Nebraska State Senator Leaves GOP, Joins Libertarian Party

[angelatc]

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/journalstar.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/f4/ff46d5a9-9b58-5bc6-95c8-d187bdca06cd/574f65b1e5b91.image.jpg


Sen. Laura Ebke of Crete left the Republican Party and registered as a Libertarian Party member two weeks after Gov. Pete Ricketts called out state senators who are Republicans by name for not supporting him or the GOP on some contentious legislative issues.



"I'd been thinking about changing for several months," she said Wednesday, "but I suppose that was sort of the final push."


Ebke, who always had identified herself as a Republican whose political philosophy was Libertarian, changed her registration online last week.

"I'm not willing to bend my principles to go along or cast a vote just for the sake of party unity," she said during a telephone interview.

Read more: http://redstateeclectic.typepad.com/redstate_commentary/2016/06/an-honest-politician.html

[andy2044]

She'll be doing an interview for local news today. I'll post it when it's up.

[undergroundrr]

Wouldn't it change everything if there were an avalanche of these state level officials switching to alternative parties?

[helmuth_hubener]

Unfortunately, her reasons are lousy.

What does Miss Ebke differ with the governor on? Here are the three major contentious issues on which she has voted to override the governor:

His rejection of bills to repeal the death penalty
His refusal to authorize Nebraska driver's licenses for illegal immigrants
His refusal to grant professional and occupational licenses to illegal immigrants.

"I agree with the Republican Party on many things and I have many friends in the party," Miss Ebke said.

"Republicans talk about fiscal responsibility, but they tend to place not such a high emphasis on civil liberties."


How are these "civil liberty" issues? How are these even "contentious" issues? These are ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. They chose to spit on the laws of this country. They have the right to be DEPORTED. It is a cut-and-dry case. If I decided to sneak into Italy without legal permission, would I then expect to be granted a driver's license (and thus the ability to vote), a work permit, free school, free medical care, and on-time welfare payments coming in the mail every month? No! I would expect to be kicked swiftly out.

The death penalty, could go either way. May or may not be a good idea, but definitely not a "liberty". Murderers should have the "liberty" to not get killed for their crimes? No way! Murderers have forfeited their liberties. They have forfeited their rights, up to and including their right to live.

Sorry, the governor is closer to libertarian sentiments than she, for my money. Why didn't she fight him on the billions of dollars the state government is stealing and then wasting, rather than wanting to waste even more on handouts to the teeming hordes of leftist welfare queen invaders illegally squatting in Nebraska?

[phill4paul]

The death penalty, could go either way. May or may not be a good idea, but definitely not a "liberty". Murderers should have the "liberty" to not get killed for their crimes? No way! Murderers have forfeited their liberties. They have forfeited their rights, up to and including their right to live.


Gonna have to disagree here. It's been proven time and again that the Just-us system is tits up. Killing someone innocent under such a system, and it has happened, makes it a murder. Of course instead of calling it murder we use euphemisms like "Wrongful execution" and "Miscarriage of justice."

[ChristianAnarchist]

Unfortunately, her reasons are lousy.

What does Miss Ebke differ with the governor on? Here are the three major contentious issues on which she has voted to override the governor:

His rejection of bills to repeal the death penalty
His refusal to authorize Nebraska driver's licenses for illegal immigrants
His refusal to grant professional and occupational licenses to illegal immigrants.

"I agree with the Republican Party on many things and I have many friends in the party," Miss Ebke said.

"Republicans talk about fiscal responsibility, but they tend to place not such a high emphasis on civil liberties."


How are these "civil liberty" issues? How are these even "contentious" issues? These are ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. They chose to spit on the laws of this country. They have the right to be DEPORTED. It is a cut-and-dry case. If I decided to sneak into Italy without legal permission, would I then expect to be granted a driver's license (and thus the ability to vote), a work permit, free school, free medical care, and on-time welfare payments coming in the mail every month? No! I would expect to be kicked swiftly out.

The death penalty, could go either way. May or may not be a good idea, but definitely not a "liberty". Murderers should have the "liberty" to not get killed for their crimes? No way! Murderers have forfeited their liberties. They have forfeited their rights, up to and including their right to live.

Sorry, the governor is closer to libertarian sentiments than she, for my money. Why didn't she fight him on the billions of dollars the state government is stealing and then wasting, rather than wanting to waste even more on handouts to the teeming hordes of leftist welfare queen invaders illegally squatting in Nebraska?

I think Ron Paul disagrees with you on pretty much everything you said. I certainly disagree with you. The "just-us" department couldn't find a murderer if he did in on their steps and there's NO authority in the "Constitution" for regulating immigrants.

