Letters to the editor Feb. 11

Thank you, Gov. Gibbons, for sticking to no-tax ideals

Gov. Gibbons is working to prevent Nevada from taking more tax dollars from you by reinventing government. In doing that, he is protecting Nevada's fragile economy from going from bad to worse.

Gibbons' proposals to reinvent government are imaginative and dynamic solutions. A major element of that reinvention is returning control to the citizens who are best at determining their needs for themselves.

Simple solutions of increasing taxes is old, outdated and destructive - government is simply too big and too expensive. Economic recovery is not created by pushing it with a rope.

We need zero-based budgeting for all departments and agencies to justify their existence, manpower and funding.

Gov. Gibbons is asking Nevada to live within its means - like you and I do every day. Supporters of destructive tax increases are supporting other candidates. Do you want Nevada to take more of your money - especially when you don't have any?

Carefully look at and quiz each candidate and look at their supporters to learn their hidden agendas.

Times demand that government reinvent itself instead of simply taking more money from the economy to travel down the same dirty old path.

Stuart L. Posselt

Minden

Consider mandating

co-pay for Medicaid patients

I work in the health industry and I have really started to notice the misuse of Medicaid.

Our country is in such a state right now; I understand that we need to help those who really need it. I'm just wondering if they were to request a co-pay on Medicaid, just like it is on Medicare or any private insurance, it just might curb a lot of the overuse of this insurance, and it might just help out with the state budget.

I think that they would rather pay a co-pay than to have their insurance cut off. Just a thought.

Becky Abel

Dayton

A little old-fashioned discipline is in order

Today's news says that the state's educators are up in arms because they have to find ways to cut their budgets. Almost 20 years ago, I attended a dinner in Las Vegas that was comprised of Clark County administration employees. At the dinner, one of the attendees stated to everyone at the table to remember to write to their representatives and remind them to vote for Spanish-speaking teachers in the classroom.

I verbally objected then, and I object now. Here's my take on the education budget cuts.

First, no other language than English should be spoken at our schools. Second, we, the taxpayers, should not have to feed your children. Feed them at home then send them to school. If you don't feed your children, you should be locked up for neglect. If you can't afford food for your children, get food stamps. It's not the taxpayers' responsibility to feed your kids at school.

Lastly: What happened to the system itself? Who is in charge? The kids? Let's start enforcing dress codes, respect for the teachers and administrators, and keep them on school grounds during school hours. No more policing Mills Park for truants, drug use and cigarette smoking. I get tired of having to stop for 10-30 teenagers crossing Saliman Road after their smoke break. Isn't tobacco use illegal for people younger than 18? Cite them for it.

Quit whining about the budget or do something about it.

Richard Doke

Carson City

Don't give up on health care reform

Right now we are paying very high taxes for our health care. We just don't call them taxes. We call them premiums. We pay more per person than any nation on earth and do not have the highest quality of care.

Other countries have the average person living to an older age, and have lower infant mortality. These countries view health care as a right.

I would like to see us have health care for all and reduced costs for the individual. Reduced costs are possible if everyone is covered and if we decide as a nation that health care insurance is not a growth industry.

We need to pass health care reform now.

Ann Maybury

Fernley