Caucus? Why even bother voting?
To the editor:
In response to Jennifer Shaw's Wednesday letter lamenting the lack of interest among teenagers in the Democratic and Republican caucuses: I am sure she is sincere and concerned but at the same time disconnected from reality.
I am 68 and I have no interest in any of the caucuses either because I know it matters not one whit which candidate eventually becomes the president of the United States. The fact is that -- if each has not already done so -- each candidate will sell his or her soul to powerful special interests, give us nothing they promised, and will be too cowardly to take on the real problems of the country.
The United States is the greatest country in the world, but unfortunately it is now run by politicians who seem to have just two goals: to make everything illegal and to take everything we have. That may sound cynical, but it is the reality.
My vote does not count, nor does Ms. Shaw's.
A small group of political elites are in absolute control of the Democratic and Republican parties, and thus the future of the country. The impact of this election will be nil -- we will get more of the same. The choice is between bad or worse, skunk or rattlesnake.
If you think President Bush has been bad for the country -- and as a former Republican who voted for him, I do -- you have not seen anything yet. The only positive thing one can say about him is that he made President Carter look good -- and that took quite an effort.
My vote is dead. Your vote is dead. Everybody's vote is dead.
On Election Day, I will spend my time doing something worthwhile -- like playing video poker, where I have at least a slight chance of win something.
Boston Tea Party, anyone?
Kelso Sturgeon
HENDERSON
Fan mail
To the editor:
In what alternative universe are the editors of the Review-Journal living that they believe Nevada Democrats need or want your recommendation on how to vote in Saturday's caucuses?
Your Wednesday editorial, while technically endorsing Barack Obama, was insulting to all Democrats and all Democratic candidates, and an embarrassment to you. Your hyper-partisanship and refusal to see the different sides of issues make your views irrelevant to the majority of Nevadans.
Next time, please stick to something you know, like the candidacy of Rep. Ron Paul.
Bruce Mason
LAS VEGAS
Do not call
To the editor:
If I get another telephone call telling me that there is a caucus scheduled for this Saturday, I think I'll scream. What moron came up with the "Do Not Call" law and then excluded political phone calls?
These calls have been coming at all hours of the day and interrupt whatever I am doing -- three, four or more times every day for the past week and a half. Half the time they are computer-generated calls, with recordings of Hillary Clinton, John Edwards or Barack Obama asking for my support and trying to motivate me to participate in the caucus. As of now, I will not participate, because I'm fed up with all the damned calls.
The "Do Not Call" law needs to be modified. There should be three distinct categories of "Do Not Call," and consumers should be allowed to choose any or all of them. Specifically, those categories should be:
-- Businesses: Do not call unless I have a business relationship with your company.
-- Political candidates or organizations: Do not call, period.
-- Charitable organizations: Do not call, period.
If the law was changed, and people had the right to select any or all of the above, we might actually have some peace and quiet around here.
David Adams
LAS VEGAS
Broken system
To the editor:
I want to know why MSNBC thinks it has the right to decide who can and can't participate in a debate. Not allowing Rep. Dennis Kucinich to debate in Las Vegas on Tuesday just shows how messed up our election process is.
The fact that Rep. Kucinich did not get strong numbers in previous primaries is irrelevant. He is still in this race, and the voters have a right to hear his voice and stance on the issues. Rep. Kucinich has much to say and adds to the debate by taking a stand on issues that the other candidates do not.
Money drives our political system, and NBC showed us this week that if you don't have the money you won't get a seat at the table. We should all be disgusted by what happened, regardless of whom you support or which political party you belong to.
It effects all of us and is a sign of how broken our election process is.
JENNIFER MORAN FOLAND
LAS VEGAS
