Southeast Nebraska speaks up: Letters to the editor for the week of Oct. 23, 2026
Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Lincoln Journal Star.
- Updated
Socialism once embraced by only a small coterie of the American electorate as a system of political, economic and social governance is now preferred to capitalism by a wide swath of the American electorate.
According to Gallup polling, those in the 18–34 demographic prefer socialism to capitalism 57% to 43%. Among Democrats, socialism is favored by 65%, and that trend's sails are just now catching wind. Thus, we should ponder whether enthusiasm for socialism should be reflected in our voting choices.
- Updated
Before making a decision on initiatives 440 and 441, we need to find out what happened in states that have tried online sports betting, and the bad results they had to endure.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said that signing a bill to legalize online sports betting is his biggest mistake and regret as governor. He pointed out the severe addiction issues and online threats to Dayton University athletes.
- Updated
I support Pat Condon for reelection as Lancaster County Attorney because he understands that public safety requires both accountability and compassion.
As an attorney for over 50 years, a veteran, and a founding member of the Lancaster County Veterans Treatment Court, I care deeply about how our justice system responds to veterans who become involved in it. Military service does not excuse criminal conduct. But addressing the experiences and challenges that contribute to that conduct can help veterans rebuild their lives and make our community safer.
- Updated
Every year we see an effort to create an "acceptable time/day" to change the time twice a year.
Considering "time" as God (or nature, if you prefer) is not going to change the cosmos.
- Updated
Are you exhausted from the onslaught of mind-numbing political ads? The innuendos and slanderous accusations do nothing to advance an informed decision. Ricketts desperately trying to paint registered independent Dan Osborn as a Democrat (as if there's something wrong with that) makes me wonder what he calls his wife who's running for Regent as an actual (you guessed it) Democrat! But I digress.
This election is very consequential and yet really very simple. The Republicans control all three branches of the federal government and have no one else to blame for the out-of-control gas prices, cost of fertilizer, groceries, and everything else affected by Trump's tariffs. Not to mention the billions being spent on a war that this administration chose to start and has no plan for getting out! We have a president who spends money like a petulant child who stole his parents' credit card while our Congress is standing around checking their shoe shine. This is what happens when we have no checks and balances. This Congress of "conservatives" has allowed our national debt to reach a record $40 trillion.
- Updated
I’m a Lincoln mom of five who has seen volleyball have a big impact on my daughter. Over the years, my husband and I have watched God use it to teach her how to receive instruction and how to be a good teammate, among many other attributes. For my kids and for every child in our community, I support opportunities to learn, compete and grow — especially without new or increased taxes.
Our family supports the proposed N4VB volleyball complex in north Lincoln. This much-needed court space will give kids of all experience levels a place to learn while allowing local athletes more opportunities to compete close to home.
- Updated
I’m so tired of seeing so many running red lights, especially when hearing of all the accidents in which someone is injured or killed. These people think they are more important than anyone else and having to wait one minute is so horrible they would rather risk other people’s lives. Maybe the penalty is not severe enough and should be looked at.
Scott Hayes, Lincoln
- Updated
I urge voters to return Rachel Garver to the office of Lancaster County treasurer.
I first met Rachel eight years ago, shortly after she concluded 25 years of service at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the Office of Student Accounts. At UNL, she was among a group of leaders who met monthly for professional development. With that background and her business degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University, I saw her as an excellent candidate for the demanding role of county treasurer.
- Updated
I am writing to encourage your vote for Kristen Anderson for Clerk of the District Court of Lancaster County. Kristen is a person of high integrity and character. She is organized and gets things done. She looks for new ways to do things and to solve problems.
I experienced these qualities while working with Kristen on the Board of the League of Women Voters of Lincoln-Lancaster County. She was an asset to our board and talented in finding creative ways to approach issues. She took the work of the league and the board seriously but maintained her sense of humor in meetings and interactions. She was able to bring people together to get things done.
- Updated
In a recent interview Jim Pillen says that he won’t debate because it’s “theater." That sounds like code for “I’m scared.” He says that in lieu of a debate he’s had “four years of action” and that should be enough. I, like a lot of others, feel that he has a lot to answer for his “actions” in the past four years. And we want more than prepared statements. We would like to see him in a debate forum where he can answer questions about no-bid contracts for friends, calling Nebraskans childish names, hiring undocumented workers, and so on.
