New Nebraska Network - Front Page

Mike Johanns Offers Empty & Baseless Criticism Of Sonia Sotomayor

Kyle Michaelis — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:34:14 GMT

Republican Senator Mike Johanns can't point to a single mistake by Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor at the close of her third and final day of testimony before the Senate's Judiciary Committee. That hasn't stopped him from sharing his baseless, purely political opinion that she somehow didn't perform very well.

The Omaha World-Herald reports:

Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., says that although Judge Sonia Sotomayor has avoided major mistakes during her Supreme Court confirmation hearings, she's been less than impressive.
"She has not really done very well," Johanns said. "There really hasn't been much there. I think she has really tried to steer clear of controversial issues."
Johanns said that Sotomayor has defended decisions that the Supreme Court has indicated were wrongly decided. But Johanns also said that the hearings are just one piece of the confirmation process and he hasn't determined how he'll vote.
"I've been impressed with her in other areas and so, at this point, a little bit of a mixed bag," he said.

Who does Johanns think he's kidding? If Sotomayor had been anything less than absolutely stellar throughout her entire questioning, Johanns and his fellow Republicans would be in full attack mode right now. Instead, the worst Johanns can do is criticize her for not making comments that would have violated judicial ethics, while begrudingly admitting that even he's been impressed by some parts of her record.

You have to wonder if Johanns even watched the hearing or whether he's just speaking from his party's latest talking points. Had he watched the hearing today, he might have heard fellow Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina declare that Sotomayor's judicial record is "generally in the mainstream" and that she is "not an activist."

Graham also told Sotomayor, "You have been very reassuring here today and throughout this hearing that you're going to try to understand the difference between judging and whatever political feelings you have about groups or gender." Since claims of bias have been the foundation of right-wing critics' opposition to Sotomayor, Graham all but conceded these critics no longer have a leg to stand on.

Later today, ranking Republican Committee member Jeff Sessions of Alabama even admitted that he wouldn't support any attempt to filibuster Sotomayor's confirmation and didn't expect any other Republicans to do so either.

Mike Johanns can pretend otherwise all he wants, but the record speaks for itself - Sotomayor performed exceptionally and delivered a slam dunk. She'll be a fine addition to the U.S. Supreme Court no matter how desperate Johanns is not to give her the credit she is due.

Ben Nelson Needs To Hear "It's Time For Health Care Reform"

Kyle Michaelis — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:07:14 GMT

For the third day in a row (1, 2), we find yet another instance of Sen. Ben Nelson positioning himself as the chief Democratic roadblock to health care reform in Congress. The Washington Post reports:

House Democrats announced a plan yesterday that would force the richest 2 million U.S. taxpayers to shoulder much of the cost of an expansion of the nation's health-care system....
[President Barack] Obama issued a statement praising the House plan....But the plan has drawn sharp attacks from Republicans and is already creating friction with Democrats in the Senate.
"Tax is a four-letter word" with voters, said Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.). Even families not ranking in the top 1 percent of earners "hope they're going to be there someday," he said. "So they don't necessarily think it's fair."

Once again, that's our own Sen. Nelson leading the way in opposing President Barack Obama's agenda and undermining his fellow Democrats' efforts to achieve fundamental reform.

While repeating his nonsense about Nebraskans thinking one day we're all going to be rich, Nelson now adds a bit of folksy conservative spin that voters think "Tax is a four-letter word." Sadly, he doesn't seem nearly as concerned with other "four-letter words" like bankruptcy, pre-existing conditions, and denial of care - all with which the American people have become intimately and increasingly familiar for our failure to reform the health care system. For a sense of the truly obscene, Nelson would also do well to remember the "four-letter word" that is 47 million uninsured.

At this point, it's perfectly understandable that Nelson should have questions and concerns about the sweeping legislation that is being discussed. But, rather than working constructively for the best possible health care proposal, Nelson's instead emerging as the leading defender of the status quo, doing more damage than any Republican as he promotes the idea that Democrats in Congress are fractured and in disarray.

Thankfully, Nebraskans are finally going to be hearing a stronger voice for reform. The Democratic National Committee - through President Obama's Organizing for America - has unveiled the following ad that will be running for the next two weeks nationally on cable and on local stations right here in Nebraska:

Besides Nebraska, the Huffington Post reports that this ad will also be airing in Arkansas, Indiana, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, North Dakota, and Ohio - all states with Senators, like Nelson, whose votes are going to be critical to passing health care legislation.

The message that "It's time" couldn't be more simple or more true. This message also couldn't be more needed or more overdue in a place like Nebraska where our media and our Congressmen appear to be united in their calls for inaction and delay.

Nelson was quick with his response to the Associated Press:

U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson says television ads now running in Nebraska won't influence his decision on health care reform. The Nebraska Democrat says he's reserving his judgment on proposals in the House and Senate that include a so-called public option.
On Wednesday, during a conference call with news reporters, Nelson reiterated his concern about the public option, which would create a government insurance plan to compete with private plans. Nelson says he fears a public option "will materially and adversely effect the insurance of 200 million Americans who are currently covered."

If this ad won't influence Nelson's decision, maybe he'll at least take into consideration the new report by Families USA that shows 220 Nebraskans are losing their health care coverage every week because of the rising costs of insurance. Or, maybe he'll pay attention to the recent survey that shows 70% of small businesses in Nebraska support a public option.

Each of those Nebraska families that have lost their coverage and each of those small businesses that are struggling to survive have the same message for Senator Nelson - "It's time for health care reform!"

Another Sign That Ben Nelson Isn't Serious About Health Care Reform

Kyle Michaelis — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:33:48 GMT

There is legitimate room for disagreement about what shape health care reform should take and how we should pay for it. This is the time for debate, and I appreciate the efforts of all of those elected officials who are coming to this issue with an understanding of its urgency and with a genuine interest in developing real solutions to our country's decades-long health care crisis. Unfortunately, it appears that none of these elected officials come from Nebraska.

