Getting serious about personnel costs
To the editor:
After reading Alan Choate's Nov. 1 article, "Salaries for city workers off charts," I have a few comments.
It is obvious that local governments are applying Band-Aids when radical surgery is needed to eliminate the budget deficits that were brought on by decades of over-generous contracts with government unions.
Who is responsible for this financial debacle? It would be easy to blame former Democratic President John F. Kennedy. He signed the executive order in 1962 that opened the door for collective bargaining in all states.
Nevada state Sen. Carl Dodge, R-Fallon, also shares responsibility, as he was the only sponsor of SB87 on collective bargaining for public employees. This 1969 law was a slam dunk in both the Assembly and Senate.
Then we have local governments that allowed the bureaucracies to be created and signed the contracts that resulted in billions of dollars in unfunded liabilities.
The only solution is to repeal the Dodge Act. But how can that be accomplished when most of our elected officials are silent on the issues of repeal? Is there anyone in our state Legislature who has the courage to address this issue?
EDWARD DUFFY
LAS VEGAS
Poor kids
To the editor:
I was shocked and dismayed to see such a graphic crime scene photo on the front page of the Wednesday Review-Journal. While it is appropriate to report on such a story, the words of the journalist should be enough to convey the deep grief of the family.
I found it necessary to keep the newspaper hidden from my children due to the graphic nature of the photo. I cringe to think of all the young children who saw the photo as they walked by newspaper stands or saw it on their front doorsteps.
Jeannifer Maalouf
Las Vegas
Tax reform
To the editor:
Reforming the tax code could be done through the implementation of a consumption tax, which offers many advantages. Having a consumption tax would do away with the complex tax code that the IRS uses to collect them. The use of a consumption tax system would mean that the IRS is no longer a necessary department.
Implementing a consumption tax would be fairer because the more a person consumes the more he gets taxed. The consumption tax would allow people to save more money so they could put that into some safe investments instead of relying on Social Security.
BILL MILLER
LAS VEGAS
Harmony or gridlock?
To the editor:
Kudos to Steve Chapman for his Nov. 5 on-the-money commentary, "The more things change ... "
The cries of the Republicans and Tea Party members after the Nov. 2 election results were, "The American people have spoken," and, "We will take back our country." These new members of Congress will soon learn that change does not come easily in Washington.
As Mr. Chapman indicates, the chances are zero that the promises of the Contract from America, signed by some 300 candidates, will come to pass in two years. Mr. Chapman cites several past instances when the promises of those swept to power -- from both parties -- were quickly forgotten.
President Obama has extended the olive branch to the new GOP leaders and has invited them to the White House, hoping for some productive results. But already, John Boehner has questioned Mr. Obama's sincerity, and the McConnells and Pauls have a quest to make Obama a one-term president.
Such attitudes do not bode well for solving the nation's problems. Will we see harmony or gridlock during the next sessions of the new Congress?
NORMAN NERO
LAS VEGAS
What's right
To the editor:
In the Nov. 4 Business section, Jim Murren, CEO and chairman of MGM Resorts International, said, " It would be reckless to raise gaming taxes." What else is new? Mr. Murren, like the other casino chiefs, does not want any drop in his revenue.
Of course, if their fair share of taxes is increased, they can use the threat of layoffs -- however, that would only last so long. With layoffs, the drop in service that is expected would result in a drop in patronage by locals and tourists.
If there are two groups that should have their taxes raised, it is the casino industry and the miners. Let's see if Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval has the backbone to do what is right.
WALTER GUNTHER
LAS VEGAS
Bad Angle
To the editor:
Don't blame me. I voted for Sue Lowden in the primary.
I've seen a lot of bad candidates in my 50-plus years of voting, but never one as inept as Sharron Angle. Her recent foot-in-the-mouth campaign really puts her in a league of her own. It was only Nevadans' unhappiness with Sen. Reid that kept her in the race at all.
BRUCE BROWN
LAS VEGAS
Union dues
To the editor:
Regarding Harry Reid's re-election to the U.S. Senate:
I agree with the analysis that indeed it was the 15 percent Latino vote that put him over the top to beat Sharron Angle and tightened the Joe Heck-Dina Titus congressional race.
There is no doubt that the majority of this minority group is employed by our local hotel industry, which strongly backed Harry Reid. And there is also no doubt that their service unions did quite a job convincing these people to vote Democrat under the threat that they could become unemployed if this party did not win.
This is a typical union modus operandi.
I predict that these folks can expect major layoffs anyway when the National Finals Rodeo ends and the last cowboy gets on his horse and rides out of town. I also guarantee that when these workers do lose their jobs, that their unions will not provide assistance nor have the ability to save their jobs. It should be obvious that these unions are actually lobbyists for the Democratic Party and use the dues they collect to promote this political party.
LIDIA LIPARI
LAS VEGAS
