Jeb Bush lamented the current state of politics in the United States — and the lack of civility — during a speech Wednesday night at the 37th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner and Children's Charity.

Jeb Bush joined governor-elect Kristi Noem, Gov. Dennis Daugaard, Sen. John Thune and Attorney General Marty Jackley in making remarks at the dinner, which honors South Dakota law enforcement and has raised millions of dollars for children.

Bush's speech focused primarily on returning to civility in the country's political discussions, warning that we'd reached a point where people we disagreed with weren't just people with different opinions.

"They're becoming enemies," Bush said.

He several times referred to the United States as a "bottom-up country," meaning that the change that citizens want to see must be practiced by — and voted on — first by themselves.

That means finding politicians that act respectfully and don't disparage others, he said -- and while he never said the name "Trump," the implication was clear.

"Today in American politics," Bush said, "there are very few rewards for doing things right."

While Bush headlined the speech, South Dakotans spoke before him, including Thune, who said he'd met Bush more than 30 years ago, and said that no other American family more exemplified public service.

And standing in front of the massive crowd filling the Ramkota Exhibit Hall, Daugaard told attendees "banquets are not enough" to thank them for all that they do in the name of public service.

"But it's what we can do."

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