Where’s governor on computer thefts?

To the editor:

Your Aug. 18 editorial bemoans the financial loss to the taxpayers that occurred because of the apparent theft of 94 computers from the state Welfare Division and the failure of the "state bureaucrats" to identify the thieves.

I believe that these "state bureaucrats" are in the executive branch of the state government. Gov. Jim Gibbons is the head of that branch. He appoints the head bureaucrat of that agency. Why hasn't he called that individual into the governor's office and ordered that bureaucrat to find out what happened or be out on his rear end?

Where does the buck stop in this administration?

Berkeley lent

LAS VEGAS

Greedy utilities

To the editor:

In response to the Aug. 20 letter from B. Christie on local electric bills:

My June bill was $678.54. Now we have been without an air-conditioning unit since July. We have been suffering in the heat and cooling off with a fan. But July's bill was $527.53. These people have no mercy. We are 72 and 67 years of age on Social Security. I hope that when the Nevada Power people reach their golden years, they will see what it's like to suffer from the mismanagement and greed of others.

robert h. orine

HENDERSON

Power revolution

To the editor:

In response to B. Christie's Aug. 20 letter wondering why nobody is complaining about Nevada Power's rates: Get used to it if you are going to live here.

This is nothing new. I'm in a single-story, 1,700-square-foot home. There's just two of us. This past month, we hung clothes to dry, set the thermostat to 80 or 82 degrees, and on and on. What happened? A $90 increase to nearly $400.

The point is that Nevada Power is a monopoly and the Power Company Utility Commission ... er, I mean, the Public Utilities Commission ... is its ally. All of them, collectively, could not care less about seniors on fixed incomes -- just like the gas companies can charge what they want and we will continue to pay what they charge until people say, "Enough."

It will take a revolution, a revolt, a strike, a common boycott by masses of people to hold these commissions and monopolistic giants accountable. So until citizens are willing to join together and make sacrifices, the status quo consumption of these necessities just isn't going to cut it, and they will all get rich and charge us what they want. Get used to it.

peter haslehurst

LAS VEGAS

Insurance merger

To the editor:

The governor of Nevada sent out a press release this week. In it, he expressed his concerns over a merger of insurance companies that could have an impact on some citizens.

After all the regulations and controls imposed on insurance and other companies, the government still seeks more power. How much less would an insurance policy cost without all the bureaucratic red tape?

Whenever I've "needed" government assistance, I usually go to voice mail, then the run around, then the standard line: "There's nothing we can do. Hire a lawyer and take them to court."

So, if you have to sue in court, why do we need the expense of a middle man such as a government bureaucrat?

Now, don't get me wrong, I've been had a time or two by big corporations and didn't much care for it. I no longer do business with them -- and some that I did do business with are out of business because of bad business. Others have had my business for decades. It's called the free marketplace.

Keep government out of it.

Bruce feher

LAS VEGAS

Desert love

To the editor:

I am dismayed by recent stories you've carried about the closing of desert roads. Apparently, all residents of the Las Vegas Valley are expected to spend their non-working hours in casinos.

I no longer live in Las Vegas, but during my 10-year stay, some of the most memorable hours were spent in the desert.

My husband and I researched wildflowers, cactus, lizards, snakes, rocks, fossils, mines, formations and fish at Warm Springs. We saw sunrises, sunsets, snowstorms, eclipses, comets and stars. We taught our grandson the beauty of the desert.

Today's children will never learn these lessons.

We broke no laws, and I doubt if our dust ever made it to the city. The Wild West has been beaten into submission by power-hungry bullies. Once again, the little guy is losing more privileges and freedoms.

There is no doubt in my mind the rich and powerful will ride whenever and wherever they please. This is just another reason to vacation, live or explore elsewhere.

mary mayer

PARRISH, FLA.