Monday, November 08, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
LETERS: Reid should learn lesson from Daschle's loss
To the editor:
Sen. Harry Reid had a pretty easy time with re-election this year, but he needs to keep in mind a major lesson from Tuesday. Outgoing Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle lost in South Dakota because he spent so much time spouting the left-wing lexicon that he quit representing his constituents back home. He was from a moderate to conservative state but didn't act that way in Washington. South Dakotans let him know that this week.
Sen. Reid should keep that in mind over the next six years. You can bet we Nevadans will.
DAVID GIBBS
NORTH LAS VEGAS
Cleaning out court
To the editor:
Outgoing Family Court judges think they lost their seats because of fliers. If other people voted as I did, they voted for someone new.
The majority of judges in Family Court have no idea what constitutes due process and a fair hearing. These rules should be posted on all courtroom walls so newcomers will not take the same path.
SUSAN A. JACKSON
LAS VEGAS
Police pursuits
To the editor:
When a stolen car chase results in the deaths of two innocent victims, I think it's past time to rethink police department policies. This is not the first instance of such a tragedy ("Wreck in police pursuit kills two," Thursday).
A stolen car is a crime and an inconvenience. It shouldn't become a disaster of this magnitude. When there is no evidence of an additional serious crime that involves a stolen car, can't Las Vegas police find a better way to halt the fleeing vehicle without pursuit? Our law-abiding citizens deserve protection from the repercussions of the criminal's behavior and Metro's aggressive response to it. Let's work on a better solution.
NANCY THOMAS
LAS VEGAS
Financial institutions
To the editor:
Your Friday Business article, "New law rankles pawnbrokers," underlined Nevada's uneven business legislation. State Taxation Director Chuck Chinnock confirms pawnshops are considered financial institutions that should pay a 2 percent payroll tax, rather than the regular 0.65 percent rate. Whether collateral is involved isn't at issue, as payday loan centers are also assessed the 2 percent tax.
A key question: Does this legislation exempt casinos? Fill out a credit application at any casino, and once processed (like a loan application), one can "draw a marker" at any table game. That's a loan. Has Mr. Chinnock explained why casinos should not pay the 2 percent tax on their employees?
LARRY M. TOTH
LAS VEGAS
Election mandate
To the editor:
Columnist Steve Sebelius doesn't believe this election was a mandate ("Mistakes were made," Thursday). So much for pulling together for a stronger, better America.
There is a strong message from the election results: Most Americans' votes are not for sale to George Soros, Michael Moore and the rest of the Hollywood crowd who were given free reign during the Clinton years. Morality, decency and core beliefs are the stuff the voters were looking for and found in George W. Bush.
TRUDY CUNNINGHAM
HENDERSON
Not a mandate
To the editor:
If you wish to endorse George W. Bush for president, that's fine. You are entitled to your opinion. But please do not make a fools out of yourself -- and at the same time insult the intelligence of the Las Vegas community -- by referring to the president's election victory as a mandate ("Bush wins re-election," Thursday). A 51 percent simple majority of the popular vote is far from a mandate.
CHRIS BLAKESLEY
LAS VEGAS
Democratic woes
To the editor:
What's wrong with the Democrats? Where do I start?
My parents belonged to the Democratic Party when it was the party of the people. Working men and women knew the Democratic Party mirrored their needs and interests. They could be assured that someone was looking out for their interests.
This was not to say that abortion, gay rights, Greenpeace or any myriad of other fractionalizing things were part of the Democratic Party. This was about basic differences between the Republicans and Democrats.
I joined the Republican Party because the Democrats became the party of malcontents. Think about it. Why isn't the gay agenda in the Republican Party platform? Because the Republican Party won't have them. Why isn't the Greenpeace agenda in the Republican Party platform? Because the Republican Party won't have them.
Democrats are not all liberals. It is an unfortunate circumstance that those minority interests have caused the liberal moniker to be placed on the party.
In my opinion, if the Democrats want to become successful again, they must get back to basics. Splinter groups that want their agendas backed should start their own party.
If the Democrats get back to what made them a great political party, maybe people like me will go back to them. Until they do, they will continue to lose election after election.
WILLIAM D. BRZEZINSKI
LAS VEGAS
Fall surprises
To the editor:
Fall is full of surprises. First, the Red Sox win the World Series, then Sen. Tom Daschle is defeated, opening a leadership opportunity for Nevada Sen. Harry Reid. What's next? The monorail running again? That would be a surprise.
KYLE OTTO
LAS VEGAS
Sowell rubs it in
To the editor:
You won. Republicans rule. The liberal, immoral, unpatriotic, criminal-coddling, media-pandering, French-loving Democrats have been beaten and humbled.
Is it really necessary to stomp your opponents to death with the vicious rhetoric and outrageous distortions of Thomas Sowell ("Bush narrowly escapes liberal mainstream media," Friday)? Give it a rest. Give Mr. Sowell a warm glass of vitriol and send him to his Yucca Mountain retreat.
LARRY SWETTE
HENDERSON
The big choice
To the editor:
Thankfully, the election is over, and the people's mandate is clear: It's big oil over big ketchup.
TONY ROMERSA
LAS VEGAS