Great leaders debate. Debating has been a basic function of the election process. Throughout our 250-year history, presidents on down to those running for city council have had the fortitude to answer questions in a debate about how they’ve led, or how they would lead. Sadly, our current governor lacks this fortitude.
- Updated
I see you, Donald Trump — a disingenuous man through and through. Lewd, crude, full of sound and fury signifying nothing, with not a single socially redeeming value attached to your name. The promises you make fall away like ash in the wind, and the darkest truth is this: you never intended to keep them. Serial lying will always be in your make-up; it is the engine of your politics. Those promises were never commitments. They were temporary vote-getters for Americans who still believed — perhaps naively — that our presidents, in the end, would choose the right thing.
Instead, we watched you foment a riot and then pardon the very criminals who ransacked the Capitol, an act that will forever stain the history of American democracy. A stain that will not wash out. And those who remain silent — or worse, twist themselves into knots trying to explain away that day — will find their names printed beside yours in the history books. A ledger of cowardice, complicity and moral failure. A record of those who stood by while the country trembled, unable to speak when the moment demanded courage.
- Updated
I am no one important: just a twice‑married American mother of three, working a modest job and raising kids still in school.
I’ve felt many things since President Trump took office, but yesterday was the first time a headline made me physically sick.
- Updated
Randall Ritnour was a Republican his whole life, until the party he belonged to disappeared. He switched to independent — until, he says, “I had to admit to myself I was a Democrat.”
Today, Ritnour hopes to become the first Democrat to be Lancaster County attorney since the office was created in 1890.
- Updated
Few issues matter more to Nebraska than ethanol, and few people have fought harder for it than Congressman Adrian Smith.
In May, the House passed Adrian's Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would permanently allow year-round E15 sales. It passed with strong bipartisan support after years of Congressman Smith’s advocacy as chairman of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus.
- Updated
It was a sad day for Nebraska when the president of the United States addressed a crowd in Grand Island and suggested that the annihilation of a couple of American cities would be a small price to pay for achieving his ill-defined goals in his war with Iran, while our governor and our national representatives said nothing.
Some will say it’s just Trump making a joke. This man is president of the United States, and suggesting harm to any citizen or property in our country is no joking matter.
- Updated
In Mayor Gaylor Baird's State of the City address on Oct. 6, she said "Lincoln has invested $473.9 million in streets, which she said has resulted in 603 lane miles of new or improved roadways," (Journal Star, Oct. 7).
It's also resulted in numerous accidents, of which some were fatal. It's led to long delays due to lane closures, and speeding in neighborhoods. There is no debate our streets need improvement and repair, but it's how that is accomplished that is so frustrating. For example, 84th Street north of Van Dorn has had traffic cones, lane closures and backups for over four months. The construction to put in a new turn lanes for a new retail development on the east side of 84th started June 6. It was scheduled to be completed Oct. 9.
- Updated
My husband proudly served District 38 in the Legislature from 2007 to the beginning of 2015. His district included 36 towns, one of which was Red Cloud. I was appalled and disgusted to hear Dan Osborn's filthy language and the lack of respect he displayed in his shocking comments about supposed residents of Red Cloud.
Red Cloud and its citizens are among the finest in our state. The town's legendary history as being the home of Willa Cather makes it a gem enjoyed by Nebraskans and out of state tourists as well. Dan Osborn is now backpedaling, but the truth is there are politicians and statesmen and it is easy to tell the difference between the two. My husband was a statesman who loved and respected his constituents and the communities he represented. His motto was, "Integrity always matters because it is never wrong to do the right thing." That is a simple truth Dan Osborn apparently does not live by because his behavior was an embarrassment. The people of Red Cloud deserve better.
- Updated
Is there one person reading this letter who wouldn't agree getting money out of politics is critically needed? But for now we must deal with the political climate as it is. The long term fix has to come from Congress. That, however, does not leave us powerless. We can use our vote to say no to big individual and corporate money.
Pete Ricketts has taken money from multiple big corporations. His opponent, Dan Osborn, has taken none. Osborn has relied on individual donations.
- Updated
Proponents of Initiatives 440 and 441 claim online betting will cut property taxes by $166 million, but note this is over the next 10 years— about $16.6 million per year. That might sound appealing until you realize Nebraskans paid around $5.59 billion in property taxes in 2025. $16.6 million amounts to about 0.3% of that total. If your property tax bill is $3,000, the reduction would be about $9. Don’t support these initiatives expecting meaningful property tax relief; only back them if you genuinely believe online gambling is worthwhile.
