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FROM OUR READERS: Time to break up government unions?

To the editor:

Your Friday editorial debunking the Pew "study" once again showed how easily the public can be misled by left-leaning media. For me, your key sentence was: "It's our free-spending elected officials, who in the summer of 2008 saw fit to preserve 4 percent raises for all state employees at a time when private-sector workers were suffering job losses and income reductions."


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  • The power of public-sector employee unions to manipulate our elected officials is out of control. We're dealing with monopolies as demagogic and corrupting as the "Robber Barons" of yesteryear. We curtailed their power with anti-monopoly laws such as the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890. Why aren't today's monopoly unions held to the same anti-competitive standards of our labor laws?

    We broke up Standard Oil and John D. Rockefeller's empire and introduced competition into the marketplace. We need to do the same thing to the teacher unions, the Service Employees International Union and others.

    don fisk

    HENDERSON

    Faculty nonsense

    To the editor:

    How ironic that "some" of the University of Nevada, Reno's faculty and students would look to block the speaking engagement of Jim Gilchrist, founder of the Minuteman Project, because he's an anti-illegal immigration activist (Friday Review-Journal). Yet they'll willingly sit enraptured listening to Miguel Acosta, who will be speaking about immigrant rights. (Notice the lack of the word "illegal" in the description of Mr. Acosta's topic).

    How do these students and faculty claim to be giving the listeners a fair and balanced hearing of both sides if only one side is presented and welcomed? Since this is where our universities and colleges are at -- having seen the reception given other speakers -- I opine that parents are better off saving their money than having their kids brainwashed by a one-sided faculty and student body.

    If "some" of the students and faculty at UNR aren't confident enough in the energy of their convictions to allow an opposing view to be aired regarding illegal immigration, then they don't deserve the hard-earned money of their students' parents. Either present both sides or cancel both engagements.

    Rhonda Powell

    HENDERSON

    Big money

    To the editor:

    I wonder if Nevadans truly grasp the looming disaster that is "cap and trade" and is being pushed by our esteemed Sen. Harry Reid. How many Nevadans understand the effect this measure will have upon our state?

    When asked about this legislation, President Obama noted, "Under my plan of a cap and trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket." Some estimates are that electricity would more than double. The price of gasoline would also.

    Energy price escalation will affect all product costs immediately to the same effect. Costs will rise immediately for groceries, clothing, durable goods, etc. Simply put, if the cost of energy doubles, your standard of living will be halved. It is as close to a direct relationship as you can get.

    Now, if that is not bad enough for our residents, what additional effect will this have on Las Vegas? Tourists, struggling with a higher cost of living, would have to pay double to arrive at a town where the casinos may have to go dark. The best we could hope for is one-half the number of tourists. Can you say "ghost town"?

    How the casinos could have endorsed and supported a man like Harry Reid is beyond me. This country, and especially Nevada, cannot afford leadership like this.

    Richard Vertrees

    LAS VEGAS

    Good story

    To the editor:

    I read with interest that the Navajo code talkers fear their legacy will die with them (Monday Review-Journal).

    I was quite puzzled that nothing was mentioned about the successful book "The Navajo Code Talkers," written by Doris A. Paul and published in 1973 by Dorrance Publishing. Movie rights were sold and the major motion picture "Windtalkers," starring Nicolas Cage, was based on Ms. Paul's book.

    One of the code talkers, Samuel Tom Holiday, is incorrect when he says, "After we're all gone, there will be no one to tell the story." It has been told extremely well.

    Linda Schrick

    BOULDER CITY

    Ultimate penalty

    To the editor:

    Most of us wish the death penalty wasn't necessary, but in today's society it is. If used the way it was meant to be used -- that is, without regard to race or money -- it works very well.

    In the cases of Timothy McVeigh and John Allen Muhammad, their appeals were exhausted within seven years. Nobody should sit on death row 10, 15 or 20 years.

    We should let the process run its course for those we know without a doubt are guilty. There are exceptions, but those normally have to do with race or money, causing discrepancies to exist.

    Administer it the way the law meant for it to be done.

    K.R. Lewis

    LAS VEGAS

    Risky business

    To the editor:

    In response to T.W. Lindenberg's Thursday letter about day laborers:

    I periodically patronize Star Nursery, and see the day laborers and the new fences. Even before the fences were up, I wouldn't hire those laborers -- mostly because my valued clients deserve safety in their homes and on their property.

