In the last election Nebraska voters decided the state needed Voter I.D. — even though there was never ever any evidence of any substantial voter fraud. The Cornhusker voters decided that Voter ID was just what we needed. I say we don’t need voter I.D. What we need is Voter I.Q.

It amazes me how so many people don’t really have much of an idea how our government works. Our schools don’t do enough to teach the importance of civics, and even when they do too many students are disengaged and don’t pay attention to how our government really works. They are not aware of the separation of powers. They don’t know about the different branches of government and what those branches can and can’t do. They don’t pay close attention to the politicians’ policies but more attention to how those politicians TV ads make us feel.

Take a look at what happened in our last Governor’s race — granted in this deep red state Democrat Carol Blood faced an uphill battle, but she deserved her time on stage to debate Jim Pillen. Even if there is no other reason other than letting the voters compare and contrast policies, but there was no reason for Pillen to debate or take tough questions from reporters. He had enough money and organization behind him that he could coast to victory by running ads with him holding a shotgun surrounded by grandkids.

Now I don’t blame Pillen for doing that. After all his job is to get elected.

I blame us. The voting public for letting him get away with it. Our job is to make an educated decision on who is the most qualified for the job.

Too many people have tuned out. The news comes at you like water from a fire hose, and after a while, it becomes too much.

But recently in our neighboring state of Iowa, the leading Republican candidate for President said that police should shoot shoplifters on sight. He has made comments about having the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff executed. He wants to shut down news organizations that broadcast stories he doesn’t like. He threatens judges. And it seems nobody even questions it. After all, Donald Trump says a lot of outrageous things. But outrageous things like that used to be the sort of thing old men talked about on park benches. This is a former — and possibly future — President saying these things and if he wins these outrageous things could become reality. It could get some of his followers to do the dirty work for him as they did on January 6th. The former President’s closest opponent is currently running ads on Omaha TV saying that immigrants coming across the border should be shot.

Is this the more perfect Union our forefathers dreamt about?

Anybody who remembers seventh grade civics knows that America doesn’t operate that way. At least we shouldn’t. Which is why we need voter I.Q. instead of voter I.D.

Recently Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy had to work with Democrats to keep the Government open. Our Congressmen, Don Bacon and Mike Flood, agreed with him. But for that McCarthy and the sane Republicans got blasted by Matt Gaetz and others on the far right for picking the best of the many bad options. He did the one thing that too many politicians are afraid to do. He compromised.

Was it the best solution? No, it was a temporary one. But it was better than telling the men and women trying to protect our border that they weren’t going to get paid for a while for their efforts. It was better than leaving people stranded at the airports and delaying paychecks for TSA workers who just want to do their jobs and take care of their families.

Is the government spending too much money? Most definitely. But instead of the “my-way-or-the-highway” philosophy so many on both sides are taking it’s time to work together to find solutions that can work for most Americans. Not just the base of any one party.

Is our system of Government perfect? No. And we’re not all going to agree on everything. But it begins with us and if we work together to find compromise we can move forward. After all, did you know our Constitution was a compromise? Maybe that should be the first lesson for voter I.Q.

Tom Becka is a long time Nebraska broadcaster who for over 30 years has been covering Omaha and Midwest issues on both radio and TV. He has been a guest on numerous national cable and news shows, filled in for nationally syndicated talk radio programs and Talkers Magazine has recognized him as one of the Top 100 talk show hosts in the country 10 times. Never afraid to ruffle some feathers, his ‘Becka’s Beat’ commentaries can be found online on Youtube and other digital platforms.