Steve Holland, Lincoln
- Updated
The true test of a good leader is not whether mistakes happen under their leadership, but how they respond when they do. Do they show up, take responsibility and make meaningful changes? Their actions in those moments speak volumes about their character.
Rachel Garver has done exactly that.
- Updated
As members of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, we join fellow Regents Jim Scheer and Kathy Wilmot in supporting Dr. Jeremy Hosein.
The university faces consequential decisions about affordability, academic excellence, enrollment and preparing Nebraska’s workforce. Meeting these challenges requires thoughtful leadership, a willingness to ask hard questions, and the ability to work constructively across our state.
- Updated
At election time, I am often reminded of the witticisms of Will Rogers, a humorist philosopher of a hundred years ago. His commonsense sayings appealed to the downtrodden people of the Great Depression. I give you a few from the 1928 election:
Asked if there should be presidential debates? Yes: "Joint debate — in any joint you name."
- Updated
The silly season is here again. The season when local politics decides that the Nebraska tradition should not be win on the field but rather let's see if we can change the rules. Good Government Lincoln wants you to believe three petitions we will vote on in November are about "better government" and not purely political.
One petition would limit City Council representative to two terms. Is that because the current seats are filled by six Democrats and one Republican? Not a word was spoken when a seat was occupied by a Republican for five terms. Where was the concern then? Not one of the current seats is held by someone with over three terms and NOW there is concern about "representation?" No hypocrisy there.
- Updated
I’ve met Chris Backemeyer several times and have found him to be informed, articulate and measured in his assessment of our country’s standing in the world and of our needs here at home.
Backemeyer will help reestablish Congress as a coequal branch of our federal government. He’s also an unabashed patriot — a man who loves this country so much that he quit his job after 9/11, earned a job in intelligence at the U.S. State Department, and for 20-plus years worked to throttle the finances of global terrorist organizations. His area of expertise: the Middle East, with a focus on Iran.
More like this...
Socialism once embraced by only a small coterie of the American electorate as a system of political, economic and social governance is now preferred to capitalism by a wide swath of the American electorate.
According to Gallup polling, those in the 18–34 demographic prefer socialism to capitalism 57% to 43%. Among Democrats, socialism is favored by 65%, and that trend's sails are just now catching wind. Thus, we should ponder whether enthusiasm for socialism should be reflected in our voting choices.
Before making a decision on initiatives 440 and 441, we need to find out what happened in states that have tried online sports betting, and the bad results they had to endure.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said that signing a bill to legalize online sports betting is his biggest mistake and regret as governor. He pointed out the severe addiction issues and online threats to Dayton University athletes.
I support Pat Condon for reelection as Lancaster County Attorney because he understands that public safety requires both accountability and compassion.
As an attorney for over 50 years, a veteran, and a founding member of the Lancaster County Veterans Treatment Court, I care deeply about how our justice system responds to veterans who become involved in it. Military service does not excuse criminal conduct. But addressing the experiences and challenges that contribute to that conduct can help veterans rebuild their lives and make our community safer.
Every year we see an effort to create an "acceptable time/day" to change the time twice a year.
Considering "time" as God (or nature, if you prefer) is not going to change the cosmos.
Are you exhausted from the onslaught of mind-numbing political ads? The innuendos and slanderous accusations do nothing to advance an informed decision. Ricketts desperately trying to paint registered independent Dan Osborn as a Democrat (as if there's something wrong with that) makes me wonder what he calls his wife who's running for Regent as an actual (you guessed it) Democrat! But I digress.
This election is very consequential and yet really very simple. The Republicans control all three branches of the federal government and have no one else to blame for the out-of-control gas prices, cost of fertilizer, groceries, and everything else affected by Trump's tariffs. Not to mention the billions being spent on a war that this administration chose to start and has no plan for getting out! We have a president who spends money like a petulant child who stole his parents' credit card while our Congress is standing around checking their shoe shine. This is what happens when we have no checks and balances. This Congress of "conservatives" has allowed our national debt to reach a record $40 trillion.
