More discussion of important issues needed
I can understand that for many years, when Carson City was a Republican stronghold, the Appeal had a bias. However, since Northern Nevada voted with a sizable majority for Obama in the recent election and also for many legislative programs that went against our esteemed governor's budget, I fail to comprehend why you do not now include articles and announcements covering Democrat events.
Please consider your choices as you attempt to increase your relevance in the current economic downturn. I don't speak to switching to a Democrat bias either. I'd just love to see even-handed discussions of local and national issues with positions of many sides represented.
Liz Riseden
Carson City
Stop Obama by voting against supporters
I have been reading the Appeal for a number of years and I will admit there have been editorials I have been totally against - to the point that once I see the name I know all they are writing about is their own agendas.
Recent editorials by Guy W. Farmer and Bill O'Reilly are two of the best you have had in quite awhile. Both writers have hit the subject squarely and with a lot of common sense.
Guy W. Farmer has pointed out sexual misconduct on the part of politicians in both parties and the fact we have a sitting senator who, in my opinion, should have been in jail for manslaughter; that person being Ted Kennedy. Both political parties have their members who are not squeaky clean. I doubt this will be a closed subject in the future.
Bill O'Reilly addressed Obama's health care package that tells just how the government will be in the exam room with you and your doctor to determine if you need the care that is required. The public is not happy with the plan and the Obama administration is moving faster than the Germans did in the late-1930s. Lenin would be proud of Obama nationalizing corporate America and you and I have only to see what is next.
If you want to stop Obama, vote next year against anyone who votes for his agenda. Let's keep our checks and balances and the Constitution intact. Goodbye, Mr. Reid.
Bill Pyatt
Dayton
We wanted change but what's the rush?
I think we all wanted change, but this is insane! We all voted to elect leaders to represent our interests as citizens, and regardless of our views or political orientation, I doubt that anyone expected to see 1,000 page bills rushed into law.
We are paying dearly for our representatives, and deserve their best. And when bills are forced through the U.S. Congress, not only without discussion and debate, but without even being read, we better forget about partisan differences and say "WHOA!"
Neither my Republican nor Democrat friends are happy about the TARP (stimulus) bill and the additional debt being thrust off on our kids. The rush to get Obama's national health care bill through before the August recess defies common sense.
People from all parties are interested in having a debate on health care issues. There is little doubt that measures exist that are within the purview of the state and federal governments and that would be appropriate in light of many of the problems that exist within our health care system. We want to hear all reasonable recommendations.
But to rush through a nationalization of the entire system, to make going to the doctor like going to the DMV, and emulating the Canadian and European systems whose users are coming to our country for medical reasons in droves ... well, that just doesn't make sense.
With all its problems, our health care system is the best in the world. Let's not let our politicians ruin it by rushing through a bill that most of them will not have read.
We must set aside our petty differences and demand careful consideration and debate before enactment of any legislation. If we remain ignorant of the details or fail to speak out, we may well lose the system that has allowed us to become that "shining city on a hill." On the other hand, if we do nothing, well, perhaps we won't need that fence along our borders.
John Vettel
Carson City
Dispatches from the war provide great insights
Sgt. Gary Underhill,
I told my son today that I was going to e-mail you with my thanks. He said he recently had lunch with you and looked up to you. My son is Sgt. Erick Willrich.
I want to first say thank you for your service to our country, and second, to thank you for the reporting to the Nevada Appeal of your experiences while in Kuwait and Iraq with the Nevada National Guard. I look forward to reading your article each Sunday. At first I didn't think I could read them, being a mom, but I have found that they give me a real vision of where my son is and what his work is all about. You do an excellent job of describing your surroundings and activities.
So thank you from Gardnerville, Nev. Stay alert and come home safely.
God bless you and all of those who serve with you. Our prayers are with all of you.
Charlene and Bill Rodman
Carson City
Is Carson City planning for future water needs?
Eight years ago, my wife and I moved to Carson City from Incline Village. I find the water situation here rather concerning. I have read articles in the past, stating that Carson has plenty of water, but our pumping and storage capacities are lacking.
During the past few years, I have never read about any new wells, reservoirs, or increased pumping ability being installed.
As past director of utilities in Incline Village, we had always planned 10 to 15 years in advance for projected usage.
All of our water stations had two to three backup pumps to meet the demand, or in case of pump failure. Plus we had emergency backup generators. All reservoirs were built to meet total buildout - plus a percentage over the projected buildout.
Carson, over the years, has allowed hundreds, if not thousands of building permits, both residential and commercial. Don't these new projects pay a water acquisition fee? If so, where has it gone? If not, why not?
Could we get some answers for these concerns?
Lane LePera
Carson City