Las Vegas needs an animal sanctuary
To the editor:
I was appalled and sickened when I first learned of the cruelty that takes place at the Lied Animal Shelter. The article in Sunday's newspaper, "Shelter's rebound in works," made me think: How could the Humane Society allow such blundering? Even if Lied has cleaned up its act and has clean cages, gives shots immediately to newcomers, has a vet, etc., they will continue to euthanize healthy animals if they've been there for three days. How wonderful, how compassionate. Perfectly healthy animals who just want a loving home will be put to death. Just like throwing away a piece of garbage.
Couldn't all the moneyed people in Las Vegas -- from the casinos, bars, restaurants, etc. -- do something good, compassionate?
Couldn't they have a heart and put some of that money toward something wonderful like a sanctuary for unwanted, abused animals?
Utah has a wonderful sanctuary, Best Friends. It draws people from all over the United States. It is a utopia of wonder and love for all animals.
It would be nice if Las Vegas had a reputation not just for its grand hotels, but for helping these animals. There is plenty of land and certainly plenty of money.
I know I am in a minority when it comes to animals and I'm also an idealist, but I'm ashamed to breathe the same air as those who feel that killing dogs and cats is just in a day's work.
Lynda Hansen
LAS VEGAS
Preventing fraud
To the editor:
In response to the July 5 Review-Journal editorial on Medicare fraud, the office of the Nevada attorney general is equally concerned about fraud, waste and abuse in the Medicare program.
In fact, the federal Administration on Aging funds programs nationwide to combat these issues. The Nevada Senior Medicare Patrol, located in our office, is one such program to assist Nevadans.
The patrol has worked for the past seven years to educate health care consumers to better identify and report incidences of fraud, waste or abuse. We provide community outreach, education and complaint resolution through our staff, retired professionals, senior volunteers and collaborations with senior service providers.
We can be contacted at (702) 486-3403 or at our statewide, toll-free number, (888) 838-7305, with requests for presentations, information on volunteer opportunities or assistance with identifying Medicare fraud or waste.
Jo anne embry
LAS VEGAS
THE WRITER IS PROJECT DIRECTOR OF THE NEVADA SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL.
Border patrol
To the editor:
Your recent In Depth stories regarding the cost of illegal immigration were very misleading. (To be clear, I understand why people are clamoring to come to the United States. It matters not to me where they come from, only that they do it legally and are dedicated to assimilation).
You made it appear like there are only positive outcomes of illegal immigration. And you failed to expand on some key points:
-- The Heritage Foundation concluded "that the net cost of amnesty alone will be $2.6 trillion, once the amnesty recipients reach retirement age."
-- It is bogus to declare that "illegal immigrants do the jobs Americans won't do." Americans will work if the wages are fair. The largest employment sector for illegals is agriculture. If 24 percent of farm workers are illegal, that means that 76 percent of farm workers are legal Americans.
-- Some who are here illegally have no intention of complying with our laws. Drug dealers and human traffickers currently flow across our unsecure borders. There are 600,000 illegals who have been ordered deported, but have absconded.
-- Our social services are overwhelmed. Emergency rooms are swamped and hospitals are going out of business because they can't afford to treat people for free. School rooms are bursting and teachers are spending valuable time on non-English-speaking students.
America is a place of law and order. It is appropriate to ask for compliance. If laws need to change to allow more legal immigration, fine. Secure the borders first, then reform the rest.
Jeffrey S. Markewich
LAS VEGAS
Political corruption
To the editor:
The obvious issue about local political corruption has not been addressed. Jim Rhodes, Don Davidson, other land "wheeler-dealers" and lobbyists are really the root cause of the corruption. They will strong-arm anybody into doing their bidding. Put them in check and you can restore some essence of ethical government.
ABBIE GRANT
LAS VEGAS
