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Dick Trail

The Way I Saw It

Opinion

A question for Sasse

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

To review a bit. Retired Senator Ben Nelson had a distinguished political career in Nebraska. In college young Ben worked for then governor Frank Morrison. Then on to a successful career in the insurance business. Eventually Ben ran for the Nebraska Legislature and was elected from a majority Republican district even though he was an unshakable Democrat. Next step Ben ran for and was elected Governor of the State of Nebraska. A Democrat in strong Republican territory. Popular he ran again and was reelected.

Having a popular record as Governor Ben then ran for the US Senate and was elected. For Nebraska he was a good fit able to negotiate both sides of the aisle in the Senate. Then came the vote for socialized medicine, Obamacare. Ben was the last man standing and his NO vote could have tanked President Obama's favored socialist program. But he caved, gave a lame excuse, voted YES and Obamacare was foisted on the country.

Nebraska wasn't happy. Ben received a chilly reception when he came back home to Lincoln. His team put feelers out to see if his reelection to the Senate would be possible and evidently they received a resounding consensus of "not possible to reelect"!

Next thing we the Nebraska voters learned was that Ex-Senator Ben has been selected CEO of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) conveniently officed in Washington D.C. The salary a tad less than a $1.0 million a year. Health insurance Obamacare just a coincidence right?

Never has it been openly admitted that the fix was in. Senator Ben already had a more than comfortable retirement stipend earned as a US Senator but gee $1.0 million a year for doing little would be tough to pass up. Vote your conscience.

Now we have U.S. Senator Ben Sasse and a contentious election for president in the making. Ben pleas that he is no politician and as a new-comer is still learning to ask the "right" questions. His Senate voting record so far has earned him ranking as the 3rd most conservative senator. A good thing.

Sen. Ben Sasse has recently stated that he is uncomfortable with the Republican nominee for president Donald Trump. Understandable but separating Senator Sasse from the rest of us decidedly Republican voters the Honorable Senator has publicly announced that he will not endorse Donald Trump for President nor will he vote for him.

To me that means that Senator Sasse, Republican from Nebraska, would be more comfortable with a Hillary Presidency than one headed by the bombastic Donald Trump. Humm.

Then at Monday evening town hall meeting at the McCook Elementary, Grannie Annie boldly stepped forward and asked Sen. Sasse point blank if he had been promised a position of Washington power if he helped enable a win for Hillary. Go Grannie! To his credit the Senator's response was civil and he explained in detail how his conscience stemming from his oath of office would not allow him to vote for a presidential candidate whose word one could not rely on. He also cited examples of how Trump gave differing lists of names of whom he might nominate for Supreme Court judges depending on the groups of people he was talking to. Hillary's record of truthfulness we are all aware.

'Tis a shame that politics and politicians have earned such a distaste in the minds of we the people who vote. Honest and above-board would be such a better way to conduct the business of the nation but what we have smells of corruption. I guess Alexis de Tocqueville had it about right when he stated "In a democracy, the people get the government they deserve." Vote wisely.

That is how I saw it.

Dick Trail

Comments
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  • To not vote for Trump is a vote for Hillary. We basically know where Clinton stands on gradually moving the US toward a more socialism form of government. What Trump would do is unknown. Neither is a position I wish to be in so it is a choice between voting for a hope and a prayer or a move to the left

    -- Posted by dennis on Tue, Aug 16, 2016, at 5:13 PM

  • I applaud Senator Sasse for having the courage to do the right thing instead of blindly following his party. We need more politicians like him.

    -- Posted by Diatheke on Tue, Aug 16, 2016, at 10:54 PM

  • I understand mr sassy is getting the same kind of reception around the state as he travels on the taxpayer's dime trying to whitewash his decision to not support Trump, thereby supporting the dishonorable ms Killary and her mob of disorganized crime members. I even understand he cut short his appearance at Kimball, as he couldn't take the heat there??? Well, mr sassy, get used to it, as bendover ben could explain to you, when you screw Nebraskans, they will usually get the last shot! But alas, sassy will still get his pension, and probably a cushy job on the hill, whoring for the demonrats, with more opportunities to screw us. After all, that's how politics are anymore! Sigh........

    -- Posted by allstar69 on Tue, Aug 16, 2016, at 11:47 PM

  • Oh my, Mr. Trail, you just can't resist slamming Sen. Nelson can you? You're turning that nice shade of green again. (Green with envy).