I’m a Lincoln mom of five who has seen volleyball have a big impact on my daughter. Over the years, my husband and I have watched God use it to teach her how to receive instruction and how to be a good teammate, among many other attributes. For my kids and for every child in our community, I support opportunities to learn, compete and grow — especially without new or increased taxes.
Our family supports the proposed N4VB volleyball complex in north Lincoln. This much-needed court space will give kids of all experience levels a place to learn while allowing local athletes more opportunities to compete close to home.
I’m so tired of seeing so many running red lights, especially when hearing of all the accidents in which someone is injured or killed. These people think they are more important than anyone else and having to wait one minute is so horrible they would rather risk other people’s lives. Maybe the penalty is not severe enough and should be looked at.
Scott Hayes, Lincoln
I urge voters to return Rachel Garver to the office of Lancaster County treasurer.
I first met Rachel eight years ago, shortly after she concluded 25 years of service at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the Office of Student Accounts. At UNL, she was among a group of leaders who met monthly for professional development. With that background and her business degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University, I saw her as an excellent candidate for the demanding role of county treasurer.
I am writing to encourage your vote for Kristen Anderson for Clerk of the District Court of Lancaster County. Kristen is a person of high integrity and character. She is organized and gets things done. She looks for new ways to do things and to solve problems.
I experienced these qualities while working with Kristen on the Board of the League of Women Voters of Lincoln-Lancaster County. She was an asset to our board and talented in finding creative ways to approach issues. She took the work of the league and the board seriously but maintained her sense of humor in meetings and interactions. She was able to bring people together to get things done.
In a recent interview Jim Pillen says that he won’t debate because it’s “theater." That sounds like code for “I’m scared.” He says that in lieu of a debate he’s had “four years of action” and that should be enough. I, like a lot of others, feel that he has a lot to answer for his “actions” in the past four years. And we want more than prepared statements. We would like to see him in a debate forum where he can answer questions about no-bid contracts for friends, calling Nebraskans childish names, hiring undocumented workers, and so on.
Great leaders debate. Debating has been a basic function of the election process. Throughout our 250-year history, presidents on down to those running for city council have had the fortitude to answer questions in a debate about how they’ve led, or how they would lead. Sadly, our current governor lacks this fortitude.
I see you, Donald Trump — a disingenuous man through and through. Lewd, crude, full of sound and fury signifying nothing, with not a single socially redeeming value attached to your name. The promises you make fall away like ash in the wind, and the darkest truth is this: you never intended to keep them. Serial lying will always be in your make-up; it is the engine of your politics. Those promises were never commitments. They were temporary vote-getters for Americans who still believed — perhaps naively — that our presidents, in the end, would choose the right thing.
Instead, we watched you foment a riot and then pardon the very criminals who ransacked the Capitol, an act that will forever stain the history of American democracy. A stain that will not wash out. And those who remain silent — or worse, twist themselves into knots trying to explain away that day — will find their names printed beside yours in the history books. A ledger of cowardice, complicity and moral failure. A record of those who stood by while the country trembled, unable to speak when the moment demanded courage.
I am no one important: just a twice‑married American mother of three, working a modest job and raising kids still in school.
I’ve felt many things since President Trump took office, but yesterday was the first time a headline made me physically sick.
Randall Ritnour was a Republican his whole life, until the party he belonged to disappeared. He switched to independent — until, he says, “I had to admit to myself I was a Democrat.”
Today, Ritnour hopes to become the first Democrat to be Lancaster County attorney since the office was created in 1890.
Few issues matter more to Nebraska than ethanol, and few people have fought harder for it than Congressman Adrian Smith.
In May, the House passed Adrian's Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would permanently allow year-round E15 sales. It passed with strong bipartisan support after years of Congressman Smith’s advocacy as chairman of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus.
It was a sad day for Nebraska when the president of the United States addressed a crowd in Grand Island and suggested that the annihilation of a couple of American cities would be a small price to pay for achieving his ill-defined goals in his war with Iran, while our governor and our national representatives said nothing.
Some will say it’s just Trump making a joke. This man is president of the United States, and suggesting harm to any citizen or property in our country is no joking matter.
In Mayor Gaylor Baird's State of the City address on Oct. 6, she said "Lincoln has invested $473.9 million in streets, which she said has resulted in 603 lane miles of new or improved roadways," (Journal Star, Oct. 7).