After last night's warning about Sen. Ben Nelson's misguided priorities and Republican-inspired talking points, today we find yet another instance where our Democratic Senator appears to primarily be working to undermine reform. And, this time, he's doing so in our name, speaking on behalf of the people of Nebraska.

Bloomberg News reports:

House Democrats unveiled legislation that would fund the broadest health-care expansion in four decades by raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans, including a 5.4 percent surtax on couples earning more than $1 million.
The surtax would also place a 1.5 percent additional tax on couples with incomes between $500,000 and $1 million, and a 1 percent surtax on incomes over $350,000. It is intended to raise $540 billion over 10 years -- about half the cost of the health- care overhaul -- and calls for the taxes to increase if the measure doesn't hit a target for cost savings. Capital gains as well as earned income would be subject to the surtax.
President Barack Obama praised the legislation, saying it will "begin the process of fixing what's broken" in the health-care system....
Senator Ben Nelson, a Nebraska Democrat, said he's "not hearing a lot" of support for a surtax on wealthy Americans. People in his state don't like the millionaire's tax "because they are looking someday to get there themselves," Nelson told reporters yesterday. "It's the American way."

Funny - my idea of "the American way" would be uniting to tackle the great challenges that face us, whether expanding health care to the tens of millions of Americans who are currently uninsured or finally restoring some measure of sanity to the skyrocketing costs that have too long devoured the U.S. economy.

Frankly, Nelson has a very low opinion of the people of Nebraska if he thinks we're all driven by such base self-interest and deluded with the idea that one day we'll be millionaires. This is a phony argument that paints Nelson as desperate to shift responsibility for his continuing statements against reform onto the backs of those he represents. I'm not buying it and neither should you.

Nelson at least showed more respect for Nebraskans in Tuesday's New York Times, where he explained that his constituents are worried about a surtax on the rich because "it's an unfair tax." At this point, he's probably right that the proposal wouldn't have a lot of support. But, this isn't a zero-sum proposition. Given the choice between this surtax or the do-nothing approach that has predominated in Washington D.C. for the last 15 years, you can be certain Nelson would see a lot more people coming around to this sort of idea.

Ultimately, this is what we're talking about - to undertake real health care reform, we're going to have to pay for it from somewhere.

Right now, I'm not endorsing any specific plan as Congress continues to grapple with various proposals and pieces of legislation. I'm just mourning that Nebraskans don't have political leaders who will quit hiding behind the people's fears of change and start speaking to their hopes for a better way.

No Real Signs Of Progress In Ben Nelson's Position On Health Care Reform

Kyle Michaelis — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:14:44 GMT

Last month, while Sen. Ben Nelson was being targeted for his close ties to the insurance industry, I pondered whether the "Change Congress" campaign had changed Nelson's mind on health care reform after early indications had suggested he'd strongly oppose a public health care option. A few days later, the co-founder of "Change Congress," Lawrence Lessig, wrote a piece declaring the campaign's victory in the Huffington Post. He wrote:

After an intense 11-day battle with Nelson, he's now publicly "open" to the public option -- and this week, he made more news by saying he won't join a filibuster of Obama's plan.

Well, I hate to burst everyones bubble, but I've seen no actual signs of the victory Lessig proclaimed. While Nelson backed-down from the fighting words he'd intially used against a public health care option, he's given no real indication of being any more open-minded on the subject than was necessary to get the heat off his back. And, it's just not true - not in the slightest - that Nelson's made any public promise not to join a Repubican filibuser of health care reform.

Actually, Nelson has been a vigorous defender of his right to join just such a filibuster. In fact, in Roll Call last week, he left open the possibility whereever "extraordinary circumstances" might exist. I'd say the biggest overhaul of U.S. health care in more than four decades - perhaps ever - is pretty darn extraordinary, wouldn't you?

But, the real indication that we still have a lot to worry about with Nelson's vote on health care reform comes from Friday's North Platte Telegraph:

As federal lawmakers continue to wrestle with the issue of health care reform, Nebraska's U.S. Senator Ben Nelson said this week that he feels the key to successful reform is to keep the government out of the health insurance business.
Responding to recent criticisms about how health care reform might affect the millions of Americans who already have good health coverage, Nelson said he wants to assure that any plan for reform does not degrade the current system. "There are a lot of reasons why people are uninsured," Nelson said in a phone interview on Thursday. "To find a way to get those people coverage doesn't require taking away from those who currently have it."
Nelson said he has serious reservations about putting a government-run plan at the forefront of this debate. He feels there can't be true competition against any health insurance program that is subsidized by the government.
There are several options currently being discussed, according to Nelson. He said nearly every plan includes some type of tax credit for small businesses and individuals who already have health insurance. Another piece in the reform puzzle is to increase the number of primary care physicians, especially in rural areas....
Another option is to create health insurance cooperatives in various states that could find a way to insure those who can't get coverage in the regular market. Nelson said he likes this approach because it does not involve the government. "The key is to keep government out of it, not in it," he added.....
While lawmakers have been asked to come up with a solution by August, Nelson said the general consensus among his colleagues from both political parties is that the August deadline will likely slide.
"It's more important to get it right than it is to get it done quickly," Nelson said.

The NP Telegraph's report suggests that all we've seen from Nelson has been smoke, mirrors, and non-committal rhetoric designed to keep the heat off him while he works to undermine the fundamental reform for which most Democrats in Congress are fighting and most of the American people are demanding. Every statement from Nelson indicates that his first priority is protecting the insurance industry and the status quo rather than delivering the best possible outcome for the American people.

Nelson does a great disservice to the people of Nebraska by promoting the idea that this debate is all about more or less government. This is about people's lives. This is about the security of our families. This is about the future of the U.S. economy. But, Nelson practically turns a blind eye to those struggles - in favor of ideology - leaving a gaping hole where Nebraskans are so desperate for a real champion of reform who'll work to relieve their fears and defend their interests.

The key isn't keeping government out of the health care industry. The key is reducing costs, guaranteeing choice, and ensuring quality and affordable health care for every American.

