Now
Overcast
75.0°
High
86°
Low
68°
Full Forecast

Coupon

Jobs

Cars

Homes

Rentals

Alerts

Subscribe
Home > Letters
Bookmark Us   •   Make Us Your Homepage

Letters, 9/3: Nebraskans moving away

Comments 42 comment(s)  
E-mail Story E-mail Story
Print Story Print Story
Share  Share
Text Size: 
Tools Sponsor

Sunday, Sep 03, 2006 - 12:09:48 am CDT

An article that ran in a recent Journal Star asked if Nebraskans are leaving the state because of high taxes. The answer is yes. My parents lived in Nebraska for 72 years. Then, they had to decide whether to risk outliving their retirement income in Nebraska, or move to a more senior-friendly state.

They moved, and left all family and friends, to live in a state where they pay $500 in property taxes as opposed to $3,100.

As the only daughter, I will be taking a week off from work to help my father after surgery. I do it gladly, but oh, how I wish they were 10 minutes away instead of seven hours away.

Are Nebraskans leaving? Yes they are, and most are doing it quietly and without fanfare, and I miss them.

Linda Biggerstaff, Lincoln

River flows not needed

In the Aug. 20 Lincoln Journal Star, Tom Kimmell, executive director of the Irrigation Association in Falls Church, Va., referred to “the state’s obligation to keep the rivers flowing.”

The agreement on river flows on the Republican River, I thought, were a certain percentage of flows. The Platte River has never had continuous flows. Diaries kept during the migration across Nebraska on the Oregon Trail showed that some years, the water did not flow. Also, in the 1930s era of drought, the Platte was dry for months at a time.

The request for continuous Platte River flows comes from outsider government agencies and nongovernment organizations that have devised a scheme to insinuate control through what is called the Cooperative Agreement.

Right now, the Cooperative Agreement is before Nebraska’s governor. If he signs the agreement, Nebraska will be under control of outsiders.

Just recently, I learned that more water is used to produce ethanol fuel than is used to irrigate the corn crop. The solution: move the ethanol plants to New Orleans. There should be enough water for ethanol plants there.

There is another waste of water in Nebraska along the Platte River. The demand for river flows for the whooping cranes is moot because the whooping cranes use man-made ponds and other bodies of water. At the time of the Sandhill Crane migration, those cranes roost overnight in natural wetlands and man-made ponds, as well as on the Platte River. In a time of drought, crane host supporters could help farmers near the Platte River to construct shallow, temporary ponds for the cranes. The endangered fish can be placed in the borrow pits along I-80 or in man-made pits adjacent to the Platte River. Continuous river flows are not needed for crane or fish.

George P. Remmenga, Clay Center

Anti-war, not anti-military

It seems that many who favor the Iraq war have a poor understanding of the anti-war movement. First of all, the peace movement that I support is not anti-military but favors the ethical, responsible and efficient deployment of our troops into combat. The men and women who are willing to die for our country are this nation’s greatest asset and it is the responsibility of not only politicians, but all citizens to ensure that our troops not be put in harm’s way without very good reason.

So after Sept. 11, I supported military action in Afghanistan. After all, there appeared to be legitimate connections to al-Qaida and terrorists there. But when the administration presented numerous faulty rationales for invading Iraq, while the man who admitted responsibility for the Sept. 11 attacks was at large more than 1,000 miles from Iraq, I was outraged.

The so-called Islamic fascism argument is completely without merit in the context of the Iraq war. Al-Qaida hated the secular government of Saddam’s Iraq, which was essentially the furthest thing from Islamic fascism in the entire Arab world. And what is ironic, there are numerous experts who believe Iraq is now closer to Islamic fascism than when ruled by Saddam. So let us be clear, if the Iraq war did not oust Islamic fascism, is it therefore a diversion from the war on terror?

So now in the fourth year of a bloody, seemingly intractable conflict, with no exit strategy, timeline or end of internecine violence in sight, the majority of Americans are finally voicing their disapproval for the war—and it’s about time.