WHAT??? No authority?? How can that be?? Probably because the founders realized that there was no federal authority to regulate people's movements. Oh, in case you think I'm wrong, look for yourself. The only thing at all about immigrants in the constitution is about how they become naturalized. There's NO authority to "regulate" immigration...

[helmuth_hubener]

Gonna have to disagree here. It's been proven time and again that the Just-us system is tits up. Killing someone innocent under such a system, and it has happened, makes it a murder. Of course instead of calling it murder we use euphemisms like "Wrongful execution" and "Miscarriage of justice."

I don't think you are disagreeing with what I actually wrote. I certainly do not disagree with what you wrote. Yes, the death penalty is hugely risky. Yes, innocent people being killed is a travesty and a crime. There should be no euphemisms: it is a 100% actual crime. And should be treated as such.

I myself am on the side that there should not be any death penalty under our current system, due exactly to the problems and concerns you raised.

But it is not a clear libertarian issue. It's not a liberties issue. Ron Paul himself was on both sides of the issue through his career, of course. The case you and I (and Ron) would make against it is a utilitarian case, not one of liberties and rights. And why is that? Because no one's rights nor liberties are being violated when a murderer is killed in punishment for his murder.

[helmuth_hubener]

there's NO authority in the "Constitution" for regulating immigrants. Oh? Are you so sure? Have you read Nebraska's Constitution?

[andy2044]

Here's an interview we did with her
http://www.nebraska.tv/story/32119424/nebraska-state-senator-is-no-longer-part-of-the-republican-party

[mtr1979]

At the end of the day non of this matters. This is Nebraska we have "Big Red Football" because of that we overlook high taxes and a slew of other issues.

2016’s States with the Highest & Lowest Tax Rates
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-states-to-be-a-taxpayer/2416/

2016’s Property Taxes by State
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-highest-and-lowest-property-taxes/11585/

[helmuth_hubener]

Angelatc assures me that Miss Ebke is one of us, so perhaps she knows her better than me. I trust Angela's judgment.

I would like to see some evidence of her libertarian tendencies, however, in the form of voting record and legislation put forward. It's hard to get a hold of voting records on the state level, though. I know if I were a state legislator, I'd be introducing all kinds of.... interesting bills.

[angelatc]

Angelatc assures me that Miss Ebke is one of us, so perhaps she knows her better than me. I trust Angela's judgment.

I would like to see some evidence of her libertarian tendencies, however, in the form of voting record and legislation put forward. It's hard to get a hold of voting records on the state level, though. I know if I were a state legislator, I'd be introducing all kinds of.... interesting bills.

I can introduce you if you'd like. Laura literally grew up in the GOP. Her father was a long-time official. Her degree is in poli-sci. Her blog, RedStateEclectic, was one of the top 10 Ron Paul sites in 2007. She is pragmatic, and she is a constitutional conservative, differentiating between Libertarian and libertine.

[helmuth_hubener]

I can introduce you if you'd like. Laura literally grew up in the GOP. Her father was a long-time official. Her degree is in poli-sci. Her blog, RedStateEclectic, was one of the top 10 Ron Paul sites in 2007. She is pragmatic, and she is a constitutional conservative, differentiating between Libertarian and libertine.

Wait, wait, wait: RedStateEclectic is her site!?!

I take it all back. Count me in as a fan.

[RJ Liberty]

Wouldn't it change everything if there were an avalanche of these state level officials switching to alternative parties?

I've hoped for that for many years. It probably won't happen, but it's cool that it happened in this instance. I'd love to see it.

[ChristianAnarchist]

Oh? Are you so sure? Have you read Nebraska's Constitution?

Talking about the fed constitution. Maybe there is something in the Nebraska's constitution but then there's the issue of it being "moral" or "constitutional"... Both are questions that have not been addressed.

[helmuth_hubener]

Talking about the fed constitution. Maybe there is something in the Nebraska's constitution but then there's the issue of it being "moral" or "constitutional"... Both are questions that have not been addressed.

Well we are talking about a Nebraska state senator. The Nebraskan constitution, which you have not read, would be the relevant document to determine:

Is it "unconstitutional" for Nebraska to refrain from giving driver's licenses to people who have entered the country illegally? This is what you seem to be claiming. But is it true?

Is it, in fact, required by the Nebraska Constitution that Nebraska give driver's licenses to non-citizens? To non-citizen criminals (which is what illegal immigrants are)? And by giving them driver's licenses, thus de-facto allowing them to vote (as they already are in many states! Crazy!)?

I do not think Nebraska is required to do any such crazy thing. Letting foreign criminals vote in your elections is crazy. Crazy! Letting foreign criminals drive on your roads is crazy. Do they even know American traffic laws? Were they required to take a class and learn? No and no. Do they very often have insurance? No again.

