Are You Going to the Omaha Tea Party?

I am so excited to be speaking at the Omaha Tea Party tonight at the Millard Library at 6:00pm. 

For those of you who may be unfamiliar, these Tea Parties are being organized all across the country by average American citizens who are concerned and outraged by the recent trend of fiscal recklessness perpetrated by our government. 

This is a non-partisan event because both political parties are guilty of wasting our hard-earned tax dollars. As an elected official, I have a steadfast belief that our citizens are far better equipped to spend their money than our federal government. We are witnessing a frightening expansion of Big Government entitlements that is anathema to what our Founders had intended for us.

One of the best and most effective ways we can thwart this kind of government incompetence is to utilize technology to make our system completely transparent. That was one of the reason why I created NebraskaSpending.com: to give you, the taxpayer, a more honest form of government.

Please, I encourage all of you to stop by the Millard Library tonight and participate.

Middle East Seminar: Day 2

The drive here reminded me of the past trips I've had to the Middle East while in the Navy except on a much larger scale. 

Once you've encountered it, you never forget the true meaning of absolute poverty. Thousands of Shanties built on top of dilapidated buildings stand in stark contrast to the opulent palaces built literally across the  street. It's such a surreal sight. 

I've always held the belief that a person cannot truly appreciate the blessings of America until they have traveled abroad. There is a reason why Ronald Reagan called our country the "shining city upon a hill."

The same man, President Mubarak, has ruled Egypt for 28 years. He was "democratically" elected. We met with Egypt's International Economic Forum where the message about U.S. Aid (which President Bush cut in half last year) was:

1. Can Egypt get an increase?

2. Stop telling Egypt how to spend it.

3. Stop harping on Egypt about Human Rights and the idea of true democracy -- they will move at their own pace towards both of those ends.

Our time in Egypt is about up and we will be leaving for Israel soon. I really hope we find some time to visit the pyramids.