Earmarks defy will of the founders

To the editor:

In Friday's edition, the Review-Journal quotes Nevada Reps. Jon Porter and Shelley Berkley and Sen. Harry Reid as saying they are proud of the money they have brought back to the state of Nevada, and that it is their "duty" to bring money back to their constituents.

Article I, Section 8, of our Constitution lays out the powers of our Congress as far as its power to tax and its duties insofar as spending. However, the Constitution does not state that Congress is to act with a total lack of common fiscal sense. Nor is there anything in our Constitution which says that representatives or senators have a stated "duty" to use their spending power to empower their constituents.

Rather, Article I, Section 8 [18] states that Congress has the power to "make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers ..."

These laws were originally interpreted, by our founders, as being legislation for the good of the nation, and not for the benefit of the legislator.

Using our tax dollars to impress one's constituents is not necessary and proper. Using our tax dollars to encourage one's constituents to support a particular congressman's or senator's next campaign is not necessary nor is it in any way, shape or form, proper. Only a fool would believe that pork-barrel spending is done for any other reason.

It is not just our congressmen and senators. It is Congress in general. Earmark spending is bankrupting the nation. The many are being harmed for the sake of the few.

If this is how our elected officials interpret their "duty," this nation is in for a long, hard, fiscal problem.

Jack L. Kane

LAS VEGAS

Universal health care

To the editor:

Your Friday editorial "This isn't brain surgery" was a great anecdote to send fear into Americans about the problems with universal health care. Having to wait four months when you have a brain tumor is scary.

However, at least the Canadian man mentioned in the editorial would have gotten care, even if he didn't seek quicker treatment in the United States. If he were American and he didn't have insurance, he would have died. In Canada, there are zero citizens without health insurance. In the United States, there are 50 million.

I think I would rather have a brain tumor in Canada than live in the United States without health insurance.

Tim Rogan

LAS VEGAS

Race and gender

To the editor:

The constant sniping and use of code words about the "race card" during the presidential campaign is ridiculous. Not all will vote for someone, or not vote for someone, just because of the color of his skin. Most people can get past that issue.

The use of these snipes and code words today to sway a vote in a certain direction is disgraceful. America was ready to have Colin Powell as president. If America does not seem ready to have Barack Obama as president, it may have less to do with his race than his qualifications.

The same goes for the issue of voting for a woman president. Perhaps it is not the fact that Hillary Clinton is a woman, but that she is not a qualified woman. Where are Elizabeth Dole and Condoleezza Rice when you need them?

Jeanne Sant

LAS VEGAS

Cancer treatment

To the editor:

Your Sunday headline "Nevada medical care left behind," was slightly misleading.

University system Chancellor Jim Rogers is not leaving the state for cancer surgery because Nevada's care and facilities are inadequate. He is leaving because the cancer he has is uncommon and needs specialized treatment by experienced doctors.

Last year, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. After doing research, I decided to stay here in Nevada as opposed to going to Johns Hopkins or the University of California, San Francisco for treatment.

I learned that two practices were well-known and are extremely competent in treating and curing my form of cancer. The level of pre- and post-op care I received was excellent.

Not every medical facility can be all things to all people. The important thing is that they do what they do well, and there are many of these facilities here in Las Vegas and in Nevada.

Bill Sullivan

LAS VEGAS

Sexist art

To the editor:

The Jan. 20 Back Page featured a few editorial cartoons bashing Sen. Hillary Clinton. One in particular was in very bad taste.

Cartoonist Pat Oliphant of Universal Press Syndicate referred to Sen. Clinton being the president and being incompetent because of PMS.

That is unconscionable, sexist and downright cowardly.

VERNON KOLECKA

LAS VEGAS