Columns

This week, Nebraskans are busy preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday, to celebrate with family and friends the many gifts with which we are blessed as Americans. Thanks in part to the efficiency and effectiveness of our agriculture producers, your Thanksgiving feast may cost slightly less this year.

These problems go well beyond technical glitches. They underscore the incredible complexity of Obamacare, which is creating a health care crisis far worse than even critics of the law predicted.

Fighting ceased during World War I on November 11, 1918. The following year, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th as Armistice Day to remember those who had fought and died during the war, and in appreciation of their sacrifice.

Medicare Open Enrollment is going on now which means seniors have the opportunity to review and change their Medicare Part D prescription drug plans until December 7th.

After spending more than three years and hundreds of millions of dollars building and promoting the online health care marketplaces, the Obama Administration launched the new website on October 1st.

After 16 days of stalemate, Congress and the President agreed to temporarily reopen the government and avoid default. While this solution is far from ideal, it was the only remaining option to continue negotiations over our long term fiscal challenges, including the President’s health care law.

As the government shutdown continues, Nebraskans and all Americans are rightfully frustrated – I am too. President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid must agree to negotiate on reopening the government and addressing the debt ceiling.

Unable to reach an agreement on a continuing resolution, the federal government went into a partial shutdown on October 1st. This situation is far from ideal, and Americans and Nebraskans are rightly frustrated. We would all like to see this situation resolved quickly, which will require both sides to negotiate.