These people are out of control. They're messing up our country. I wish them the best. I want them to have all the liberty in the world (not that they care a single crumb about liberty). But: kick 'em out. Get 'em out. They can go have their liberty -- or, what they actually prefer: their socialist tyranny -- elsewhere.

Buh-bye.

[ChristianAnarchist]

Well we are talking about a Nebraska state senator. The Nebraskan constitution, which you have not read, would be the relevant document to determine:

Is it "unconstitutional" for Nebraska to refrain from giving driver's licenses to people who have entered the country illegally? This is what you seem to be claiming. But is it true?

Is it, in fact, required by the Nebraska Constitution that Nebraska give driver's licenses to non-citizens? To non-citizen criminals (which is what illegal immigrants are)? And by giving them driver's licenses, thus de-facto allowing them to vote (as they already are in many states! Crazy!)?

I do not think Nebraska is required to do any such crazy thing. Letting foreign criminals vote in your elections is crazy. Crazy! Letting foreign criminals drive on your roads is crazy. Do they even know American traffic laws? Were they required to take a class and learn? No and no. Do they very often have insurance? No again.

These people are out of control. They're messing up our country. I wish them the best. I want them to have all the liberty in the world (not that they care a single crumb about liberty). But: kick 'em out. Get 'em out. They can go have their liberty -- or, what they actually prefer: their socialist tyranny -- elsewhere.

Buh-bye.
Ah, so the REAL problem you have is them getting driver's licenses and also voting. That's MUCH simpler. No one should have to get a "driver's license" unless they are seeking something from "goonerment". Voting really shouldn't even happen because you are "voting" to restrict my rights in one way or another...

Next we will be asking the goonerment to issue license to ride a bicycle (don't think it hasn't been thought about).

[angelatc]

Honestly, Laura's position on open borders aligns her more with the LP than the GOP.

[helmuth_hubener]

Ah, so the REAL problem you have is them getting driver's licenses and also voting. I have a problem with anything that makes achieving smaller government and more liberty even more impossible than it already is. And the influx of massive, massive, massive, MASSIVE endless streams of impoverished, skill-less, socialist immigrants is one thing that definitely does throw tens of millions of monkey wrenches into any mechanism to getting that goal.

And if they stay, their anchor babies are considered "citizens" and thus will be able to vote, live here forever, fully participate in shaping life and culture and policy here in America.

Once the majority of "Americans" are third-world socialists, guess what you have? A third-world socialist country! It's not complicated.

So no, CA, to answer your question: I have a problem with them being here at all. They are messing up the country. Kick 'em out. Kick 'em way out. And do not let them come back.

[helmuth_hubener]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02FE0j0RSCQ

[ChristianAnarchist]

I have a problem with anything that makes achieving smaller government and more liberty even more impossible than it already is. And the influx of massive, massive, massive, MASSIVE endless streams of impoverished, skill-less, socialist immigrants is one thing that definitely does throw tens of millions of monkey wrenches into any mechanism to getting that goal.

And if they stay, their anchor babies are considered "citizens" and thus will be able to vote, live here forever, fully participate in shaping life and culture and policy here in America.

Once the majority of "Americans" are third-world socialists, guess what you have? A third-world socialist country! It's not complicated.

So no, CA, to answer your question: I have a problem with them being here at all. They are messing up the country. Kick 'em out. Kick 'em way out. And do not let them come back.

So you want "smaller goonerment" and "liberty" but you are willing to EXPAND goonerment to police who is a "citizen" and who is not which is the antithesis to "liberty"... Methinks you need to examine your desire more closely or you just might wind up getting what you are asking for - and then it will be too late for "liberty"...

[helmuth_hubener]

So you want "smaller goonerment" and "liberty" but you are willing to EXPAND goonerment to police who is a "citizen" and who is not I did not say how to kick them out. That is up to you. As for me, my ideal would be to kick them out in a way that accords with the NAP.

[ChristianAnarchist]

I did not say how to kick them out. That is up to you. As for me, my ideal would be to kick them out in a way that accords with the NAP.

I'm assuming (and correct me if I'm wrong) that your "solution" would include some kind of wall or barrier at the border to prevent people from crossing, right?? Who's going to pay for that wall and how much will it cost? Don't forget the northern border. It's many times longer than the southern border. Then there's coastline east and west. How do you "secure" those and how much will that cost? If you have "ways" that don't include these expensive measures lets hear them...

[helmuth_hubener]

Like I say, it's up to you, CA! Any given problem typically has many, many wonderful creative solutions.

