Sandoval sent message
of unity for Nevada
Our new Gov. Sandoval demonstrated strength of character and provided a well-researched, honest presentation of the problems the Nevada family faces together. There were few interruptions and appropriate applause that did not deter from the seriousness of Nevada's challenges,
By stating the fact that every spoke in the wheel of Nevada is struggling is a major step; systematically fixing each cooperatively with the Legislature is an ambitious goal he has taken very seriously and vigorously. I salute him.
I was impressed with the agreement among all our leaders that education is pivotal in the effort to return Nevada to a place in these United States that is once again respectable. I was extremely glad he said there are new options finally open for parents. My prayer is that parents choose to take advantage of the choices coming to them by reinstating their role in the education of their children. What I hope will follow is teachers and schools becoming educators again instead of surrogate parents.
I applauded the introduction of Gov. Sandoval's special guest Michelle Rhee, an expert and true advocate of education reform for the good of our country. This shows me the governor is seeking the best specialists to get the Nevada family united, prosperous and proud. Everybody has to do their part; it will not be an easy road at first; but the belief that all the spokes of the wheel will enjoy a smooth journey is the reward.
Ann Bednarski
Carson City
Obama used speech
to stump for re-election
From my point of view, the president's State of the Union speech had little to nothing to do with the state of the union. It appeared to have more to do with what Mr. Obama was going to do when he gets re-elected.
From the standpoint of how speech writers operate, it was a pretty good example of exactly that - a re-election speech. I'll have to admit, the Republican response was somewhat more factual and to the point.
When you consider the state of our political system today, I don't suppose it really matters anyhow.
Pete Bachstadt
Carson City
Reward hard working volunteers with tax breaks
The United States is very lucky to have so many volunteers working in this country to provide many good things for the public and our government, which would otherwise cost us a lot more. We all understand that this is for a good cause.
I would like to separate the volunteer program into two segments. Number one are people in service clubs who work for their community. Number two are volunteers who help governmental agencies, like the fire department and police department, to provide services.
If the services now provided by volunteers and service clubs were to be replaced by paid personnel, it would cost that government or organization approximately $25 per hour, from which government would tax that person $2.50 in income tax.
Most volunteers are putting in 100 hours a year or more and are happy to do so. Volunteers are mostly retired and live off Social Security, 401(k) programs and investments made in a lifetime of hard work and saving. As we all know, times have changed for the worse for many people. Prices are up and interest is down, together with the declining value of homes.
What I would like to see is that our governmental leaders provide the volunteers with a small income tax deduction of $2.50 per hour worked, which would offset their out-of-pocket expenses and, very importantly, invite more volunteer hours. Moneywise, this deduction would amount to $250 on average and would not be a lethal blow to the government.
Gary den Heyer
Minden
Writer's quote wrongly attributed to Paslov
I write this to underscore my previous opinion about the differences between the liberal and conservative mind. My juxtaposition between the two brought about the comment expressed by Dennis Johnson in his Jan. 23 letter to the editor.
Johnson pointed to a quote ascribed to Eugene Paslov in his column of Oct. 2: "Early on I was taught that I, and only I, am responsible for my behavior..."
Yet, those who read my column of Sept. 16 would have known that this quote was not written by Eugene Paslov. It was copied in total from my column.
To set the record straight, this quote, and the bulk of Paslov's Oct. 2 column, is a satire of an original work written by me, "Liberal minds fail to grasp essential American values." I was astonished when I read Paslov's response. With only a few word changes, Paslov published my original work as his own, headlined "The conservative mind fails to grasp essential American values."
The full quote was, "Early on I was taught that I, and only I, am responsible for my behavior. In later years, I epitomized this into a personal axiom: Individual responsibility for individual behavior as opposed to group responsibility (government) for individual behavior." The column further explains and justifies these values.
I recommend that folks refer to my original column and then read Paslov's column of Oct. 2. This will help make a substantial leap in understanding the critical difference between the liberal and the conservative mind.
Dan Mooney
Carson City
Progressive Roosevelt undermined Constitution
In his book, "Colonel Ted Roosevelt," Edmund Morris reported, "What the colonel wanted was a vast system of state socialism. He would make Washington the nation's welfare center, and emulate Lloyd George in the profligate bestowal of old-age pensions and industrial insurance.
"Worse still, he would subject the whole organic law of the United States, including its constitutional checks and balances, to an endless series of judgments of the people, expressed at the polls.
"He stood at Chicago and preached socialism and revolution, contempt for law, and doctrines that lead to destruction."
Then, on page 230, second paragraph, "The colonel was determined to overthrow the Constitution."
Roosevelt was a progressive. We still have them today at all levels of government. It would be best to vote them out of office and to keep our Constitution in place along with its amendments.
Tony Klein
Minden