Almost just as bad as Nelson's misplaced priorities is his echoing of Republican talking points calling for slowing down the debate. For starters, Congess has debated health care reform for years. This was also one of the defining issues of the 2008 election, in which the American people made their voices heard loud and clear. Meanwhile, the Senate HELP Committee has been meeting for weeks, with hundreds of amendments having been offered from both political parties.

There are people working hard to get this right, and Nelson should be one of them rather than casting his lot with those who have prevailed and profited from inertia and inaction for so many decades.

Up until now, Nelson has effectively used President Barack Obama's failure to specifically endorse a single plan as a defense from any suggestion that he's opposing the President's agenda. But, with these latest statements, Nelson is coming dangerously close to crossing that line - especially when President Obama has so consistently supported a strong public option and declared that the time for reform is now.

Of course, I agree that Nelson has the right to oppose cloture on Democratic-backed or President Obama-endorsed legislation. I just hope he understands that doing so on health care reform - a struggle that has lasted a lifetime and that could well define this entire era in American politics - might irreparably damage his relationship to those who've been his biggest defenders and most loyal supporters.

Nebraska Democratic Party Asks "What Has Lee Terry Done?"

Kyle Michaelis — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:40:03 GMT

I was very unimpressed by the Nebraska Democratic Party's recent untimely, unfocused, and unsubstantive criticism of Governor Dave Heineman's handling of the state budget. Thankfully, they've proven much quicker and smarter in their response to the Nebraska Republican Party's announcement that they've set up a hotline for spreading rumors and lodging complaints against State Senator Tom White, the likely Democratic Congressional candidate who has them running scared in Nebraska's 2nd District.

The NDP responds with a fishing expedition of their own - except they're not looking for dirt. All they really want to know is "What has Lee Terry done?":

The Nebraska Democratic Party is announcing that we have set up an email hotline to collect information on "What has Lee Terry Done?"
"We know he jaywalks and maybe uses profanity, but otherwise, we don't know what Lee Terry is doing in Washington." Said State Chair, Vic Covalt. "Other than voting No, we have no idea whether he does anything back there." Covalt said.
Lee Terry has voted lock step with the Party of No on everything this year.
No on the Stimulus.
No on Women's right to equal wages.
No on the SCHIP program to get insurance for Children.
No on supporting the troops.
No new commands for Offutt Air Force Base.
We might be missing something here, but it seems to us that a faceless congressman with the minority party in Washington is not good Representation for Nebraska. If you know of anything positive that Lee Terry has done in his six terms in Washington, let us know.
We have created a special email account so people can send in proof to support their statements. "We know that the Party of No likes to bend the truth or simply use misleading rhetoric," said Vic Covalt, "so we're asking for documented proof to support claims that Lee Terry has done anything."
Please send in anything you know to:
LeeTerry@nebraskademocrats.org

This is a good response that hits Terry at his weakest point - mainly, that he's just been a horribly ineffective Congressman throughout his six terms in Washington D.C. It also offers an effective issues-based counterpoint to the Nebraska GOPs already stooping to the politics of personal destruction because they're so damn scared of a challenge by White.

Of course, it's not accurate to state Lee Terry has voted "lock step with the Party of No on everything this year." 99% of the time would have been more like it. At the same time, there was never an actual vote on which Terry could reasonably be said to have voted "no" to an expanded mission (and lots of new jobs) at Offut Air Force base. That's an instance of his failed leadership - a related issue but not one that works very well in this particular context.

I will give Terry credit for voting "yes" to President Barack Obama's broadly bipartisan expansion of our nation's public service programs. Terry also stood alone in Nebraska's Congressional delegation voting for the "Cash for Clunkers" rebate program, which makes a weak attempt at achieving some worthy policy goals but totally undermines Terry's claim to being a fiscal conservative.

I won't get into the debate whether the government should be writing $4,500 checks to car buyers for trading in an old SUV for a new one that gets a measly 2 miles more per gallon. However, it's worth noting that Nebraska's Sen. Ben Nelson was the lone Democratic Senator to vote against this program - precisely because of its billion dollar price tag. That left Terry our only Congressman supporting this government intervention in the market for new and used automobiles, something he probably didn't talk about with the anti-government spending "Tea Party" protesters he so hypocritically spent the day with on July 4th.

On Independence Day, Terry reportedly told 300 protestors at Omaha's Walnut Grove Park that government spending is "eroding our freedom" and that Democrats "love to tax" and "love to spend." He evidently didn't come clean with his own recent contributions to eroding that freedom - like "Cash for Clunkers" or last year's $700 billion bail-out of Wall Street. Nor did Terry confess to his long record of loving the spending part of being a Congressman, only without asking people to pay for it.

Regardless, the question "What Has Lee Terry Done?" is absolutely the right one to be asking. It's the question that he and the Nebraska Republican Party fear, and it's the question that will cost Terry his seat if it's on the minds of voters come November of 2010. After 11 years in office, even the most generous answer is "not very much."

On the vast majority of legislation, Terry has been nothing more than an empty suit voting as told by party leaders since the day he arrived in Washington D.C. The voters of the 2nd Congressional District deserve better, and I'm confident they'll have better after being offered a stronger alternative in the next election.

Anti-Abortion Fanatic Visits Nebraska To Oppose Sotomayor's Nomination

Kyle Michaelis — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:38:08 GMT

On Tuesday, Nebraska was visited by the notorious Randall Terry, a Kansas-based anti-abortion fanatic who reacted to the assassination of Dr. George Tiller six weeks ago with the following statement:

George Tiller was a mass-murderer. We grieve for him that he did not have time to properly prepare his soul to face God. I am more concerned that the Obama Administration will use Tiller's killing to intimidate pro-lifers into surrendering our most effective rhetoric and actions.