    If he's fortunate enough to be hired at a million, good for him.

    Since it will probably not make any difference in the 3rd district, since whoever the republican candidate is, will get the votes. Mr. Trump is a con man, hopefully people will see it. Just today it's disclosed that he paid as little as 17 cents on the dollar for the taxes his casinos owed the state of New Jersey.(This was after his buddy Chris Christy became the governor) What are your thoughts on people like Trump that take bankruptcy to avoid paying the taxes they legally owe? And remember he is a HUGE millionaire, he should be able to pay his taxes like the rest of us if he is SO HUGE.

    I agree with Diatheke about not blindly following the party line, more people need to research the candidates and vote for the individual, not voting a party line be it republican or democrat. Perhaps we wouldn't have some of the deadbeat, career politicians that are continually voted back into office.

    -- Posted by fit2btied on Tue, Aug 16, 2016, at 11:53 PM

  • Fit, not sure of Trump paying only 17 percent. But what about the Clinton Foundation actually giving only about 10 percent to charity? The rest of the millions goes I the pockets of the Clintons and their cronies running the foundation. And Hillary giving about 98 percent of her charitable donations back to the Foundation,.....which supports her.

    -- Posted by dennis on Wed, Aug 17, 2016, at 8:11 AM

  • IMO, We the People are between a Rock and a Hard Place, so to speak. I would remind Senator Sasse, that Conservatives, are forgiving of outsiders, but when an 'Insider' walks away from the Conservative Format of Honor, and Refuses to Vote for the 'Legal' Representative of the Conservative, We, the Conservative People, might have great heartburn, when he asks to be accepted, in the event, there is a Conservative, not then in Prison, as a 'Potential Terrorist.' (Yes, they are trying to neuter the Conservative, through Fear, or Incarceration; according to numerous sources).

    About Trump being a 'Con Man,' which, just could be, by most Conservative Standards, but, But, BUT, look at who we have had in Office/Golf-Green, for the past, almost Eight years. And everyone wants to squawk about Trump being a Con-Man?? His holdings are World-Wide, yes, but as far as I understand, NOT, Offshore, paying NO Tax's. Nickle and Dime, all you want, folks, Trump is the only Candidate that I feel, Might, just Might, actually do as he has promised. His Liberal Opponent, has a Track-record that 'Trumpets,' We the People, mean nothing to her, only her vision of being the First Woman President, and possibly, the Final 'leader' of the Once Great, USA. End of Rant We have much to Ponder, and Pray on, before the POTUS-BOMB Drops, in November. AMEN

    -- Posted by Navyblue on Wed, Aug 17, 2016, at 10:59 AM

  • Dennis

    Your statement that the Clinton Foundation actually gives only 10 percent to charity doesn't seem to hold water. Can you provide a credible source for your statement?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton_Foundation

    -- Posted by Geezer on Wed, Aug 17, 2016, at 3:25 PM

  • Geezer, the figure is closer to 15 percent. The Foundation was placed on the Charity Navigator watch list in 2010. Recently it was removed despite the Navigator saying the Foundation does not operate like most "charitable" foundations. Sources include Dec. 2015; New York Post April 2015; Federalist March 2015; Pundit Fact April 2015. I do know that the Foundation was cleared by different charity watch lists. Like many things with the Clintons, the view of the respectfulness is different depending which side of the table you are on. The same result will most likely emerge with the Foundation and the Sec. of State pay to play issues

    -- Posted by dennis on Wed, Aug 17, 2016, at 3:57 PM

  • Conservatism was dying a slow death. Trump has sped up the process significantly. That is one reason to like him I guess.

    -- Posted by Diatheke on Wed, Aug 17, 2016, at 8:24 PM
  • *

    Senator Sasse claims "Trump gave differing lists of names of whom he might nominate for Supreme Court judges depending on the groups of people he was talking to."

    Really? Produce the evidence, Senator Sasse. I will wager you cannot do so; because, if such evidence truly exists, the liberal press would presently have a field day with its revelations.

    Therefore, Senator, I can only presume you are a LIAR. No surprise there, Ben. You are as much a grandstanding opportunistic fraud as was your namesake predecessor, Senator Ben Nelson.

    In not supporting the GOP nominee for the presidency - Donald J. Trump - you like Nelson, prove yourself a treacherous back-stabbing *******.

