Concerned about the “brain drain†issue in our state? No real mystery. Smart, fun people like to hang out with smart, fun people. Your personal views on morality don't apply. Simple. As shown by the frantic actions of the righteous right regarding various initiatives, Nebraska’s future is not controlled by smart, fun people. It is controlled by grumpy old men without the capacity to see beyond their own pew. Pretty obvious to anyone with a brain. Most leave, a few tough it out, and a few see an opportunity to profit.
The best examples on the current scene are the cannabis initiatives. Big news here: Everyone who wants to use cannabis in this state is using it. Have been for years. Farm kids included. The trek to Colorado used to be a hassle; now it’s a day trip to K.C. All the grumpy old men are doing is wasting money, failing to access revenue, enabling private dealers and scaring smart people off. Smart people don’t necessarily want to do cannabis, but the attitude of anachronism is anathema.
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This is not just a cannabis thing. Smart people tend to like to see church and state separated, they want women to be in charge of their bodies, and they want to see an actual future that is not limited to providing services to the wealthy few down at the country club.
Either move forward or live with it. If the choice is to live with it, stop griping.
Richard Firebaugh, Lincoln
