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Mr. Geary, As a Nebraskan, seeking to represent the people of Nebraska as governor, I would imagine the voices you want to hear most are the voices of your constituents, the men, and women of Nebraska, but I hope you'll give special dispensation, to a Washingtonian, and allow me to give my two cents. I feel in a lot of ways there is a connection between states such as Nebraska, and Washington, as we are both young states, in fact neither of us were full states, when this country of ours fought it's civil war, instead we were territories, or perhaps not even that, for if a man were honest, he'd say, before the war, we were wilderness, except for a few folk, scattered about the place. Nebraska, so I've heard, was so remote, and alien, so lacking in trees, and materials, that when the first settlers arrived, they were reduced to building their homes from sods, and some may see that as a story of poverty, and a tale to raise an eyebrow, but I see it as a story of riches, the richness of man, and his spirit. Both our states were built by true pioneers, men who could look at the dirt, and see a home, who could look beyond the confines of the east, and see the freedom, and liberty of the west. Our states were built by dreamers, but not ordinary dreamers, our states were built by dreamers with a plan, and the backbone to see that plan through. They were built by hard working, and dedicated folk, and it is to those folk that you must turn your ear today. You do not want big government, Nebraska is not a state for big government, it's a state for freedom, and liberty, it's a state built of the soil, that appreciates the blood, the sweat, and the tears, poured into the land, by it's farmers, it's ranchers, and it's agriculturalists. It is a state that is conservative, that seeks to protect, and preserve the values, and ideals, that it's founders lay down for it, but it is also a youthful state, a revolutionary state, one that keeps an eye to the future, and that is always willing to look at new ideas, and innovations, providing they do not threaten the fabric of the state. Nebraska is a hard state, a tough state, but it's a state with a heart, and one that cares for it's citizens. You ask what direction people would like to see Nebraska moving in, well it's not my place, as a Washingtonian, to say, but if asked the same question about my own state, then I'd answer I want to see small government, a solid agricultural policy, an innovative program, looking to attract new industries, and a hands off approach to vital services, such as healthcare. When it came to education, I'd want to see thoughtful guidance, not heavy handed indoctrination, and I'd want to see support for the elderly, and the environment, but most of all I'd just want to see honesty, and transparency, and a commitment to serve the people of the state, above all others, because I believe that's what most folk really want. I believe that most, hard working folk will always support a man if he's honest, trustworthy, and they know he's truly in their corner. Most folk will never ask for much more than that. Good luck with your campaign. Danny |