Chuck Conboy
America FirstQ1 Scientific evidence is generated through the systematic testing and evaluation of ideas. It provides knowledge that helps us understand the world and predict the likely consequences of different choices, such as policy making related to public health, energy, agriculture, and environmental regulation. What role, if any, should scientific evidence and expert input play in your policymaking process, and how would you evaluate competing or uncertain scientific claims when making policy decisions? What role, if any, should that process play when scientific consensus and public opinion diverge?
“Use Common Sense. Scientific evidence is not always the final word. Science can be deceiving. As an example, when I was in PreMed school fifty some years ago, the science I was taught has changed immensely. State of the Art science is indeed helpful at times, but should never be the final answer. A fine example of this is the whole COVID 19 debacle. There were so many false “proven scientific “facts that turned out NOT to be true.”
KEYWORDS: Use Common Sense
Q2 The United States has a growing artificial intelligence (AI) industry, supporting cutting edge innovation and reshaping businesses, but raising concerns about education, ownership, and security. Application of AI technology has increased the demand placed on data centers, controversial for their resource use (such as water and land) and raising utility costs. What are your policy positions in regards to data centers and AI? What are your reasons for supporting these policies?
“The Chinese have the right idea-build Data Centers in the ocean and large bodies of water. This solves a lot of the problems. Land and water are precious resources, and should not be wasted on technology.
My other concern is the enormous amount of electricity these data centers use. The owners of these centers should be required to either build their own power supplies, or pony up the money to expand current facilities.”
KEYWORDS: Plan your future.
Q3 Making the US competitive in the bioeconomy (using technology applied to renewable biological resources to produce food, energy and industrial goods) requires innovation and investments in business, academia and government. Please describe policies you will support, if any, that relate to workforce development in Nebraska’s strengths such as agriculture, biotechnology, and energy; and explain their rationale.
“Agricultural College should be at no cost to students. For that matter, all college courses should be at no cost to students. Our future depends on the young. Unless we really step up our game, we will not be competitive with the rest of the world. Especially the Chinese, who are starting to get ahead of us in many areas. We need Trade Colleges. Nebraska is rift with resources, but they will be of no use if there is no one to utilize them.”
KEYWORDS: Think Ahead NOW.
Q4 Federal grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF) fund a substantial share of the scientific and biomedical research conducted at Nebraska’s universities, hospitals, and research institutions (approximately $205M per year according to NIH and NSF reports). NIH funding to NE institutions returns $2.50 for every $1 economic activity while supporting vital research in developing new treatments/cures for diseases. Similarly, both NIH and NSF research fill critical gaps in knowledge for advancing healthcare and other fields. What policies, if any, do you support regarding federal funding for scientific research agencies like the NIH and NSF? Why are these your priorities, and what information informed your approach?
“Scientific development is the future. The federal government should be funding all University level science classes and projects. We need our finest minds in these fields. The NSF and NIH are fantastic vehicles for future scientific research and development . We need to be ALL IN on these agencies, as well as any others that support biomedical research.”
KEYWORDS: Go All IN
Q5 Agricultural practices such as cover cropping and crop and livestock diversification, under appropriate conditions, provide benefits for soil health, water quality, and long-term agricultural resilience. At the same time, the feasibility and potential benefits of these practices can vary substantially. In what ways, if any, would you develop federal agricultural policy that accounts for the practical and economic needs of farmers and ranchers while also incorporating the best available scientific evidence on environmentally and agronomically beneficial practices?
“I personally know very little about these practices, so I suggest a forum of farmers and ranchers to discuss best policies and practices. Who better to set standards. Each state should have their own committees and organizations.”
KEYWORDS: Standards Can Vary
Q6 In your opinion, what is the role of the federal government in environmental protection? What policies, if any, do you support that could contribute to natural resource stewardship, environmental research, or environmental protections in Nebraska and nationally?
“Our government should put the Citizens of our country ahead of the needs of Big Business and Industry. I support the development of agencies(existing and future) to oversee the future of our environment. DATA CNTERS are a perfect example of the danger technology can present to our resources.”
KEYWORDS: People are priorities