But first you would have to agree with me that there's a problem. And that means agreeing to two very politically incorrect things:

1. Big government is oppressive. Our govt is far too big and too oppressive.
2. The tribes of man, the different races that is, they are different. Significantly, meaningfully different. Including above the neck.

Don't know if you're willing to go there and admit to that. Maybe you are. Maybe you aren't. Most arent. In which case: hey, there's no problem to solve! All 7 billion people in the world come to the U.S.? It'll just be good for the economy! Whee!

[ChristianAnarchist]

Like I say, it's up to you, CA! Any given problem typically has many, many wonderful creative solutions.

But first you would have to agree with me that there's a problem. And that means agreeing to two very politically incorrect things:

1. Big government is oppressive. Our govt is far too big and too oppressive.
2. The tribes of man, the different races that is, they are different. Significantly, meaningfully different. Including above the neck.

Don't know if you're willing to go there and admit to that. Maybe you are. Maybe you aren't. Most arent. In which case: hey, there's no problem to solve! All 7 billion people in the world come to the U.S.? It'll just be good for the economy! Whee!

Oh I definitely agree that there's a problem. The problem is that the goonerment keeps extorting money from me and spending it on people who should not be getting it. The "solution" is to get enough people to say not "no" but "HELL NO" to them. With enough people waking up the problem of goonerment goes away...

[ChristianAnarchist]

Like I say, it's up to you, CA! Any given problem typically has many, many wonderful creative solutions.

But first you would have to agree with me that there's a problem. And that means agreeing to two very politically incorrect things:

1. Big government is oppressive. Our govt is far too big and too oppressive.
2. The tribes of man, the different races that is, they are different. Significantly, meaningfully different. Including above the neck.

Don't know if you're willing to go there and admit to that. Maybe you are. Maybe you aren't. Most arent. In which case: hey, there's no problem to solve! All 7 billion people in the world come to the U.S.? It'll just be good for the economy! Whee!

I would also note that you might visit this page and read about your namesake... The story deeply touches me.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmuth_H%C3%BCbener

He died standing up for "Jews". He didn't think it was right to persecute them. You want to believe that the "tribes" are different, go ahead. You have that right in fact I agree to some extent but certainly not to the extent that they need separation. Helmuth didn't seem to believe that either.

Do you believe in Adam and Eve? I do. Even for those who believe in evolution that "theory" also speculates that all humans come from one "Eve". If that's the case then were do the "tribes" come from?? They come from EVE. We are all of one mother and father. My own personal belief is that the different breeds of human came about the same way you get different breeds of dog. Inbreeding with a small group to bring out certain traits which almost always result in some unintended problems. In this way certain breeds of human have become taller, lighter, darker, and perhaps even slightly better at math (you Asians know what I'm talking about). All are still children of Adam and Eve. I believe that the DNA of Adam and Eve were perfect and all our inbreeding has resulted in these DNA errors. I think if you want to have a human who is closest to Adam you need to mix all of the breeds together.

Only God knows which of us is right... but I think its me...

[Jesse James]

I think Ron Paul disagrees with you on pretty much everything you said. I certainly disagree with you. The "just-us" department couldn't find a murderer if he did in on their steps and there's NO authority in the "Constitution" for regulating immigrants.

WHAT??? No authority?? How can that be?? Probably because the founders realized that there was no federal authority to regulate people's movements. Oh, in case you think I'm wrong, look for yourself. The only thing at all about immigrants in the constitution is about how they become naturalized. There's NO authority to "regulate" immigration...
Ron Paul has supported the death penalty as well as illegal immigration laws.

[ChristianAnarchist]

Ron Paul has supported the death penalty as well as illegal immigration laws.

Yeah, and although what you say is true the implication that "Ron Paul" is one who "changes position" is very misleading. Yes, some 20 plus years ago Ron Paul was for the death penalty. Show me one other area he has changed positions on in the last 20 years...

If only you or I could claim to be as consistent as the good doctor...

[helmuth_hubener]

Honestly, Laura's position on open borders aligns her more with the LP than the GOP. You may be right; I have not looked lately at what the current platform says.

More and more libertarians, however, are coming to realize that being on the side of Zippyjuan and other committed leftists is not the side they want to be on. That unlimited mass-migration into America only helps the left. That being in favor of unlimited mass-migration of third-world socialists into this country amounts to a death wish for any limited government agenda. A death wish.

Myself included. I, you see, want liberty to actually WIN. That can't happen with mass immigration. It absolutely cannot and will not. Mass immigration must be stopped, and ideally turned back (mass deportation), for there to be any future at all for conservative/constitutionalist/libertarian ideology, or even any watered-down version of it.

The vast majority of actively-thinking libertarians will eventually realize this. The intellectual conversion will happen over the next few years.