Binion’s once had a good thing going
To the editor:
In response to the Dec. 1 story, "Binion's to close hotel":
A few years ago, Binion's had the best corned beef sandwich in town -- my opinion, of course. A short line was always an inconvenience, but the wait was worth it.
Then, for some reason, an idiot decided to cut costs. How he/she was able to find a bakery that made what I call "Jewish Wonder Bread" to replace the excellent Jewish rye bread is beyond my scope. But they did find a cheaper bread, and, yes, I did stop going to Binion's.
At the time, I wondered how long it would take for others to realize the hotel-casino was under new management.
D. GETTY
HENDERSON
Wrong path
To the editor:
Regarding Bryon Watkins' Nov. 19 letter, "Silly critics," and his reference to what he calls "asinine remarks about President Obama promoting socialism": I would refer him to Webster's definition of socialism.
"A theory of social reform, the main feature of which is to secure a reconstruction of society, with a more equal division of property and the fruits of labor, through common ownership."
As in government ownership ... as in the socialized health care reform bill he is intending to shackle the American people with. But then, to redistribute the wealth was his campaign promise.
Government intervention in our lives and livelihoods is the direct path of socialism, and sadly to say, President Obama has not veered from that path in his presidency.
JOANNE M. CAMPBELL
BOULDER CITY
Game playing
To the editor:
It is time for Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto to go. If she does not resign she should be impeached. Oh, I forgot, the Democrats are in power, so I guess impeachment is not an option.
As a citizen, I am sick and tired of all the political game playing at taxpayer expense. How much did her attempted prosecution of Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki cost the people of Nevada? Who pays? Not the attorney general, I bet.
BRUCE FEHER
LAS VEGAS
Bad smell
To the editor:
The dismissal of charges against Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki (Tuesday Review-Journal) indicates that some parts of our state judicial system work.
But from the time his case was brought to a grand jury, it simply made no sense. How could allowable and discretionary official acts give rise to indictable criminal conduct with no evidence of personal corruption?
It is often said that a prosecutor can indict a ham sandwich -- and possibly even a dangerous potential opponent for Harry Reid's coming Senate re-election campaign.
The awesome power bestowed upon prosecutors in the criminal justice system requires the highest standard of ethical conduct. Criminal justice professors have suggested a litmus test for the integrity of a prosecutor, to wit: "When you exercise discretion, are you more concerned with fairness, the likelihood of conviction, or political considerations?" Political considerations? This could explain a lot.
Is this the working of a political machine, with all its reprehensible attendant corruption? Who benefited from this potential abuse of executive power? Only one person, Harry Reid. The same Harry Reid who tried to send Dario Herrera to Congress and who worked to make Erin Kenny our lieutenant governor. Thankfully, the feds instead sent them to prison.
But now Catherine Cortez Masto, this politically active Democrat attorney general, brings a baseless, bizarre indictment against Harry Reid's probable opponent in the Senate campaign, destroying him politically and financially.
The stench is much worse than garbage; it's more like the putrid smell of machine corruption.
JOHN TOBIN
LAS VEGAS
No reform
To the editor:
I read that Sen. Harry Reid has said the Democrats are proposing to drop the public option and replace it with a government backed non-profit health plan. I'm not a lawyer, but doesn't that sound like they're just putting more lipstick on the same old pig?
I can't wait for next November so we can vote these clowns out of office.
I agree that we do need health care reform, but what is currently being proposed is a long way from realistic reform. Tort reform would be a major step forward, but the trial lawyers -- big contributors to the Democratic Party -- won't allow it. We should vote all lawyers out of office.
R.A. Salter
HENDERSON
Spread the cost
To the editor:
I have several objections to Beverly Daly Dix's Thursday letter, "Make smokers cover state budget deficit."
This is a tax on a minority population, and it's easy to favor it if you don't have to pay. According to an article in the Review-Journal, obesity is now the No. 1 health risk, so why not tax fatty foods, fast food and other "non-healthy" foods?
Better yet, put a tax on rolls of toilet paper so that everyone -- well, almost everyone -- pays his fair share.
Many other states have imposed this type of tax and then set aside a portion of the revenue to help people quit smoking. How ingenious. Tax a product and then help people to avoid the tax.
What happens when the revenue falls short?
I am tired of the tirades from nonsmokers and their voodoo science that takes circumstantial evidence and turns it into a given fact. Please don't give me that junk about secondhand smoke.
Fact is, we all die sooner or later, despite what we do or don't do.
Find a tax that spreads the cost among all residents who, in the long run, benefit from state expenditures.
Michael Stilley
MESQUITE
Gambling man
To the editor:
The cost for a new Las Vegas City Hall is $185 million? Where can I make a bet on the over?
JACK KRUEGER
LAS VEGAS
