Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
LETTERS: District needs no-nonsense superintendent
To the editor:
Your insightful editorial of July 11, "Throwing money at education," inspired me to provide my thoughts on the subject.
I dare our illustrious School Board to say "enough is enough" and start searching for a new superintendent of schools who doesn't opine that the cure for a failed school system is more and more money: If this philosophy were factual, the District of Columbia would have the best school system in the country instead of one of the worst.
Superintendent Carlos Garcia should be introduced to the private arena concept of cost centers -- each one of them has to be profitable or their managers are replaced. Within the school system, each school should be considered a cost center with educational excellence substituted for monetary profits.
What we need in Clark County is a "tough as nails" superintendent who will not be intimidated by the teacher and administrator unions; who will reduce bureaucracy and place the preponderance of authority and responsibility back in the hands of the individual school cost (educational) centers and their principals, the caveat being that excellence brings rewards and mediocrity brings dismissal.
Back in the '90s when Seattle had major problems within its school district, very similar to ours, it brought in a tough, no-nonsense, retired army general. The union leaders were apoplectic and the teachers skeptical. But after two years the Seattle school system was well on the way to recovery.
Does anything I've said give any Las Vegans thoughts on how to get out of our educational quagmire?
JOHN J. ERLANGER
LAS VEGAS
Tables turned
To the editor:
The Texas school teacher Social Security scam is one side of the coin (editorial, July 5). The other side? If you work in a job, pay Social Security taxes, stay long enough to qualify for benefits, but then go work for a public-sector employer with a self-funded pension plan or state plan -- and work in this second job until you retire -- Social Security will take away the Social Security benefit you have already earned, up to a maximum of 90 percent. This is outrageous.
In the interest of keeping Social Security afloat, they steal a benefit you earned and rightfully deserve. And then they have the gall to title this action "the windfall provision offset." What windfall? This was an earned benefit.
Kind of makes you smile that the Texas teachers turned the tables on Social Security, doesn't it?
JOE GREENWOOD
VIRGINIA CITY HIGHLANDS
Under God
To the editor:
In his letter of July 6, Walter E. Gunther misrepresents historical facts and fails to understand that our Constitution consists of the original written document as well as subsequent interpretations by the U.S. Supreme Court. While we may not agree with Supreme Court decisions, they become part of the Constitution until they are reversed by a later decision.
The opening words of the First Amendment have been clearly and consistently interpreted in Supreme Court decisions to mean that government may not endorse religion. Putting "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance makes that patriotic statement a prayer, and that is clearly an unconstitutional endorsement of religion.
Removing those words (which are offensive to those who refuse to pray in public) does not mean that Mr. Gunther cannot say them when he recites the pledge. It means only that government schools may not teach children the pledge as a prayer containing the words "under God." It means that government cannot endorse religion, but anyone is free to say whatever words he chooses in reciting the pledge.
Finally, Mr. Gunther suggests that success in drafting the Constitution was achieved as a result of Benjamin Franklin's request "that the writers seek God's guidance." While it is true that Franklin requested formal prayer before deliberating, his request was not adopted and no such prayers took place. Apparently, although most of the drafters of the Constitution believed in God, they also understood that such a belief was a private matter that should not be aided or hindered by government. As a result, they were able to draft a God-free Constitution which, so far, has prevented this country from becoming a theocracy.
MEL LIPMAN
LAS VEGAS
Bashing stars
To the editor:
Re: your story on the "star-studded" Bush-bashing gala in New York City:
Boy, these moral and intellectual midgets are really coming out of closet. Have they forgotten that we were attacked and are at war? Thank God (more about that later) we have a president with the courage to take care of a vital matter that was largely ignored for the previous eight years -- protecting our nation as commander in chief. We should also be grateful that he has kept the war out of our cities, and for the young men and women (my Marine Corps son included) who have the moral and physical courage and honor to take care of that fight.
Evidently, this is something beyond the grasp of these utterly naive and inconsequential "stars." This event was shameful and devoid of any intellectual honesty or common sense. It was simply a hate-fest against the president. John Kerry should be ashamed for his association with it -- but he's not, thus showing his lack of courage and/or leadership.
As to Meryl Streep's silly rhetorical question about Jesus' willingness to drop bombs: He was very clear on that. The business of governing is left up to the government. His kingdom "is not of this world." And yes, Ms. Streep, if every one of those Islamo-fascists loved us as they love themselves -- reflecting Jesus' teaching -- there would be no need for war.
But it's not the case. It never has been been and never will be, thus emphasizing the need for strong and able leadership, not the fecklessness that today's Democratic Party offers.
GARY FRANZEN
LAS VEGAS
Voter fraud
To the editor:
Conspicuously absent from your recent story about the surge in fraudulent voter registration was any mention of the punishment associated with the crime and any mention of efforts to stop it. How many people been prosecuted in the past 10 years for voter fraud? Exactly what steps is Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax taking to stop what has become a major problem that threatens the election process?
GERRY LOCK
LAS VEGAS
