Nursery did the right thing with laborers
To the editor:
I live about a mile from a Star Nursery in the northwest valley. I drive by it several times a day. I see -- daily -- 30 to 50 people congregated at the nursery entrances and loitering in front of adjacent businesses and residences ("Nurseries fence out day laborers," Wednesday Review-Journal).
I see them approaching vehicles and going into the street to flag down passing vehicles. They've done it to me. I see them fighting, drinking, urinating and defecating in the sidewalk landscaping.
Crime in our area has increased -- from shoplifting to residential and vehicle burglaries. But that's all right because they're just doing what they have to do to get by, I guess. I won't touch upon their "status" -- I know better.
Thank you, Star Nursery, for having the courage to be politically incorrect and do something about it.
No one else will.
Rich Callen
LAS VEGAS
Swarms of laborers
To the editor:
Are you kidding me? You publish a photo accompanying an article about a fence at Star Nursery and it shows only one day laborer? When did your photographer go? When the nursery was closed?
I drive by there every day. There are swarms of laborers.
I feel sorry for the owners of Star Nursery. It's unfortunate that they have had to go to such expense to solve a problem not of their making.
Dean Meek
HENDERSON
True state
To the editor:
In response to the Oct. 28 Thomas Sowell column:
Wow! People are finally taking notice of the "fundamental changes" our country is undergoing. Mr. Sowell's column was surgically precise and describes the true state of the union.
Oh, and as for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid: Nevadans will continue to question his performance in Washington, whether he likes it or not. His track record of endorsing a growing entourage of radical presidential czars and questionable legislation suggests that a rocking chair in Searchlight may be in his immediate future.
The tears in my eyes are for my grandchildren, because it is possible they may never know the greatness of the United States of America as past generations of Americans have.
Thanks for that, Sen. Reid.
JIM ANDREAS
LAS VEGAS
We need change
To the editor:
I do not understand the opposition to health care reform. At present, 460,000 Nevadans have no health insurance. If one of these individuals were our next-door neighbor and a fundraiser were held to raise money for necessary medical care, most of us would feel a moral obligation to lend a helping hand. Are we so cold-hearted that we can turn a blind eye to those in need of help? Can that be justified simply because we do not personally know the individuals in need?
If it is morally right to help our neighbor, then isn't it morally right to help all of the 45 million in this country who lack health insurance?
Some who oppose the public option decry "government control of health care." But the government is already in control of Medicare and veterans' health care. Few suggest that those programs should be scrapped. Besides, the alternative, the status quo, is insurance company control of health care. How is that better?
The status quo is not working. Our group health insurance rate for the 85 employees in our office is going up 22 percent this coming year. This is not sustainable. We need a change.
While it may be true that universal health care will cost all of us, I think adequate health care for all Americans should be our priority. If we need to save some money, let's bring our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan or cut back spending somewhere else. Telling fellow Americans that they must suffer and die because they cannot afford or otherwise purchase health insurance is simply not acceptable.
Albert G. Marquis
LAS VEGAS
Wynn, Wynn
To the editor:
In the "what's sauce for the goose" category:
I noticed two articles in the Nov. 1 Review-Journal. The first was one headlined "Wynn blamed for blight," about a group of residents along the Alta Drive corridor upset with casino giant Steve Wynn for purchasing a dozen properties he supposedly sought to combine to create a mansion for himself. But they have become partially demolished eyesores with no sign of a finished project. When asked about this, Mr. Wynn's office had no comment.
The second article was Howard Stutz's column, "Echelon could use some tarp assistance." He mentions that Mr. Wynn is not happy seeing Boyd Gaming's halted Echelon project become an eyesore on the Strip -- with a three- to five-year moratorium on any further work being done.
I guess everybody has eye problems of one kind or another. Mr. Wynn's seems to be seeing other people's point of view.
KENT RISCHLING
LAS VEGAS
