LETTERS: Ignore Ignatius’ advice on tea party

To the editor:

David Ignatius is the trumpet played by Washington intellectual elites, reproducing the notes of their seductive song of socialism with piercing clarity. In your Oct. 20 Viewpoints section, his tune was quite different. He wants to help Republicans rekindle public goodwill by dumping that despicable tea party and electing “good” people in upcoming primaries. He even suggests a couple of squishy presidential candidates. No offense intended, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Mr. Ignatius sees the tea party as dangerous extremists, aggressively but futilely opposing a health insurance law that, quite frankly, stinks to high heaven. Outspoken congressional sympathizers of the tea party view are depicted as nut cases, so scared of these constituents they have the unmitigated gall to openly defy Republican leaders ordering a cave-in to Democrat demands.

Thanks so much for your kind advice, Mr. Ignatius. But why such enthusiasm to aid the enemy Republicans? Is it because you and your leftist friends scorn the tea party? Or fear it?

After all, the tea party isn’t a real political party. It can’t change the rules. It’s just a philosophy; a true grass-roots movement based on values and beliefs that are the antithesis of the phony-baloney utopia currently being peddled in Washington. The tea party works not in some office but in the hearts and minds of Americans who believe in individual responsibility and the personal freedom to pursue a life that makes the best of their abilities and determination. They want a strong nation prospering for the generations that follow

The Beltway Boys fear ideas more than people.

PHIL WATERMAN

LAS VEGAS

Police funding

To the editor:

In response to your Wednesday report, “Police shooting under review”:

Yes, Las Vegas police need more money. How about this? The Clark County Commission should refuse to even consider a tax increase until and unless the Metropolitan Police Department can go 18 months without shooting an unarmed civilian. Is that really too much to ask? That police officers stop shooting people who pose no threat? You know, abide by what is allegedly department policy? How many millions of dollars would that save the department?

The skeptics respond that this would put our valiant officers at risk. If they are slow to shoot, then they themselves could be injured. Right. The risk to them might go up by a factor of 10 or more. In which case, every year they would be ten times more likely to suffer a gunshot injury from a civilian. Which means that it would happen … let me see now. Five times zero is what? Oh yeah, zero.

So let’s take that as a starting point. When police officers are sufficiently well-trained that they actually know when to use lethal force, and not just blast anything that they do not like and is moving, then we can consider giving them pay raises.

DOUG NUSBAUM

LAS VEGAS

Thanks, Mr. President

To the editor:

It has become very obvious that there are some major problems surrounding the Affordable Care Act. The single most significant achievement of the Obama presidency, ObamaCare is proving to be flawed, at least in the early stages of implementation. We really can’t totally assess how good or bad this new health plan is because most aren’t able to get accurate information. Initial indications are not so good right now.

All of this should be a red flag, a warning signal to everyone, of the consequences of continued government intrusion in our lives and what it means for the country. If the signature piece of legislation under Barack Obama is having all of these problems, can you imagine how dysfunctional other plans and programs are and will be? This may be the real transparency candidate Obama promised us. We really do see right through you and your administration.

RON HIRSCHKIND

LAS VEGAS

Anti-bullying

To the editor:

Michael Burton’s Wednesday letter on anti-bullying campaigns correctly states that parents have “a great amount of control over how your children view things.”

Yet, teaching them to yell “sticks and stones” at their tormentors is not, in itself, an effective way to solve today’s bullying issues.

First, words can be hurtful. They can build a relationship or they can break one. It’s interesting to note that the word sarcasm comes from an Old Greek word, meaning to rend flesh. Perhaps that old saying should be “Sticks and stones may break my bones and words can tear my guts out.” That must be how it feels to a teen who seeks his or her identity from “friends.”

Second, in the good old days, teens did not have cyberfriends or smartphone cameras. Our children today have the more difficult task of learning respect for themselves and others by tying identity to accomplishments and character. That mutual respect must be communicated to others with a careful use of language.

JERRY BITTS

LAS VEGAS