Why I Abandoned My Political Career To Pursue A Life Working In Mass Gravel Production

by Francis Kilganon, Jr.

I'll be the first to admit that I made a mistake. I had followed in the footsteps of my father and his father, never crossing party lines but continuing to fight on the side of the left. Three generations of Kilganon's in the legislative bureau would leave a government legacy on my life -- and I had to take it upon myself to change it.

But why?

Father served as Nebraska deputy Attorney General for 8 years (1984-1992), Grandfather was the Nebraska Senate Minority Leader for 4 (1965-1969). Hell, Aunt Blanche was on the Omaha City Council for 2 years (until she failed a drug test and was later arrested for possession of illegal substances and bail jumping).

I had the makings of Lieutenant Governor and I could've had the position easier than snakeskin in a wicker basket -- I just couldn't handle the stress anymore.

I put my life into my own hands and joined a small contract construction group outside of Lincoln - -and that's where I saw my true potential for the first time.

I was destined to be a line worker for a mass gravel production company.

Something about crushing small stones from dusk til' dawn felt more empowering than any legislative bills I contributed to. I wasn't trying to move mountains anymore -- I was destroying them.

Little did I know, gravel production was on the rise. Never before had there been such a demand for gravel before 2015 -- and I hit my stride at the perfect time. 

What most American's don't know, is that mass gravel production actually accounts for 23% of the United States' annual revenue. It is the sixth-leading export of North America thanks to the region's rich bedrock and adequate temperatures. And if you invest in mass gravel production early enough, you'll find stocks continuing to soar on Wall Street - at a rate of nearly 1.6% quarterly. It's not bull crap, it's just basic economics.

Since 2015, I have now earned two pay raises and have been promoted from Line Worker to Line Worker Assistant Supervisor. I am now making $17/hr but cannot exceed 30 hours of work per request of the merging contract construction firm and OSHA.

Life is good. I have a future here, and I see a future for several generations of Kilganon's in the gravel industry.