Evidently, Terry doesn't have much of a problem with his followers using murder as one of their "most effective actions." Terry was in Nebraska to lobby Sen. Ben Nelson to oppose the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to replace retired Justice David Souter on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Considering that this is a man who made justifications for Tiller's murder and only showed any real concern for its political ramifications, it shouldn't surprise that Terry would use the image at right on the promotional flyer for his visit (warning: link contains graphic material). Besides featuring the monstrous manipulation of Sotomayor's face, this flyer also declares that "Sotomayor Supports The Slaughter Of Innocent Children" and that her appointment to the Supreme Court promises to "Keep The Blood Flowing."

Driven by such hate-filled and offensive rhetoric, the big question is why Sen. Nelson or any Nebraskan should care what Terry has to say. Sadly, that hasn't stopped the Omaha World-Herald from giving Terry just the attention he seeks:

The leader of an anti-abortion group went to Sen. Ben Nelson's front door Tuesday to deliver a message: Stop Sonia Sotomayor from becoming a U.S. Supreme Court justice.
Randall Terry, founder of Operation Rescue, held a press conference outside Nelson's Omaha office, urging the Democrat to support a filibuster of Sotomayor's confirmation vote. In order to break a filibuster, Sotomayor supporters would need 60 votes.
"You can't say 'I want to overturn Roe' and then vote to confirm someone who wants to uphold Roe," Terry said, referring to Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized abortion.....
Terry also scheduled a press conference outside Nelson's office in Lincoln. Terry plans to travel to Missouri and Pennsylvania to try to put pressure on senators from those states, as well.

The World-Herald makes no mention of the credibility-shattering controversy over Terry's recently making light of Tiller's murder. Nor did the paper report on his group's monstrous depiction of Sotomayor - in image and words - that might reasonably promote the same murderous hate towards her that we've seen towards women's health doctors who perform late-term abortions.

This is gross negligence on the part of the World-Herald, leaving readers completely in the dark about the ugly extremism of Terry's campaign. Nelson should have never even been asked to respond to such garbage. Still, the World-Herald reported:

A spokesman for Nelson, a Democrat, issued a statement saying he is "strongly pro-life, has an impeccable record opposing abortion and appreciates the support of major pro-life organizations in Nebraska and nationally."
The statement also said he believes that Sotomayor "understands the importance of faithfully upholding the Constitution and of not making law from the bench." Nelson said he decides how he will vote on judicial nominees only after their confirmation hearings and after their entire record is reviewed.

Thankfully, it sounds like Nelson isn't persuaded by Terry's ugly tactics and will base his vote on Sotomayor's perceived judicial temperament rather than imagining himself the ultimate arbitrer of the U.S. Constitution. This is the only fair standard Nelson can apply, staying true to the approach he took towards former President George W. Bush's nominations.

Such decision-making may be a cause of some concern for those anti-abortion activists who've supported Nelson under the pro-life banner. However, those who are more reasonable than Terry (which isn't saying much) should be able to grasp that the country would be ill-served by any litmus test that would reduce the qualifications for deciding constitutional issues to a simple matter of a nominee's having the right position on abortion.

Every Nebraskan - be they pro-choice, pro-life, or both - should expect better than that from Nelson, from Sen. Mike Johanns, and from all those who hold themselves out as our political leaders. I trust we can count on Nelson to live up to this expectation and hope Johanns might surprise us by following suit and supporting so eminently qualified a Supreme Court nominee as Sonia Sotomayor has proven to be.

A Letter Isn't Leadership: Dave Heineman's Empty Push For Higher Teacher Pay

Kyle Michaelis — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:27:15 GMT

Last month, in a controversial letter to leaders of Nebraska's teachers union that was forwarded to teachers all across the state, Gov. Dave Heineman wrote:

I am writing to encourage you to work with your school district to make sure the $234 million appropriated for additional state aid to education is spent where we know it matters the most - in the classroom.
It was a pleasure to work with NSEA President Jess Wolf this past legislative session to ensure that $234 million in federal stimulus funds are used to provide additional state aid to our public schools. This 22 percent increase in state aid to schools is the largest increase in the state budget.
As I said at the NSEA Delegate Assembly in April, and at previous Delegate Assemblies, the State of Nebraska has provided school districts with the resources they need to increase teacher salaries to ensure they are competitive with surrounding states. We have significantly increased state aid during my Administration, yet teacher salaries at the local level are less than national and regional averages.
I support local control. I am skeptical of mandating how school districts spend their state aid, but I've grown increasingly concerned that the substantial increases in state aid have not been reflected in teacher pay. Superintendent salaries seem to be increasing at a significant rate while teacher salaries are not. That needs to change. It is absolutely essential to ensure that education budgets are focused on the classroom.
One of the key requirements of the federal stimulus funds for education is "making improvements in teacher effectiveness and ensuring that all schools have highly qualified teachers." In order to attract highly qualified teachers, school districts need to have salaries that are competitive. We must work to make sure that our resources are spent in the classroom to recruit and retain quality teachers.
Some school districts say that funding does not exist to provide teachers with competitive salaries. I disagree. During the past four years that I have been Governor, we have significantly increased state aid to education and we need school districts to provide teachers with competitive salaries.

In general, I'd appreciate leadership from the Governor on the issue of increasing teacher pay. The problem is that writing a letter doesn't amount to leadership - especially when all Heineman's really done is pass the buck onto teachers to duke it out with their local school boards in a fight for more money.

Heineman could have lead in his capacity as governor, starting a much-needed discussion about genuine education reform and maybe even offering some comprehensive solutions through adjustments to the state's aid formula, its tax policy, and its testing standards. Instead, he's spent four years literally throwing money at the problem, and that continues to be his approach with the $234 million in federal stimulus funds. All the evidence you need of this philosophy is contained in this letter.

Just look at Heineman's repeatedly making the excuse that he's "significantly increased state aid during my Administration," while expressing concern that these "substantial increases in state aid have not been reflected in teacher pay." When it gets right down to it, this is just Heineman placing the blame for low teacher pay on local school districts when the real reason there's been no improvement has been the total vacuum of leadership from the Governor's Mansion.

