Nice work — if you can get it

I got a laugh out of Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly describing his green initiatives outreach coordinator job as a “minimal kind of position” (Review-Journal, May 29). I mean, after all, by his own estimates he would be dedicating only 12 hours a week to this part-time position and getting paid $48,000 annually. It’s good to know that “minimal positions” for county commissioners pay $76 an hour, as I am sure that’s about what most of us get paid for small, part-time jobs.

And kudos to Larry Mosley, director of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, for spending $12,000 of taxpayer money on an employment firm to “find” Mr. Weekly for this part-time position. He said it was quicker and cheaper for the state in the long run than hiring someone through the state personnel system.

Mr. Mosley, don’t be so modest. How much money did you save us?

ED WETZEL

HENDERSON

GM plan

To the editor:

Fifty-two years ago, Charles Wilson, GM’s president, stated, “What’s good for General Motors is good for the country, and vice versa.” Considering GM filed for bankruptcy on Monday, let’s hope Mr. Wilson’s comment does not bode prophetic for the current and sustainable recovery of the U.S. economy.

An ancient curse states, “May you live in interesting times.” The modern equivalent may very well be, “May your children live to pay the interest on the national debt.” Now that the government owns three-fourths of GM, perhaps we could make a three-fourths of a $1 trillion deal with the Chinese to sell them the Fed’s portion of the GM “asset.” Call it an even trade on the U.S. Treasuries that China holds (currently at three-quarters of a trillion and growing).

That seems like a reasonable price for a U.S. automaker, does it not? Out of gratitude alone, we could all afford to buy or finance a GM car or truck as our share of the “debt” to a China-owned GM, could we not? I would rather pay that debt than saddle the kids with it.

Of course, I doubt if I’ll ever get a bailout check. I didn’t do anything wrong. Seems only right I at least ought to pay for and get a vehicle to show for my share of the debt. China could certainly employ Americans in the existing GM infrastructure and take only the profits home. Just like any other foreign-owned U.S. business.

Sure, the new China GM will need to make something we all want, and certainly there are tons of GM employees with the talent to determine that under the stricture of new management. If they need help with some new ideas, just ask the dealers what they think they could really sell.

Surely the GM pension fund’s 20 percent stake in ownership will put the good of the country before the good of the retiree. Past benefits can’t be denied, but new benefits in a new GM are certainly going to be negotiable among the auto workers, are they not?

The Chinese are going to take home interest on the debt one way or another. This way, I get a new truck, the kids don’t have debt, the Chinese earn money on their investment, we all sleep at night. And just because Ford never let us down, I’ll trade in my new Jimmy and I’ll buy two new Fords. See, it’s all about win-win-win.

Richard Godbey

HENDERSON

Obama’s defense team

To the editor:

Well, I’m glad that it is now settled. Review-Journal columnists Jane Ann Morrison and John L. Smith have now both told the citizens of Nevada that President Obama did not slight Las Vegas in his statement admonishing business travelers not to come to Las Vegas. I was sure he had, based on what I heard and saw him say. But I guess I was mistaken.

Mr. Smith said, in essence, that we should get over it.

Can you imagine the uproar had former President Bush said such a thing?

I think it is great having two such ombudsmen looking out for us. I mean, if not for them, we would think ill of Mr. Obama, and that can’t be allowed.

Bill Wilderman

LAS VEGAS

Economic laws

To the editor:

I predict that within the year our state government will again be short of revenue and more budget cuts will be made. Our state legislators, most of whom are indebted to the government for their employment, are apparently ignorant of basic economics.

The taxes passed last month will have a negative impact on employment and wages. The end result will be less economic activity and, consequently, less tax revenue.

By passing the billion-dollar tax increase on top of the taxes on entrepreneurs and energy promised by Sen. Harry Reid and President Obama, the Legislature has created the perfect scenario for economic stagnation. No country has ever taxed, borrowed and spent its way to prosperity. The only way out of this mess is economic growth created by offering incentives and certainty to those willing to risk their money in the marketplace.

Economic laws are irrefutable. Maybe term limits will help us elect legislators who understand them.

Bob Anderson

LAS VEGAS