It's also resulted in numerous accidents, of which some were fatal. It's led to long delays due to lane closures, and speeding in neighborhoods. There is no debate our streets need improvement and repair, but it's how that is accomplished that is so frustrating. For example, 84th Street north of Van Dorn has had traffic cones, lane closures and backups for over four months. The construction to put in a new turn lanes for a new retail development on the east side of 84th started June 6. It was scheduled to be completed Oct. 9.
My husband proudly served District 38 in the Legislature from 2007 to the beginning of 2015. His district included 36 towns, one of which was Red Cloud. I was appalled and disgusted to hear Dan Osborn's filthy language and the lack of respect he displayed in his shocking comments about supposed residents of Red Cloud.
Red Cloud and its citizens are among the finest in our state. The town's legendary history as being the home of Willa Cather makes it a gem enjoyed by Nebraskans and out of state tourists as well. Dan Osborn is now backpedaling, but the truth is there are politicians and statesmen and it is easy to tell the difference between the two. My husband was a statesman who loved and respected his constituents and the communities he represented. His motto was, "Integrity always matters because it is never wrong to do the right thing." That is a simple truth Dan Osborn apparently does not live by because his behavior was an embarrassment. The people of Red Cloud deserve better.
Is there one person reading this letter who wouldn't agree getting money out of politics is critically needed? But for now we must deal with the political climate as it is. The long term fix has to come from Congress. That, however, does not leave us powerless. We can use our vote to say no to big individual and corporate money.
Pete Ricketts has taken money from multiple big corporations. His opponent, Dan Osborn, has taken none. Osborn has relied on individual donations.
Proponents of Initiatives 440 and 441 claim online betting will cut property taxes by $166 million, but note this is over the next 10 years— about $16.6 million per year. That might sound appealing until you realize Nebraskans paid around $5.59 billion in property taxes in 2025. $16.6 million amounts to about 0.3% of that total. If your property tax bill is $3,000, the reduction would be about $9. Don’t support these initiatives expecting meaningful property tax relief; only back them if you genuinely believe online gambling is worthwhile.
Steve Holland, Lincoln
The true test of a good leader is not whether mistakes happen under their leadership, but how they respond when they do. Do they show up, take responsibility and make meaningful changes? Their actions in those moments speak volumes about their character.
Rachel Garver has done exactly that.
As members of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, we join fellow Regents Jim Scheer and Kathy Wilmot in supporting Dr. Jeremy Hosein.
The university faces consequential decisions about affordability, academic excellence, enrollment and preparing Nebraska’s workforce. Meeting these challenges requires thoughtful leadership, a willingness to ask hard questions, and the ability to work constructively across our state.
At election time, I am often reminded of the witticisms of Will Rogers, a humorist philosopher of a hundred years ago. His commonsense sayings appealed to the downtrodden people of the Great Depression. I give you a few from the 1928 election:
Asked if there should be presidential debates? Yes: "Joint debate — in any joint you name."
The silly season is here again. The season when local politics decides that the Nebraska tradition should not be win on the field but rather let's see if we can change the rules. Good Government Lincoln wants you to believe three petitions we will vote on in November are about "better government" and not purely political.
One petition would limit City Council representative to two terms. Is that because the current seats are filled by six Democrats and one Republican? Not a word was spoken when a seat was occupied by a Republican for five terms. Where was the concern then? Not one of the current seats is held by someone with over three terms and NOW there is concern about "representation?" No hypocrisy there.
I’ve met Chris Backemeyer several times and have found him to be informed, articulate and measured in his assessment of our country’s standing in the world and of our needs here at home.
Backemeyer will help reestablish Congress as a coequal branch of our federal government. He’s also an unabashed patriot — a man who loves this country so much that he quit his job after 9/11, earned a job in intelligence at the U.S. State Department, and for 20-plus years worked to throttle the finances of global terrorist organizations. His area of expertise: the Middle East, with a focus on Iran.
More like this...
Locations
Most Popular
-
Lexington teacher and local photographer donates $4,500 in camera equipment to Lexington Public Schools
-
Homecoming battle: Lexington pulls off 34-33 thriller over Beatrice
-
Lexington City Council ratifies purchase of real estate from Tyson Foods
-
Bringing pride back: Lexington boys tennis brings home Class B runner-up for first time in 23 years
-
'Out of rhythm': No. 1 Nebraska loses a set — but not its stride — in win over Purdue
Print Ads
