Lincoln, Nebraska - progressive? (Atkinson, Franklin: insurance, crime, wedding)

[thatguy1]

Originally Posted by DTO Luv

If the legislators knew that it would just be easier to legalize casinos statewide, then why put forth two bills that pit areas against each other? They let their own bias get in the way and set it up to fail. That's extremely slanted and unfair. If they can't even make fair bills with the chance of something they don't agree with passing then how can you argue that this is a fair, much less progressive, place?

Bingo! That is the Nebraska Legislature's form of lobbying. As Matt pointed out, the bill could have very easily been introduced in a different fashion that could have mutually benefited cities across Nebraska.

The legislature knew exactly what they were doing. It was "set up to fail".

[mattpoulsen]

That was the bill that was pushed by the lobbyists funded by the Vegas Group(s).

There was also some "wanting their cake and eat it too" going on...where some senators wanted to ride the fence and have "some gambling" but not widespread gambling.

My point is the people of Nebraska weren't and aren't against gambling per se. I will NOT defend the legislature though. Its a joke.

Anyway, there are many other states that don't allow gambling. And Nebraska came pretty close to allowing it even with a bad bill. My whole thesis is that the people of Nebraska are no more backwards than the rest of the country. And i believe if a fair bill is put forth it will pass. But because of legislation rules (a "revisit" rule) another gambling bill can't be proposed for a few more years.

[WesternPilgrim]

Originally Posted by DTO Luv

If Nebraskans are so socially accepting then why do we have the laws we do? The only things people really care about the government getting involved with are taxes and probably guns. If it was really "live and let live" we wouldn't have amended the constitution to ban same sex marriage. We wouldn't vote down casinos EVERY time. We wouldn't vote for state legislators who want to close down strip clubs or have wackos harrassing abortion clinic workers in their homes.

Wow! Is Nebraska really like this? That's wonderful! Nice to know political sanity still reigns somewhere. When word gets out you can expect that thousands of conservative Californians (like me and my family), forced into exile, will be flocking to Nebraska.

The question in my mind, however, is whether Nebraska's admirable social conservatism is merely habitual (and therefore slowly on the way out), or whether it comes from strong convictions sustained by religious belief.

[mattpoulsen]

Why does conservatism need stem from "religious beliefs?"

The Founders deliberately chose NOT to incorporate a theocratic bent to the Constitution.

As an anecdotal example, during the constitutional convention Ben Franklin proposed holding a "prayer" before each session in order to help people calm down, during a time of intense debate. The resolution only received 1 other vote. Meaning the delegates nearly unanimously voted against it, one of their reasons...what religion would they pray under??

My point, if the founders in 1787 could recognize that it was silly to prescribe to any one religion then why why why is it so hard for people to understand that today??

One can be moral without religion...and one can be immoral with it.

Would you be okay if the "society" followed the rules of say Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, or Paganism?? Or is it just your religion that should "guide us?"

[DTO Luv]

Originally Posted by WesternPilgrim

Wow! Is Nebraska really like this? That's wonderful! Nice to know political sanity still reigns somewhere. When word gets out you can expect that thousands of conservative Californians (like me and my family), forced into exile, will be flocking to Nebraska.

The question in my mind, however, is whether Nebraska's admirable social conservatism is merely habitual (and therefore slowly on the way out), or whether it comes from strong convictions sustained by religious belief.

Even with your like minded crazy views on religion, anyone from CA in rural NE will be treated like they like crap. They'll assume you're one of the liberals and shun you like the plague.

Ton answer your question I think NE's illogical conservatism is both habitual and religious based. NE is poisoned by religion.

[WesternPilgrim]

Originally Posted by mattpoulsen

Why does conservatism need stem from "religious beliefs?"

It doesn't. One can certainly be a conservative without religion. The problem is that any conservatism which is not rooted in religious conviction is typically just a passing fancy - just another subjective opinion - liable to change or "evolve" with the next popular talk radio host, unable to withstand the assault of modern liberalism in the long run.

Originally Posted by mattpoulsen

The Founders deliberately chose NOT to incorporate a theocratic bent to the Constitution.

That's because the Christianity of the majority of citizens could be taken for granted at the time. In any case, who's talking about theocratizing the Constitution? Not that I'm opposed to the idea, but the Constitution we have is perfectly capable of accommodating religious beliefs.

Originally Posted by mattpoulsen

My point, if the founders in 1787 could recognize that it was silly to prescribe to any one religion then why why why is it so hard for people to understand that today??

The Founding Fathers (yes, they were men, and it's still OK to say "fathers") believed no such thing. The First Amendment to the Constitution is a case in point. The amendment was passed with the support of states which had ESTABLISHED CHURCHES. The amendment was specifically DESIGNED to protect these ESTABLISHED CHURCHES from the federal government. The fear was that a national government would impose a church or religion that was contrary to the established religious beliefs which prevailed in the states.

Originally Posted by mattpoulsen

One can be moral without religion...

Not likely. Without religion, morality is nothing more than a subjective, personal opinion subject to passing fancies and conveniences.

Originally Posted by mattpoulsen

and one can be immoral with it.

That is unfortunately true.

Originally Posted by mattpoulsen

Would you be okay if the "society" followed the rules of say Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, or Paganism?? Or is it just your religion that should "guide us?"

The truth should guide us. Does society have an obligation to seek the truth, to know the truth, to live according to the truth? Of course. And that is the business of religion, not all of which are true.

[WesternPilgrim]

Originally Posted by DTO Luv

Even with your like minded crazy views on religion, anyone from CA in rural NE will be treated like they like crap. They'll assume you're one of the liberals and shun you like the plague.

I doubt it, Luv. Why do you insult Nebraskans? But even if true, that's a small price to pay for being free from homosexual activism, strip clubs, pornographic billboards, Indian casinos, and radical environmentalism which is willing to fallow thousands of acres of farmland to save an obscure fish (delta "smelt") one can barely see under a microscope.

Originally Posted by DTO Luv

To answer your question I think NE's illogical conservatism is both habitual and religious based. NE is poisoned by religion.

That's good news. Thank you.

[Plain Jane 3953]

Let's see - what type of businesses should we develop in good old Nebraska?? Hmmmm - casinos or strip clubs? How about both??

Is it so desperate in the lovely state of NE (I have driven through there many times and I thought it was beautiful) that you folks can't think of any other businesses that could be developed? You know, you guys are not coming across as being very bright (with no disrespect intended).

[soundforlanguage81]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

I was just looking at Obama/McCain...Nebraska does look solidly RED with two specks being Lincoln and Omaha.

Drastically different from say Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Dakotas, Michigan, etc. which has quite a bit more blue..

Since when do the Dakotas have any discernable speck of blue? EVERY state in the frontier strip is and will always be statistically red. A conversation of this subject doesn't need to go into too much detail, statistically rural is red, urban is blue (except for Utah)...that's it and that's all.

[itsMeFred]

The reservations in both Dakotas are very strikingly blue.