Editorial

Friends, foes find much to admire in Sen. Ben Nelson

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Say what you will about Sen. Ben Nelson; he never forgot his home town.

Nelson, 70, announced Tuesday that he has decided "it is time to move on."

We believe him when he says he plans to "look for new ways to serve our state and nation."

As it turned out, Nelson, the Senate's most conservative Democrat, may have sealed his decision back in 2009, when he cast the deciding vote to pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, now usually derided as "Obamacare." In doing so, he drew the ire of pro-life forces such as Nebraska Right to Life, which had held out for specific language not included in the final version. That organization was "expressing relief" at Nelson's retirement after "betrayal" by "abandonment of abortion language in the final hours of the healthcare debate in 2009."

But opponents and supporters alike find much to admire in Nelson, a self-made millionaire who made his name and fortune in the insurance industry, serving as state insurance director and being elected governor in 1990 by the fourth-closest gubernatorial race in Nebraska history.

Mayor Dennis Berry is one example:

"Although I was county chair for Sen. Chuck Hagel when he ran against then-Gov. Nelson, I appreciate all Sen. Nelson has done to help Southwest Nebraska -- the Work Camp, [Essential Air Service] funding, Valmont, the Guard/ Reserve building, MCC Activity Center Funding, Community Hospital funding and more. He was a Democrat who voted more often with the Republicans than nearly every other Democratic Senator. I did not like his vote on health care but I am proud that Sen. Nelson calls McCook his home. This area may never see another stronger supporter in the Senate."

Hospital President Jim Ulrich is another:

"Ben Nelson has been a tremendous advocate, over the years, for access to healthcare services in Southwest Nebraska as well as across our state and nation. For years he has worked hard to preserve and even enhance the Critical Access Hospital program that enables small rural communities like McCook to have access to quality hospital services. We are grateful for his community minded efforts and his leadership will certainly be missed."

We don't know what means Sen. Nelson will find to serve in the future, but judging from the past, he will be very effective at whatever it is.

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  • Good tidings to you, to you and your kin. The past several weeks have been disappointing in that some in our great community have taken shots at others; from the county commissioners to the two city council members leaving the council, to the remaining council members, the city attorney, Senator Nelson and even the owners of McDonalds. As said before we do not always need to agree but we should always be agreeable. I do not see any conspiracies, evil plots or other harmful plans. I truely believe all of the above meentioned individuals have always had the best intentions. Again we may not agree with the intentions or methods but voicing hurtful opinions in open forums does no good for the community or for the individuals/family/friends being roasted. With the New Year fast approaching I would hope a resolution would be to revisit the Golden Rule and look to the good of others rather than seek to find faults. If you have a concern go directly to the source and attempt to resolve the issues. And Peace on earth to men (and women) of good will.

    -- Posted by dennis on Wed, Dec 28, 2011, at 2:30 PM
  • I agree with both offerings. I sure don't qualify to cast a stone, and believe Ben approached everything with the good of all on his mind.

    Sometimes, it is not the 'good, or bad,' but the perception of the event. That is what I believe happened in the case of what Ben is being derided over.

    Happy New Year, One and All.

    -- Posted by Navyblue on Wed, Dec 28, 2011, at 10:30 PM
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