Being force-fed political baloney
To the editor:
Every week my unlisted phone rings in the middle of dinner, thanks to someone who wants to influence my presidential vote. There is no way that a phone conversation with a stranger is going to change my political persuasion, so the call is an unwanted irritation.
They are going to hammer you with their message every week from now to November, and there is nothing you can do about it. If there are any influential readers of these letters who still cherish a right of privacy, perhaps they can make it possible to have dinner after a long day without a large portion of political baloney.
KARL CHAMBERLAIN
LAS VEGAS
Not too smart
To the editor:
In his July 29 column, Sherman Frederick says President Obama will win Nevada in the November election.
Nevada ranks last nationally in education. Enough said.
THOMAS TESH
CALIENTE
Olympic travesty
To the editor:
Kudos to Tim Dahlberg of The Associated Press for his column in the Aug. 4 Review-Journal regarding professional athletes participating in the Olympics. Not only are they violating the Olympic ethic - it's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game - they are also depriving college athletes of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
In addition, the media abet these gross mismatches by giving the players a lot of ink for their victories over many teams that wouldn't last a quarter on a basketball court with a high school team.
In 1980, the U.S. Olympic hockey team proved that amateurs could best professionals when they beat the Russians in the semifinals before putting away Finland for the gold.
It's time for the pros to get out of the Olympics and stop making a travesty of an amateur sport.
JAMES E. CUSTER
LAS VEGAS
Outrageous deal
To the editor:
Public employees get the gravy. Working stiffs get stiffed.
The Washoe County School Board recently agreed to pay the district's new superintendent $238,000. The outrageous salary doesn't end there. Pedro Martinez will also get bonuses of up to $24,000 a year, a free vehicle for his use, full health and medical coverage for him and his family and a fully qualified, tax-sheltered annuity.
Compare that to a person working in the private sector who receives a yearly salary, no free medical benefits for himself and his family, no free car to use, no bonus of at least $24,000 and certainly no tax-sheltered annuity.
What's wrong with this picture, Nevadans? Our tax money is being used to enrich a public employee. State and local officials keep telling us we are in a bad economy, yet they have no qualms about signing four-year contracts and squandering our money on one of their own.
These good-old-boy contracts have got to stop. Any prudent, competent person could do Mr. Martinez's job for much less than even his base salary of $238,000. Outrageous.
Where are all the people who should be marching on the state in protest of public employee pay and benefits?
And you wonder why cities in Nevada are on the brink of bankruptcy.
BRADLEY W. KUHNS
LAS VEGAS
Can't vouch
To the editor:
A school voucher system is a horrible idea for Nevada ("Republican lawmaker plans to champion school vouchers," Aug. 3 Review-Journal). Although I share the concerns of Lynn Warne, president of the Nevada State Education Association, regarding less money for public schools, I am even more concerned that at voucher-supported schools, children will be taught things that simply are not true.
For instance, under Louisiana's voucher program, science students at some schools use textbooks published by Accelerated Christian Education. Students are exposed to patently ridiculous claims, including the existence of the Loch Ness Monster and the supposed past co-existence of humans and dinosaurs. Meanwhile, they learn to repeat deceptive criticisms regarding evolution and Earth history.
What's next? Our tax dollars used to support Islamic fundamentalist schools declaring that saltwater and freshwater do not mix? Or used to support schools approved by Tea Party leaders?
In these days of Mars rovers, STEM Education, and Next Generation Science Standards, it is sad that so many Americans support voucher initiatives.
WILLIAM R. FOUTS
LAS VEGAS
Bottom feeders
To the editor:
Your July 28 editorial, "On the money," was right on the money. You write that "the top 10 percent of earners paid 71 percent of all income taxes in 2009, while half of all workers paid nothing." Well, thank God these bottom feeders have finally been exposed!
Just because they pay payroll taxes, state income taxes, state and local sales taxes, gas bills, electric bills, water bills, licensing fees, sewage charges, garbage removal charges and registration fees, these useless sponges think they should be able to dodge the IRS.
Let's let these malevolent ingrates, sniveling deadbeats, and blood-sucking parasites stew in the cauldron of the Review-Journal's hellfire and damnation. Eternally.
ROY GROSSER
LAS VEGAS
A man's plan
To the editor:
I have a business plan that I should have started 3½ years ago. What took me so long?
Phase 1: Refinance my house to the max. Borrow from family, friends, banks and anyone else I can find.
Phase 2: Contribute $50,000 to $60,000 to the Obama campaign, hoping he gets elected.
Phase 3: Since he got elected, ask for loans from taxpayers of up to $30 million to start some kind of green energy business.
Phase 4: Get my loans (because I was a contributor) and start my business doing something in green energy. I really don't care what the business is because it will be bankrupt in a few years anyway. As CEO, I will draw a salary of $5 million per year so I can jet around the country and attend meetings with VIPs.
Phase 5: Now that I no longer have my business, but lots of money, I will contribute at least $100,000 to the Democrats. That should be enough to get me another loan to start a new green energy business.
And the wheels on the bus go round and round.
C. JACKSON
LAS VEGAS
