The Public Pulse, March 2

Keep well-being of children first

Despite two decades of compelling research that shows investing in top-quality early childhood programs yields impressive returns in education, health and economic prosperity, some 368,000 of the nation’s most vulnerable infants, toddlers and preschoolers may soon be stripped of early learning services.

In Nebraska, it could mean the loss of as many as 84 Head Start slots, 262 Early Head Start slots and 1,000 child care slots.

Not only would that wipe out what modest gains have been made in recent years, but the ripple effect on teachers and working parents also would be felt immediately. Additionally, the impact of diminished educational success, an increase in local crime and an unprepared work force could extend for years.

U.S. senators are writing a counterpart bill to the devastating one proposed recently in the House, and that bill must at least maintain modest gains made in recent years in critical federal programs as well as support locally run organizations.

Yes, it’s time to budget responsibly, the way families budget. Most families do that by putting the well-being of their children first. Congress should follow suit. In the quest to cut deficits, we cannot sacrifice the next generation in the hopes of saving them.

John Cavanaugh, Omaha

Executive director

Building Bright Futures

Discipline, not poverty, is cause

I would disagree with Thomas A. Hiegel’s Feb. 25 letter that the most important and least talked about factor in a student’s success is the effect of poverty in our schools.

Educational administrators have used this crutch to justify their poor performance.

As a former educator, I have seen kids from Third World countries do well in school despite having slept on a dirt floor, eating a daily meal of a bowl of rice or noodles and speaking English as a second language.

The problem is not poverty but discipline.

Charles A. Rucker, Omaha

Let local governments decide

The point of a Feb. 27 editorial is well taken. Local governments should be able to determine what they want and what they are willing to pay for it. Aid from higher levels of government makes it easier to avoid these hard decisions because it disguises the direct cost of various projects.

Many times, the higher level of government mandates and funds certain requirements. When the funds are removed, it leaves the lower government without the means to fund the mandates. Local governments need the ability to cancel projects when funds are cut off.

The compelling reason the system should be reformed is for improved fiscal discipline. All funding comes from one place — taxpayers.

There is no free money. It is just easier to hide the costs when money comes from a higher level. The cost of projects is higher when the money is moved through higher-level systems to lower levels.

Bob Reel, Omaha

Don’t let cities raise sales tax

I disagree with a Feb. 27 editorial that the Legislature should let cities raise the sales tax. Such an increase wouldn’t cure the insatiable appetite for more and more revenue.

It’s like giving a heroin addict methadone. Cities must live within their means, not spend money carelessly. To quote Republicans, this isn’t the time to raise taxes.

Alex Bernal, Omaha

Revise drunken-driving bill

Regarding a Feb. 27 news story on Legislative Bill 667 to amend Nebraska’s drunken-driving law, the bulk of the bill sounds wonderful, but I’m concerned about the potentially unconstitutional acts it includes — such as requiring purchase of an ignition interlock system upon arrest.

I also am truly appalled that the bill calls for an outright repeal of the administrative license revocation (ALR) program.

I can’t imagine what State Sen. Mike Flood and Attorney General Jon Bruning were thinking. Why would they rather risk the possible loss of $1 million in federal funds than retain and improve the ALR process?

If Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Project Extra Mile can’t get behind Sen. Flood’s bill, there’s clearly something wrong with it. I agree we should have both ALR and ignition interlocks.

Fix the hurdles in LB 667 that Sen. Flood concedes are there. Develop ways of improving the ALR process so it’s rightfully retained. Make sure ignition interlocks are required in a way that doesn’t cost countless hours of court battles over constitutionality.

Once Sen. Flood’s bill has been revised, bring it back and everyone can get behind it.

Charly D. Miller, Ashland, Neb.

Retired paramedic

Emergency medicine author-educator

Improve public transportation

There is a simple solution for stopping people from endangering others by driving under the influence: Build a reliable public transportation system. It also would help keep traffic down.

Christopher Brock, Omaha

Keeping track of local judges

A sarcastic friend of mine once advocated voting “no” every time a judge was up for retention on a ballot. He thought his “no” vote somehow contributed to keeping the entire judicial population a bit more honest.

My views on this approach changed after I read a Feb. 25 news story about how two local judges approached the case involving a six-time DUI offender who has now been charged with a seventh offense.

I now keep a log that I will take with me to the next election. Be assured that these two judges will be at the top of my list as honorable, right-thinking individuals who absolutely must be retained.

I also have a “bad judges list,” and it pains me to admit that the latter is the longer of my two lists.

Dennis Schafer, Omaha

Must accept tough fiscal choices

When unionized government employees demand higher salaries and benefits, who is their opponent on the other side of the negotiating table? Ultimately, the union’s objective is to wrestle more money from taxpayers, who must continually compete in the private economy for jobs.

Government employees with higher salaries and greater job security than those with similar skills in the private sector have no right to complain when governors, mayors and other officials start making the tough but necessary choices.

After all, they were elected to reduce runaway spending and debt. People have voted for financial responsibility because governments at all levels are going broke.

Shelton Alsup, Papillion

Focus more on Bluffs’ downtown

I must take umbrage at a Feb. 28 editorial’s rosy outlook for Council Bluffs. It seems like another smokescreen propounded by the local Chamber of Commerce.

Despite the rhetoric, players on the local scene continue to ignore the most obvious need — a downtown with a more vibrant and lively ambiance. Instead, the focus is on more grandiose ideas that lack any merit as far as community development goes.

There are many little towns and communities across the United States and Europe that have acknowledged that the center of town or the town square is “where it’s at.”

A few cafes with seasonal outdoor seating, some new restaurants and some upscale shopping would transform Council Bluffs into a destination. I don’t see any of this coming from the Chamber of Commerce.

Simon Noel, Council Bluffs

U.S. oil addiction hard to break

Everyone should read Thomas L. Friedman’s Feb. 25 column, “Instability in Arab world aided by U.S. oil addiction.” His solution is the same one he proposed shortly after 9/11 — add a $1-a-gallon gasoline tax.

In 2001, he spoke of using the tax for energy research. Today, he speaks of phasing in the tax at 5 cents a month, starting in 2012, to pay down the federal deficit and, at the same time, force us to drive forward-looking electric cars.

I used Friedman’s 2001 column as a teaching tool over several years. How many of my high school students thought his idea was worthwhile? Very few.

If we had the guts to do what he suggested then, we’d probably not be worried about the increase of the price of oil.

Dave Haar, Omaha

On creating cellulosic ethanol

As a bioenergy researcher, I question some information on cellulosic ethanol in a Feb. 25 editorial. It said, “Researchers are working to biogenetically enhance switchgrass to contain more lignin. That’s the portion of the prairie plant converted into biofuels.”

That’s not correct if the biofuel is cellulosic ethanol, which can be produced from the cellulose and potentially hemicellulose portions of switchgrass. Lignin is actually the portion that acts as a barrier to efficiently produce cellulosic ethanol.

So, researchers are looking for ways to genetically enhance switchgrass and other such grasses to contain less lignin and more cellulose.

Deepak R. Keshwani, Lincoln

Assistant professor

Biological Systems Engineering

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

An inside look at education

As a volunteer in four elementary schools in Omaha each week, I have been very impressed with the professionalism of the principals in each school.

I’ve found teachers to be dedicated, supportive, caring and very hardworking. Providing children with a good-quality learning environment is their top priority.

The children make my day, as they are courteous, respectful and just plain fun to be around. At 75, I consider myself very fortunate to have some kid time each week.

I would encourage other retirees to give a couple of hours a week to a school. Being around youngsters is great medicine.

Bob Lykke, Omaha

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