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EDITORIAL
Welcome back, Mr. President
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President Obama is in Las Vegas, where he's holding an invitation-only fundraiser for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, among other closed-door events.
The president is welcome; he should be courteously received.
That said, it's too bad the president isn't planning to mingle with average Nevadans and visit our shopping centers incognito, to get a look at what his economic policies have really wrought -- what a city with 14.1 percent (official, understated) unemployment looks like, under an administration whose main economic goals seem to be the punishment and prevention of capital formation and business growth.
The president might have gotten an earful, here at ground zero of the Great Recession.
While "Obamacare" doesn't go into full effect for four more years, taxes to support it kick in this fall, starting with a 10 percent tanning salon tax (why?) and a "1099" tax that's projected to suck an additional $17 billion out of private businesses in the next decade by making them file "1099" snitch forms for virtually everyone to whom they pay a few hundred dollars.
Is that likely to help Nevada's economy rebound, President Obama? Won't it drive even more business "under the table," where workers have less protection, illegal aliens thrive and many continue to draw welfare while paying no taxes at all?
Speaking of illegals, your administration just sued our neighbor to the southeast, Arizona, for enacting a state law that instructs local police to help enforce federal immigration law -- despite the fact the Supreme Court ruled in 1976 that federal immigration law doesn't intend "to preclude even harmonious state regulation."
What's the political message of this cynical lawsuit? That some 12 million illegals should feel safe continuing to occupy jobs that U.S. citizens have flocked to fill whenever they've had a chance, presumably. Just wait for the Democrats to grant you amnesty, invite in your extended family and send you all Democratic voter registration cards -- as soon as the heat of November's mid-term elections has passed -- is that it?
Is that supposed to help Nevada's unemployed and the local businesses they can no longer patronize?
What about "cap and trade" and your carbon tax, still promoted by you and your legislative ramrod, Sen. Reid, even after much of the basis for worrying about climate change has been shown to be a hoax?
Your administration admits this legislation will artificially drive up power bills and other energy costs. Mr. President, is that supposed to help cash-strapped Nevada firms create new jobs? If it causes air fares and gasoline prices to soar, will that help bring the tourists back to Las Vegas?
And a "VAT" or add-on national sales tax -- is that next?
If the 2008 economic correction had been allowed to proceed without interference, mal-invested firms would have been forced to liquidate in bankruptcy. The buildings where new entrepreneurs might like to open would have passed into new hands, and could now be leased at far lower rates. Instead, many structures in Las Vegas now stand empty, owned by banks or by the FDIC or by "walking dead" owners who dare not rent out the premises at lower rates lest their overdue notes be called. It's a weird economic limbo, and it's not helping.
Why so many costly bailouts, Mr. President? Why so much bypassing of America's fine bankruptcy courts? Was it because your union supporters objected to what might happen to their contracts, which helped sink firms like General Motors? Is that why you intervened to arrange for the government and the unions to take over that firm? How many other industries will now be taken over? We already know about health care. The banks, too?
And speaking of unions, is "card check" still in play? The prospect that workplaces could be unionized without a worker secret-ballot majority -- that's supposed to encourage local business investment and growth?
Meantime, the inflation caused by all this spending keeps prices and wages artificially high. Is that supposed to help?
Nevadans have a long tradition as hard-working frontier entrepreneurs. Nevadans would rather have a real, private-sector job than a handout. How many of your high-level appointees have any experience creating such jobs, Mr. President? Do you see that as a problem?
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Barry is ok if you want his twisted ideology to triumph
This article does an outstanding job of codifying the numerous screw-ups looking for a place to implemented by this administration. What is so disheartening is that this editorial only speaks to Mr. President (what a hoax) through the eyes of a Nevadan relating what is not only visible in Nevada but also not visible to the down the drain results of this stimulus minded and back scratching buddy up the the unions, leftists and other such ignorant soles. Well that said the only thing left here is to multiply the consequencies of Obama's undermining of Navada and multiply it fifty times to include all the other states he is enjoying depleting of jobs and commerce. I only hope that 2012 will please hurry and get here. Heaven help us all!!!
http://www.lvrj.com/s?action=confirmReg&u=27059694&pc=529969739&rurl=/s?action=pub®ConfMsg=y
Does obama realize everytime he comes to las vegas helicopter companies and other tour companies lose out on millions of dollars because he restricts air traffic?Instead of trying to help Senator Reid try going down to Arizona and observing the border for a couple days so you can see what is really going on.
Footyfan, Bush was and is a socialist. From the fascist side instead of the communist side. What does it matter in the end, he was a socialist. Not sure how you missed that. Obamba has not rolled back one thing that Bush did. I don't even know why the right is upset with him. He is just doing what Bush did. And believe me, I will never wish for Bush to come back. My only wish is he and his rotten family are kicked out of my country forever. Of course I say that about Obamba, Clinton, Carter, Reagan, Nixon, Reid, Polosi, Betrayus and all the rest of the scum that inhabits D.C. too.
Brian! Have you had your frontal lobe tested lately? If you can get into your free clinic that you love so much, or maybe the ER where you get "free" (as in hard workers pay your bill) you might ask them to check out that little area of your brain that rules your emotions and "feelings." They will find it easy enough on you. Let them know you are a socialist liberal and it will be the only part of your brain they see activiting.
2004 debt to GDP 63%
2009 debt to GDP 83%
2010 estimate 90+%
Going in the right direction if you are Obama - Thanks to Rory's father as well
Nevada Get smart nobama is no good for you Likewise harry reid Want more misery?? More unemplyment? vote for these two jokers again Remember nobama said "don't go to Las Vegas"!!!!
Brian --- You do really like the direction this country is headed? If you do, maybe you belong in a mental hospital. The American people are mad and they are mad at our federal government, and the incompetent idiots running it. Sharron isn't running this country, and she's not the problem. Your idol, Harry Reid is the problem. Remember, he's been a Senator for a long time. Put the blame where it belongs, on the idiots in Washington, not on the people who haven't even been there yet. Now, try slapping a little sense in your head.
David - Obama the 2nd coming of Bush? Bush III? You must be in fantasyland, and i believe they just elected you mayor. that is the most delusional comment i have ever seen on any post in any paper/website/column. Bush, while he had his faults, was no card-carrying Marxist/Socialist who wants to nationalize every industry and aspect of American life as possible. B. Hussein Obama thinks the Constitution is something to wipe his backside with. just wait until you have your right to free speech, owning a gun, the right to vote against being forced into a union, and having your income taxed at 60-75%... then you will be BEGGING for Bush to come back to office. what a naive and ill-conceived comment. please educate yourself before opening your mouth. you sound like a Harry Reid Democrat.