What did banks get from Harry for City Center deal?
We keep hearing that Harry Reid called the banks and got them to fund City Center (in Las Vegas) and save jobs. We know what he promised the states of Nebraska $100 million, Louisiana $300 million and Connecticut $100 million as a bribe for the senators to vote for health care. There were 12 other Democratic senators that were offered similar bribes to vote for health care.
How come we have not heard what he promised the banks?
Cliff King
Carson City
Ask questions of those
who ask you for money
I got a phone call the other day from the 702 area code - Las Vegas. The phone solicitor was asking for money in the name of one of our state law enforcement agencies.
The caller launched into his prepared scripts until I stopped him and asked: "What percentage of the money I would be sending to you goes toward your administration costs?" He said: "I'm sorry, I'm having some problems hearing you, let me adjust my volume." He started from the script again and I asked the same question again. This time I got switched to another person, his supervisor maybe, and I asked her the same question about administrative costs. She told me that 83 percent of each dollar sent to them was used to cover the soliciting company's administrative costs. The law enforcement agency would only get 27 percent.
Don't fall for these unscrupulous phone solicitors who want to get their hands on your hard-earned money by using the name of organizations that make you feel good about giving. Ask the question and avoid the 83 percenters.
Marshall Goldy
Gardnerville
First lady vacations in style while we suffer
As the U.S. economy and Nevada endure high unemployment, a jittery stock market and ever-higher taxes, Obama preaches sacrifice and fiscal discipline. He once cautioned that families shouldn't "blow a bunch of cash in Vegas.''
But pictures coming out of a luxury Spanish resort are sending a different message. Michelle Obama is in the midst of a five-day trip along with friends, her daughter, aides and 60-70 Secret Service personnel. Her office said the Obamas would pay for personal expenses, but would not reveal the taxpayer cost for the government employees and government aircraft. Estimates are $300,000 to $500,000.
Mrs. Obama is staying at a Ritz-Carlton resort outside Marbella. It has two golf courses, a spa with Turkish baths, views of the Mediterranean and a restaurant specializing in avant-garde fare. Room rates start at $400 and rise to $6,500 for a two-bedroom villa. Not exactly sacrifice and fiscal discipline.
Obama seems to revel in leisure time - golf, sports, vacations, etc., more than time actually spent as the chief executive of our country. His Harvard-educated staff of elites seem to be driving the ship of state - the Titanic.
In the real world, people continue to suffer with foreclosures, bankruptcy, joblessness and the worst economy since the great depression. The Obama-Reid-Pelosi elitists need to be sent home, for good. We can do this at the ballot box.
Bill Johnston
Carson City
Principal should not get second chance after arrest
As a concerned citizen of Carson City, I am in complete disagreement with Richard Stokes for the handling of the Sam Santillo case. Santillo was given the job of teaching children in our town. He was looked up to by kids as a role model, and respected.
Now we have Mr. Santillo arrested for consuming alcohol and possessing drugs. Do the kids approve? Some will. They look at his actions as OK for them to follow in his footsteps since he was the head of their school.
What a shame. To have the superintendent of schools accept his behavior, not entirely, but at all is very frustrating. Richard Stokes is either very naive or in some way associated with Mr. Santillo socially. Giving someone a second chance is usually a good thing, but certain actions do not deserve that option.
Neither of you belong in our school system with such irresponsible habits and forgiveness of such habits. Nice job setting two important examples.
Jim Baden
Carson City