Consumers deserve another stimulus check
To the editor:
People had mixed reactions to Congress' first economic stimulus package. The result was an increase in consumer spending over a few months and then back to decreased spending. Overall, I believe it was a success because it stirred up a bit of spending.
I think now is the time for Stimulus Two -- not quite right away, but before the holiday season. With the credit crisis looming, consumers don't have money to spend on gifts and travel. Another stimulus package would not only stir up spending, but also increase saving. Consumers would take stimulus money and spend it throughout the holiday season, purchasing plane tickets, hotels, rental cars, gifts, food and more. The retail and travel sectors would benefit significantly.
At the same time, many consumers would save the stimulus check for a rainy day. If the stimulus check is placed into a long-term savings account, the money will be available for banks to use for loans. In conjunction with the Stimulus Two plan, funds should be available to banks to use for loans that are backed by the United States government at low interest rates.
By combining the two options, consumers get the money they need to spend for the holiday season; savings will increase; and banks will have money coming in from deposits and low-interest loans from the federal government.
It's time to attack the economic crisis from more than one angle: the banks at the top and the consumer at the bottom.
Amir Hamza
HENDERSON
Talking points
To the editor:
The latest talking points from this financial quagmire hold that our political leaders have failed to lead and do their jobs in one of our country's most dire moments.
This is on the airwaves and in the newspapers everywhere. Isn't that an oxymoron?
Ignorant people are repeating these lines because there are some politicians who will not fall in line and pass the Bush bailout. How is following this legion of fools construed as being a "leader" and "doing your job."
Isn't that the exact opposite?
John Aarness
LAS VEGAS
Reform first
To the editor:
Unlike our Congress, I want to come straight to the point: I oppose any and all bailouts of the banking community and mortgage lenders.
First, I want to see Congress reverse all laws that now exist that require lenders, under threat of penalty, to lend money to unqualified borrowers.
Then and only then will I be willing to help any of these institutions.
The taxpayers deserve better than we are currently getting. This nation has survived, very nicely, previous downturns in our housing industry, and we will survive again without being forced to put our hard-earned tax dollars into someone else's pocket.
Bob Dubin
LAS VEGAS
Not funny
To the editor:
Finally, someone who has the courage to tell it as it is regarding Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin. Kudos and thanks to Review-Journal columnist Erin Neff for getting to the unfortunate truths about Gov. Palin ("It's just wrong," Tuesday) which her party has tried so energetically to shield from us.
"Saturday Night Live" may be making entertainment hay out of the recent Katie Couric interviews, but like most good, effective humor, truth is at the heart of what is being made fun of, and Gov. Palin's smiling, one-dimensional approach to the complexities of modern society and our country's role in that society, are reasons for serious concern, as she is two steps away from the presidency.
John Esperian
LAS VEGAS
Red herring
To the editor:
In her Tuesday column, the Review-Journal's Erin Neff incites the bandwagon of Sarah Palin haters with the ridiculous assertion that because she didn't answer a follow-up question, she is not fit to be vice president.
Oh, the horror -- a politician who skirts an issue? Are you kidding me? Politicians do this every day. Ms. Neff acts as if this has never been done. I propose she turn her TV on and watch CNN or Fox News and tell us how many politicians evade questions asked by reporters. Trust me, she will find a boatload of unqualified politicians if that is the standard she has set.
Democrats screwed up when they chose Sen. Joe Biden over Sen. Hillary Clinton for the vice presidential spot, and now they are scrambling to fix that error by trying to disparage Gov. Palin. It is a red herring.
Tracy Brigida
LAS VEGAS