It's been really sad to see the teacher's union buy into Heineman's blame-shifting and hold up his letter like it was some great victory. Even sadder is what the NSEA's leadership has probably traded away to Heineman behind closed doors just so its members could carry a piece of paper of imagined importance into their contract negotiations. That's a cruel bargain at any price and could never come close to replacing genuine leadership in education reform.

Other critics of Heineman's letter have focused on the obvious dangers of funding permanent teacher pay increases with temporary stimulus money that will dry up just two years from now. They've also called into question the self-serving calculations behind the letter that are almost certain to benefit Heineman's re-election bid. Finally, there's the issue of whether it's appropriate for the Governor to use his political weight to influence on-going contract negotiations by local school districts.

Below the fold, you'll see some of the more prominent examples of this criticism. I don't share every opinion expressed, but it's so rare that Heineman's record is scrutinzed like this that practically every instance is newsworthy in itself. None expresses my own view that, first and foremost, this letter is just one more example of Heineman's failure to lead. But, certainly take a look and don't hesitate to share your own thoughts on the subject.
First, here's the report from last night's 10/11 News:

The Lincoln Journal-Star challenged the appropriateness of Heineman's letter and his motivations:

The political benefits are clear enough from the letterGov. Dave Heineman sent to the Nebraska State Education Association. Any politician who can energize thousands of teachers on his or her behalf has a prime statewide advantage.
Presumably that's why the letter was "paid for by the Gov. Dave Heineman Committee."
But the letter will add to misunderstanding and unnecessarily complicate discussions on teacher salaries from Crawford to Plattsmouth. Negotiations between school boards and teacher bargaining units are tough enough without Heineman injecting himself into the discussion.....
Few Nebraskans would disagree with the need for competitive salaries to recruit and train teachers. But Heineman failed to mention a few other key points.
Most importantly, that 22 percent increase in state aid does not apply equally to every district. Next year, many school districts in Nebraska actually will see a decrease in their state aid, for example.
Also significant is the fact that stimulus funding is one-time money from the federal government. After two years, state taxpayers will be hard-pressed to make up the difference....
There's no doubt that the governor's letter will be used to apply leverage. A letter from Jess Wolf to all NSEA members says, "encourage your local association negotiation teams to use this letter to help set the tone at the bargaining table."
The governor's meddling was unprecedented and unnecessary. State government has daunting problems of its own. Heineman should focus on solving those, rather than telling local officials what to do.

The North Platte Telegraph also took aim at Heineman's letter:

At the bargaining table this year as Nebraska school districts sit down to negotiate with their teachers, there appears to be another seat at the table. That seat is occupied, in spirit, by none other than Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman. And he's taking sides....
It was a red letter day for the NSEA, which quickly sent the governor's letter out to its members, urging them to "share this letter with your school board members and superintendent. Also, encourage your local association negotiations team to use this letter to help set the tone at the bargaining table." The letter concluded that "local associations should seek an increase of no less than $1,500 on the base for the 2009-10 school years".....
In his letter, the governor wrote that, "I support local control. I am skeptical of mandating how school districts spend their state aid, but I've grown increasingly concerned that the substantial increases in state aid have not been reflected in teacher pay. Superintendent salaries seem to be increasing at a significant rate while teacher salaries are not. That needs to change."
Apparently the governor is not concerned about granting pay raises with money that in all probability is a one-time deal. Maybe he isn't worried about laying off teachers in two years, when the stimulus funds run out....
Beleaguered taxpayers are left to wonder why the governor is suddenly taking sides in local teacher negotiations. And they can't be faulted for suspecting that it has something to do with the governor's prospects for re-election.

So, what do you think?

The Next Step

Tom White — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:17:58 GMT

I just sent out this email to my online supporters, and wanted to make sure the NNN community saw it too. Please visit my website and get involved.

Friends –

Earlier today, I filed paperwork forming an exploratory committee. This is the first step toward a campaign for U.S. Congress.

This decision came after many conversations with my wife, Barb, and my two children, and after hearing from friends and supporters from across our community
I'm touching base with you today because we make a good team. In the past few months, our online community has helped convince the Legislature make state government more transparent, increase access to affordable healthcare, and pass legislation that will create jobs and strengthen our economy. But as you know, there is plenty of work left to do.

As always, I'm counting on you as we take the next step in our efforts. We've just launched a new website - click here to visit it:

www.TomWhite2010.com

I started the exploratory committee because our district needs independent, effective representation in Washington. Regardless of the issue - making healthcare affordable, jumpstarting the economy, simplifying the tax code, reducing the deficit - the metro area needs a congressman who puts partisanship aside to get things done.

As a member of Nebraska's unicameral, nonpartisan Legislature, I've done just that. I've partnered with senators from both parties to create jobs, cut taxes for the middle class, increase access to affordable healthcare, and reduce government waste. To me, it doesn't matter if it's a Democratic idea or a Republican idea. What matters is whether it's a good idea, one that will create jobs and strengthen the economy. That basic principle is needed in Congress now more than ever.
I have always been able to count on your support in the past. Please visit our new website to get involved and make a contribution:

www.TomWhite2010.com

Also, I hope you send me your comments and thoughts. You're an important part of this effort, and I look forward to continuing to work with you as our campaign takes the next step.

Thanks for all you do,

Tom White

Why Are Lee Terry & The Nebraska GOP So Afraid Of Tom White?

Kyle Michaelis — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:19:14 GMT

As 2nd District Congressman Lee Terry has come under fire for his vote against funding American troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, it doesn't surprise that panic has set-in with the Nebraska Republican Party. This is a serious issue that could cut deeply into Terry's base of support after two elections in a row in which voters have proven increasingly tired with Terry and hungry for some actual leadership in Washington D.C.

Last year's narrow victory over Democratic challenger Jim Esch was reason enough for the Nebraska GOP to be concerned about Terry's chances heading into 2010. Now, with this vote, Terry's risked offending military families that are a key constituency. At the same time, in incidents ranging from coming close to blows with a rival Congressman to being caught shouting obscenity at a busy Washington D.C. intersection, Terry's revealed a startling lack of class and composure that just makes Nebraskans look bad. Add in the fact that Terry seems likely to face his strongest Democratic opponent ever, and you can bet the Nebraska GOP is already feeling its 15-year stranglehold on the state's entire House delegation starting to slip away.

