The Public Pulse, February 3

County Board has cut costs

It appears some people believe the Douglas County Board has been on a spending spree, but nothing could be further from the truth. We've been chopping away at expenses for years.

The Health Department has closed the child health clinic, north Omaha STD clinic and dental clinic. The travelers clinic will be the next service to end because those essential services can be found elsewhere.

Douglas County's payroll has been reduced by 100 people in the past two years, and we have a hiring freeze in place. We have reduced the number of inpatient beds in our community health center.

The county has faced elimination of much funding. The county inheritance tax provides much of the funding for the remaining state-mandated services, many of which target the indigent elderly, mentally ill, children and veterans.

Douglas County is providing state-mandated services in a very effective and cost-conscious manner. While we are providing these state-mandated services as reasonably as possible, the state is taking away a primary funding mechanism (the inheritance tax) that affects 0.2 percent of the Douglas County population.

The board remains committed to continue to look for reductions and cost savings, while maintaining a high quality of services.

Mary Ann Borgeson, Omaha

Douglas County Board member

Sarpy board spending too much

Regarding a Jan. 30 news story, "Double-digit raises up for a vote," I think the Sarpy County Board is being way too generous. I was glad the board postponed its vote to reconsider those raises.

I'm tired of politicians improving their lot when the rest of us are footing the bill. Double-digit raises for the two Sarpy County employees is beyond comprehension. Both positions now pay more than $100,000.

Along with those generous salaries, they're getting their health care and pensions, too. The board talks about raising property taxes if the inheritance tax goes away, but it is OK with huge pay increases?

The board voted to continue health care for itself and other elected officials. Why should these people get such lucrative benefits when many Sarpy County residents are going without pay raises and paying for some or all of their health insurance?

I get the feeling the county board members think they're better than us and therefore deserve more than the rest of us.

Craig T. Rodgers, Bellevue

Good to share our inheritance

It appears Gov. Dave Heineman is pandering to the very wealthy by recommending the demise of the inheritance tax in Nebraska. The inheritance tax seems reasonable, especially for those estates bequeathed to children and grandchildren.

What better time to give something back than when you're gone? Those who receive an inheritance often did little or nothing to earn it, anyway. An appreciation for the public good that comes from the inheritance tax seems to be in order.

Atley Wedemeyer, Omaha

School to train skilled laborers

A Jan. 23 news story was about businessman Cliff Levitan wanting to create a vocational school to turn students who are not college-bound into employees with a skill.

State Sen. Brad Ashford of Omaha realized the importance of the idea and introduced Legislative Bill 1144, which would create a vocational school.

Parents with children who are unhappy with school should join the fight. My brother once had the same idea, but the Nebraska Board of Education was not interested.

Iowa saw the potential after my brother became an employee of a school in Ottumwa and Indian Hills Community College was formed. The school was later expanded and grew into a valuable source for skilled employees, who are in demand around the area.

Nebraska should not give up on its dream for such a school, which would create so many skilled employees who might otherwise drop out of school.

Rachel Greenfield, Omaha

Parish must support own school

In response to letters by Dave Teer and Jo Anne Greene (Jan. 25 Pulse), why is it the responsibility of other Catholic parishes in the Omaha area to make sure these few stay open? Maybe other parishes aren't foundering because their parishioners contribute money every Sunday to the collection plate to make sure their parish stays open and that they have the funds to operate.

I think what Pete Ricketts and his fellow Omaha businessmen are trying to do for Holy Name is wonderful. They have the money to do it. However, Ricketts said half of the students aren't Catholic. So, why do they go there?

I hope these parishes don't close. I think they are all assets to their respective communities. I actually attended one of them.

However, I think the people who belong to these parishes need to look to themselves and to each other to see how they can help contribute to keeping the churches and schools open and not think the rest of the community owes them something.

Laurie Barber, Omaha

Bishop's response disappointing

I'd expect more from Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln than false rhetoric and hateful words in a Jan. 28 news story about government actions protecting the rights of all Americans, including Catholics.

None of the requirements leveled on employers by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services applies to Bruskewitz's sacred house, and they only apply to medical insurers of employed individuals making medical decisions. HHS already yielded on the abortion issue, but that wasn't enough.

God may enter into all places, but the bishop's constitutionally protected church does not and, contrary to the bishop's quote, no Catholic is being forced to support anything in the mandate.

Perhaps the archdiocese should get out of the employment business and return to the days of piety and serving God's children.

Mark Butler, Papillion

Super PAC keeps Stenberg alive

Due to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, we're going to see more and more super PAC involvement with elections. But it is revolting to witness the Senate Conservatives Fund's influence in keeping Don Stenberg's campaign on life-support.

The World-Herald has done voters a great service by notifying readers that this super PAC has raised more than $500,000 for Stenberg, including more than $300,000 in ads. Never mind that Stenberg had only $18,000 in the bank.

Stenberg continuously brags about the super PAC's involvement, making it clear that, if elected, he would be U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint's puppet in Washington, D.C.

I'm supporting Jon Bruning in this race because he's proved as attorney general that he puts the interests of Nebraskans first. He would serve us well in the Senate.

Tom Nesbitt, Lincoln

Senator represents whole state

I have news for political ideologues running for Nebraska's U.S. Senate seat: They are obligated to represent even those who don't vote for them. They're all Nebraskans.

Don Stenberg has already made it clear how poorly he feels about labor in Nebraska. Jon Bruning finds colorful animal names to dehumanize Nebraskans down on their luck.

So far, Bob Kerrey hasn't pointed to any Nebraskans he dislikes and would not represent, were he to run and be elected. Yet, out-of-state ads are already attacking Kerrey for not being a Nebraskan.

What's it going to be: Vote for me — I hate people who work for a living? Or vote for me — I hate struggling raccoons? Will they ask Kerrey for his Nebraska birth certificate?

Robert Perrault, Omaha

Give Congress less time to play

Anyone who has observed the foolishness in the U.S. House and Senate could only believe these jobs should be part-time and that the members should be paid minimum wage.

A.D. Vinke, Omaha

2 new math terms don't add up

This is what comes from basing an education on some magic test. Two items in a Jan. 30 news story, "Low math scores = midyear switch," point out how poor math education is in Nebraska and the country.

The idea that "associative properties" and "prime numbers" should be emphasized in the new math program to better match the state math test says a lot.

The use of these terms does not help students really understand math. Indeed, they are examples of terms commonly used that detract from real understanding and pose roadblocks to learning math.

One could easily make up a list of terms that most adults could not define, yet they are used to teach math. Apparently, they also help determine the test material and, thus, the curriculum.

I've spent hours drilling the meaning of commutative, associative and distributive properties to students because the terms are in classes and on tests. Their use seldom helps, except to provide rules to follow (frequently incorrectly), instead of understanding the process taught.

Stephen P. Horn, Blair, Neb.

Retired math teacher

Have problems, need benefits

If legislation to legalize casinos is to pass, it must allow casinos in any Nebraska city. We already have the problems casinos bring. Now, we need the income they generate.

Lawrence Murray, Omaha

Turning a liability into an asset

Regarding an Associated Press article in the Jan. 31 World-Herald about Burmese pythons eating wildlife in the Everglades, I have a one-word answer: shoes.

Between the Pradas and Bootmakers of the world, there should be a profitable market for python skin. Besides, the python meat probably tastes like chicken.

This is a win-win situation: hunters doing a good deed for the environment and stimulating the economy all the while.

Steven Tracy, Omaha

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