    My hired help is usually family or friends, because I want to know and trust who's on my team. Sure, the day laborers provide a wide smile and trusting come-on to become employed by whomever will take the bait. But what if one or a few of them are criminals, waiting for their chance to show their real talent? Maybe a homeowner can throw a few workers in the back of his truck and pay them cash to work. But is it really worth the chance?

    Not all laborers are criminals, just like not all drivers on the road are drunk. It's your choice to hire them, just like it is to drive the roads. But the choices we make in good faith can be deadly at times.

    There are plenty of licensed businesses that can do the work, with a fully accountable staff, a guarantee and a solid reputation.

    Matt Dorman

    NORTH LAS VEGAS

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    Joe C wrote on November 15, 2009 08:14 AM: Sorry Blackvegas,
    But colleges have been allowing vile and nasty individuals to spew hatred continually on campuses across the country.
    Iran’s leader Idamianutjob or whatever his name is was allowed to speak his vile message at Columbia University and a list of others hateful controversial idiots like him at colleges thru-out this nation.

    But these speakers are mostly U.S. and white hating individuals so the protestors were ignored.

    Perhaps you need to look at the stats of blacks especially our young black Americans displaced by illegal aliens of all races.

    There is no proof of Gilchrist allying with Nazis or Skinheads another tactic used by idiots to justify censorship.

    We could also say the illegal aliens are connected to MS-13, the Mexican Mafia and commit many other crimes like fake or stolen ID and illegally receive social benefits and all this is actually true.

    It’s no fear that moron like yourself will allow anything at colleges as long as it’s hate whitey and blame the U.S. but actual dialogue and debate you fear more than god’s rage because it could make intelligent minds think.


    Blackvegas wrote on November 15, 2009 01:28 AM: Whenever I underestimate the R.J.'s ability to stoke racial fears and I over estimate the intelligence of it's readers, I need only to read the comment sections.

    Fisk: "The power of health care executives to manipulate our elected officials is out of control. Why aren't today's health care companies held to the same standards of our anti-trust laws?"

    Big Money: "I wonder if Nevadans truly grasp the looming disaster that is "global warming" and is being assailed by our esteemed ex-Governor Sarah Palin? How many Nevadans understand the effect this will have upon our planet?"
    (What is more important? More oil workers or the Earth?)

    Poor, uninformed Rhonda:
    Gilchrist, who aligns himself with the Nazis and Skinheads so much, they were his campaign workers. A guy who is being sued by his own organization for fraud and falsifying documents among other things. A likely right wing terrorist, who entices our youth to commit violence, claiming armed insurrection against our elected leaders is justified. An accused murderer who advertises that violence against the "left" will not be opposed by his organization, should be indicted instead of defended.

    Although the P.R. machines of corporations that put profits ahead of citizens health and planet are louder than the voice of informed Americans, some of us will rely on facts when we decide on health care reform, Global Warming and the like.

    In the future, it would be wise to refrain from blindly following fanatics and their P.R. machines like the R.J.
    Before we defend right wing terrorists, denounce climate concerns and vilify elected officials who work to restore the rule of law, 5 minutes on "Google" or "Wikipedia" would be prudent.


    Yo Tommy wrote on November 14, 2009 07:48 PM: Yo Tommy from Burbank,



    YOUR WRONG.



    Mexico does have the death penalty. They just didn't tell the gringos, ese.



    Ask the drug cartels. 10,000 murders this year, and it's November 14th, 2009.



    "We don't need no stink'n badges!!!"


    Yo Tommy wrote on November 14, 2009 07:48 PM: Yo Tommy from Burbank,

    YOUR WRONG.

    Mexico does have the death penalty. They just didn't tell the gringos, ese.

    Ask the drug cartels. 10,000 murders this year, and it's November 14th, 2009.

    "We don't need no stink'n badges!!!"


    Joe C wrote on November 14, 2009 05:49 PM: Gee Carmine,
    Allow me to take you to the beginning of our immigration mess and point you at the scum Kennedy, the eventual murder and walks away like OJ, who says money can’t by you love, well we know it buys you freedom.

    This starts in 1965 and as far as the other amnesty plans I don’t have to look them.
    This is some of the language in 1965 when the biggest con on Americans citizens started.

