Letters to the Editor March 26

Harry Reid's deficit spending devalues dollar

In the local section March 17, a GOP adviser, Sig Rogich, pleads his case to re-elect Sen. Reid.

Reid, more than anybody in Congress, is probably responsible for the recession. He is the leader of the pack in Congress who thinks that deficit spending is politically desirable and necessary. Deficit spending, by Congress after Congress, is responsible for the systematic devaluation of the dollar. Since 1940, the dollar has lost 96 percent of its value. At the end of 2009, the dollar lost another 22.5 percent.

We now live in a global economy. Consequently, it is the world that is telling us what our dollar is worth. Due to the present momentum of deficit spending, the 1940 dollar could reach two cents in two years. If that happens, things could cost 50 times more than in 1940. This is the scenario for hyperinflation.

It is noted that the U.S. unfunded liabilities are about $107 trillion. Should we thank Sen. Reid for this? What Congress does not seem to understand is that the magic of compounding has caused the unsustainable exponential growth in prices, entitlements, wages and budgets. It is compounding that causes economic bubbles.

This fact was brought to Sen. Reid's attention several years ago with the suggestion that converting our economy to a linear system could solve the problem. He, in effect, told me he would not propose such an idea but would vote on the measure if proposed by someone else.

Donald W. Cunningham

Carson City

Give taxpayers a break for health insurance premiums

I would like to suggest that taxpayers get a break with regards to health insurance premiums. Currently those income tax payers whose medical costs exceed 7.5 percent of their adjusted gross income are the only ones who can take a medical itemized deduction. I would like to see medical insurance premiums fully deductible from income.

For those who itemize deductions on Schedule A, premiums should not be subject to the 7.5 percent exclusion. For those who take the standard deduction, that standard deduction should be increased to include medical premiums, just like property taxes can now be included for non-itemizers.

I have made this suggestion to Sens. Reid and Ensign as well as Rep. Heller. If you agree, please let them know.

Leslie Sexton

Dayton

Health bill passed against will of people

I am mad that our president said, after the House passage of the health bill, that this is a government of the people and by the people. If this statement were true, the bill would never have gone as far as it did, let alone pass the House.

Millions of people have voiced their criticism of this bill. They have called their representatives, in both the House and the Senate, saying no to this bill. But our government is no longer concerned with what the people want, but what their party wants, whether they are Democrats or Republicans.

Our government has forgotten that once they are elected to office, that they represent all the people and not just the ones in their party. I am saddened by the fact that the people are not heard and that the battle between Democrats and Republicans is more important than what the people they represent really want.

Joseph Coates

Carson City

City in grips of union labor

I attended the Board of Supervisor's meeting last Thursday where they voted to cut the 2011 budget by 10 percent at the recommendation of the city manager, and additionally to seek two percent across-the-board pay cuts.

As a former public employee and manager, I came away with the following observations:

City management has surrendered its management rights to organized labor. Both camps have forgotten who they are working for and who is paying their salaries. Having served in the military and federal law enforcement, I always served at the pleasure of the president. That certainly allowed for some injustices. That was the way it was and should be. Organized employee leadership needs to become very flexible very fast.

Calvin Coolidge said, "There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, any time." I believe this also means public employees have no right to act against the public interest any time.

Going to the other corner, the city manager has chosen to adopt a flat 10 percent budget cut across the board. I find this arbitrary, subjective and capricious. Personally, I think public safety trumps all with police, fire and ambulance topping that list.

The city manager and the unions need to set their personal interests aside and get back to the public's business. Get your eyes back on the road before you drive us off the cliff.

Richard Schneider

Carson City