Tom Becka

Let’s Get Fiscal

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Tue, 05/06/2025 - 12:00am

A battle cry we’ve heard over the years from the far right and the Tea Party has been “Taxation is theft.” To which I reply, “If taxation is theft, what would you call using the roads, the schools, the fire, police, and other public services without paying for them? Isn’t that theft as well?” Like it or not, we do need to pay our taxes.

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The Good Old Days

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Mon, 05/05/2025 - 12:00am

I suppose it is only natural for a person to reach a certain age and long for the so-called “Good old days.”

Whether they reminisce about the music of their day, the cars they used to drive, or the freedom they used to have.

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One Bad Apple Spoils The Whole Bunch

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Mon, 04/28/2025 - 8:13am

Remember when you were in school and one of the bad kids would do something wrong and if the teacher didn’t catch them, she’d ask the rest of the class who did it? If the rest of the class remained silent the whole room would get punished with detention or extra homework.

I’m reminded of that when I see what’s currently happening to the Republican Party. Not only nationally but here at home.

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Nebraska Nice Should Be More Than Just A Slogan

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Fri, 04/25/2025 - 6:00am

Let’s pretend for the sake of argument that all members of the Unicameral are intelligent, compassionate human beings. I know some of them really are, but you’ll have to use your imagination for the others.

But let’s assume that for the time being.

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Is This A More Perfect Union?

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Mon, 04/21/2025 - 6:00am

During the first term of the Trump administration, I heard many Republicans say something to the effect that they didn’t like his personality, but they liked his policies.

Perhaps you said or convinced yourself of the same thing.

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The Battle Between The Working Man And The Executive

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Fri, 04/18/2025 - 6:00am

We haven’t even had the mayor’s election yet and the race for the Nebraska Senate seat is already heating up.

Last week, shortly after independent candidate Dan Osborn announced he had a poll showing him in a statistical tie with Pete Ricketts, President Trump announced his endorsement of our incumbent senator.

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A Letter To Our Governor

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Mon, 04/14/2025 - 10:02am

Dear Governor Pillen,

I know you’re bummed that the Unicameral didn’t pass Winner Take All, but it may not be as bad for you politically as you might think.

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Trying To Return To The America We Once Knew

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Fri, 04/11/2025 - 6:00am

Kudos to Congressman Don Bacon for his attempt to regain control of tariffs. Congressman Bacon proposed a bill to return the power of adding tariffs on foreign goods to the House and Senate where it used to be and take away power from the President.

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The Race Is Down To Two

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Mon, 04/07/2025 - 6:00am

If truth be told I’m kind of bummed that Mike McDonnell didn’t make it out of the primary.

Now don’t get me wrong, as an Omaha citizen I’m very happy knowing that there are two decent qualified candidates running for mayor. If either John Ewing or Jean Stothert wins the general election Omaha will be in good hands.

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A Kodak Moment

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Fri, 04/04/2025 - 6:00am

What do you do when you hate the possible solution to a problem but can’t think of a better one? Is it best to accept the bad solution or just realize you’ll have to live with the problem?

That’s the situation members of the Unicameral find themselves in right now as they try to find a solution to the red light runners.