Facing such darkening prospects, they've embarked on a pre-emptive campaign attacking Omaha State Senator Tom White before he's even declared his candidacy. Of course, these attacks actually began at Gov. Dave Heineman's behest as soon as White took office in 2007. Intelligent, articulate, and - worst of all - independent-minded, White's sometimes been a roadblock to Heineman's completely having his way with the Legislature. That's led to White's becoming something of a rival to Heineman, which has meant a very large target on his back from day one.

White's been accused of being too partisan. He's been accused of being too ambitious. He's even been accused of being a trial lawyer. But, at the end of the day, his only great offenses have been a willingness to challenge the Governor and an understanding that the legislative process exists to serve democracy, not the other way around. That hasn't stopped the Nebraska GOP, Heineman's legislative allies, and the Omaha World-Herald's editorial board from consistently taking these sorts of shots at White every time he's stood up for the voters who elected him or given voice to a more progressive vision for our state.

Now, looking to 2010 and recognizing that Terry's already in trouble, the Nebraska Republican Party is bringing its attacks on White up to a whole new level. First, they've set up a Report Tom White telephone hotline where voters can report on "White's negative campaign tactics, their various experiences with the State Senator and their concerns about his liberal positions and votes in the Nebraska Legislature." In other words, they're fishing for dirt on White and are desperately casting the widest net possible.

The Nebraska GOP also sent out a very telling press release last week. Unable to offer a reasonable defense of Terry's vote against funding our troops - especially when Sen. Mike Johanns had voted for the same funding - they instead called on Tom White to "denounce these negative Democrat attacks." They then proceeded to attack White as "divisive" while accusing him of "looking to fill a position of 'rubber stamp' to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the liberal Democrats in Washington."

Of course, the idea of attacking Lee Terry's oppponent as a "rubber stamp" is pretty damn absurd when that's all he's ever been in Washington D.C. Except for those instances when his temper's gotten the best of him, Terry's been nothing but a go-along-get-along backbencher voting as told by party leaders for the last decade.

More than this blatant hypocrisy, though, it's in their choice of targets that the Nebraska GOP's line of attack really falls apart. You can see that in the Nebraska GOPs other criticism of White for being too divisive. Their idea of "divisive" is anyone who thinks independently and won't just accept the status quo in which they call all the shots but still accept no accountability. If there's been one thing established about him in his three years in the Legislaure, it's that Tom White is nobodys yes-man and nobodys rubber stamp.

The Nebraska GOP writes, "Nebraskans want a check-and-balance to the ... Democrat Congress, and Congressman Lee Terry is just that." Yes, Terry is just that, and that's all he is. What the Nebraska GOP doesn't understand is that this is precisely the problem. After six terms in Congress, the big argument for Terry is still that he's not a Democrat. That's pathetic, and it does nothing to justify his personal lack of accomplishments or his growing record of embarrassments.

Even just defending Terry has become a dangerous and ridiculous endeavor. Earlier today, Nebraska GOP Chair Mark Fahleson declared Terry "an affable Omahan." This is the same "affable Omahan" who made headlines for shouting "fuck you" at a Washingon D.C. motorist just last week. If that's Fahleson's idea of affable, White should be proud he's being called divisive.

You can be sure Terry and the Nebraska GOP are going to be doing everything they can to make this race about Nancy Pelosi. They want to run against those "liberal Democrats in Washington". Yes, they'll even want this race to be about President Barack Obama - the same man Terry worked so hard attaching his name to during last year's campaign.

On the other hand, what they definitely don't want to see is an election decided between Lee Terry and Tom White. This is because White's not an easy target for their usual attacks. He's got a record of independent leadership. And, most importantly, he's got a record of strong leadership.

That, right there, is Lee Terry and the Nebraska Republican Party's real nightmare. They're right to fear an election between Terry and White that isn't about Republicans vs. Democrats and liberals vs. conservatives. This election should be about finally bringing real representation to the voters of the 2nd Congressional District.

2010 isn't about hope and change - it's about leadership. Terry vs. White is a race between weakness vs. strength. That's an election Tom White wins hands down, and I say bring it on.

They Wanted Her As Vice President: Nebraska GOP Leaders On Sarah Palin

Kyle Michaelis — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:05:52 GMT

Yesterday, Alaska Governor and 2008 Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin announced her resignation from public office under speculation that she's either about to be indicted on corruption charges, committing herself absurdly early to a 2012 presidential bid, or just cashing in on her fame in hopes of becoming the right-wing equivalent to Oprah Winfrey.

No matter her reasoning, Palin is abandoning the people of Alaska and forsaking the public's trust. As much as any of the ignorance, shallowness, and narcissism she revealed on the 2008 campaign trail, this demonstrates once and for all just how truly unfit she was to be a heartbeat away from the most powerful office in the world. It is embarrassing that she was nominated and just plain frightening that she came as close to being elected as she did. We should all have nightmares about how that election would have played out had it not been for the virtual collapse of the U.S. economy that made the call for fundamental change one of simple survival for our country.

At this point, we have to give credit to Nebraska's then-U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel for being the most prominent Republican in the country to go public with his doubts about Palin during the election. Hagel saw through her facade and declared, "I think it's a stretch...in any way, to say that she's got the experience to be president of the United States."

Of course, for that statement, our local Republican leaders denounced Hagel and jumped to Palin's defense. In fact, they were little more than cheerleaders for Palin throughout the 2008 Presidential campaign. Now that we've seen just how unfit for office Palin truly was, let's take a little closer look at those elected officials and party leaders who rallied in support of Palin and vouched for her as our Vice President.

Hal Daub At The GOP Convention (LJS, 09/03/2008):

"I was so thrilled by her selection," said Hal Daub, chairman of John McCain's Nebraska presidential campaign. "I had been walking around with my fingers crossed. Her choice united the party. It brings the conservatives home".....
Daub gives McCain high grades for "his first executive decision" as the presidential nominee. Palin has had executive experience in public life for 13 years, he said, and brings demonstrated conservative credentials to the race.
"And she happens to be a woman," he said. "He picked well. I think it's terrific and quite historic.

