Lawmakers always looking out for themselves

To the editor:

Given all the chatter and negotiations between the parties concerning immigration, one could easily come to the erroneous conclusion that our legislators are actually attempting to implement something beneficial for all Americans. However when one places a column such as Thomas Sowell’s (“Gambling with immigration,” Sunday) alongside the rhetoric emanating from Washington, it’s readily apparent that the motives of the two parties are poles apart.

To use Mr. Sowell’s concept of using a group’s characteristics as a basis for decision making, our leaders know that if a certain group historically endorses another certain group and votes for that group in high-percentage majorities, the receiving group will do all they possibly can to take advantage of that attraction. These actions will, of course, be a big factor in any future elections and will assure those pandering to the voting groups remain in office for multiple terms.

The result for the long-term office holder, be it House or Senate, is the change in their financial status. After three or four terms, their status has changed radically. Many members of Congress are now multimillionaires, and through the position, prestige and influence they’ve enjoyed over the several years, they have a lifetime of significant wealth ahead. In addition, a millionaire retiring representative or senator also receives a substantial pension and free medical care for life.

Don’t fall for the stories suggesting that the emphasis is being placed on a “workable” new immigration policy. The resulting legislation will be definitely slanted toward those groups that can produce votes for their benefactors come the next election.

WILLIAM BOYD

MESQUITE

Stopping UMC

To the editor:

Regarding your April 25 report, “Tax hike for UMC considered”:

Clark County commissioners are trying to put a Band-Aid on University Medical Center losses. They have no business trying to run a hospital, as Commissioner Steve Sisolak stated. It belongs in the hands of a private enterprise.

Second, Social Security recipients and disabled veterans got a benefit increase of 1.7 percent this year. Commissioner Chris Guinchigliani voted to increase commissioner salaries by more than $8,000. It doesn’t pass the smell test.

R. BEJARANO

NORTH LAS VEGAS

Long-hauling

To the editor:

Methinks Bill Shranko doth protest too loudly (“Report alleging overcharging by cabbies angers exec,” Saturday Review-Journal). Long-hauling by cabdrivers in Las Vegas does exist, whether he wants to believe it or not.

In March 2012, my son and his girlfriend flew into town to watch a basketball tournament at The Orleans. I didn’t know they were coming to join my husband and me, and their plan was to meet us at Macayo’s on East Tropicana Avenue, which is close to the airport, to have dinner before the game.

My son, who was born and raised here, instructed the cabdriver to take Swenson and then make the right on Tropicana to quickly arrive at Macayo’s. But no, the driver longhauled them through the tunnel, down I-15 all the way to Flamingo, and back around before arriving, $40 later, at Macayo’s. Not the quickest way by a long shot.

In his heart of hearts, Mr. Shranko knows this happens in our city. Maybe this event happened in one of his cabs.

MEGAN SMITH

LAS VEGAS

Gay Boy Scouts

To the editor:

It was sad to read arguments against allowing gay boys to join the Boy Scouts (“Boy Scouts propose to lift gay ban for youth,” April 19 Review-Journal) using God, country and political correctness.

As a young boy, and not sure at what age, I became intensely attracted to girls. It isn’t something one chooses. It’s something that happens and has a profound influence on your social interactions, your life in general, as well as the emotions it creates.

Boys who experience those feelings toward other boys didn’t make a choice. It was something that came naturally to them.

There is no pill, therapy, etc., that will change this. For most of us, we accept this, respect their choice and don’t treat them as an inferior individual who insults mankind. To deny these young boys an opportunity to belong to any organization, specifically the Boys Scouts, and use words such as God and country, is not just foolish and ignorant, but goes against what religious groups preach, such as being a loving person who holds out their arms to those in need.

It seems those who sit in the first pew at church and throw the most money into the basket are the least tolerant and most biased of individuals. It’s not politically correct to allow gay boys to be Boy Scouts, it’s simply the right thing to do.

Those who wish to believe that God made man in his own image must respect that each individual born is somehow related to him and not subjectively choose who should be the chosen one. To take it out on young boys who already face unfair hardships, by denying them opportunities to join any group that will enrich their life, is the cruelest thing that one human being can do to another.

To hide behind God, using him as an excuse, is cowardly.

ED WAGNER

LAS VEGAS