Nate Elmer, Lincoln

Apology needed

Regarding the Cal Thomas column published Aug. 21, which was titled “Defector warns of menace posed by Islam” — I have to say that I am deeply disappointed at the quality of work you allow to be published in your newspaper. I was also saddened that at this time and age there can still be people who are “educated” and are supposed to be leading our community, yet are as ignorant as to say:

“Americans must see past their reluctance to paint all members of a group with a broad brush and realize our failure to act now against this clear and present danger, in the way Sam Soloman recommends, will lead to a disaster for us that is far worse than our Cold War enemies had envisaged.”

Not only was your source completely biased coming as an “expert” from the Israel Project, but the whole column pretty much was based on what he said, and that last paragraph is the biggest piece of anti-Islamic incitement propaganda I have read.

You have such a great responsibility as an editor and regardless of what you may believe, your job does not give you the right to allow for pieces that will incite hate or any other negative feeling against a whole group of people. I deeply believe that you and the author owe an apology to these people.

Ruby Gutierrez, Lincoln

Global holy war

Two members of the godless media are abducted and told to convert to Islam or die. Does anyone still believe this is not a global holy war?

Fred Naumann III, Wymore Curbs need painted

 

I cannot think that Wm. M. Lovelace (letters, Aug. 28) and I are the only ones annoyed by the street islands. These absolutely need to be painted.

When questioned on the radio a while back, I believe the mayor said the paint itself is an environmental issue. This surely can’t be true. It is a safety issue! Especially at night, these divider curbs are almost impossible to see.

Joyce K. Morgan, Lincoln

Farm Bureau did job

The political cartoon by Neal Obermeyer in the Aug. 28 Lincoln Journal Star ridiculing Nebraska Farm Bureau for its handling of the gubernatorial debate at the State Fair deserves a response.

Contrary to what the cartoon suggests, in no way did Nebraska Farm Bureau favor one candidate over the others in our negotiations of a contract leading up to the debate. The use of video of the debate was simply an item of negotiation among the candidates and was not proposed by Farm Bureau. We thought all parties were negotiating this contract clause in good faith up until a week before the debate when the Democratic candidate used the media to wrongly cry foul.

The role of the Nebraska Farm Bureau was to facilitate discussion of the format and the terms of the debate that all candidates would agree to. We strongly believe that it is our responsibility to the public to offer debates in a fair and impartial forum. We sincerely believe we accomplished that mission.

Jay Ferris, Archer, director of Grassroots Programs, Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation


$1 Sunday Delivery - Subscribe Today!
Letters > Back to Top of Story

Post Your Comment

Standards and Rules
All posts to JournalStar.com are subject to our Terms and Standards.
Your posted comment will appear after it has been approved.
Frequently asked questions about story commenting.
(optional)
   
