Southeast Nebraska speaks up: Letters to the editor for the week of Mar. 13, 2026
Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Lincoln Journal Star.
- Updated
Let me see if I understand this: Gov. Pillen has stated that he wants to run the State of Nebraska as a business. In essence, that means Pillen considers himself the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of this corporation called, “Nebraska.” We, the citizens, are therefore stockholders in this corporation.
Now, COO Pillen began his first term in January 2023 and in that year, Nebraska had a budget surplus of $1.9 billion. Repeat $1,900,000,000 surplus. Today, we have a budget deficit of $646 million. That is quite the financial reversal. That’s a 2.5 billion economic U-turn, from debt-free and solvent to what happened? So, why has our COO allowed our "business” to be in such a dire crisis? In any normal, sane business, a COO who has allowed its company to be in such fiscal doo-doo would have been fired long ago.
- Updated
I’m curious as to when Donald Trump’s 19-year-old son Barron and his 18-year-old granddaughter Kai are planning on enlisting in the military. I am so looking forward to hearing that the two young Trumps have each raised their right hand to swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States. That is, of course, if they have not been plagued by the Trump genetic disorder of bone spurs. Hope to see them in uniform very soon.
Barbara (Lang) Kitsmiller, Lincoln,
- Updated
The signs of a national psychotic break are all present and yet our representatives in Washington choose to ignore them. They have ignored the social withdrawal of our nation as it has alienated its allies. They have ignored the deterioration of our nation’s health and hygiene as they voted to restrict funding for public health and approved the staffing of the Department of Health and Human Services with anti-vaxers. The nation is not functioning well at work. Critical agencies have been defunded, experienced personnel fired or forced to resign, and agencies are headed by incompetent leaders. They ignore unexpected acts of aggression have been occurring at a disturbing rate. We have bombed Venezuelan boats at will, asserting claims that are never verified and we have attacked Iran with no clear plan or purpose. The targeting of immigrants, with and without correct paperwork but no criminal record, visitors to this country, international students, and even our own citizens smacks of paranoia. They ignore this delusional fear that the “other” are out to get us. They ignore the detachment from reality as they accept statements by officials that clearly do not match what we are witnessing. They ignore the flights into magical thinking as our war mongering Secretary of Defense has allowed some commanders to promote their cult-like fantasies of a glorious Armageddon to the enlisted. None of this phases Nebraska’s representatives. They dutifully listened to our Commander in Chief at the State of the Union, with his seemingly declining physical and mental health, lurching from topic to topic, projecting his angry paranoia, and they clapped. They look away as the nation they claim to cherish disintegrates and pretend none of this is happening.
Katherine Turk, Lincoln
- Updated
Now in Congress and supported by our congressional delegation is a suite of nationwide “show your papers” voter regulation bills. They mandate documentary proof of citizenship (e.g., paper birth certificate, passport) and a photo ID, limiting mail-in and online registration. Millions of Americans don’t have easy access to these documents and many lack passports or paper birth certificates. Additionally, women whose married names aren’t on their birth documents might have to prove their "new identity."
These bills have already passed the House of Representatives (Flood voted for) and are being considered by the Senate.
- Updated
As our country marks its 250th year, I’ve been thinking about what truly brings communities together. For me, it always comes down to people — neighbors caring for neighbors. In my role as board chair for the American Red Cross of Southeast Nebraska, I get to see that kindness every day through our lifesaving mission, which has been part of our country’s fabric for more than half of those 250 years.
Every March, we observe Red Cross Month to honor the people who deliver support when help can’t wait. Here in our community, that compassion may be a volunteer comforting a family after a home fire, a blood donor helping a patient they’ll never meet, or a neighbor donating what they can to deliver hope in someone’s darkest hours.
- Updated
According to Forbes, Donald Trump’s net worth nearly doubled in the first year of his second term, jumping from approximately $3.9 billion in 2024 to $7.3 billion in late 2025.
Also, Trump’s scoff-law attitude in office has not gone unnoticed by his minions.
- Updated
I am fed up with Congress kicking the can with Trump! Senators and representatives, you have defined responsibilities under the Constitution which you are not fulfilling. You are responsible for the nation's purse strings but what do we get? Shutdowns. You are responsible for confirming presidential court nominations. What do we get? Political delays until the next election cycle to get who you want. You are responsible for declaring war. You had better take the reins! Declaration of war is your responsibility. The deaths of U.S. military members and innocent civilians on boats or on land caused by Trump's actions are on your shoulders. If you cede to the president's whims in Iran, you have essentially given up your power as a branch of the government tasked to represent the people and defend the constitution. You have to take ownership of your elected position of power now and check the president here. Even if you ultimately choose to follow the president's lead it is your responsibility. This may be your last chance. Use the power of your office or lose it! Check Trump and get a handle on government.
