Deb Fischer
Last week, America witnessed the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk. Charlie was a young conservative activist, a husband, and a father of two. He inspired thousands of young people. His mission was simple but powerful: to resolve disagreements through robust and substantive discourse. He welcomed challenges, inviting those who opposed him to debate and engage in open dialogue.
You don’t have to agree with Charlie’s beliefs to recognize this: he was practicing politics the right way. He sought to persuade, not to silence. His murder was not only a tragedy for his family and friends, but also for our democratic values and First Amendment freedoms.
At moments like this, it is vital to remember what binds us together. We are a nation built on the belief that free people can disagree passionately yet live side by side in peace. The Founders designed a republic where debate was not a weakness, but the very strength of self-government. We can and must resolve our differences with words, not weapons.
Here in Nebraska, we have a saying: “Nebraska Nice.”
It speaks to the way in which Nebraskans treat others with dignity and respect, listen to our neighbors, and communicate with kindness. It takes a lot of strength, character, and discipline to express these values each day, but that’s what makes our state so special.
These virtues are not confined to our state; they are American values. Our entire experiment in liberty depends on citizens who respect one another’s dignity, even when they disagree with one another’s ideas.
That doesn’t mean ignoring our differences. It means choosing to argue without dehumanizing, to challenge without threatening, and to compete without destroying. These are not merely courtesies — they are requirements for freedom.
If we hold on to these values, even in the face of grief and division, we can honor the memories of those we have lost. We can send a clear message that America’s politics will remain a contest of ideas, not a battlefield of violence.
Please join me in praying for the Kirk family — along with all who have been impacted by political violence in our country. Let us resolve, together, that this is not reflective of our nation’s ideals, and that we will recommit ourselves to the promise of our founding: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.
Deb Fischer represents Nebraska in the United States Senate. Read her column in the Nance County Journal.