Loren Lippincott
After many months of dominating the headlines, the Nov. 5 General Election is now mere weeks away. In fact, early voting is only a month away. While some allege there isn’t much difference between our two major political parties, that is simply not the case, especially here in Husker Land. Both Nebraska political parties have posted their party platforms and below is a summation of each party’s position on various issues affecting our area and our families. These statements reflect the positions held by most of those running for office who are registered as either Democrat or Republican.
Let’s review them:
Agriculture: Democrats support 30x30 which would take 30 percent of ag land out of production and take away private water and natural resource rights. The Republican platform opposes EPA overreach (i.e. the ‘Waters of the US’ executive order), as well as the 30x30 initiative.
Economic development: Democrats are committed to improving economic mobility for people of color. Republicans are committed to full employment for all Nebraskans.
Education: The Democrat platform opposes tax money following students to the school of their choice and places priorities on diversity, equity and inclusion and promoting sex education for school aged children. Republicans support parental choice including tax voucher/credits. The alternatives include private, parochial and home schools.
Elections: Democrats oppose Voter ID measures and support automatic and same-day voter registration. The Republican platform, on the other hand, supports requiring government-issued photo ID for voting and proof of citizenship at the time of voter registration. It also opposes ballot harvesting due to the potential for abuse and fraud.
Environment: The Democrat platform expresses the belief that climate change is an imminent threat and advocates phasing out fossil fuel engines in vehicles. However Republicans recognize the importance of coal to produce electricity while supporting alternative fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.
Immigration: Democrats welcome all immigrants and refugees and their platform supports the easing of requirements for legal permanent status. The Republican platform supports assimilation of all legal immigrants but opposes “sanctuary cities” and tax-funded benefits for those that broke immigration laws in getting here.
Cannabis/marijuana: Democrats support legalization and medical use of marijuana for all, including minors. However, the Republican platform opposes the legalization of marijuana and other controlled substances.
Firearms/2nd Amendment: The Democrat platform supports limited gun ownership but also supports banning so-called “assault weapons” and increasing handgun regulations.
Meanwhile, the Republicans support the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution and the statement of rights under the Nebraska State Constitution, both of which guarantee the individual right to bear arms.
Human Rights: Democrats state in their platform support for gender-neutral bathrooms in schools and public places and also call for LGBTQIA25+ to be a legally “protected class.” The platform also supports Black Lives Matter and inclusion of transgendered persons in the military. Republicans, however, support the scientific and biologically verifiable X and Y chromosomal definition of male and female at birth, and base sports team qualifications, the use of locker rooms and restrooms on this same definition. They also believe marriage should be defined as the legal union of one man and one woman. The party also advocates the American ideal that all people are created equal, regardless of race and supports the right of all persons to succeed based on merit. In line with that, the party is also committed to the freedoms of religion and speech as guaranteed by the US Constitution.
Healthcare: The Democrats’ platform expresses the belief that persons who identify as men (or non-binary, gender non-conforming, gender queer and many other gender identities) can become pregnant and promotes the right to a safe and legal abortion, regardless of gender identity. The party also advocates for abortion access, supports Obama Care and supports the federal government mandating healthcare plans to include gender affirmation surgery and hormone therapy. Meanwhile, Republicans support the scientific and biologically verifiable X and Y chromosomal definition of male and female at birth and oppose taxpayer funding of any family planning programs that provide abortions or abortion referrals. All this is in the platform because the party has stated a belief that life begins at conception. The GOP platform also opposes Obama Care and any attempt to socialize or nationalize healthcare. It also opposes laws that would intrude unnecessarily on the rights of the family, contribute to the dissolution of the family or interfere with parental rights.
Law and order: Democrats oppose capital punishment and believe inmates should be treated as the gender with which they identify rather than by the sex or gender they were “assigned at birth.” Meanwhile the Republican platform supports, upholds and promotes the work of law enforcement and supports capital punishment sparingly applied for the most heinous crimes. Also, in reference to incarcerating criminals, the GOP supports the scientific and biologically verifiable X and Y chromosomal definition of male and female at birth.
As seen in their stated positions on these important cultural and economic issues, the contrasts between the two political parties could not be more clear. While certain positions in both parties have changed over the years, I believe there’s only one that aligns itself with the lasting truths espoused by our nation’s founders. I’m sure you can guess which one that is.
Leadership sometimes requires us to change positions on certain issues in the interest of compromise and moving the ball forward. However, we must never compromise on the truth and we must remain steadfast on the issues that have to do with objective right and wrong. As Winston Churchill said, “I would rather be right than consistent.”
Loren Lippincott represents Legislative District 34 in the Nebraska State Senate. Read his column in the Nance County Journal.