Don't blame others
for Dems' behavior
Nevada Appeal columnist Eugene Paslov engages in hyperbole and doesn't let facts get in the way of his opinions. He spews vitriol against those who have a differing opinion. Name calling doesn't enhance his position. His behavior (writing) is exactly what he condemns.
The fact that Democrats had to be bribed to vote for the wonderful heath care bill is blamed by him on Republicans he accused of not doing their job as legislators, never mind that they are doing their job in opposing legislation they deem to be undesirable.
Since they have been excluded from the bill-drafting process, what else would you have them do? The Republicans don't hold a majority and have not been allowed to participate in the drafting of the bill, yet he blames them for the fact that some Democrats had to be bribed to vote for this onerous bill.
Writing a bill of this magnitude in secrecy is hardly consistent with transparency and bipartisanship. Don't blame the Republicans or the insurance companies for the bad behavior of the Democrats. Paslov calls for give and take but the Democrats are involved in take and take with the give coming from the people.
Del Snider
Carson City
Don't knock rock: Its roots are in gospel
To Rosalee Barnwell Hinton, I must respond. Few contribute as positively to the quality of life in Carson City as do our clergy and our churches.
As to music, you can find good or bad in any type. As an African-American, I was offended by your disparaging remarks about rock 'n' roll. Rock 'n' roll is the offspring of black music: blues, rhythm and blues, and gospel. Would you like it better if it were the offspring of Perry Como and Doris Day?
Rather than imitating the elder son of Luke 15 or the Pharisee of Luke 18, try imitating Jesus. He was loving and kind. The identifying mark of the Christian is love. Some suggested reading: John 13:34-35; Galatians 5:22-33; and I John 4:7-12.
Mac Thomas
Carson City
County governments
closest to the people
Gov. Jim Gibbons, perhaps in preparation for a special session, has directed state agencies to develop recommendations for up to 10 percent cuts. While we applaud the governor for preparing to tackle the state's ongoing fiscal woes, the Nevada Association of Counties is concerned that cutting certain state programs would shift significant costs to counties, which are mandated to be the safety net for our most vulnerable citizens.
Due to actions taken by the Legislature since December 2008, it is estimated that more than $235 million of county revenues were diverted to the state. While all counties were impacted, the majority of revenue came from Clark and Washoe counties.
Nevada's counties have done their part to help the state during the current economic downturn, and have taken aggressive measures to address their own revenue shortfalls. NACO believes it is time for the state to address any future budget problems without further shifting the burden to the counties. Diverting additional revenues and shifting more costs would result in additional cuts at the local level, a disservice to our citizens.
NACO is committed to working with the state to get past these difficult times. However, counties, the government closest to the people, need be treated as equal partners in developing solutions to ensure the continuum of services that are vital to our shared constituents.
Jeff Fontaine
executive director
Nevada Association of Counties
Bill would devastate construction industry
When the health care bill passed the Senate last month, legislators wisely exempted small businesses (those with fewer than 50 employees) from mandates requiring employers to provide health benefits to their employees. Unfortunately, as the clock was running out, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) managed to slip five devastating paragraphs into the bill that essentially excluded small construction companies from receiving this important exemption.
More than any other state, Nevada's economy relies on a healthy and vibrant construction industry. Most economists agree that the reason Nevada remains mired in recession, while the rest of the country is showing signs of recovery, is that we are too dependent on our construction industry, which has yet to recover. Clearly, we can and should have a policy discussion about our over-dependence on construction, but as of today, it is an economic reality that simply cannot be ignored.
The majority of construction companies in Nevada are small family-owned businesses that struggle every day to provide a living for themselves and their employees. To arbitrarily deny them an exemption provided to all other small businesses is short-sighted, unwise and ultimately fraught with economic peril.
We call upon our congressional delegation to correct this injustice immediately, not for the sake of the construction industry in Nevada but for the sake of our economic recovery.
Clara Andriola
president ABC Nevada Chapter