Investing in ourselves pays off in the long run

There's a temptation for many young people, especially those who have been less than stellar scholars, to leave school at the earliest opportunity, and get a job.

They want to be free of books and study and the work it involves.

But the latest Nebraska Rural Poll results prove the importance of investing time, energy and money in ourselves while we can. Putting our noses to the grindstone now pays off with more freedom later, according to about 2,500 respondents in Nebraska's 84 rural counties.

Overall, 38 percent of them said they believe people are powerless to control their own lives -- up 6 percent from last year.

But that feeling varied with education and income.

Only 25 percent of those with a four-year college degree felt that way, and only 25 percent of those with incomes above $60,000 felt that way -- and of the same group, 52 percent expected to be better off in a decade.

In contrast, 46 percent of those with a high school diploma or less felt powerless to control their lives, 43 percent of those with incomes under $40,000, and only 22 percent of those making less than $20,000 expected to be better off in 10 years.

On average, however, most rural Nebraskans are satisfied with their marriages, families, friends, religion and the outdoors. But, with job opportunities, current income and financial security during retirement -- not so much.

But the McCook area and Southwest Nebraska is blessed among rural areas of the state. With McCook Community College and other Mid-Plains Community College facilities such as the extended campus in Imperial, there is no reason residents should lack some type of post-secondary degree, be it an academic college degree or technical training.

Our area is blessed with opportunities for the training and education that can make rural Nebraska's good life that much better.