All kids should be able to bring books home
To the editor:
Upon reading your Saturday report by James Haug, I found it deplorable to discover that students in the poorer areas of Clark County are not allowed to take textbooks home, but those in wealthier parts of the school district are. I thought we were finished with discrimination based on income.
The School Board should be ashamed that it is allowing this to happen. Trustees are supposed to provide equal educational opportunities to all. But apparently some are more equal than others. It's about time that the School Board wakes up and starts taking some control.
The report says, "Some schools in poorer neighborhoods don't allow students to take books home." There is no rationale, no reasoning nor any excuse that would justify this kind of discrimination. It has to stop -- and stop now.
SAM BOWLER
LAS VEGAS
The Lobbyist State
To the editor:
In regard to Jane Ann Morrison's Thursday column about lobbyist Irene Porter: It is certainly appropriate (and indeed one of the perks of a columnist) to mention someone she has known personally and professionally in her column, particularly in a time of personal challenge.
However, this is a time when government at all levels is failing in every responsibility to the citizenry. This is a time when politically connected doctors can assault their patients with impunity while his friends on the Board of Medical Examiners treat it as a minor mistake. This is a time when our lawmakers are so beholden to special interests (and their lobbyists) that they can do nothing without kissing the rings of their casino industry masters. This is a time when even after sending half the previous membership of the Clark County Commission to prison, there seem to be fresh scandals brewing (inspections of hotel construction and remodeling and worker deaths come to mind).
One less lobbyist at the special session in Carson City had to be an improvement.
I wonder what world Ms. Morrison lives in, because it looks nothing like the Nevada I live in. While I would never impugn the personal integrity of someone I had only read a small amount about, there are no "straight shooters" in Carson City or any of the halls of government across this state. Where I live, politicians consider the fact that they have never been indicted worthy of praise.
I truly wish Irene Porter and anyone similarly situated a speedy recovery. However, I wish every lobbyist had something that would keep them from going to Carson City.
Scott Miller
LAS VEGAS
Big government
To the editor:
You published a very good commentary by Steven Greenhut on the front page of your Sunday Viewpoints section ("Big government getting bigger").
His comment about America's founders really hit the target. "They knew something Americans since have forgotten: The biggest threat most of us face is from our own government, not foreign invaders."
Bravo, Mr. Greenhut. Reminds me of my days in Vietnam so many, many years ago when we had a chance to relax over a beer and talk about the whys and wheres of war. Our saying then was, "Our real enemy does not necessarily wear a uniform, and is not necessarily here in Vietnam."
As for Mr. Greenhut's question, "What are the chances during this election year that candidates will talk about America's biggest problem -- the unstoppable expansion of government at every level?" Candidates may, just may, talk about it, but as for the chances of doing something about it, there are two answers: slim and none.
AL CIRICILLO
LAS VEGAS
Tax hikes
To the editor:
Hank Stone's Thursday letter to the editor stated: "A tax on business earnings in this state with a substantial exemption to protect small business could raise hundreds of millions of dollars at time when our other taxes are failing to raise the revenues this state needs to maintain and grow its economy and quality of life."
I would like Mr. Stone to cite one example where a government has been able to tax its way into prosperity.
Gerry Lock
LAS VEGAS
Cha-ching!
To the editor:
Here's my solution to the state budget crisis: Repeal the state law that prohibits the use of cameras to automatically photograph people speeding on Nevada freeways. Two months after the cameras are installed on the Las Vegas Beltway, state coffers would be full.
William Haven
HENDERSON
Preserving liberty
To the editor:
In response to the performance of the U.S. Congress:
Those who do not study and learn the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution are destined to lose them.
Robert S. Tobias
LAS VEGAS