Adrian Smith at the GOP Convention (LJS, 09/03/2009):

Rep. Adrian Smith, the only member of Nebraska's congressional delegation who is attending the convention, said Palin "brings a new dynamic" to the campaign.
"She can identify with common, everyday Americans," he said.

Dave Heineman at the GOP Convention (OWH online, 09/03/2009):

Nebraska's governor gave full-throttled support today for Sarah Palin, John McCain's vice presidential pick.
Gov. Dave Heineman said he has met Palin and found her to be energetic, articulate and smart. He also called her tough, noting that she faced competition in the primary during her successful bid for governor in 2006.
Heineman scoffed at the notion she didn't have the experience to be a heartbeat away from the presidency. He said he found it interesting that one member of the national news media noted incredulously that Palin had never even been on the powerful Sunday morning show "Meet the Press."
"If that isn't an elitist attitude, I don't know what is," Heineman said.

Mark Fahleson at the GOP Convention (OWH, 09/03/2008):

"The base is very energized by her selection. I've had more people ask me to get a McCain-Palin bumper sticker. Not a McCain bumper sticker," said Mark Fahleson, a Nebraska delegate from Lincoln and a spokesman for the state GOP.

Chuck Sigerson at the GOP Convention (OWH, 09/03/2008)

"Republicans understand that Sarah doesn't have the know-how that McCain has or (Joe) Biden has. But she's not running for president. She's running for vice president, and she'll learn when she gets there," said delegate Chuck Sigerson, an Omaha city councilman.

Mark Quandahl Defending Palin, Attack Hagel (OWH, 09/19/2008):

The anger felt by many Nebraska Republicans toward Sen. Chuck Hagel rose to new heights Thursday after Hagel questioned whether Sarah Palin has the experience to serve as president.
State Republicans are "worn out" with Hagel and his propensity for controversial comments aimed at fellow Republicans, said Mark Quandahl, chairman of the Nebraska GOP.
Quandahl went out of his way to distance the state party from Hagel's remarks about Palin, the party's vice presidential nominee. Quandahl said few Nebraskans would agree with Hagel, the Nebraska party's senior elected official.

Dave Heineman Defending Palin, Attacking Hagel (OWH, 09/19/2008):

Gov. Dave Heineman said "most Republicans are not happy" with Hagel right now.
Heineman said Hagel's comments about Palin's lack of foreign policy experience could be said about many governors who became president, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton.
"They all came to the presidency with little foreign policy experience and did quite well," said Heineman, who won a crucial endorsement from Hagel in the 2006 governor's primary....
When asked if Hagel would be welcomed at any Republican event in Nebraska in support of a GOP candidate, Heineman replied: "I don't know how to answer that for sure. Nebraskans are polite and respectful people, but I would say right now they disagree with Senator Hagel."

Lee Terry Defending Palin, Attacking Hagel (OWH, 09/19/2008):

"It's amazing to me that people are comparing the resumes of a vice president nominee to a president nominee," said U.S. Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb. "Under that comparison, I think both resumes of Senator Obama and Governor Palin are admittedly thin, but I think they're both very comparable."

Adrian Smith Defending Palin, Attacking Hagel (OWH, 09/19/2008):

U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., took exception to Hagel's comments that Palin has traveled little outside the United States. Smith also jabbed at Hagel's frequent appearances on Sunday morning television talk shows.....
"Governor Palin's long record of public service demonstrates there is more to experience than how many times someone has simply traveled abroad or been on television," Smith said. "She doesn't just talk about reform. She accomplishes it."
"Critics can say what they wish, but I join many Americans in enthusiastically supporting her and Senator McCain," Smith added.

Lee Terry at Palin Rally (OWH, 10/05/2008):

Terry called Gov. Palin a "straight up person," and said she is the key to energy independence, because she advocates drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, something Sen. John McCain opposes.
"Sarah Palin is the one that understands that and is gonna drive it home in the administration and set us free. We can use our own resources to do it," Terry said.

Jeff Fortenberry at Palin Rally (OWH, 10/05/2008):

U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry of Lincoln is speaking. About Palin: "I'd never heard of her ... now all of America knows about her."
Said Palin is a hit among his five daughters. "One of my little girls said, 'Is Piper going to be there?'"
He said Palin has a heart in public service starting with the PTA. He said the PTA is the toughest level in politics.

The PTA is the toughest level in politics? "She'll learn when she gets there"? Questioning Palin means critics have "an elitist attitude"? That's how low these elected leaders had to stoop making the argument that Palin was qualified to be our country's Vice President.

For that, they should be embarrassed. They should be ashamed. And, yes, they owe the people of Nebraska an apology for engaging in such deception. We deserved better than Sarah Palin and deserve better than this current crop of hard-core Republican partisans who will always put politics before people and their own careers before the future of our country.

Mike Johanns' Staff Calls Police On Health Care Reform Advocates

Kyle Michaelis — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:48:54 GMT

On the eve of our nation's Independence Day, it appears Sen. Mike Johanns and his staff aren't very interested in respecting the people of Nebraska's freedom of speech - especially if what they have to say is that they support health care reform that puts the interests of the American people before the insurance industry's profits.

The team at Change That Works-Nebraska reports:

One day before we celebrate the birth of our nation, Nebraskans gathered at a scheduled healthcare roundtable to call on Senator Johanns to support an American solution to our healthcare crisis. Instead of greeting the teachers from NSEA, veterans, and SEIU workers Senator Johanns' staff called the police, ordering the Nebraskans to leave the Medical Center grounds.
"Johanns' voters-- teachers, members of the armed forces, and SEIU members-- set up a table with apple pie and signs welcoming the Senator and urging him to support a uniquely American solution to healthcare reform," explained Jane Kleeb, SEIU State Director. "Instead of coming by and saying hello, the Senator walked right by us as we were surrounded by police, and the Senator said 'good luck with that.'"
SEIU received advanced permission from the Nebraska Medical Center to greet the Senator as he started his day of roundtables on healthcare reform. Instead of greeting the healthcare reform advocates at the table, the Senator's staff called the police.
Just as our founders realized the time for hard decisions was upon them, SEIU and our partners know we can not afford to wait any longer to reform our broken healthcare system....The future of our nation depends on the solutions being debated in DC. It is not a time to slowdown, it is a time to act.