Hide Comments Hide Comments   Newest First Newest First  
Ryan wrote on September 3, 2006 12:41 am:
" Um, Fred, wasn't it Ann Coulter that said we should kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity? Yes, it was. Maybe the war isn't just from Islam. Maybe the religious should keep their religion to themselves to save us all from their wars. Sounds like a good plan to me. "
So true wrote on September 3, 2006 12:52 am:
" I agree with Linda Biggerstaff, Nebraska does have a problem with high property taxes. I foresee a time when even native nebraskians will NOT be able to afford to buy a home due to that very fact. What can be done about this? First we must change the current way Property taxes are assessed. Second, we must change the structuring of Property taxes. For example, let us come up with an alternative way to fund public schools, they are one of reasons property taxes are high. Third, and this is really important everyone, write to your mayor, senators, anyone who will listen, flood the room with letters saying we need to restructure. If we sent each of these a 5,000 letters, someone would pay attention. A taxpayers revolt usually does cause change. "
John wrote on September 3, 2006 2:34 am:
" "They moved, and left all family and friends, to live in a state where they pay $500 in property taxes as opposed to $3,100." Wow. I guess you CAN put a price on family and friends. $2,600 a year it seems... "
BAH wrote on September 3, 2006 7:39 am:
" "George from Clay Center" must be an irrigator. We don't need water in our rivers??? Sure the rest of us will enjoy dry riverbeds so people like George can keep pumping out what they need without thought for others. Ridiculous! "
Hjalmer wrote on September 3, 2006 7:46 am:
" Linda, you've defined the problem, so how to fix it? Many lower tax states have really poor public services like schools and services for the elderly. If Nebraskans want to make the future different, we have to stop exporting our young people that leave to seek jobs that don't exist here. "
Bruce wrote on September 3, 2006 7:50 am:
" John, maybe you could fork over the $2,600. That is allot of money for most people. "
Lars wrote on September 3, 2006 8:45 am:
" Property taxes will continue to go up, and more people will leave Lincoln until or unless we attract and keep more private companies like Pfizer, Gallup and Goodyear. We need to bring more jobs to this community by making it easier, not harder to start a business. Let's encourage more cooperation between the University research departments and private entities to put marketable ideas to use in Lincoln so as to create more jobs and retain the best and brightest instead of driving them away. "
Planning to move wrote on September 3, 2006 9:09 am:
" Between the poor job market in Lincoln and the taxes, my husband and I are also planning a move. Lincoln is at a dead end, and unless you want to live in Omaha, basically the whole state is at a dead end. "
JaneQ wrote on September 3, 2006 9:11 am:
" Biggerstaff and others keep missing the root problem, a Republican led legislature and candidates who continue to fund schools with property taxation. Local cotrol translates into local property taxes...a red state...Go Big Red is a slogan aligned with higher property Taxes. Ricketts, Fortenberry and Raikes all support property taxes as the preferred source of revenue for education. "
Hank wrote on September 3, 2006 9:33 am:
" It is not entirely clear from Frerd's brief letter, but it seems as though he is itsching for a holy war. He seems to condemn the Islamic fanatics and yet his description of the media as "godless" implies that he thinks they should embrace his religion. Is he suggesting that his religion is good while Islamic fanatics are bad? No doubt, there are too many religious fanatics in the Middle East. But Fred makes it clear that there are many religious fanatics here in the U.S. as well. What we need is to get religion out of our politics altogether so that religious fanatics cannot so easily start yet another stupid and inhuman holy war. Why can't we just treat the kidnappers as the awful criminals that they are. Most important, let's stop trying to justify a war against another part of the world by appealing to emotional and irrational religious beliefs. "
Just Wondering wrote on September 3, 2006 9:58 am:
" Fred, sure it's a holy war. I seem to recall one of our generals saying a few years back that "our God was bigger than their God" when talking about Iraqis. We went into Iraq thinking God was on our side and I'm equally sure the Iraqis thought their God was on their side. I agree with Ryan. Maybe all the religious bigots...from Pat Robertson to Cal Thomas to Osama bin Laden to Ahmandinejehad...should keep their mouths shut and their religious views to themselves. After all, that pretty much accounts for all that sectarian violence we're seeing in Iraq now. "
Ann-Fan wrote on September 3, 2006 10:00 am:
" Um Ryan, don't you know that Ann Coulter uses exaggeration and sacarsm to show the liberals how ridiculous their talking points are? Basically she takes their points, turns them around for an alternate perspective, and uses them against the liberals themselves. "
