout the year to celebrate with friends, family, and our communities. Veterans Day is a special time on which we all can reflect, because without the sacrifice of America’s veterans – the bravest and most noble among us – the United States wouldn’t look the same. Happy Veterans Day, America, and thank you to all who’ve served. When it’s time to deliver... The Classifieds Rock! Shopper MV MV Shopper MV Shopper M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y In Print & Online! • 665-5884 M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y RON’S AUTO CLASSIFIEDS IN PRINT & ONLINE GLASS To place your ad call... 605.665.5884 Buy • Sell • Trade Quality... 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