Pub. 11 2016-2017 Issue 2

July/August 2016 7 Extraordinary Service for Extraordinary Members. 1125 South 103rd Street Omaha, NE 68124 koleyjessen .com COMMERCIAL LOANS - TIF/BOND FINANCING DIP FINANCING - BANKRUPTCY/CREDITORS’ RIGHTS BANK ACQUISITIONS/DIVESTITURES REGULATORY COMPLIANCE - GENERAL CORPORATE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Politics & the Current Crisis of Conscience  President’s Message — continued on page 11 Richard J. Baier, President & CEO, Nebraska Bankers Association A S YOU MIGHT HAVE GUESSED, I AM SOMEWHAT OF A political junkie. You don’t hold a position like mine at the NBA without some knowledge, passion, and intrigue for the political process. Heck, I even have a piece of paper hanging in my office from Fort Hays State University conferring a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science (not sure that proves much). Unfortunately, like most of you, I have become increas- ingly frustrated by the negative and confrontational political environment in our country. More specifically, I believe the political process, especially at the national level, has become more about winning and losing than doing the right thing for our citizens and our country. My father had a favorite saying: “You should always do the right thing and you should always do things right.” Imagine if this was the goal of every elected official! Following are three definitions of “politics” as offered by the Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary: A. the art or science of government B. the art or science concerned with guiding or influenc- ing governmental policy C. the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government