Don wrote on September 3, 2006 10:12 am:
" Uh, Ryan, the difference between the terrorist telling someone to convert to Islam or die and what Ann Coulter said, is that Ann was joking. "
Not hard to see at all wrote on September 3, 2006 10:23 am:
" Dividers are not hard to see at all on the streets. And putting paint on the edges of the dividers would look ugly. Just pay more attention when driving and they are not a problem and not "impossible" to see at night. "
Sean wrote on September 3, 2006 10:33 am:
" "John", someone did put a price of family and friends. It was the state of Nebraska. It's not called "the cost of living" for nothing. "
Sean wrote on September 3, 2006 10:42 am:
" We are at war with Islam. If there is a problem with the way they are being treated, they should get rid of their arms, stop the suicide bombers and declare peace. Until that happens, keeping a low profile for those not directly involved in terrorist activities would seem to be in order. "
money comes from someplace wrote on September 3, 2006 10:47 am:
" You'll notice that 'senior friendly' states (Missouri, Florida, Texas, Arizona) have a few things in common. They all have more mild climates, they draw seniors from all over the country, and they all have a big tourist trade that attracts people on vacation from all over. Places like these can fund their government with taxes on hotel rooms, entertainment, etc. and not have to place the burden on taxpayers. While Nebraska does have some attractions, we do not draw enough people from out of state to foot our bills. The money to run a government has to come from someplace. "
bill wrote on September 3, 2006 11:43 am:
" Nebraskans take note: Missouri has a law that prohibits taxes being raised unless being approved by taxpayers. Confront your legislators with something like. By having a law like that, the taxpayers have to be convinced it's for their benefit to raise a tax or raise a mill levy. Our taxes on homes are based on 19% of appraised value. The appraisal is done by the assessors office. Cars are taxed on 33% of value. It is more senior friendly without lack of services to the seniors. In my small area of the state crime is low, but, with the influx of illegals has been raised. Gas is averaging about 15-20 cents a gallon cheaper than nebraskas due to the law that will not let them raise taxes without a vote by the people. Utilities are lower, my highest all electric house electric bill this summer ( which was one of the hottest on record) was $110. "
Dick wrote on September 3, 2006 11:43 am:
" It isn't that Nebraska is exporting home educated talent, migration is occurring. That is a choice and an iteresting one since an educated population chooses to move away while a less educated population, from south of the border, seeks refuge by migrating here. Is it because educatio, paid for by excessive property taxes, is a neoSocialism brought on by Republican policies? The Principle of Federalism and local taxes supporting education, rather than federal funding, is placing an extra burden on local citizens who carry the weight of educating illegal immigrants and providing healthcare for them. "
Ryan wrote on September 3, 2006 11:52 am:
" Don, Ann-Fan, Ann Coulter has NEVER EVER said that she was joking about any of those things. And when questioned, she stands by her statements. She isn't a satirist, she's an extremist. "
SecularFascism? wrote on September 3, 2006 11:53 am:
" Fascism shouldn't become a term d'jour; did fascism have roots in a membershp, another time and place, i countries wherein Protstants (lots of Lutherans) and Catholics lived? Look at history and not the rewrite of it by the Bush administration. "
Josh2 wrote on September 3, 2006 11:56 am:
" Um, Ann Coulter spews forth the extremist views of conservative movement. She may think she is a walking joke dressed in trashy outfits, but the many people she offends see through her "jokes". "
peb wrote on September 3, 2006 12:35 pm:
" I have friends who checked out moving to Missouri when they retired and they came away depressed at the thought of leaving friends and relatives in Nebraska and depressed at who would be their neighbors in Missouri. They are staying in Lincoln. I also know many, many retired people who have homes in both Lincoln and Missouri or Florida or Texas or Arizona. The weather is the reason they leave Nebraska. Something must be right about Lincoln--it keeps growing. We have complaints about how long it takes to get downtown from people whose homes are in areas that were cornfields just a few years ago. I wonder if the grass is greener on the other side . . . "
Someone wrote on September 3, 2006 1:35 pm:
" It is nice to see that "money comes from someplace" gets it. Yes, taxes are somewhat high in Nebraska. Guess what...not a lot of people live in Nebraska! It is a large area geographically and the state has to provide services to people over a wide area, which increases the costs. With the obvious lack of a tourist trade, the cost of government must be borne by the citizens. The citizens also demand that the government provide a high level of service to its citizens, which only makes it more expensive. An aging population and large numbers of people who pay very little in state income taxes due to low incomes, it is no wonder that the rates are higher. Attracting large corporations to the state is an obvious solution to this problem, and it will eventually help with property taxes once overall revenue is increased. Moving away is not the answer if you are young and earning money, but maybe it is if you are short-sighted and think the grass is always greener. "
