My name is Scott Kleeb, and I’m running for Congress in Nebraska’s 3rd District.
For me, this campaign began three years ago. As a graduate student completing work toward my PhD in History, I visited dozens of communities in rural areas of Nebraska and other states to do research on farming and ranching. I was studying the great transition that swept through American agriculture during the first half of the 20th century, but I also wanted to understand how America’s rural economies are changing in the era of globalization.
As I traveled, I was struck by the incredible changes that are taking place out there, and the way it is becoming harder for many people to make a living doing the things their families have done for generations, whether it’s farming, ranching, manufacturing, or owning and operating a small-town business. At the same time, I visited some towns that are far more prosperous and vital today than they were 20 years ago. And I couldn’t help but ask myself, ‘what is it about this new American economy that brings such terrific opportunities to some, while at the same time making it hard for others to maintain the communities and traditions and lifestyles that make Nebraska such a great place to live?’ Is it inevitable that our independent family farms be transformed to mega farms? Is it inevitable that our Main Street “Mom and Pops” be replaced with box stores on the Interstate? Is it inevitable that our small schools – schools with some of the highest graduation rates in the country – be swallowed up into larger districts?
No. The answer I heard over and over again from the folks I met was this: we need fresh leadership. We need a new, young generation to stand up and offer a different vision of Nebraska; a vision where all Nebraskans can get ahead and thrive. Today, I am answering that call. And I hope that you, as you read this, will answer it with me.
I will not pretend that the solutions to these problems are easy. But I do think that Congress has fallen far short in its support of rural economies and rural communities. Congress is dragging its feet in offering a new generation of farm incentives that reward farmers who support local economies, practice responsible land stewardship, and invest in bringing value-added farm products to market. Congress is dragging its feet in taking on the insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies that profit from American’s health care crisis, while our elders and our poor and, increasingly, our middle-class families cannot afford adequate health care. Congress is dragging its feet in pursuing alternative energy solutions that will protect consumers from long-term price inflation, boost rural economies through production of biofuels, wind power and methane, and reduce our reliance on foreign oil. Congress is dragging its feet in allocating new funding for Pell Grants for college tuition. A Pell Grant now funds less than 40 percent of the cost of a public university, compared to 84 percent when the program was founded in the 1970’s. Congress has failed to increase Pell Grant funding for each of the last four years.
There is a lot of talk out in Washington about family values. My family has been ranching and farming in the Sandhills for more than 100 years. I have the deepest respect and admiration for the people and traditions of rural communities in the third district. It’s in my blood. My family values come from my parents and grandparents; they come from my catholic faith; they come from the neighbors who lend a hand when it comes time to dig a new well, or move cattle to a new pasture. They do not come from Washington.
In this campaign, I want to talk about valuing families. I want to talk about reigning in corporate welfare and returning tax dollars to the local cities and towns from which they came. I want to talk about making politics local again. Because only when politics are local can we reign in the influence of special interests and return government to its rightful role supporting the common good.
Please join me in this effort to bring fresh leadership and true representation to the 3rd District!
Scott Kleeb
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