Hi Nebraska, I appreciate speaking directly TO you, the people I serve, as your Senator.
People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing's more important to me than our beloved Nebraska. Serving her people is the greatest honor I could imagine.
So to serve the state is a humbling responsibility, because I know in my soul that Nebraska is of such importance, for America's security, in our very volatile world. And you know me by now, I promised even eleven years ago to show MY independence... no more conventional "politics as usual".
If I have learned one thing: LIFE is about choices!
And one chooses how to react to circumstances. You can choose to engage in things that tear down, or build up. I choose to work very hard on a path for fruitfulness and productivity. I choose NOT to tear down and waste precious time; but to build UP this state and our country, and her industrious, generous, patriotic, free people!
Life is too short to compromise time and resources... it may be tempting and more comfortable to just keep your head down, plod along, and appease those who demand: "Sit down and shut up", but that's the worthless, easy path; that's a quitter's way out. And a problem in our country today is apathy. It would be apathetic to just hunker down and "go with the flow".
Nah, only dead fish "go with the flow".
No. Productive, fulfilled people determine where to put their efforts, choosing to wisely utilize precious time... to BUILD UP.
And there is such a need to BUILD up and FIGHT for our state and our country. I choose to FIGHT for it! And I'll work hard for others who still believe in free enterprise and smaller government; strong national security for our country and support for our troops; energy independence; and for those who will protect freedom and equality and LIFE... I'll work for and campaign for those PROUD to be American, and those who are INSPIRED by our ideals and won't deride them.
I WILL support others who seek to serve, in or out of office, for the RIGHT reasons, and I don't care what party they're in or no party at all. Inside Nebraska - or Outside Nebraska.
But I won't do it from the Senator's desk.
I've never believed that I, nor anyone else, needs a title to do this - to make a difference... to HELP people. So I choose, for my State and my family, more "freedom" to progress, all the way around... so that Nebraska may progress... I will not seek re-election as Senator.
And so as I thought about this announcement that I wouldn't run for re-election and what it means for Nebraska, I thought about how much fun some Senators have as lame ducks... travel around the state, to the other 48 (maybe), overseas on international trade - as so many politicians do. And then I thought - that's what's wrong - many just accept that lame duck status, hit the road, draw the paycheck, and "milk it". I'm not putting Nebraska through that - I promised efficiencies and effectiveness! ? That's not how I am wired. I am not wired to operate under the same old "politics as usual." I promised that eleven years ago - and I meant it.
It's not what is best for Nebraska.
I am determined to take the right path for Nebraska even though it is unconventional and not so comfortable.
With this announcement that I am not seeking re-election...
My choice is to take a stand and effect change - not hit our heads against the wall and watch valuable state time and money, millions of your dollars, go down the drain in this new environment. Rather, we know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time, on another scale, and actually make a difference for our priorities - and so we will, for Nebraskans and for Americans.
Let me go back to a comfortable analogy for me - sports... basketball. I use it because you're naieve if you don't see the national full-court press picking away right now: A good point guard drives through a full court press, protecting the ball, keeping his eye on the basket... and he knows exactly when to pass the ball so that the team can WIN. And I'm doing that - keeping our eye on the ball that represents sound priorities - smaller government, energy independence, national security, freedom! And I know when it's time to pass the ball - for victory.
I do not want to disappoint anyone with my decision; all I can ask is that you TRUST me with this decision - but it's no more "politics as usual".
Some Nebraskans don't mind wasting public dollars and state time. I do. I cannot stand here as your Senator and allow millions upon millions of our dollars go to waste just so I can hold the title of Senator. And my children won't allow it either. ? Some will question the timing. ? Let's just say, this decision has been in the works for awhile...
In fact, this decision comes after much consideration, and finally polling the most important people in my life - my children (where the count was unanimous... well, in response to asking: "Want me to make a positive difference and fight for ALL our children's future from OUTSIDE the Senator's office?" It was one "yes" and one "hell yeah!" The "hell yeah" sealed it - and someday I'll talk about the details of that...
My decision was also fortified during this most recent trip to Kosovo and Landstuhl, to visit our wounded soldiers overseas, those who sacrifice themselves in war for OUR freedom and security... we can ALL learn from our selfless Troops... they're bold, they don't give up, they take a stand and know that LIFE is short so they choose to NOT waste time. They choose to be productive and to serve something greater than SELF... and to build up their families, their states, our country. These Troops and their important missions - those are truly the worthy causes in this world and should be the public priority with time and resources and NOT this local / superficial wasteful political bloodsport.
May we ALL learn from them!
First things first: as Senator, I love my job and I love Nebraska. It hurts to make this choice but I am doing what's best for Nebraska. I've explained why... though I think of the saying on my parents' refrigerator that says "Don't explain: your friends don't need it and your enemies won't believe you anyway."
But I have given my reasons... no more "politics as usual" and I am taking my fight for what's right - for Nebraska - in a new direction.
Remember Nebraska... America is now, more than ever, looking East to the Future. It'll be good. So God bless you, and from me and my family - to ALL Nebraska - you have my heart.
In the words of General MacArthur said, "We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction."
- Missed it by that much.