Pay also a problem wrote on September 3, 2006 2:01 pm:
" High taxes may well drive seniors away, and that's not good. But young people might be able to tolerate the high taxes if salaries in Nebraska were not so god-awful. Please stop trying to tell young people how they can get ahead in Nebraska because of the low cost of living and other "perks" like cheap public power. There are a number of places where the cost of living is very comparable and salaries are much better. You shouldn't have to be an executive (or the nephew or son-in-law of an exec) to be well-paid, but that's what you are up against in Nebraska! "
Hank wrote on September 3, 2006 2:14 pm:
" Don, you claim that there is a difference between kidnappers demanding that their captives convert or die and Ann Coulter "joking" about the same thing. The problem with your denial is that Ann Coulter does not seem to be joking, and most people who still liten to her don;t think she is joking. She is an integral part of the media manipulation that serves to justify our government's killing of tens of thousands of people in Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, and elsewhere in the Middle East. Coulter's "jokes" help to make Americans accept the killing of those who refuse to "convert" to our cultural beliefs. Fundamentally, Coulter and the many other extremist on the right-wingers are no different from the criminal kidnappers. You would think that after so many centuries we should have progressed beyond the mentality of the Crusades era, but Don, AnnFan, and so many other Nebraskans make it clear that, unfortunately, human progress is a very, very slow process. "
Lindsay wrote on September 3, 2006 2:20 pm:
" The other difference Ann-Fan, is that the Islamic terrorist types DON'T take what Ann Coulter says as a joke. Their history from the Crusades through today with the West has been one of religious strife with Christianity. No, they don't see what her and others say as a joke...they take it as what Americans in general think of them. Is it that difficult to see why they are so angry with us? "
Pete wrote on September 3, 2006 2:24 pm:
" The Biggerstaff letter in an inconvenient truth that Lincoln and Nebraska as a whole must face. Nebraska has neither an oil and gas, manufacturing and high skill industry job base nor a favorable and inviting legal and tax environment enjoyed by other states. Capital is going elsewhere in the USA or World for a more friendly, safe, and profitable place. We must live in the truth and the ultimate fact is that the footprints are leaving Lincoln and Nebraska. They will keep leaving absent some significant change in local and state leadership and a state population that becomes more aware it must pay the bills: there is no magic money. "
No Bill wrote on September 3, 2006 3:37 pm:
" Your electric bill was $110? Mine was $60. Your electric rates are high compared to Neberaska. "
Zoomie wrote on September 3, 2006 4:36 pm:
" Coulter is just taking liberal talking points and turning them around? Are you serious?!?! Please, cite for me liberals/Democrats who have called everyone who joined one political party enemies of America (Ann has). Name me a Democrat/liberal who has called for the murder of a sitting Supreme Court Justice (Ann has). Name one Democrat/liberal who headlined an article "Wrong Lincoln Murdered", to indicate a wish moderate Republican Senator Lincoln Chaffee of Rhode Island be murdered (Ann has)! I find it hard to believe in this era of extremism and hate, that there are still people out there who can be apologists for the hatemongers amongst us, instead of condemning them! "
Lincolnite wrote on September 3, 2006 4:51 pm:
" "No Bill" how did you get your electric bill to $60 for the month? Did you go on vacation? Mine was not $110, but the last couple months it was $85-90. And I'm not elderly, not home much, didn't go on vacation, and live in a somewhat smaller house. "
Susan wrote on September 3, 2006 5:17 pm:
" While the Farm Bureau played an important role in the debates, it was unfortunate the candidates for governor were only heard and not seen; citizens don't want a shroud or cloud hiding these men. Democrats need a net gain of 15 seats to take control of the 435-member House from Republicans .. that is where the Farm Bureau and citizes can affect change and reposition Nebraska as a state who made a significant difference in changing the course of government for accountability. Each district has farmers who realize a urgent need to oust ineffective representatio in the governors office and in the House. As a state, as a nation, we can and must do better and remove incumbents who have been AWOL. "
Hemet wrote on September 3, 2006 5:48 pm:
" In the letter Linda wrote, above, I think it would be more accurate to say more "Lincolnites" moving away. Omaha seems to have a handle on things and people are moving into it. "