Johanns is in today's Lincoln Journal-Star issuing another of his endless calls for delaying health care reform. He also puts his support behind a plan rooted in government hand-outs to private insurance companies. That's literally throwing money at the problem - offering no real reform and definitely no solutions to the health care crisis that has plagued our country for so many years.

The fundamental right to quality, affordable care can no longer be a dream deferred. On this Independence Day, let us all celebrate our freedom to be heard while continuing the fight for every Americans' freedom from the fear that comes with being one trip to the emergency room away from financial ruin.

Johanns may be able to hide behind the police to get to a meeting. But, he can't hide from the American people and their call for true health care reform. We have waited too long. Our time is now, and we will not be silenced or defeated.

Repulsive Anti-Union Advertising Hitting Nebraska Airwaves

Kyle Michaelis — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:47:33 GMT

Sen. Ben Nelson Is Primary Target Of Campaign To Kill The Employee Free Choice Act

As Al Franken prepares to assume his place as the 60th Democratic U.S. Senator in a theoretically filibuster-proof majority, it appears desperation is starting to take hold amongst corporate special interests fearful of efforts to create a fairer playing field for employees that actually respects their right to organize in the workplace.

I've been quite forthcoming about my qualms with some of the particulars of the Employee Free Choice Act as it was introduced earlier this year in Congress. But, there's no doubt that reform is necessary, and I've been confident all along that a compromise could be reached that would make for a stronger and more balanced piece of legislation.

Well, it now seems action on such a compromise is precisely what we can expect from Congress when it comes back into session after the July 4th recess. This has put big business on high alert, and they're certain to make every effort in the coming weeks to kill this legislation. It doesn't matter to them how much the legislation might have been improved. If it's going to do anything at all to create a fairer workplace where employees have an actual voice, they will work to kill it at any cost.

And, guess what, the first wave of their last stand to defeat the Employee Free Choice Act is starting tomorrow, right here in Nebraska, making our business-friendly Democratic Senator Ben Nelson their #1 target. The following press release was issued earlier today:

Today, the Employee Freedom Action Committee (EFAC) opened a new front in the campaign to stop the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), by releasing TV ads in Nebraska urging Democratic Senator Ben Nelson not to compromise on EFCA....
This new ad campaign comes as Democratic leaders are poised to send a compromise bill to Congress. The compromise is widely expected to amend EFCA's card check and binding arbitration provisions. Regardless of the particulars of the compromise, this bill will still be a tremendous blow to workers' rights.
"The ad campaign is designed to urge Nebraskans to tell Ben Nelson to oppose closing debate on the Employee 'Forced' Choice Act," said Rick Berman, Executive Director of EFAC. "This bill will take control out of the hands of employees in the workplace and allow outside parties to have tremendous control over private businesses through binding arbitration."
The television ads are scheduled to begin airing tomorrow across the state.

According to the Employee Freedom ~~Action~~ Assassination Committee (two can play that game), the EFCA will somehow be a blow to worker's rights by making sure they have a voice in the workplace. At the same time, they warn that "outside parties" are going to take all this supposed control away from employees that that they've never had and never will so long as the balance of power remains weighted so heavily in favor of the corporations.

As for the ads running in Nebraska, they can be seen here and here. The first relies on a cartoonish portayal of labor union thugs making ridiculous demands and showing no concern at all for the employees they represent. The second ad - made by a Washington D.C. special interest group - brags up the fact that Nebraskans have such weak organized labor because "we" are just too smart for that nonsense.

Both ads are highly offensive to every Nebraskan who is represented by a Union and make a mockery of the many victories won by workers over the last century only because a Union was fighting on their behalf.

This campaign is supposed to move beyond Nebraska next week. But, these corporate special interest's initial focus on Nebraska reveals that they're putting a lot of eggs in one basket looking to Nelson as that one vote they definitely need to break ranks with his Democratic colleagues, to flip-flop from his cloture vote in the last Congress, and to turn his back on the American worker at this time of economic crisis.

Now, personally, I respect that Nelson has so far held off on committing one way or another on the Employee Free Choice Act. He's recognized it was legislation that needed improving. But, unlike those who've just wanted any expansion of workers' rights killed on the spot, Nelson has also recognized that a need for reform exists and that this legislation can be improved.

In March, the Omaha World-Herald reported:

Nelson said Thursday that he would not vote for the legislation in its current form because he has concerns about eliminating the secret-ballot requirement and the length of time before mandatory arbitration comes into play. Nelson said he is reserving judgment, however, on whether he would support a cloture motion to give the bill an up-or-down vote. He said his decision will be based on whether the bill goes through the proper procedures and whether opponents are given time to offer their own arguments and amendments.....
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other opponents of the bill identify the cloture vote as the key vote on the legislation, putting senators such as Nelson on the spot. Nelson responded by saying that those same groups are fine with his tendency to support cloture motions when it serves their interests. He said he's trying to be consistent.

As the details of the EFCA compromise emerge, let's hope that Nelson's concerns have been addressed and that he will see that workers can't wait any longer to have their voices heard. Most importantly, though, we have to trust Nelson to stay consistent on cloture and stand up against the corporate special interests who are spending so much money to pressure him on this issue.

They're coming after Nelson because he's kept an open mind and actually listens to Nebraska voters. But, he shouldn't listen to anti-Union garbage. Instead, it's time for Nelson to assert once and for all that he won't play games with the Employee Free Choice Act and will allow it the up-or-down vote it deserves in the U.S. Senate.