    I suppose that the make up of the U.S. Supreme Court under a Clinton Administration has no positive persuasion upon your pusillanimous purist principals. Like all ideologues, you will willing sacrifice the good of the many for your own selfish gain. It's all a game to you.

    But then, Senator Sasse, you are adept at playing such nefarious games ... Shall we get into the sordid details of the Congressional Page Program that you tutored (1996-98)? You know, Ben - the one where you refused to disavow that pedophile, Dennis Hastert? This, despite your claiming that Trump's refusal to disavow the KKK (a flat-out lie on your part) was an admission of support.

    Oh, by the way, Ben - the next time you give one of your famous "conservative" rants before the U.S. Senate - it would be better received if the Senate chamber actually had its members present.

    -- Posted by Bruce Desautels on Thu, Aug 18, 2016, at 9:17 PM

  • Geezer, it was good to hear that if Clinton is elected president the Foundation will stop taking money from countries that have human roghts violations. Of course if she is not elected those donations will still be welcome even if those counties are anti-women, anti-gay, anti-Christian....honestly I question, as do others, if the Clinton Foundation is not mostly a front for the Clinton family and friends to gain power and make money.

    -- Posted by dennis on Fri, Aug 19, 2016, at 1:38 PM

  • Dennis, I am not a Hillary Fan either. Mainly due to her connections with Wall Street. She has come forward with her tax returns and they are available for Public review.

    I view her involvement with the Clinton Foundation in the same light as Vice President Cheney and his relationship with Haliburton which received a huge military contract during his tenure. Last time I researched that issue there was still $8 billion unaccounted for.

    When do you think Candidate Trump will release his tax returns so we can all see his financial connections?

    -- Posted by Geezer on Fri, Aug 19, 2016, at 5:32 PM

  • Geezer, I think he will release them when the audit is complete. When will Hillary release the transcripts of the $500,000 speeches to Wall Street? Or the 33,000 emails she deleated? I am clearly not a Hillary fan and not crazy about Trump either but will vote for the devil I do not know...Trump...vs. the devil we know is a devil

    -- Posted by dennis on Fri, Aug 19, 2016, at 8:20 PM

  • Dennis, I do believe the FBI is in the process of turning over e-mails they have recovered to GOP lawmakers and Judicial Watch which filed the FOI request and subsequent lawsuit.

    http://www.npr.org/2016/08/16/490251490/fbi-turns-over-secret-clinton-email-docu...

    I don't believe Hillary is required to release the transcripts of her speeches - did she break a law?

    I don't think Trump is required to release his taxes either, although it has become customary to do so in Presidential Elections. I believe Romney also was being audited but released at least some years of his returns.

    -- Posted by Geezer on Fri, Aug 19, 2016, at 9:42 PM

  • Dennis, ...the 17 cents on the dollar, he paid on back taxes and after years of costly lawsuits by New Jersey, is a matter of public record. Just an example of his financial workings.

    allstar69, hopefully the people will see that Sasse was an opportunist carpetbagger and vote him out of office, sadly he will still receive a partial pension if he completes his 6 year term, and then hopefully is voted out of office. But I have a feeling that won't happen since so many people in this state vote the straight party line and not for the individual.

    Just maybe Mr. Trail will stop attacking Mr. Nelson, it's really getting old, we all know how you feel about him, do you have to continue? The nice green of envoy and jealousy do not become you.

    Back to the Trumpster, there is nothing stopping him releasing his tax returns,(per the IRS) the audit is nothing but a way to avoid releasing them, what is he hiding? His dealings with the Chinese and the Russians?

    By the way, I will not be voting for either of the candidates, neither one is desirable for me personally. Too bad the republicans didn't nominate Gov. Kasich, a decent man of reason and said he was willing to compromise, something that is not even considered in D.C. anymore.

    Dennis, calling Hillary the devil? Really? The devil, come on, tell us how you really feel.

    -- Posted by fit2btied on Sun, Aug 21, 2016, at 6:57 PM

  • Fit, I also called Trump the devil we do not know. I like you are not crazy about either. I really do not like Hillary' s plan to bring 625,000 Syran folks to the US every year or open the southern border. We already have 95 million American citizens out of work and untold millions who have given up looking for jobs. I am quite sure adding over half a million new folks to the job market will not help those citizens already out of work to find work. Plus those new to our shores will then get welfare so those that have jobs will be paying more and the national debt rises. Devil of a deal.

    -- Posted by dennis on Mon, Aug 22, 2016, at 9:37 AM
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