Why I'm running for governor
Fellow Nebraskans-
My name is Mark Lakers and I'd like to be your governor.
Since I declared my candidacy I've had the unique opportunity to travel across our great state and talk to Nebraskans from all walks of life. One of the questions that people often ask is simply, "Why are you running for governor?" I'd like to take this opportunity to answer that very question and further explain why I could not sit back and be a spectator this election cycle.
I'm running for governor because it's unacceptable for Nebraska to be losing jobs in 90 out of 93 counties. The current governor has failed to present any sort of plan for comprehensive economic growth during his 5 year tenure as chief executive. My opponent has framed our current economic woes as solely the result of the Great Recession. While it's true this crisis contributed to our economic troubles, it does not excuse the fact that the current administration has no plan to lead our state back to fiscal stability. Governor Heineman should ask the workers in Beatrice that were recently laid of by Husqvarna if they're content waiting for the national economy to rebound.
I decided to run because I believe that Nebraskans deserve truth and honesty when it comes to the state budget. Our state is facing a deficit that could end up totaling $1 billion but you'd never know it based on the rosy statements coming from the governor's mansion. Not once in his latest State of the State speech did Governor Heineman mention the impending budget crisis. Not once did he acknowledge that his most recent budget was propped up by federal stimulus funds that would be gone after two years. Nebraskans deserve better -- Nebraskans deserve the truth.
I was motivated to run because I'm sick of seeing wind turbines being driven through Nebraska only to be built in neighboring states. It is inexcusable for Nebraska to be 22nd in wind energy production when we rank in the top 5 nationally for wind energy potential. I want to be governor because I know that with the right plan Nebraska can be a leader in both wind energy production and innovation.
I entered this race because I believe education is key to our state's future. We are shortchanging our youth when we fail to adequately prepare them to enter the workforce or pursue post-secondary education. Nebraska recently finished at the bottom of a list detailing college preparedness as well as the federal "Race to the Top" program. Without innovation and proper funding our state's educational system will continue to fall behind.
A Lakers Administration would signify an end of the politicization of issues relating to health and human services. It's unacceptable to allow the Beatrice State Developmental Center to deteriorate to the point that it loses federal certification. It's a dereliction of state duty to pursue foster care reform that privatizes not only services but also the entire responsibility to provide care. Lastly, it's nothing less than a failure of moral leadership to sacrifice the health of unborn Nebraskans in order to score points with anti-immigration voters.
I'm in this race because I'm a career businessman, not a career politician. For too long we've had elected officials that only see public service as a way to obtain power. I want to restore the sense that our public officials are actually working for the state's best interests -- not their own. Nebraskans deserve to have a governor that is focused on our state, not a race for the U.S. Senate in two years.
In the end, I'm running because I believe Nebraskans deserve a choice as to who they have running our state. Nebraska's next governor should be the candidate chosen by the voters, not the politician the kingmakers in the Republican party decide is next in line. A democracy only works when the marketplace of ideas is represented by different opinions. I believe in the fundamental independence of Nebraskan voters and I know that if they are given the real facts they will make the right decision.
Mark Lakers is the Democratic Gubernatorial nominee for the State of Nebraska. For more information about Mark's plans go to www.lakersforgovernor.com or visit the campaign's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lakersforgovernor