LETTERS: Message to Democrats: Government far more at fault than Wall Street

One thing became crystal clear to me while watching the Democratic presidential candidate debate: every candidate blamed all of the ills of our society on Wall Street speculators and their devious speculation practices. "Wall Street, Wall Street, Wall Street" is all we heard — these evil, faceless people raking in billions while the masses suffer.

Here's a simple question: Has a speculator made your life any worse during the reign of President Barack Obama? Can you name one area where your life has been affected by these supposed financial terrorists? For almost all of us, the answer is a resounding "no." But these people are easy fall guys because they are nameless, faceless and easy to blame.

We should be looking elsewhere for the people who make our lives harder each and every year — those in the federal government. Who caused millions to have their health insurance canceled or premiums raised after the passage of Obamacare? Who mandated we buy types of insurance that we will never use?

Who continually raises our taxes to take from the working class to provide a standard of comfort to those who don't contribute to our society? Who also takes those tax dollars from legal citizens and offers benefits to undocumented immigrants?

Where do we constantly see corruption, misuse of funds and power, and elected officials become rich after entering office? Note that the mortgage industry was never a problem, until the government got involved.

After realizing all of the above, why would anyone cast a single vote to expand the size of government and give these people more power? It is illogical, ignorant and downright stupid. But, as Jonathan Gruber said about Obamacare, the Democratic Party is counting on the "stupidity of the American voter" to do just that. Let's surprise the daylights out these pro-government fools and reject the premise that government is the answer.

Joseph Schillmoeller

Las Vegas

Teacher salaries

Here we go again. Now, we have three organizations forming a council to correct the teacher shortage, which is now around 800, depending on what agency is reporting ("Council to tackle vacancies," Wednesday Review-Journal). So the Sands Education Council, made up of the Public Education Foundation, Teach for America and Nevada Succeeds, is set to correct the problem.

In reading the article, nothing has changed. Who is being recruited, and are these recruits teacher-worthy or just bodies to fill vacancies? Good recruits will come forward only when Clark County School District salaries are comparable to those of other professionals.

Salary schedules were recently published, some correct and others not. From some research and past experience, I have found that a beginning teacher in CCSD makes somewhere in the neighborhood of $36,000. Benefits increase this total, so this is not an accurate figure. But what is accurate is what each new teacher takes home twice monthly. Any math student can figure that $36,000 divided by 12 equals $3,000. Good luck living on that.

So the point is, whomever is recruited just to fill a vacancy will not enhance the product. Only a decent salary will do that. It's time to stop forming committees and instead make the next state Legislature raise taxes for education. Teachers and students deserve it.

Frank Nails

Las Vegas

Right to self-defense

Regarding Barbara Nelson's letter ("Oregon Shooting," Wednesday Review-Journal), I agreed with her hope that something could be done to eliminate these catastrophes. After she mentioned that she was a gun owner, I was looking forward to her then offering a viable solution.

However, even though she recognized the Constitutional amendment of our right to bear arms, she then looked to the government for protection against these monsters who acquire weapons. We should use our Second Amendment right to defend ourselves. Those who choose not to defend themselves and their loved ones must then choose to either allow themselves to be a victim, hire someone to defend them — as often happens with celebrities — or call 911 and wait for the police to come and defend them.

The hope that by somehow making it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to acquire weapons, and by restricting where they may legally possess these weapons, will in some mysterious way render mass shootings less frequent is irrational and ineffective. As Ms. Nelson admits, "In reality, I cannot see how there is any guaranteed way to prevent individuals with mental issues from obtaining guns. There will always be those who slip through the cracks."

Deciding to own a weapon is a serious commitment; however, keeping it at home as a defensive tool is only part of an effective solution, since mass shootings occur in public places where almost everyone is required to be disarmed. If Ms. Nelson believes that "our elected representatives should be paying more attention to doing what is in the best interests of the American public," then she shouldn't seek more restrictions of our right to self-defense.

David Hemphill

Henderson

Trump's faith

Donald Trump showed up for a recent speech carrying his Bible, announcing that he was a Christian and that he believed in the Bible. I wonder if he believes in these scriptures:

— "So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience," Colossians 3:12.

— "Before destruction the heart of man is haughty. But humility goes before honor," Proverbs 18:12.

— "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves," Philippians 2:3.

It occurs to me that Mr. Trump might not have been any better at Bible study than he is in other matters pertaining to true leadership.

Tim Welch

Henderson