Nothing fair about means testing
To the editor:
A number of writers have declared it is fiscally sound to means-test the Medicare drug program and that the concept of means testing is fair.
It is hard to tell if the writers are not very bright or are just socialists.
There is nothing fair about means testing. Means testing means that if you make more money than someone else, you pay more for the same product. You don't buy a shirt or groceries according to how much you make, so why is it fair for Medicare?
Recipients of Medicare were promised they would receive benefits on an equal basis, but that is not the case with means testing. And it should be noted that higher wage earners already paid more into the system during their working years.
As far as being fiscally sound, means testing is socialism -- to each according to his needs, by each according to his ability -- and socialism does not work. And don't believe that means testing is just aimed at the rich. It will eventually affect the majority of citizens, just like our progressive income tax system has, because adjustments were never made for the alternative minimum tax, higher wages or inflation.
Means testing has already begun with Medicare Part B, and if this socialist, Band-Aid approach to fixing problems is not stopped now, I assure you that means testing for Social Security will not be far behind.
Richard McArthur
LAS VEGAS
Toll roads
To the editor:
I hope we aren't going to fall for former Rep. Dick Gephardt's con game to push toll roads in Nevada ("Private toll roads proposed," Friday Review-Journal).
Disregarding any and all sales pitches by Mr. Gephardt, now a lobbyist and counsel for Goldman Sachs, my first reaction is to tell him to please leave town. The taxpayers of Nevada have already paid for their roads. That should do.
The outfit Mr. Gephardt is lobbying for collected $20 million in fees just to sell the Indiana Turnpike to some foreign folks for $3.85 billion. The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm, has created an eight-member team to "get into" roads and bridges. Does this have a smell so far?
The question is, are we ripe for the picking? The "investment groups" are champing at the bit to make money on the roads we've already paid for. Smart for them -- stupid for us.
Charles Carpenter
HENDERSON
Death by entitlements
To the editor:
Well, frequent letters contributor Dan Olivier is at it again (Saturday Review-Journal). He can't seem to understand that we live in a republic and not a socialist society, although the Democrat leadership is doing its very best to push us toward a taxed-to-death, entitlement-rich country with a permanently stale economy.
Mr. Olivier obviously thinks the existing Social Security program somehow was designed to fully fund the total retirement needs of our senior citizens. Nothing could be further from the truth. The original intent of this program, and continuing today, is that the monthly stipend is meant to supplement the funds set aside for retirement purposes by the members of our working community during their employed years.
I am sorry, Mr. Olivier, that you obviously find yourself on the "shorts" each month, but your best bet might be to emigrate to a nice socialist state -- say Sweden -- and ask for asylum based on PBB (Persecution By Bush), or, more broadly, PBR (Persecution By Republicans).
Michael C. Maze
LAS VEGAS
Consumer protection
To the editor:
Your Thursday editorial on transparency regarding complaints of shoddy work by contractors deserves high praise. The new state law that keep complaints secret does not serve the best interests of those of us who have put their life's savings into their homes.
The consumer deserves to know the record of complaints against contractors and developers so the public can make informed decisions when seeking homes or improvements. Sen. Warren Hardy's law only helps the disreputable contractors and builders.
The law sacrifices the interests of the consumer to the powerful interests of the builders and contractors. Transparency remains the best safeguard against unscrupulous businessmen.
Richard B. Miller
HENDERSON
Gratitude
To the editor:
Gee, Nevada, thanks for the swell 2 percent raise that you gave us poor teachers in the Clark County School District. It's too bad that it was devoured by Nevada Power like a pit bull on a T-bone steak. I wonder what I will use next year's pay raise for.
William D. Cuff
HENDERSON
