Why does the world turn to the US in times of trouble?

There is a practical reason why the nations of the European continent are so ... cautious about sending troops or making other commitments to world progress. They are broke.

The imperative for Health Care Reform Now?

A Harvard study estimates that some 45,000 people die each year as a result of having no health insurance. Democrats have touted the need to immediately pass reforms now. Using the Harvard study as a benchmark, it is clear that the left-wing of the Democratic party isn't interested in saving lives, apparently willing to sacrifice some 180,000 Americans before the first dollars are doled out in the name of reform.

Support Health Care reform by pressuring Senator Nelson to vote against it.

Nebraskans by an large have been hearty folk. Used to tilling the land and managing livestock, the obtained the reputation as being able to always make the best of practically any situation. Using common sense and practical innovation, we (including us transplants) have sought to extend our ability to succeed, not on the backs of our neighbors, but instead by helping our neighbors when they needed it most.

This cycle has repeated for decades throughout the history of the state. Until now.

Ben Nelson' Folly and the local corollary

When Robert Fulton worked on the famous steam-powered boat nearly 2 centuries ago, He was ridiculed by passers by who called the contraption Fulton's Folly. Ben Nelson has entered into his own folly with his agreement to sign on with the Senate Health Care Bill in his own right, but unlike Fulton, who ushered in a new era of advanced transportation, Nelson's will remain doomed to failure.

Nelson's New Name

I cannot begin to express my personal outrage at hearing Ben Nelson will now vote in favor of the health care bill in the Senate.

There is speculation that that Nelson, who has spent countless hours behind closed doors with the increasingly unpopular Harry Reid of Nevada, that he has somehow secured a Mary Landrieu style deal for Nebraska as part of his hold out.

It doesn't matter what his deal is. It is a deal with the devil. The monies he will be bribed with will go to state agencies, who already pilfer the pockets of the state's citizens at an alarming rate. Those same monies will have a finite life, and  the state will most assuredly need to keep that stream of income coming in and so you can look forward to increases in state fees and taxes.

Nearly 2/3rds of Nebraskans have said that they would be less likely to re-elect Nelson, should he vote for the Senate bill being considered. Perhaps Nelson should change his last name to Dover and ask Nebraska to the Prom.

Talk about being violated!

Mike Rowland

Understanding Today's Politics

There has been an understanding that in modern politics, you have to give a little to get a little. The art of the high compromise has led to the accomplishment of a great many things during the history of our country. Now, instead of compromising on rhetoric, the compromise has been found in the character of those who claim to serve the people.

Paying for your service connected injuries?

A friend of mine sent me a chain email this morning that had President Obama making outlandish statements on his rationale for service members paying for war wounds with private insurance. The comments, were inflammatory and drew the ire or dozens of veterans groups who believe the government has a moral and  legal obligation to pay for service connected wounds.