The Public Pulse: Voters sent a clear mandate on Election Day; Here are some tax facts
Resounding election win
U.S citizens went to the polls November 5th and voted overwhelmingly for a winner. It was not even close! The voters sent a clear mandate, and their voices should be respected even if your side did not win. If we are to continue the American experiment of democracy — votes and elections must matter; and yes, they have consequences.
You guessed it, U.S. citizens, our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico voted in favor (again) of statehood. By a wide margin, voters casting official U.S. ballots said it is time to expand our, "more perfect union."
More than 120 years of, "taxation without representation" is wrong. Yes, Puerto Ricans pay federal taxes. If you love the USA a fraction as much as I do and believe our Founding Fathers got it right in our star-spangled awesome Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and other amendments to the U.S. Constitution, I know you agree. Republicans have nothing in their way to see this monumental achievement in North American history across the goal line. I call on all five of Nebraska's federal representatives and the president-elect to stamp their names on a bill that respects the vote of the U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico. Nothing less abandons the uniting principles that turned 13 colonies into one country, or healed a nation ripped apart by civil war. Make ALL of America Great Again (MAoAGA)...right?
Andrew Adams,
Tax facts
The top 50% of all taxpayers paid 97.7% of all federal individual tax, while the bottom 50% of taxpayers paid the remaining 2.3% of federal income tax.
The tax rate for the top 1% of taxpayers is 25.9%. The bottom 50% of taxpayers paid an average 3.3% tax rate. Forty percent of American households pay no federal income tax.
The wealthy do pay their fare share of federal income tax despite Democratic claims to the contrary.
Gerald R. Fitzpatrick,
What a loss
As with many other Americans, I was shocked and dismayed by the presidential election's outcome. Having read Kamala Harris' book, "The Truths We Hold: An American Journey" and Hillary Clinton's book, "What Happened," I was very impressed with the accomplishments of these two women. My thinking now is: What a loss to the country that we will never know what either of these two would have been able to do when in office.
Carol S. Vogt,
On no-fault divorce
Efforts to eliminate no-fault divorce in Nebraska are a step backward for families and individual rights. Since its adoption in 1972, no-fault divorce has provided a less contentious, more humane way to end marriages, focusing on solutions rather than blame. Repealing it would increase conflict, harm children, and disproportionately impact women.
Research shows that parental conflict — not divorce itself — affects children's well-being. Returning to fault-based divorce would force families into hostile legal battles, creating a toxic environment for children.
For women, the stakes are even higher. Historically, fault-based divorce trapped many in abusive or controlling marriages. Reintroducing these requirements would again make it harder for women to leave unsafe situations, especially those lacking financial resources to navigate prolonged legal battles.
Proponents argue no-fault divorce weakens marriage, but the truth is most people do not take divorce lightly. Forcing individuals to remain in harmful marriages does not strengthen families—it compounds harm and infringes on personal liberty.
No-fault divorce protects families, reduces conflict, and ensures fairness. Repealing it would bring unnecessary pain to those already facing difficult transitions. Nebraska must not turn back the clock.
Jodie Haferbier McGill,
Founder and managing partner, McGill Law
Bring in Haarberg
Coach Matt Rhule, please put Dylan Raiola on the bench when the team is in the red zone and put Heinrich Haarberg in there to at least make the other team think about what he might do. I don't think he can do any worst than what's being done now when the defense recovers a fumble deep in USC territory, Raiola can't even produce a touchdown.
Gary Jacobsen,
Not a viable candidate
I do not believe Matt Gaetz is a viable candidate for attorney general of the United States. His past does not represent the values of Nebraska. The allegations of his sexual misconduct and illicit drug use is very disturbing. And now Speaker Mike Johnson wants to suppress the House Ethics Committee findings regarding Gaetz.
I have contacted the offices of both U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts encouraging them to not support this nomination. I invite other Nebraskans to also contact their offices and express their wishes.
Sam Sequenzia,
OWH Public Pulse October 2024 Editor's PickPublic Pulse contributors are making their choices for the 2024 election in Nebraska — here are some of their endorsement letters.
Editor's PickPublic Pulse contributors are making their choices for the 2024 election in Nebraska — here are some of their endorsement letters.
Editor's PickPublic Pulse contributors are making their choices for the 2024 election in Nebraska — here are some of their endorsement letters.
Pulse contributor urges the Nebraska football team to be resilient as they move forward, but never forget what happened in Bloomington, Indiana.
Editor's PickPublic Pulse contributors are making their choices for the 2024 election in Nebraska — here are some of their endorsement letters.
Editor's Pick"We made a choice to raise our children the best way we could. We made the choice for me to be a stay-at-home mother. My husband worked very hard for me to be able to do it," writes a Pulse contributor.
Editor's PickOne presidential candidate's party abides by the votes of the people in honest transparent elections; other is from a political party that overturns elections to suit the party bosses, writes a Pulse contributor.
Editor's Pick"I live in the real world, and I'm not afraid," Pulse contributor writes.
Editor's Pick"We have lost or rejected our ability to respectfully disagree," Pulse contributor writes.
Editor's PickPulse contributor gives praise to coach John Cook and the unbeaten Husker volleyball team.
Pulse contributor laments drivers ignoring the posted speed limits and the lack of law enforcement on West Dodge Road.
Editor's PickPublic Pulse contributors are making their choices for the 2024 election in Nebraska — here are some of their endorsement letters.
Editor's PickSome Pulse contributors are not in favor of Nebraska Athletics plans to sell alcohol at football games and volleyball matches in 2025.
Editor's PickThe "responsibility has now been dumped upon us — the voters that want to vote for country over the party of one," writes a Pulse contributor.
Editor's PickFor those who cast dispersions and doubt upon our voting, their time would better utilized by searching for the Nebraska species of unicorns and sasquatches," Pulse contributor writes.
Editor's Pick"Kudos to the Joslyn staff, Snøhetta Architects and those involved with funding the new addition to the Joslyn Art Museum," writes a Pulse contributor.