Carter Bryce Pearson, Lincoln
- Updated
In the tenth episode of "Band of Brothers," recently promoted Maj. Dick Winters passed Cpt. Herbert Sobel on a street in Mourmelon, France, following Germany's surrender. Sobel had been Winters' training officer when then-Lt. Winters was at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. Then, Sobel's animosity toward Winters was so extreme Sobel filed court-martial charges against Winters for failure to adequately perform latrine duties. In France, Sobel exhibited the same contempt for Winters when he attempted to bypass Winter without rendering a military salute. Winters stopped Sobel and reminded him that "we salute the rank, not the man." Winters' reminder is apropos for Democrat lawmakers who refused to acknowledge President Trump's effort to enjoin all lawmakers in affirming the primary duty of the American government is to protect American citizens. Though every lawmaker had sworn their commitment to this duty during their office confirmations, Democratic lawmakers chose to express disdain for the man rather than affirm their sacred pact with the American citizen. Notably, military veteran Sen. Mark Kelly, whose service in uniform was exemplary, elected to scowl rather that reaffirm his sacred duty to ensure the safety of his fellow citizens. Those recalcitrant lawmakers should have heeded Winters' message to Sobel for the message they sent is that their commitment to the American Republic is "conditional."
Jerris Cummings, Lincoln
- Updated
Say what!? Nebraska’s budget deficit has jumped from approximately $150 million to $350 million to $650 million in just a year! And now projected to hit nearly 1 billion! How is this happening? While the loss of corporations like Tyson Foods hasn’t helped, the real problem is structural: our tax system favors large corporate interests and top earners while leaving average Nebraska families to shoulder the burden.
For years, our Republican governors have pushed the Legislature to reduce corporate and high-income tax rates, promising growth would offset the loss. In reality, corporate profits have proven volatile, causing state revenues to swing wildly. Meanwhile, hardworking Nebraska families continue paying property, sales and income taxes that fund schools, roads and public safety. This is similar to what happened to Kansas years ago.
More like this...
Let me see if I understand this: Gov. Pillen has stated that he wants to run the State of Nebraska as a business. In essence, that means Pillen considers himself the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of this corporation called, “Nebraska.” We, the citizens, are therefore stockholders in this corporation.
Now, COO Pillen began his first term in January 2023 and in that year, Nebraska had a budget surplus of $1.9 billion. Repeat $1,900,000,000 surplus. Today, we have a budget deficit of $646 million. That is quite the financial reversal. That’s a 2.5 billion economic U-turn, from debt-free and solvent to what happened? So, why has our COO allowed our "business” to be in such a dire crisis? In any normal, sane business, a COO who has allowed its company to be in such fiscal doo-doo would have been fired long ago.
I’m curious as to when Donald Trump’s 19-year-old son Barron and his 18-year-old granddaughter Kai are planning on enlisting in the military. I am so looking forward to hearing that the two young Trumps have each raised their right hand to swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States. That is, of course, if they have not been plagued by the Trump genetic disorder of bone spurs. Hope to see them in uniform very soon.
Barbara (Lang) Kitsmiller, Lincoln,
The signs of a national psychotic break are all present and yet our representatives in Washington choose to ignore them. They have ignored the social withdrawal of our nation as it has alienated its allies. They have ignored the deterioration of our nation’s health and hygiene as they voted to restrict funding for public health and approved the staffing of the Department of Health and Human Services with anti-vaxers. The nation is not functioning well at work. Critical agencies have been defunded, experienced personnel fired or forced to resign, and agencies are headed by incompetent leaders. They ignore unexpected acts of aggression have been occurring at a disturbing rate. We have bombed Venezuelan boats at will, asserting claims that are never verified and we have attacked Iran with no clear plan or purpose. The targeting of immigrants, with and without correct paperwork but no criminal record, visitors to this country, international students, and even our own citizens smacks of paranoia. They ignore this delusional fear that the “other” are out to get us. They ignore the detachment from reality as they accept statements by officials that clearly do not match what we are witnessing. They ignore the flights into magical thinking as our war mongering Secretary of Defense has allowed some commanders to promote their cult-like fantasies of a glorious Armageddon to the enlisted. None of this phases Nebraska’s representatives. They dutifully listened to our Commander in Chief at the State of the Union, with his seemingly declining physical and mental health, lurching from topic to topic, projecting his angry paranoia, and they clapped. They look away as the nation they claim to cherish disintegrates and pretend none of this is happening.
