Letters to the editor March 20

A to-do list for Rep. Heller

Dear Congressman Heller:

My country is in trouble and it's partly your fault. I'd like to have Nevada's congressional delegates take the lead on a few issues.

First, I'd like you to propose the 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution. I'd like it to state that Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the federal senators and representatives, and Congress shall make no law that applies to the federal senators and representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States. The president of the United States shall also be held accountable to all laws passed by Congress. This amendment could easily outlaw the use of presidential signing statements.

In addition, as my representative, I'm asking you to initiate a bill that will stop all Middle East wars immediately, withdraw troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, stop bombing Pakistan and Yemen, and stop supporting the atrocities being committed by Israel on Gazans.

More significantly, I'm asking you to outlaw corporate lobbying as well as war profiteering, and if these actions take another constitutional amendment, make it so. The money being spent on our war machinery is needed for jobs, education, infrastructure improvements and health care insurance.

When you get finished with these tasks, then we can start making moves to close the military bases we no longer need in other countries around the world.

Richard F. Riendeau

Carson City

Cut those taxes and sing 'hallelujah'

Hallelujah. Tax cuts. I had this revelation about eighty-sixing the fire- and public-safety-government boondoggles that are gouging us with tax upon tax. We all know that most fires start with some idiot who is smoking in bed, has no insurance, and generally is a societal bad risk. Why should we waste our time and money on these miscreants? Less welfare, if you know what I mean.

And that stupid education system. It's bleedin' us dry. Just let all the tea-partying parents home school their lot. We'll throw 'em a voucher for their trouble. Who needs a broad understanding of life anyway? Imagine all the money we'd save eliminating social sciences, history and science itself from the curriculum.

And all those liberal, over-paid teachers can take a hike as well. Readin', writin', and 'rithmatic is all we need anyway. And feeding the poor kids a free lunch? Hey, don't they know that it's God's plan for them to be poor?

I'm sorry Dr. Paslov. I just feel so free lettin' go of all that worry for my fellow human beings. We all have to take responsibility for ourselves. Why should my tax dollars pay for some old guys' diaper? He should have saved his money instead of relying on all of us. Can't wait to change my affiliation. Always wanted to know what is what like to be a Republican. Hallelujah. Tax cuts. Born again.

Rick Van Alfen

Carson City