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The United States and Nebraska have increasingly become more politically polarized, leaving voters in the middle without a political home. Words have been twisted over the decades. Let’s take the word “liberal” for example. Some use it as an epithet, as we hear so often in political attack ads, equating it to socialism or communism. But that is almost the opposite of its true meaning.

Liberalism is a political and moral philosophy based on the rights of the individual, liberty, consent of the governed, separation of powers, political equality, right to private property and equality before the law. Liberals value personal and economic freedom, respecting people to live their own version of the American Dream.

The U.S. was founded on liberalism. Despite their flaws, the Founders believed in liberty. They created a country that eventually recognized constitutional rights for everyone. All humans are endowed with certain inalienable rights: life, liberty and property.

The Enlightenment favored individual rights over authoritarianism, science over superstition and progress over brutal tradition. Through liberalism, these ideas have lifted people out of abject poverty, and freed most of the world from monarchies and dictatorship.

Liberalism is why you have a right to vote for representatives and to live your own good life. Liberalism is why you can worship, or not, as you choose. Liberalism protects you from the worst whims of those in government, no matter which party holds power.

I don’t feel like an extremist and don’t fit in with the left-right paradigm. I’m not a progressive or a conservative. I’m just a freedom-loving moderate, dare I say, a Liberal.

I’m reclaiming the word “liberal” for what it truly means and advocating with Nebraska Liberal Party and Liberal Party USA. I welcome anyone to join me.

Schuyler Windham,

Weeping Water

Davids is ready to listen, serve

Liz Davids has my support for the District 1 seat on the State Board of Education.

What do we really know about her opponent, Kristin Christensen? Her website lists three priorities, student success, teacher support and collaboration.

Under student success she uses the word “equitable,” a buzzword that creates division and shifts the focus from quality education for all, by building in a bias for some.

Speaking of bias, Christensen has shown a bias against common-sense parental involvement, calling parents “extreme,” when they’re simply concerned about books in school libraries that are full of inappropriate content. Parents deserve a voice. Davids would be that voice.

As far as teacher support goes, it’s unclear what measures Christensen has taken to this point to be involved. She seems to think that her personal experience and political dogma should be good enough.

And, finally, as far as collaboration, Christensen doesn’t seem interested in private or parochial schools or homeschooling. LPS currently works alongside both private and homeschool families for certain services. How would Christensen “collaborate” with them when she has disdain for parental choices beyond public schools.

District 1 deserves better. As a parent who has had kids in public, private and homeschooled, I encourage a vote for Liz Davids.

Jennifer Ziemer, Lincoln

Ad campaign gets it all wrong

Nebraskans are facing competing ballot measures on reproductive rights, creating confusion among voters. Polls show that most Nebraskans support the protections of Roe and oppose the restrictions imposed by the Nebraska Legislature. But since it requires two votes, the results might not represent the true opinions of the electorate.

When voters are clear about the initiatives, they support 439 and oppose 434 because 439 gives the pregnant patient and her health care provider the power to control the decision to continue or terminate a pregnancy based on her own circumstances and medical needs.

Now, going way beyond creating general confusion, we have two current members of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents funding television ads that are outright lies. An actor claims that Initiative 439 will allow men to have or to force abortions on women. Then the ad claims that “taxpayers will be forced to pay for all abortions.” Yes, they said “forced” and “all.” That is absurd on its face and a total lie.

Whether abortions are restricted at 12 weeks or at fetal viability, no taxpayer funds are involved. And I ask, why are our university regents, Jim Scheer and Rob Schafer, involved in this issue at all? Women and girls already have some mosques, churches, judges and lawmakers trying to control our bodies. Do we really want members of the Board of Regents involved in our most personal health care decisions?

Laurie Churchill, Lincoln

Johnson will work hard for county

Chelsea Johnson is the right choice to represent District 4 on the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners. I have seen Johnson at work for most of a decade at Conservation Nebraska. I know her hard work ethic.

Johnson was working to rejuvenate Conservation Nebraska when I first met her. Since then I have seen the organization grow and do a lot of good across our state, promoting the wise use of our natural resources — from helping people test their water to providing hands-on educational opportunities.

No one will work harder and smarter for us and our community than Johnson. We will have an intelligent, energetic and positive person, promoting Nebraska values, when we elect Chelsea Johnson as our county commissioner. Vote for Johnson Nov. 5.

