LETTERS: Education funding needs give-and-take

To the editor:

OK, I get it. We’re not supporting the Clark County Education Association to some people’s satisfaction. So I propose this: First, give us a number. Tell us exactly how much money you need, over and above current funding, for the next 10, maybe even 20 years. Then live with that number, come hell or high water.

Second, let’s pass a state income tax or a state lottery to raise the money. Third, give us a line-by-line, school-by-school, program-by-program budget, with full disclosure: teacher salaries, administrative salaries, everything.

Of course, maybe then, the CCEA can put a concession on the table, too — perhaps reductions in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System plan. Be accountable to us. Then perhaps we can talk turkey. After all, it is all about the children. Isn’t it?

JOE PANTOZZI

LAS VEGAS

Medical school money

To the editor:

After reading Gil Eisner’s letter suggesting that wealthy local residents should pony up the $27 million to fund the UNLV medical school, I had to respond. Mr. Eisner feels that these local “gazillionaires” who call Las Vegas their home should pay for the medical school to “give back to the community that gave them so much.”

First of all, these “gazillionaires” probably already give millions of dollars to charities. But what amuses me are the tactics of certain people in this country who feel they have a right to tell others how to allocate their money.

On that theme, let me suggest that Mr. Eisner get all his associates, friends and relatives, and start a drive to raise the money for the medical school he so desires. That way, he too can give back to the community that provides for him.

MICHAEL O. KREPS

LAS VEGAS

Treasonous Heller

To the editor:

As I read the list of senators who had signed a letter to Iranian government officials undermining U.S. negotiations with an adversary, I was hoping to find that our senator, Dean Heller, was among the seven Republicans who had not signed (“Heller defends signing letter to Iran: Obama left ‘no choice,’” March 11 Review-Journal). Sadly, I was disappointed.

The definition of treason is “giving aid and comfort to an enemy of the United States.” Aaron Burr was charged with treason for interfering with negotiations with a hostile foreign power. Sen. Dean Heller and these other disloyal senators should also be charged. The fact that it won’t happen does not make their crime any less egregious.

JOHN ISAACS

LAS VEGAS

Stop the circus

To the editor:

I would like to thank Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus for making the long overdue decision to retire its 13 elephants over the next three years (“Activists push Ringling Bros. to end elephant acts,” March 5 Review-Journal online). Many of us would like to see this happen sooner, but it’s better late than never.

These elephants travel up to 50 weeks a year and live in a railroad car. For those with arthritis and other bone problems, three years is a long time. I can only hope circus officials will build them a facility where they can be free to roam and let off chains. The elephants have sure earned a peaceful retirement.

Now that Ringling Bros. has heard the public’s outcries and looked at the animal suffering, circus officials should think about retiring the rest of the animals, too. It would be wonderful to see Ringling Bros. do the right thing and stop the animal trains all together, and let the people who choose to travel with the animals continue with a Cirque du Soleil-type circus that all people could enjoy. It is the right thing to do, and society should demand it.

LINDA FASO

LAS VEGAS