Who are the beggars, thieves and addicts?

To the editor:

If I am to take to heart the sentiments expressed in Vin Suprynowicz's Sunday column, then I must take comfort in the thought that I am to be counted among the thieves, beggars and addicts who presently rely on government benefits.

Borrowing from The Atlantic magazine, he makes some interesting if caustic observations on the nature of our economy and the way many people presently survive in these financially challenging times. One might get the impression that those who are not present taxpayers or rely on some form of government aid are less worthy to be part of the political landscape than others who work and pay taxes.

A great many who are painted by Mr. Suprynowicz's brush are on Social Security after contributing for the better part of half a century to the nation's well-being through taxes. Others on other forms of public aid would gladly join the workforce if only a job were available. Mr. Suprynowicz implies that these legions of great unwashed should not have a voice in the political process because of their circumstances as much as their low worth as human beings.

It is odd that it took so many years since Social Security was enacted in the depths of the Great Depression before some apparently enlightened souls realized that it is a Ponzi scheme - a very clever one that has sustained generations of retirees who might otherwise have been reduced to begging in the streets after their usefulness as workers ran out. Health and good fortune permitting, Mr. Suprynowicz will eventually reach the age where he, too, might want to consider drawing Social Security benefits. If he looks in the mirror at that time, I wonder if he will see a beggar, a thief or an addict?

Eric Stefik

Las Vegas

Called liberals

To the editor:

Vin Suprynowicz ends his Sunday column by asking, "Was anyone shrieking, in 1995, that the government was too small, that children and the elderly were starving in the streets because voracious Uncle Sugar was sucking too little out of the struggling private sector?"

The answer is yes. And they are called liberals.

John Gex

Henderson

Myopic view

To the editor:

In response to Joe Pantozzi's letter in Friday's edition ("Police state"):

I submit that Mr. Pantozzi has never been confronted with an armed assailant who wants to take his life. He immediately concludes that the police were wrong in the most recent case, without knowing any of the facts. Mr. Pantozzi then creates a scenario where he would have to protect himself from a police officer by drawing his own gun. Huh? I really wouldn't suggest that.

I suggest that Mr. Pantozzi go on a ride-along with an officer and see what he has to deal with first-hand. Maybe then his myopic view of police will change.

Joe Molinaro

Henderson

No tax

To the editor:

Thank you, Gov. Brian Sandoval, for imposing yet another tax on cash-strapped residents of Nevada. You have signed a "deal" with Amazon to charge a sales tax (beginning 2014) on any purchase being shipped to a Nevada address, regardless of the fact that Amazon does not have a retail outlet in Nevada. I believe I am speaking for other Nevada residents when I say that those who shop on Amazon.com do so for great selection and pricing, sometimes free shipping - and always no tax.

I happen to do a substantial amount of business with Amazon, which means my business with them may be reduced when the new tax is imposed.

Thanks again.

Monica Starnes

Las Vegas