That's right, gambling has been legalized in Nebraska.

Every time venture out onto the ice packed streets of Grand Island, Nebraska, you're gambling with your life, the lives of those around you, and your financial and emotional futures.

Driving about a block from my house today, I came to an unmarked intersection (there's a gamble in itself -- most of the intersections, at least in some parts of towns, have no stop signs either way). I saw that there was a vehicle coming the other way, so I stepped lightly on my brakes -- lightly because I was driving on a rumpled sheet of ice. I got plenty of noise from my anti-lock brakes, but not much slowing. Since I was going to reach the intersection first, I decided I'd better forget good manners and just keep going. I got through in plenty of time, but it was slightly unnerving.

In the middle of the next block, I drove carefully past a kid who'd just gotten up from falling on his bike. He didn't appear to have been hurt in the fall, but I think he must have already been a little brain damaged to be riding a bike on those roads.

At the next intersection, I had a stop sign. As I approached, I again stepped lightly on my brakes and again got plenty of anti-lock brake action. I managed to stop in plenty of time to avoid getting hit by the car that was driving by, but a little farther forward than I'd have preferred. I wouldn't be surprised if that one unnerved the other driver a little.

When I got to a friend's house, he told me his son had broken a few ribs that day slipping on the ice.

As I left, he said to be careful on the slippery streets. As I walked across the street to get to my car, I slipped a little, but managed to avoid falling.

On my way home, I came to the corner where I turn onto my street and was almost completely unable to turn. My tires were stuck in the deep, icy ruts that have formed on the unplowed street.

The streets in Grand Island Nebraska are without a doubt the most poorly maintained I've ever seen anywhere in the winter. Aside from the greatly elevated risk of accidents we face, there's also the extra wear and tear on our cars' shocks as we bounce around the "potholes" that form in the ice, especially at the intersections. They may be worse than regular potholes -- at the very least, there are a lot more of them.

If I were to let my sidewalk get ice packed, I'm told the city could fine me. And if someone were to slip on my sidewalk, I'm pretty sure I'd be sued. But if I were to get in a wreck because of the ice on the streets, could I sue the city? Is anyone going to fine them for not maintaining their area of responsibility? Somehow I doubt it.

It makes me wonder anew why property taxes are twice as high here as where I moved from.

And it makes me glad that I work at home. I prefer not to gamble if I can help it.