Wisconsin’s budget, Nevada and the pain of dealing with fiscal realities

To the editor:

The state of Wisconsin has a $3.6 billion budget shortfall. As a result it's considering reducing costs by eliminating state worker unions.

Here in Nevada, some believe our deficit over a two-year period could reach $3.3 billion.

The per capita budget shortfall here is $611 versus Wisconsin's $632. What is it our part-time Legislature proposes to do? Hint: Promoting larger families is not the answer.

Richard Rychtarik

Las Vegas

To the editor:

The new governor of Wisconsin, facing a $3.6 billion budget deficit and not wanting to raise taxes, has called upon the unionized state workers and teachers to pay for more of their own pension and health care benefits. (Does any of this sound familiar?) In addition to this, their governor is also calling for an end to collective bargaining rights for most state workers.

I agree with this. Here's why.

Bargaining rights for public workers create a very corrupt cycle. Public workers are paid with taxpayer dollars. Even though this includes the worker's own taxes paid, the vast majority of their pay and benefits comes from taxes collected from private-sector workers. These public workers pay union dues. Their unions use said dues to elect politicians who are sympathetic to their cause regarding pay and benefits. These politicians vote for ever sweeter pay and benefits for the unionized workers. More union dues are collected and around we go ...

Now I know some will say members of the private sector use their money to elect politicians sympathetic to their causes, too. True. But the key words here are "private sector." These monies don't include my or your taxes.

When I was a kid, my older brother was at times fond of teasing me by grabbing my wrist and making me slap myself. All the while saying, "Stop hitting yourself, stop hitting yourself." The notion of collective bargaining rights for public workers sure brings back some crazy memories.

Mark D. Traeger

Las Vegas

To the editor:

Wisconsin voters elected state representatives to debate and enact important legislation. When something controversial comes up, the Democrats hide in an adjoining state. This is no better than a worker calling in sick and using the day as a vacation day.

Where is Barack Obama's outrage at this "obstructionism"? The cowards should be docked a day's wages just as any other worker.

Will these elected officials sit in the capital only when items are on the agenda that they agree with? I hope Wisconsin voters will remember next election the "hard" work that they paid for.

Joyce Albert

Henderson