2008
Week 4
February 2, 2008

Hi

Boring. The “action” on the floor this week was nearly motion-less. Pun intended.

Granted, most of our bills are boring and at least one third are tedious corrections or technical in nature. Last week, for example, we had two rounds of votes on my bill to add “assisted living” to the list of nonprofit care facilities which are exempt from sales tax. Years ago, when the statute was last updated, we called this level of care “Intermediate.” “Assisted Living” is the new term, fairly well defined (though varying in the service provided). So we had one bill to add two words. No one objected, though we really try not to narrow the sales tax base. But boring except to the folks involved.

Thankfully, the halls this week were a heartening contrast -- full of enthusiasm and energy. Volunteer firefighters, nurses, and teachers reminded us of what we are truly about: to provide the setting for committed people like them to serve our state. They are exceptional in their caring. A volunteer firefighter from Gering had two days of travel to add to his time sharing with us how he could be more effective. Wow.

Also, thankfully, a few bills are far from routine. When I was a pastor, I would on occasion have a couple looking for what I termed a “routine” wedding. They did not want to think about marriage or talk of what it meant to them. A few even came to the house expecting to care for this detail while the kids watched from their play box. Well. I turned routine-type away. If all they needed was a signature, a Justice of the Peace has an ample supply.

Every job has plenty of deadening routine. So as pastor I greatly enjoyed the energy of an eager couple, young or old. Naiveté helped. The world sings for them and I get in on it! No mountain is too high, no river so raging, that they could be blocked from guaranteed happiness. I loved it, and hoped that my assist in the planning would not reduce the glow from their joy-filled idealism.

We have a few idealists to brighten our days at the capitol and they do inspire. Most advocates of interesting bills know some mountains are very high. Removing the death penalty is one. Senator Chambers has introduced at least twenty bills on the subject.

After all these years, and with countless defeats, old timers still come with energy and young timers have the enthusiasm to stir the pulse for one more look at a very emotional issue. The star witness at the hearing was a man from Oklahoma who spent 19 years on death row before the court reversed on new evidence and declared him innocent.

I cannot imagine what that would be like. We do not have comparable experiences of arbitrary life and death by which to learn. How would he define “patience”? Or “justice”? What thoughts has he had about human error? After 22 years in prison, he has been virtually blocked from normal enjoyment of marriage and children.

If the courts had been as quick and efficient as we demand, he would be dead. It is far from routine to ponder the tragic consequences of this human error, especially when it is part of our system, our way to kill. We can not cover our error. What does that mean to us, let alone to him?

A member of my staff has identified the humor in the twisted/extravagant/opinionated statements of political spinsters. When he calls out, “Oh, yeah, we need more pro-Americans” we take another look at the news item just announced.

The worst example is when the fag-haters from Kansas announced they are coming to protest at a serviceman's funeral out of their love for America. However, the self-serving announcements are every day. These proclaimers would protect us from those hungry children who want to eat our dear country out of its resources. Or if we really love our country, we should give tax cuts to the wealthy (so they can make us all rich.) Or protect us from greedy single parents. Or from the elderly sick. Or send more guns anywhere. A letter this week: “We in America need more guns on the street, not less, if we are to be safe.”

Me? I would happily protect America. From shallow thinkers, especially when they are driven by selfishness or self-serving prejudice. Most of us who love our country have a dream, and it is better than that.

Cheers

Lowen