Kleeb Keys in on Quality Health Care, Alternative Energy

Investing in a variety of alternative fuels and finding a way for everyone to have quality, affordable health care are two key issues, according to Scott Kleeb of Hastings.

Kleeb is the Democratic candidate running for the U.S. Senate seat long held by Chuck Hagel. Kleeb visited Beatrice Saturday with an appearance at the Monumental Fiddling Championship at the Homestead National Monument of America.

He said energy production is one of the greatest challenges facing the country right now.

"We must do more to emphasize investment in alternative energy," Kleeb said.

He said the leadership in Washington D.C. has been asleep at the wheel long enough on this issue and the result is the higher fuel prices people are dealing with today.

"We're talking about $4 a gallon fuel, looking at $150 per barrel oil prices," Kleeb said.

He said the way to pay for that investment is to better account for spending in government, holding government entities more accountable for wasteful practices that have resulted in billions of dollars that cannot be accounted for in recent weeks.

Also, it's important to stop sending money overseas for oil and invest in energy sources that can be produced in America, Kleeb said.

As for the effect that alternative energy sources like corn-based ethanol has on food prices, he said the important thing is to find balance by investing in a variety of energy sources.

"We shouldn't do what we did in the past with oil and put all our eggs in one basket," Kleeb said.

He said investment in alternative energy would include such sources as cellulosic ethanol " plant material such as corn stalks or switchgrass" as well as wind power and solar energy.

"We can actually recycle the methane from cattle manure," Kleeb said.

He said the rising cost of health care is also a concern to many voters.

"We need to make sure every Nebraskan has access to quality, affordable insurance," Kleeb said.

He said that would include not leaving people out for pre-existing conditions, allowing people more freedom to carry their health insurance with them when they change jobs, allowing more coverage for prevention and wellness and improving competition to allow consumers to shop for themselves to find the best health plan.

Kleeb said he would also like to see the government be able to do more to negotiate for the best prices for drugs for it's citizens.

Increasing prices, whether it's food, fuel, health care or for other services, is an issue hitting everyone, he said.

Kleeb said it's time to bring about some change and bring more people into the process.

"We can't keep electing the same people," he said.

Kleeb said it's exciting right now to go out and see so many people engaged and involved.

"They want to be part of that change," he said.

Kleeb said that means they are asking more of their elected officials, challenging them to make the changes that will make a difference in their lives.

"We know this is just the beginning," he said.