How will stimulus help small business?
To the editor:
I own a construction company that employs 21 people. Our work is within the swimming pool industry. I estimate the unemployment rate in the pool industry to be near 50 percent, with the other 50 percent not fully employed.
The "economic stimulus" bill that passed the House provides $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts. How will that help my employees with their mortgage payments? The bill provides $250 million to upgrade computers for the State Department. How will this help my employees pay bills that might be overdue?
The bill gives $200 million to spruce up the National Mall in Washington. How can lawmakers justify this expense to my employees, who have not had a family vacation in quite a long time? The bill provides $87 million for family planning. How can this be explained to my employees, who are struggling to provide necessities for their families?
The pool industry, unlike Wall Street and the banking community, is receiving no help. We need tax relief and tax incentives, and we need them quickly.
Small businesses have been the backbone of the U.S. economy for years. Has Congress forgotten about us? Or do they simply do not care?
John Vinzant
LAS VEGAS
Anti-government
To the editor:
It is irresponsible of the Review-Journal to print headlines such as "Public service pays off," and "Government workers (emphasis on the plural) find pensions add up," when the top of your Sunday In Depth report was about a single, high-ranking former government official, namely Richard Perkins, retired Henderson police chief.
The Review-Journal is deliberately misleading readers and feeding the anti-public-employee crowd. The majority of current and retired public employees have earned considerably less money than Mr. Perkins and will receive a vastly smaller pension, comparable likely to the Social Security benefits given to private-industry employees. Yet the Review-Journal continues to write inflammatory and misleading articles that distort reality and make enemies of workers who should be uniting to resolve the real issues related to the aging of our citizenry.
Report on Mr. Perkins. Include the statistics of how much police and firefighters make when compared with other public employee salaries and benefits. Include the comparisons to other states. Include the facts about the Public Employees Retirement System and how it operates.
Stop the inflammatory, misleading headlines that only serve the anti-government advocates.
Dorothy Howard
HENDERSON
Impose income tax
To the editor:
I work for the Nevada System of Higher Education. If the governor wants to cut 6 percent of my salary, then he should propose imposing a 6 percent state income tax on me. Reducing my salary is illegal. Collecting taxes is legal.
His "No new taxes" rhetoric is getting old. The governor should govern this state by proposing real solutions. The people of this state should start to pay for the services and infrastructure that we use. If people think state employees can afford to pay for the budget shortfall, then they should realize that all the gainfully employed citizens of this state can help out with this problem, also.
We need a state income tax to stabilize our budget crisis.
Roger A. Rennels
HENDERSON
Tax man
To the editor:
President Obama is doing a wonderful job. He has single-handedly collected more than $400,000 in back taxes from two of his Cabinet nominees: Timothy Geithner and Tom Daschle.
Fortunately, only one was confirmed: the one who will be collecting taxes from all of us. You know, Mr. Geithner, the new secretary of the treasury.
Edward J. Gangloff
LAS VEGAS
Promotion strategy
To the editor:
I am trying to qualify to be selected by President Obama for a Cabinet post -- I have stopped paying my taxes.
Jack Asgar
LAS VEGAS
The Bush precedent
To the editor:
President Obama told a national news organization "I screwed up" regarding the failed nomination of Tom Daschle to head Health and Human Services. Hasn't he learned anything about being president?
Mr. Obama should learn from history. Learn from his predecessor. Citizen Bush never admitted to messing up anything. He blamed the press, blamed his predecessor, blamed terrorists, blamed any group that would divert the blame from him.
I am appalled that the current president wants to bring accountability and honor to the office. We've learned during the past eight years that this is not what the office of president of the United States is about.
President Obama, stop accepting blame for your actions and get back to the chores of the office: enriching the wealthy and connected, turning your back on the economy and starting wars to impress your family members.
Didn't you learn anything from the 43rd president?
Randall Buie
HENDERSON
