Thanks to Don Raskey, who has followed this issue, gathered information, and kept us informed for the past several months. The bulk of information for this post was provided by him. ***ACTION ALERT*** It’s possible to avoid a source of electrical rate increases in the immediate and long term IF those of us who want [...]
It’s not exactly news to anyone paying attention: the US government has a mounting pile of unsustainable debt. A quick look at how we spend our money reveals that welfare (“entitlement”) programs comprise over 50% of the budget. As the amount of social security paid out now exceeds the amount taken in, as the stated [...]
Nebraska Appleseed is a Lincoln-based entity that seems to be on the wrong side of just about every issue limited government types are concerned about. If it costs money, grows government, facilitates the welfare state, promotes a “green” agenda, and potentially raises taxes, odds are high…Nebraska Appleseed would be for it. GiN’s “Deserving of Darts” [...]
Posted by Shelli Dawdy In my last article, I talked about how elected officials don’t often hear from those of us who just want to be left alone and don’t want anything from government. I theorized that is likely why, by the time politicians have run for higher office such as US Congress, they are [...]
Posted by Shelli Dawdy Why do federal elected officials seem to be impervious to the objections of their constituents, specifically when those objections are voiced in large numbers? That phenomenon was very well illustrated by the drama that reached a crescendo on October 3, 2008. Congress passed the bailout bill (TARP) despite call ratios into [...]
A GiN Toast goes to the Clinic With A Heart featured in the September 7 edition of the Lincoln Journal Star. The seven year old project shows how private citizens, churches, and businesses working together can provide for the needy within their community – without government support. We applaud the very hard work over the [...]
I don't know about anyone else, but I am rather shocked to discover that Nebraska receives so very much of its budget from the Federal government. Silly, silly me. So much for state sovereignty...Seems rather curious that our Governor has been complaining about the acceptance of federal funds recently...
On August 27th, the Platte Institute for Economic Research (Platte) sent out an email newsletter with a feature article entitled "The Economic Benefits of SNAP" in Nebraska. In 1996, Democrats and Republicans recognized welfare programs do nothing more than create cycles of dependency. The result was across the board welfare reform. Programs like SNAP are on the march to reversing those reforms.
The City of Lincoln, Nebraska is in debt and recently took on an arena project that will cost much more than the $300 million+ projected. Mayor Chris Beutler and the City Council, despite these facts, have painted themselves into corners and are hard pressed to resist demands for all services to remain in place.
When considering how to get out of the way of the growing red ink tsunami gushing out of D.C., one of the first questions that comes to mind is what states can do about it. Many federal programs could be rejected by states, but they aren't. Obviously, they want the money. Prior governors and legislators have opted to accept federal funds in an effort to tout how much they accomplish while in office, handing the strings and increased obligations to the next set of officials.