DP wrote on September 3, 2006 6:54 pm:
" Absolutely retiring Nebraskans are moving out of State. Nebraska no longer continues to be the Good Life. It's the life of a football season. Our Government is doing little to keep retirees here. You can live in any number of states that don't make you pay taxes when you die, you can live in any number of states and have lower taxes along with wonderful people, wonderful weather, and you can always come back to Nebraska to visit, especially during football season. That's the trend. Don't believe what the leaders tell you, Nebraska is lagging behind and forcing it's longtime dwellers to be first time sellers. "
almost gone wrote on September 3, 2006 8:19 pm:
" peb, we spent part of this summer in MO looking at towns to retire to. We found the locals absolutely delightful!!!! Happy, happy folks- very unlike Lincoln!! Gas was 20 cents cheaper, taxes are 1/6 to 1/10th of Lincoln's. It would be truly foolish to retire in this town. We're outta here the second my hubby gets his watch. The smart students leave- the businesses leave- now the smart old folks are leaving- you know what that means!! Have fun paying for your town while earning minimun wage, kiddies!!!! "
Lincoln wrote on September 3, 2006 8:31 pm:
" Not on the budget plan, home during days, held the temp @ 78 F...highest bill for small home during hottest months was between $*5-$90. LES and Public utilities do make a difference, broadband is already at an excessive rate and Hahn may be the hope for hundreds of thousands of citizens. "
Granny wrote on September 3, 2006 8:52 pm:
" We just returned from spending a week in south-central Missouri. peb, we talked to a lot of the residents there, and come to find out, most of them are transplants from all over. Colorado, California, and lots of former Nebraskans, all happy to be living in that wonderful state, with so much to do, and very little to pay in the way of taxes. We have found the perfect little community for our retirement. Hope we can hold out for three more years! We'll be happy to put NE in our rear-view mirrors forever. Y'all come see us now- we'll leave the light on for ya! "
bill wrote on September 3, 2006 9:06 pm:
" No bill, I only have electric. No natural gas or propane to pay for. Water and sewer is $15 a month, phone with call waiting and caller id is 24.95 and cable is 29.99. I heat and cool 2600 sq ft. I am not trying to convince anyone to move from ne. as we are getting to many people coming to the area now. I am just telling it like it is away from the GOOD LIFE. "
Loving Nebraska and staying put wrote on September 3, 2006 9:06 pm:
" Best to those who find their retirement paradise elsewhere, but mine is Nebraska. "
Glad to see that wrote on September 3, 2006 10:41 pm:
" A lot of folks are looking outside of Nebraska to live, I don't blame them. I'm a transplant to this state. I've seen that there are some serious problems here in Lincoln. Primarily in its structure. The Public Transportation system needs an overhaul, the bus stops running at 6 PM. This means if you work after this you have to find an alternative way to get home. I don't drive, and I can't ride a bike. So here I am sitting unable to support businesses that operate after 6 PM. Not to mention that I can't get jobs that would pay me more because they are after "Normal" hours. I also agree that people need to learn "Friendly" Manners, I've said hello to more people than have said it back to me. Honestly Nebraska! You might find you like some folks! "
MJ wrote on September 4, 2006 2:11 pm:
" I moved back to my x-home state 3 yrs ago. The state I lived in I saved money from my retirement income, I gave heavily to charities. Now in Nebraska I can't even give to charities, nothing left to save from my retirement income and am having to dip into my savings just for utilities, insurance & taxes. If I live here 10 years, it will cost me over $100,000 MORE than the state I moved from. And that isn't even counting the double cost of food, clothes & medical. My property taxes have gone up $500.00 in less than the three years I've been here. In the state I came from my property taxes increased $400.00 in 30 years, and my house was much nicer than the one in Lincoln. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to uproot at this time in my life and move back or somewhere else more reasonable. Nebraska can't have these high taxes and expect the state to ever grow. Little wonder people aren't friendly. "
NOR wrote on September 7, 2006 10:23 am:
" We are not at war against Islam. We are at war against Islamic extremists who alter, manipulate, and take out of context the teachings of their religion in order to control the masses. Islam is a peaceful religion, as peaceful as Christianity, and anyone who says otherwise is just ignorant. With the exception of murder and Terror, Christian extremists in the USA use many of the same tactics that Islamic extremists use to control people. Really I guess we're at war against extremists in general. It doesn't matter if they're muslim, Christian, Jewish, or Hindu, extremists are bad people and we should be at war against all of them. "

Ads by Yahoo!