Reid stays positive despite sour economic, political climate

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid managed to put an optimistic outlook on current events during his chat Wednesday with members of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce at the Four Seasons.

"Things are bad in Washington, but they've been worse in the past," Reid told an audience brimming with small-business owners, many of them Republican.

Then he proceeded to give them an American history lesson about the long tradition of infighting and backbiting in the halls of Congress.

"We've had difficult times in the past, much more difficult than today, much more difficult," he added. The economy and budget issues are causes for concern, "but don't think the country's going to fall apart."

It was interesting, but I'm not sure how much solace he provided his listeners. Reid also didn't offer details of President Barack Obama's plan to generate desperately needed jobs at a time of high unemployment and bruising budget deficits.

Reid did, however, ask a question that ought to intrigue business owners great and small: Why in the world is the federal government, in a time of crisis, still handing a fortune in tax breaks and subsidies to major oil companies that have enjoyed unprecedented profit in recent years?

You would think cutting off the obscene oil-giant subsidies was a subject Democrats and Republicans could agree on.

Wouldn't you?

THE BOSS: He's the Senate majority leader once he leaves the house in the morning, but Reid playfully revealed Wednesday how much checkbook clout he has at home with wife Landra. When she decided to send a generous birthday check to a grandchild recently, the political titan inquired, "Why are you sending him so much money?"

Mrs. Reid replied, "Because I want to."

That ended the debate.

Reid's critics will crack that it marks a rare time the majority leader has been so fiscally focused.

ONE TO WATCH: Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto is seeking permission to amend her complaint against Bank of America and subsidiaries, which include Countrywide, for failing to act in good faith with homeowners attempting to modify their mortgages.

Countrywide has already been named in a consent judgment, but the AG argues it still isn't acting responsibly. It's a complaint I continue to receive from frustrated homeowners, who have managed to "temporarily" modify their mortgages but are being disqualified on minor technicalities when they move to make the modification permanent.

GOOD STUFF: Metro Vice Detective Chris Baughman's first book, "Off the Street," hits store shelves this week. After reading an early copy, I can tell you it's a dramatic and compelling story torn straight from the dark streets located not far from where you live.

WILTED ROSIE'S: Travelers on U.S. 93 in Arizona have long used Rosie's Den as an oasis on the parched asphalt stretch that connects Las Vegas and Kingman. But Rosie's is no more.

After recently burning down, scorched rubble from the cafe and bar was being removed Wednesday afternoon. The owners have vowed to rebuild.

ON THE BOULEVARD: At the Chamber luncheon, political dignitaries past and present were introduced to polite applause. Former Mayor Oscar Goodman received the most enthusiastic welcome. After the rest were lauded, former Rep. Dina Titus was noticed and duly noted. ... Casino insiders are talking about another law enforcement investigation involving drugs and hookers at a popular local resort. At some point, management's see-no-evil excuses are going to wear thin.

BOULEVARD II: Kerry's Gourmet Burgers at Harrah's Las Vegas donated 10,974 meals to the Three Square food bank. It's just another example of chef Kerry Simon quietly assisting the community during Restaurant Week -- and the other 51 weeks as well.

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