WEEKLY EDITORIAL RECAP

TUESDAY

A RANK LIST

Nothing empowers the agitators for higher taxes and ever more government programs than best-worst rankings. Bad news is the best kind of news for these politicians and special interests, who frequently misrepresent the flawed conclusions of these lists to claim that life in Nevada would be so much better if only we seized more wealth from the private sector and gave it to our warmhearted bureaucracies.

Yet another such survey was released this month to publicize the debut issue of Children's Health magazine, which trumpeted its "100 Best (and Worst) Places to Raise a Family." The magazine ranked Las Vegas 92nd. ...

Predictably, the magazine chose highly subjective variables in rating what makes a city family-friendly. Every city has its flowers and warts. The only variable that really counts in family matters is deeply committed parenting -- in other words, family itself.

WEDNESDAY

ANOTHER COMMITTEE TO STUDY TAXES

Several times in the past 20 years, lawmakers have hired different outfits to study the imaginary problem of the state's "unstable" tax structure, seeking a way to properly "stabilize" revenues so they won't fall during economic downturns. Like Don Quixotes seeking the Golden Helmet of Adonza, the lawmakers keep paying people to devise the perfect tax stream. ...

Now, lame duck Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio is back, proposing a new "citizens committee" of "stakeholders" to propose changes in taxes and state spending to "improve the quality of life in Nevada." ...

But just like the endless search for baldness cures, miracle diets and magical potions to increase the size and attractiveness of our sexual equipment, the endless pursuit of the "perfectly stable tax structure" -- double-talk for tax hikes -- will continue. ...

Haven't scared enough tourists away, yet? Keep at it, lawmakers. Surely you'll find the perfect mix.