Strip’s salvation lies in offering value

To the editor:

Each morning the Review-Journal has another doom-and-gloom story about the Las Vegas economy, and gaming in particular. The numbers show times are bad for Las Vegas, but they do not reflect some of the true causes.

The problem is value. It still does not exist in Las Vegas. You used to be able to go out and have a good time for a reasonable sum of money. Not anymore. Prices have risen, service has declined and quality has evaporated.

First, you get shaken down by the valet attendants for tips. Usually they state the lot is full, but for a "VIP" they can find room. Membership in this exclusive club requires a portrait of Andrew Jackson. Once you get inside the casino, a drink can cost you from $8 to $15. If you decide to eat, you cannot find a decent buffet for less than $25 or a burger for less than $12 on the Strip.

People have stopped coming to Las Vegas because they remember how expensive it was the last time they were here. Thus, the cycle of shrinking revenue begins. Casino operators need only look at declines in attendance at professional sporting events for what is to come. The customer base shrinks every year as prices soar and value declines.

It is not too late. They can continue down this dark path toward extinction, or they can bite the bullet early and stop the bleeding.

Times are tough, and people are staying home because it is just far too expensive (or at least perceived to be that way) just to go out. If casinos want people back, they need to offer value. If they balk at the idea of $3 beers, cheaper food and fewer shakedowns, then perhaps they can try paying their debtors with a mountain of their own folly.

Aaron Perez

HENDERSON

Where's my bailout?

To the editor:

I am so happy our country has finally seen the light and turned socialist. Now we can all reap the benefits of our collective labors. We are even rewarding deserving people for their failures. We have started with the CEOs of the banking industry and now are working with the failing auto industry.

I just know that eventually we will get around to helping out working folks who may have fallen on hard times through their own misdeeds, just as we have for the bankers and brokers.

I need just one thing. I made a small error. Nothing big like a banker or auto executive. My friend Vinnie gave me $1,000 to hold for him. I decided to invest the money in chip derivatives at the local casino. It seems the gaming table had a meltdown in value and I lost the money.

Now Vinnie is angry with me and wants to do something to my kneecaps. Can I please have my bailout money before the new year? Otherwise I might suffer a collapse.

Sal Molinari

HENDERSON

Stones and glass houses

To the editor:

I was outraged by Friday's article about Democratic Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto's violation of state budget laws while she prosecutes the Republican lieutenant governor for the same thing ("Legislator makes a statement with indictment joke"). How can this even be legal?

A lawyer could make the case that Ms. Cortez Masto's violations are worse than those she's accusing Brian Krolicki of. Lt. Gov. Krolicki saw that $6 million was spent on the college savings program it was supposed to be spent on, but the accounting wasn't done the way the Legislature likes. Ms. Cortez Maston's error deals with $8 million of the state's money. The attorney general broke the law with $2 million more money than the amount she's prosecuting someone else for.

Sounds to me like the attorney general's office needs to hand out another indictment -- against itself.

Bridget McGarry

HENDERSON

Don't tip professionals

To the editor:

I was astounded after reading the Saturday letter by M. Dykes, "This Christmas, give your kid's teacher cash." To suggest that a teacher should anticipate or, worse yet, solicit a tip is insulting to those who take their profession seriously.

Teachers are professionals, no different than doctors or attorneys. They deserve respect and admiration for the time and effort required to become proficient. Certainly, teachers are underpaid and overworked, which is an ongoing problem yet to be resolved.

The writer suggests that teachers be considered in the same manner as "other" service industry providers. The belief that there's no difference between a manicurist and an algebra teacher cheapens the commitment made by most teachers and only perpetuates the poor image educators endure.

If the writer is so unhappy with the state of education as a profession, I would suggest a career change. Maybe a job parking cars for tips?

Joel Rector

NORTH LAS VEGAS