Speech to the 2002 State Democratic Convention,

Omaha, Nebraska

I see a time for new leadership for the Nebraska residents. Leadership that incorporates research, bottom-line decision making, abilities and a lot of common sense. We must win this election for every man, woman and child just once.

My opponent hasn't lived in Nebraska for over eighteen years. He is a Washington insider. By the way that has nothing to do with the people who elected him for Nebraska. Hagel's agenda represents millions of dollars from special interests, foreign investment, banking and multi-national corporations. As one Nebraska resident told me, he is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Washington insiders aren't welcome anymore. This is Matulka country. Hagel hasn't raised a finger to help Nebraska people for five years. Now he is scrambling around, primarily because it's an election year. This is yet another classic textbook case of the fox guarding the hen house scenario. I come from the school of thought "We the People." Does anybody remember that '80s TV show called Dallas? J.R. the oil baron was Bush's idol. I think you'll be hard pressed to find much oil in Nebraska.

I will refuse to let Nebraska be used as a nuclear waste dumpsite or a toxic dumping ground of any kind. I will take an aggressive stand on much stricter enforcement for air and water pollution, as well as toxic chemicals that are turning up everywhere in our environment, that are poisoning our children and cancer that is turning up everywhere, too.

Where would America be if it weren't for the sweat equity of Senior Class Citizens? How important are our grandparents for the next generation of young Americans? Our seniors should never have to decide between the cost of high priced prescriptions or inflated energy bills. We must provide affordable low-cost medical benefits to all of our senior citizens. Congress should adopt a plan to bring out the red carpet service for our seniors, across the nation. We need to modernize prescription drug benefits for the 21st century. Since the 1970s corporate income taxes have been reduced from 35 percent to 17 percent. Some of that tax should have been left in place to fund better care of our senior citizens. In Canada, for example, drug benefits are routinely 40% to 60% lower than for the same prescription drugs in the U.S.

I released a Farm Policy statement this last month which has been receiving media review. My brochure on this subject is receiving widespread interest in the rural communities. Basically I call for transparency in the markets to identify price manipulators and a curb on hedge fund price-killing speculation in commodities.

U.S. policy making decisions have favored corporate greed at taxpayers' and investors' expenses. Enron and WorldCom are not just a corporate scandal. They are tied right into our government. Federal deregulation has brought about the ultimate collapse of these publicly invested corporations.

Our government has been bought off by big campaign contributions from corporate special interests. Campaign financing is legalized bribery. Look at all of the political connections tied directly to the Bush Administration. Should somebody be impeached? You make the call.

When elected to the U.S. Senate I will always vote for quality education and quality teachers for children. I will support use of bilingual languages in schools to accommodate the growing Hispanic population.

Our working class families, unions and organized labor represent the backbone of this country. All of America's working class represents the most advanced work force anywhere in the world. It's time somebody stood up to NAFTA and world trade organizations. Together we can build a better Nebraska and a better America.