Where would we be without city’s job creators?

To the editor:

Patricia Ducharme in her Nov. 8 letter criticized Steve Wynn's Nov. 4 Viewpoints commentary, describing him as "another rich, arrogant man who wanted you to vote for another rich, arrogant man so he can remain rich and arrogant without having his taxes raised."

First of all, I have never heard Mr. Wynn state that he would be unwilling to pay higher taxes if required to do so.

I'm sure Ms. Ducharme's attitude is shared by many who bought into President Obama's continuous demonization of those individuals who are responsible in this city and many others for job creation. I would venture to say that Las Vegas would not even exist today in its present form without the likes of Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson.

There is no shame in being successful. Mr. Wynn is responsible for the construction or refurbishing of seven casinos in Las Vegas.

The Bellagio alone employs at least 8,000 people. Ms. Ducharme may not like all of Steve Wynn's actions, but which one of us is perfect? I would remind her that President Obama is also a rich man by any common measure.

Despite what President Obama has charged, the rich have paid their "fair" share of taxes, since they have paid what they are legally bound to pay by the present tax code.

The president should look to his own Cabinet members for cheaters, beginning with Timothy Geithner, who did, in fact, not pay his "fair share" by failing to pay required Social Security and Medicare taxes for several years immediately prior to being nominated by President Obama to be treasury secretary.

If President Obama does not like the present tax code, he should change it. He has certainly had enough time to do so, especially in his first two years, when he had a completely Democratic Congress.

If Ms. Ducharme does not see the value of individuals such as Steve Wynn, I challenge her to explain how she would pay a living wage to the many thousands of individuals presently employed by Wynn Resorts.

Were it not for Mr. Wynn, she and I and every other taxpaying American would be paying them in the form of unemployment benefits or with some other form of welfare check.

People seem to forget that all these benefits come from the approximately 50 percent of Americans who presently pay taxes.

With the re-election of President Obama, we can all now plan on paying more and more.

MARIA RABBIO

LAS VEGAS

Motorcade

To the editor,

I have a question for Sen. Harry Reid: How come you go around telling us all about green and renewable energy and how it is good for us and the planet, but you do not always practice what you preach?

If you believe in green energy so much, then I would assume you would drive a smart car. However, recently you were involved in an accident on Interstate 15 and you were not traveling in a smart car or even a fuel-efficient car. Instead, you had a motorcade with four vehicles that were gas-guzzlers. Instead of Priuses and Volts, you were in an SUV followed by a four-door pickup.

Are smart cars not safe enough for a senator? Are they uncomfortable, or is it looks? Finally, do you pay for the fuel for these vehicles, or do the taxpayers? I have had to park my four-door pickup and drive my 30 mpg car around.

It does not appear that the price of gasoline going over $3.50 per gallon has affected your commute yet.

JORDAN ADAMS

PIOCHE