There’s more to being mayor than just style
To the editor:
The subhead on Thursday's lead editorial was, "Two excellent candidates vie for top office." You went on to endorse Carolyn Goodman for Las Vegas mayor.
I like Mayor Oscar Goodman as a personality. I have never met him but would say that he has been a great promoter of the tourism industry and a stable influence on city politics. When I travel, however, I spend most of my time with the very sort of people we need to bring jobs to Las Vegas. Every mention of Oscar Goodman brings a laugh, a reference to Las Vegas' interesting joke on itself. It is clear that to many the Goodmans represent the image of Las Vegas as an over-indulgent place where there is little of substance beyond the Strip.
I will vote for Chris Guinchigliani for mayor over Carolyn Goodman for one main reason: I think it is critical to the future of this city that we attract non-gaming jobs, and I don't think it will ever be achieved to the level we need until we send a signal that we do value substance. It is fine to appreciate style, but most of us can't live on it.
Frank Beaty
Las Vegas
Something new
To the editor:
When I viewed the recent city of Las Vegas mailer featuring Mayor Oscar Goodman, I couldn't help but see a political boost to his wife's mayoral campaign and a poor way of spending taxpayer money. Until now, I have had a tough time choosing which candidate I think should be our next mayor. Talk of credentials vs. a pillow talk administration has topped my list, but this move sparks my thinking that Oscar Goodman will continue to influence his wife after he leaves office.
Even though he was a good mayor, I want something new for Las Vegas.
Joe Schaerer
Las Vegas
Keep it home
To the editor:
He was at it again during his Thursday speech, being president to the United Arab Republic. When is Barack Obama going to be president of the United States?
We don't have money or jobs, yet let's ship money by the bushel to oil-rich countries. Let's ship our young men to defend Arab countries. Let's ship wheat by the ton to Arab countries when people can hardly feed their families right here in America. Let's ship our jobs overseas because obviously we have such an abundance.
We need some help.
Candy Lee
Las Vegas
Medicare reform
To the editor:
I must take great exception to Jim Calhoun's letter in Wednesday's Review-Journal regarding Rep. Joe Heck's Medicare vote. Mr. Calhoun stated that Rep. Heck's vote was weak and heartless.
Does Mr. Calhoun realize that if we keep running Medicare the same way that we have been running it, according to the Medicare Trustee Report, it will be bankrupt by 2024? That is only 13 years from now. How will Medicare serve the taxpayers when it is bankrupt? We must propose changes to provide greater benefits to individuals who are poorer and sicker, and fewer benefits to individuals who are richer and healthier.
Rep. Paul Ryan's proposal is going to change Medicare as we know it. However, those people older than 55 will experience little or no change. Changes proposed by Rep. Ryan will not make Medicare a voucher system; in fact, they implement patient-centered solutions and make Medicare just like Medicare Part D, the only government health program ever to come in under budget.
Thank you, Rep. Heck, for voting for Rep. Ryan's Medicare plan. If we don't do something about runaway spending under President Obama and the previous Congress, this great country will become another Greece. We are very lucky that the Republicans and Joe Heck took over the House of Representatives in January and put the brakes on this spending spree.
Robert Sulliman
Las Vegas
Right-wing propaganda
To the editor:
The Wednesday commentary by L. Brent Bozell about the president honoring a rapper who loves cop killers left out some important facts. Why does the rapper Common sing about these two convicted cop killers? Because in both cases there are serious doubts as to the guilt of the alleged cop killers. There are allegations of prosecutorial misconduct and evidence of tampering and ineffective counsel.
Mr. Bozell's commentary is simple propaganda. He purposely left out facts to try to mislead people and make the president look bad.
Sad, but not unexpected, as it's straight out of the Republican playbook.
Don't believe the things that you read, do some research. Chances are someone is manipulating you. And chances are it's a right-winger.
Matthew Hickey
Las Vegas
Pay up
To the editor:
I agree with County Commissioner Steve Sisolak that all the firefighters should pay restitution on any money or benefit they received from gaming sick-leave benefits (Thursday Review-Journal).
County spokesman Erik Pappa stated that he doesn't think the government has the legal authority to seek restitution. Well, what the firefighters did is fraud, and that is a punishable offense. They should be taken to court and threatened with a prison term unless restitution is made.
Ron Stegner
Las Vegas