William B. Bevans, Waverly

Liphardt builds relationships

I am writing to support Dawn Liphardt for Legislative District 27 in the upcoming election. Dawn Liphardt has made a genuine effort to connect with her constituents, actively engaging in conversations and valuing their input. She understands the importance of including the voices of those with expertise when crafting legislation.

In addition to her strong communication skills, Dawn Liphardt is dedicated to building relationships across the political spectrum, collaborating with Democrats, Independents and Republicans alike. Her ability to foster consensus and unity is exactly what our district and state need.

Let’s elect Dawn Liphardt for Legislative District 27 and empower a leader who will bring us together and work tirelessly for the betterment of our community.

Cameron Hall, Lincoln

Trump’s character lacking

During one of his recent rallies in Pennsylvania, Trump spent considerable time regaling his audience about the male sexual reproductive organ, obviously something for the voters to consider as an important part of his qualifications to be the next president of our wonderful country with equal rights for all its law-abiding citizens.

As voters, we can add to the above the following well-known facts about him when voting in this very important election currently going on in our country:

1. Inciting his followers to attack the Capital on Jan. 6, 2021, while the Congress was in session to confirm the results of the Electoral College for the next president of our county, an insurrection putting the future of our democracy in peril and the lives of the members of Congress and their security officials in immediate danger

2. Conviction by a jury of his peers, the first U.S. president to become a convicted felon.

3. Several pending indictments.

4. There are several other fact-checked acts of similar nature ascribed to Trump over his long life that have appeared in the news media after he entered the national politics.

As individuals, we all have our limitations. However, a person elected to lead her/his country must be required to have some minimum qualifications, besides a minimum age, to protect the basic democratic rights of all the citizens and be an example to all he/she governs. I feel that the character of Trump described above does not qualify him to be a president of the country that I love.

Sitaram Jaswal, Lincoln

Liphardt ready to listen and act

I am writing to express my support for Dawn Liphardt for state senator from District 27. Dawn Liphardt has taken the time to walk and talk to voters throughout the entire district, connecting on a personal level to build long-lasting relationships.

She listens to the concerns and ideas of those she meets and is committed to taking this valuable input to the Capitol. Not only will she advocate for constituents like me, but she also aims to include us in the legislative process, ensuring our voices shape the bills that affect our community.

Dawn Liphardt is sincere in her interactions and genuinely wants to improve the lives of the people in our city and state. The first step in making that happen is to elect Dawn Liphardt in Legislative District 27. Please join me in voting for Dawn Liphardt, a candidate who truly cares about us.

Mary Hilton, Lincoln

Liphardt exhibits

listening, leadership

It was disappointing to see former state senators DiAnna Schimek, Colby Coash, and Anna Wishart writing in apparent support of the negative campaign being run by Jason Prokop for District 27 (letter, Oct. 27).

I live in District 27 and haven’t seen Prokop in my neighborhood. All I’ve seen are his hit pieces against his opponent, Dawn Liphardt.

Liphardt has walked my neighborhood a couple times; she takes the time to have conversations about what is important and get our opinions. Shame on Prokop for slinging mud instead of doing the harder work of getting to know his constituents.

I’m surprised the former senators would be OK with his tactics: They should know better than anyone that getting anything done in Nebraska’s Unicameral requires diplomacy and getting along with others.

Liphardt has proven she can do that. Prokop’s attacks haven’t even been factual. The flyers are riddled with deception, which may be why he’s afraid to campaign door to door. This does not bode well for his ability to get things done if he were elected.

Vote Dawn Liphardt for Legislature District 27. She has the leadership, passion, intelligence and temperament to represent District 27.

Pat Jorgens, Lincoln

Johnson will find common ground

I urge voters living in Lancaster County District 4 to join me in voting for Chelsea Johnson as county commissioner on Nov. 5. I believe that elected officials put our community first, not party interests.

As a lifelong Republican, I endorsed Chelsea Johnson to serve as county commissioner in District 4 because we need knowledgeable and common-sense leadership to guide us forward. Johnson is a qualified and experienced leader with deep Nebraska roots. I trust her to build common ground to find long-term solutions to our most serious problems.

She already has a proven track record of doing so. That’s why she’s the only candidate endorsed by the Lincoln Police Union, Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police, Lincoln Firefighters Association and by Republican and Democrat colleagues who currently serve with her.

Many important decisions are coming before the county board in the coming years. Johnson will be guided by information and community input to make those decisions in contrast to adhering to a partisan agenda.

That’s why I believe Chelsea Johnson is the better choice in this election. She shares our values and has spent many years serving our community already. She will be a strong representative as county commissioner for those of us in District 4.

Roma Amundson, Walton