    The record of debate over this seismic change in immigration policy reveals that left-wingers, in their visceral flight to attack "discrimination," did not reveal the consequences of their convictions. Instead, their spokesmen set out to assuage concerned traditionalists with a litany of lies and wishful thinking.
    Chief among national concerns was total numeric immigration. Senate floor manager and Camelot knight-errant Ted Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, assured jittery senators that "our cities will not be flooded with a million immigrants annually." Senator Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, further calmed that august body, insisting "the total number of potential immigrants would not be changed very much." Time has proven otherwise. Average immigration levels before the 1965 amendments took effect hovered around 300,000 per annum. Yet 1,045,000 legal immigrants flooded our cities in 1996 alone.
    Now I know each and every amnesty bill the scum, (glad he’s dead) sponsored saying basically the same BS as above and also saying it would end illegal immigration but we know the truth.

    As far as telling me go F myself that’s pretty much what your kind has been saying to all honest citizens anyway so it’s not a bother to me.

    But come election in 2010 plan on huge changes and get ready for a accurate poll concerning immigrantion agendas.

    So pack your bags and don’t forget your anchor babies.


    Carmine wrote on November 14, 2009 05:09 PM: Who said you were a republican?! Do you feel guilty by association? I only pointed out that republicans are the biggest supporters of amnesty for illegals when it comes to the US Congress. It's not about you, narcissist.

    Yes, Kennedy co-sponsored some illegal legislation, but ALWAYS, ALWAYS, there were Republicans as sponsors. And, no, Kennedy did not sponsor six of the last seven pieces of legislation. Kennedy was not part of the Simpson (R-WY) bill nor the Kyle (R-AZ) bill and for one, I am sorry he is dead. And what was the name of the R from FL that sponsored the precursor to the HOPE legislation in 2002?

    greed, yes.

    As for Kennedy, go F*&^ yourself, and look up the legislation yourself!


    Joe C wrote on November 14, 2009 04:00 PM: To Carmine,

    First off what make you believe I’m a republican?
    I hated Bush and feel both party’s are failures at representing the citizenship of this country.

    Both party’s government along with criminal business, a scandalized church facing bankruptcy in many cities, thanks to their child molestation convictions and hindering police from doing their jobs.
    Along with hiding pedophiles are all guilty supporting this issue for their own agendas.

    Plus you facts are not so correct, six of the last seven amnesty were also sponsored by (thank god he’s dead) Kennedy.

    The Regan amnesty had many enforcement rules that were never enforced, plus every amnesty was to end this criminal behavior and instead encouraged it.

    This issue along with many others represents a huge failure by government and business leaders all in the name of greed.

    Illegal aliens are not benign in their actions are very intelligent knowing the effect they have on millions of working citizens, they just don’t care.
    The overwhelming of industries with illegal cheap labor makes the business and illegals conspirators both caring only of themselves.

    If you wish I can find all the Kennedy sponsored amnesties but go ahead make yourself useful and look for yourself.


    Carmine wrote on November 14, 2009 03:12 PM: Joe C...

    Your rant about liberal colleges being the cause of no action on dealing with illegal immigration would be otherwise fascinating except that ALL legislation dealing with illegals immigrants, since Regan gave them amnesty, has been more amnesty and ALL the bills are sponsored by Republicans!

    I hope these facts cause you to pop your mythology bubble.

    Obama administration has already done some 600 enforcement actions that require employers to provide citizen documentation on their employees. IN 2008 Bush administration did 58 of these audits.


    Joe C wrote on November 14, 2009 02:39 PM: I share Rhonda’s feelings dealing with the issue of illegal aliens.
    The liberal brainwashing of our young at colleges and the cowardly actions by college administrations or media; that fear any opposing language concerning illegal aliens will wake minds up instead of indoctrinating them with their ideology. Which is mostly hate and blame whitey, the censorship is anti-intelligence and anti-thought.
    Their fear is very apparent and Miguel Acosta is another con pushing the bogus claim the illegal aliens are victims.
    We are the victims and should be allowed to have our say and debate.

    The polls have shown over and over citizens what an enforcement end to illegal aliens. Real polls when people go into an election both and vote on this issue.

    Yet criminal supporters like Miguel Acosta and his like have been able to silence others using accusation and the truth is, the majority of those supporting illegal aliens do so because it’s their ethnic group.
    All rather bigoted and possibly racist.


    Joe wrote on November 14, 2009 02:33 PM: Last I checked there is nowhere in the constitution or U.S. Code stating that unions are illegal. Also, the concept of paid vacation, sick time, health benefits and a 40 hour week and overtime would not exist without unions. Then there is the subject of child labor. You know paying an 8 yo kid 25 cents an hour for 60 hours of work a week. Be careful what you wish for or we will be back to getting no paid time off and no overtime then also minimal labor costs. Beleive me most corporations are hoping and praying for that day to come back.


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