Will lawmakers give back their pay raises?

To the editor:

The bonuses paid by AIG to its executives are unconscionable and reprehensible. The American people have every right to be outraged, and our leaders should demand a stop to the payments or negate any help to AIG in the future.

I find it interesting, though, that the very people in Congress who are screaming at the AIG largesse had no qualms about preserving their automatic pay raises. Our congressional leaders could have, and should have, shown fiscal responsibility during these hard economic times.

We can all repeat what Lee Iacocca recently asked: "Where have all the leaders gone?"

Subhas Dhodapkar

LAS VEGAS

Keepers

To the editor:

Fifty-two of the AIG employees who received multimillion-dollar "retention" bonuses aren't even with the company anymore.

Retention, indeed.

Glen Kaner

LAS VEGAS

Good pork

To the editor:

What is derided by some as pork is one big way our state gets back needed money from the federal government -- money we paid in as taxpayers in the first place. When the state is seriously skimping, I'd like the government that collects income taxes from me to do something that helps me out.

Everyone who drives over the Hoover Dam will be relieved when the bypass bridge is done. And an earmark for improvements to that project is part of the spending bill Congress just passed. I can't wait to skip the checkpoint.

John T. Creedon Jr.

HENDERSON

Taxes are punishment

To the editor:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and his fellow Democrats last week warned AIG that its employees should return "retention" bonuses or face a massive tax bill.

That proves what I've been saying for years: Excessive taxation is punitive, regardless who it is directed at.

It is ethically wrong for any Congress to use tax laws to attack political enemies or anyone whose actions or business practices they do not approve.

If Congress does it to AIG executives, then what stops lawmakers from doing it to us?

S.G. Hayes

LAS VEGAS