Increasing Executive Power: Progressively Making Congress Irrelevant

  Author’s Note: This article was originally drafted in mid-June, before the debt ceiling debacle even began to unfold.  I have revised parts of the article to reflect events which have occurred in the interim, but I want to point out that the deal Congress just passed with respect to the debt ceiling is yet [...]

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To Quote A Visitor: Fortenberry is All Talk (and Hair) on Spending

I’m starting the weekend a little early here – looking for some humor in a situation that isn’t really all that funny… The GiN Joint’s Bartender thinks we may need to get a special dartboard for Nebraska’s First District Representative Jeff Fortenberry; he’s making so many appearances in our “Deserving of Darts” feature. One visitor [...]

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Deserving of Darts – Again – Jeff Fortenberry’s Vote on Spending Cuts

I read the news online each morning and sometimes become inspired to post comments concerning certain of the articles I encounter.  I recently got drawn into a discussion on the Lincoln Journal Star website about public employee unions and collective bargaining in Nebraska.  A fellow who identifies himself as “World’s End” accused me of being [...]

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Fortenberry Doesn’t Put YOUR Money Where His Mouth Is

In an interview conducted by the host of a local radio station just prior to the November 2nd election, now 4th term Congressman Jeff Fortenberry made several comments that deserve scrutiny. We’ve already discussed Fortenberry’s apparent back-pedaling, during that interview, from the Republicans’ commitment to the voters to repeal and replace the health reform law. [...]

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Heating and Air Conditional? LES May Decide For You

I was minding my own business at home the other night following an afternoon and early evening spent outside doing some chores and enjoying the brisk fall weather. It’s that time of year when Lincoln residents begin the transition from the air conditioning that, by many, is considered a necessary part of summer comfort to [...]

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Politician Deafness & Other Natural Phenomenon

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 [...]

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Feds Gone Wild? Sure. But What About NE Officials?

By Shelli Dawdy I’m a frustrated taxpayer. Very frustrated. Where’s the frustration coming from? Right here in Nebraska’s capital. As I’ve been looking at Nebraska’s budget, I’ve been very disappointed to realize just how many of those dollars come from the federal government. Recently, I shared two charts that quantify Nebraska’s revenue sources in graphic detail. [...]

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