Opinion

October 28th marked National First Responders Day. This day signifies the importance of honoring those who sign up to run towards danger to save lives. Our communities’ first responders are tirelessly on the front lines defending our safety. These men and women devote their lives to serving the people of Nebraska and the surrounding area, and they pledge to do it with the utmost integrity. First responders are there to protect and serve all of us, and they frequently act as mentors, counselors, and/or medical professionals. Regardless of the cause, they respond around the clock, seven days a week, frequently without knowing what they will uncover and never being able to undo what they have seen. These men and women stand by us on our worst days, in trying circumstances, or in times of crisis and disaster.

As American families continue to battle historic inflation at 8.2 percent, Nebraskans are feeling the pain every time they reach for their wallets. According to the Joint Economic Committee, households in Nebraska are spending an extra $759 each month, or more than $9,000 annually, because of inflation.

There’s no reason why the U.S. should be reliant on authoritarian regimes like Iran, Russia, and Venezuela to supply the fuel we need. We have more than enough resources to restore our energy independence and bring fuel prices down. In Nebraska, we’re doing our part to grow biofuels production right here in America’s Heartland.

Nebraska is one of the nation’s top agricultural states. Our farmers and ranchers have products that reach every corner of the country, as well as foreign markets around the world. In 2020, Nebraska exported $2.33 billion worth of soybeans/ soybean products and $1.2 billion worth of corn. In 2021, Nebraska exported $1.81 billion worth of beef and $325.8 million worth of pork.

with Phyllis Buell I can’t believe that we’re in the last two months of 2022! The days are dwindling down fast. Advertisements for Christmas gifts and Christmas displays are in all of the stores.

A hug when I come home after a long day. A smile that melts my heart. A song and a dance that are spontaneous and carefree. Those are some of the blessings that come to mind when I think about my daughter.

American companies are the most innovative and customer-friendly in the world. People have numerous experiences as customers each day, and they’re accustomed to the exceptional service provided in the private sector. They shouldn’t expect any less from their state government.

As Vladimir Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine continues and China’s aggression towards Taiwan intensifies, we must take steps to ensure we have sound national security policy at home and abroad. Iran, which is undergoing turmoil over internal human rights protests, has contributed arms used in Russia’s recent attacks on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. North Korea has also escalated its belligerence by launching a missile over Japan’s most populated island, conducting warplane flybys along its border with South Korea, and firing artillery shells into the maritime buffer zone off the coast of the Korean peninsula. At the same time, our southern border remains open, and crime is terrorizing and destroying Democrat-led cities around the country.

From rising inflation to spiraling energy prices to unaccountable schools and rising crime in many parts of our country, America is on the wrong track. That’s not just my opinion. According to the RealClearPolitics average on nine regular surveys of public opinion, more than twothirds of Americans – 66.9 percent – feel this way. While President Biden has failed to recognize how his policies are making these failures worse, I am confident things can turn around when American families have the opportunity to earn a living, make the right choices for their children, and live safely in their communities.