Letters to the editor Oct. 10

Government's role isn't

to guarantee success

The Sept. 26 letter to the editor by David Bushey, "Liberal ideals of equality are America's ideals," shows why Mr. Bushey is one of the far left liberals and clearly out of step with the majority of America.

I have read the Constitution as well as the Bill of Rights. I know precisely where it states "All men were created equal," however, I defy Mr. Bushey or any like-minded liberal to show me where it states "so therefore government shall legislate to keep them all equal." America is the land of opportunity, not the land of guaranteed success. All you are entitled to is the opportunity to succeed and the freedom to pursue that opportunity. Nothing more.

Mr. Bushey and his ilk want to legislate the outcome, not provide for the opportunity. Hard work, desire, sacrifice and the will to succeed are qualities the founding fathers determined should be used to measure success, not the government. They did not say the government should take from those who work and give to those who don't, or won't, just to keep everyone equal.

I believe in helping those who are trying to help themselves. I do the right thing because it is the right thing to do, not because someone is watching. However, it is not the government's job to force me to support individuals or causes that I do not believe in. That, Mr. Bushey is socialism and it is not an American virtue.

John T. Konvicka

Carson City

Fill empty spaces before building new places

I'm a taxpayer who has lived here for 20 years and my dream is not the same dream Mae Adams and her trustees' dreams are.

I have a problem with a Boise, Idaho, resident like Steve Neighbors telling me what's best for Carson City. We are already in the negative with other projects - Pony Express Pavilion and the V&T. We have experts say that in this economy, it might not be the best thing to start a new project. I kind of would like to see the "pay as you go, and if you can't pay, then don't go" theory when it comes down to taxpayers footing more projects.

Our library is just fine in its current location, especially with all their computer updates. And with Kindles, the Nook and Sony

e-Readers, tourists won't be riding into town to check out a book.

I wish the board of supervisors could move as swiftly and diligently to fill the empty spaces throughout downtown, and especially the

15-plus vacant buildings down by the Kmart, which have been empty for seven years. Spend the $42 million filling up the Ormsby eyesore, the empty Jack's bar and the slab of cement next door, all of which is downtown on 5th and 4th streets.

Please give Rob Joiner the same amount of press time you give to Steve Neighbors. Mr. Joiner is asking all the right questions, and Mr. Neighbors' reply is, "You must be running for office."

Sunni Enciso Heinrichs

Carson City

False, spiteful advertising shortchanges the electorate

I have a serious condition - political advertising ad nauseam. Much of what I hear, read and see regarding a candidate's position on issues is grossly distorted, overtly inaccurate or blatantly false. Jon Ralston, the viscerally challenging editorialist, has affirmed my illness with his review of ads this season which, on average, he would probably grade a D or C- at best.

Not that the aforementioned is any great revelation, but the candidates are short-changing this state and the nation as a whole. At a time when great leadership, bi-partisanship and statesmanship are needed to craft creative solutions to a myriad of challenging problems, the public is left to sift through divisive rhetoric and underwhelming candidates.

This toxic stew we call politics seems to have evolved into a game fit only for wealthy operatives, caffeinated oratorical grandstanders or large unions and social organizations bent on perpetuating their protected status while oblivious to hemorrhaging coffers. Our enemies watch patiently as we sling rancorous grenades from left to right and back again while we're increasingly distracted from shoring up the rotten timbers of our social fabric.

So, as I weigh my choices this political season, I find that in at least one office I'm left to choose between a candidate who arrogantly exhibits many of the aforementioned traits and another who appears to border on buffoonery while hungering for a statesman option instead of "none of the above."

John Callister

Carson City

Sen. Reid's long-ago

actions don't make up

for present misdeeds

I am glad that Bob Carnett appreciates something that Harry did 22 years ago. But Reid's current record is anything but "stepping up for the little guy" - opinion letter, Nevada Appeal, Oct. 3. What he has done to you since 2006, when he became Senate Majority Leader, is:

1. Supported stimulus bills that have not worked and leave us with record unemployment and record foreclosures.

2. Passed pork-filled 2,000-plus page bills that even he admits he never read.

3. Made back-room deals to buy votes and ram a flawed health care bill down our throats, cutting Medicare compensation to doctors by 21 percent when we already have serious problems finding experienced doctors who will take new Medicare patients.

What can we expect if he is re-elected?

He will continue to do what he has been successful at: increasing taxes and spending; and he will attempt to do what he failed at. He already said he will:

• Push for bills to reduce the carbon footprint of energy sources, which will drive up the cost of energy when we are struggling to make ends meet.

• Push for card check to circumvent holding fair National Labor Relations Board elections, to pay back his union campaign contributors.

Bob, I am glad he stood up for you 22 years ago, but is this really what you want now?

J. E. White

Gardnerville

Give two-lane Carson Street idea a test run first

The idea of two lanes for Carson Street is misguided. It would be a mess and would cost too much money.

Letter writer Sharron Tipton has the very best suggestion. Her idea to temporarily restrict traffic on Carson Street to two lanes would give everyone a chance to try this system. I doubt that anyone would want to make the change after trying it out for awhile.

This is such a simple and constructive idea. Let's try it.

Carol Pitts

Carson City