Katherine Turk, Lincoln
Now in Congress and supported by our congressional delegation is a suite of nationwide “show your papers” voter regulation bills. They mandate documentary proof of citizenship (e.g., paper birth certificate, passport) and a photo ID, limiting mail-in and online registration. Millions of Americans don’t have easy access to these documents and many lack passports or paper birth certificates. Additionally, women whose married names aren’t on their birth documents might have to prove their "new identity."
These bills have already passed the House of Representatives (Flood voted for) and are being considered by the Senate.
As our country marks its 250th year, I’ve been thinking about what truly brings communities together. For me, it always comes down to people — neighbors caring for neighbors. In my role as board chair for the American Red Cross of Southeast Nebraska, I get to see that kindness every day through our lifesaving mission, which has been part of our country’s fabric for more than half of those 250 years.
Every March, we observe Red Cross Month to honor the people who deliver support when help can’t wait. Here in our community, that compassion may be a volunteer comforting a family after a home fire, a blood donor helping a patient they’ll never meet, or a neighbor donating what they can to deliver hope in someone’s darkest hours.
According to Forbes, Donald Trump’s net worth nearly doubled in the first year of his second term, jumping from approximately $3.9 billion in 2024 to $7.3 billion in late 2025.
Also, Trump’s scoff-law attitude in office has not gone unnoticed by his minions.
I am fed up with Congress kicking the can with Trump! Senators and representatives, you have defined responsibilities under the Constitution which you are not fulfilling. You are responsible for the nation's purse strings but what do we get? Shutdowns. You are responsible for confirming presidential court nominations. What do we get? Political delays until the next election cycle to get who you want. You are responsible for declaring war. You had better take the reins! Declaration of war is your responsibility. The deaths of U.S. military members and innocent civilians on boats or on land caused by Trump's actions are on your shoulders. If you cede to the president's whims in Iran, you have essentially given up your power as a branch of the government tasked to represent the people and defend the constitution. You have to take ownership of your elected position of power now and check the president here. Even if you ultimately choose to follow the president's lead it is your responsibility. This may be your last chance. Use the power of your office or lose it! Check Trump and get a handle on government.
Carter Bryce Pearson, Lincoln
In the tenth episode of "Band of Brothers," recently promoted Maj. Dick Winters passed Cpt. Herbert Sobel on a street in Mourmelon, France, following Germany's surrender. Sobel had been Winters' training officer when then-Lt. Winters was at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. Then, Sobel's animosity toward Winters was so extreme Sobel filed court-martial charges against Winters for failure to adequately perform latrine duties. In France, Sobel exhibited the same contempt for Winters when he attempted to bypass Winter without rendering a military salute. Winters stopped Sobel and reminded him that "we salute the rank, not the man." Winters' reminder is apropos for Democrat lawmakers who refused to acknowledge President Trump's effort to enjoin all lawmakers in affirming the primary duty of the American government is to protect American citizens. Though every lawmaker had sworn their commitment to this duty during their office confirmations, Democratic lawmakers chose to express disdain for the man rather than affirm their sacred pact with the American citizen. Notably, military veteran Sen. Mark Kelly, whose service in uniform was exemplary, elected to scowl rather that reaffirm his sacred duty to ensure the safety of his fellow citizens. Those recalcitrant lawmakers should have heeded Winters' message to Sobel for the message they sent is that their commitment to the American Republic is "conditional."
Jerris Cummings, Lincoln
Say what!? Nebraska’s budget deficit has jumped from approximately $150 million to $350 million to $650 million in just a year! And now projected to hit nearly 1 billion! How is this happening? While the loss of corporations like Tyson Foods hasn’t helped, the real problem is structural: our tax system favors large corporate interests and top earners while leaving average Nebraska families to shoulder the burden.
For years, our Republican governors have pushed the Legislature to reduce corporate and high-income tax rates, promising growth would offset the loss. In reality, corporate profits have proven volatile, causing state revenues to swing wildly. Meanwhile, hardworking Nebraska families continue paying property, sales and income taxes that fund schools, roads and public safety. This is similar to what happened to Kansas years ago.
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