VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY

ASSEMBLYMAN REJECTS PROPOSAL

Editor: After a year of meetings to discuss transferring some of Nevada’s public land from federal to state control, the Nevada Land Management Task Force late last month submitted its draft proposal to the Legislative Committee on Public Lands.

The chairman of that panel, Assemblyman Paul Aizley, summarily rejected it without a vote, saying Nevada was not ready for such legislation.

The task force said the transfer, comprising only about 10 percent of the vast area of Nevada now controlled by federal agencies, would be beneficial, economically and ecologically to the state.

Nevada already has a jerk in Washington who rules over the U.S. Senate like it was his own fiefdom, refusing to bring to a vote bills he doesn’t like, including budget measures. Do we also need one in the state legislature?

Aizley is up for re-election in November. We in Churchill County can’t vote for a candidate in the 41st District, but there are other ways to help replace someone who doesn’t seem to know the meaning of democracy and fairness. Vicki Dooling is running for Aizley’s seat and I’m sure she would appreciate any donations we can send her way.

Maybe Aizley thinks it was proper for armed BLM goons to invade Cliven Bundy’s ranch last April and start “gathering” (I call it stealing) his cattle. I don’t and I don’t think you do either. Ranchers in other parts of the West also continue to feel the heavy hand of federal agents. The best way to stop this is to vote out politicians who don’t appreciate the ideas of limited government and state’s rights.

Do what you can to help Vicki Dooling.

Jim Falk

Churchill County

MAKE THE SOUTH HAPPY

Editor: Some members of Nevada’s legislature have doubts about the Tesla situation. I might have come up with a solution ...

Simply mandate that all 6,500 jobs be unionized. That way, union dues can be directly spent to support liberal democrats. That should provide a sufficient level of appeasement.

Bob Burchfield

Wellington

NEVADA SHOWS D.C. THE WAY

Editor: Gov. Sandoval, a Republican, and a unanimous Nevada legislature led by Speaker Kirkpatrick, a Democrat, are congratulated on passage of the Tesla-enabling legislation. While the Tesla deal has risks, it can be a huge step forward for Nevada’s economic recovery and business diversity.

In contrast, Washington remains mired in toxic dysfunction. The intimidating influence of the Tea Party on House Republicans and the hyper-partisanship of Harry Reid in the Senate have resulted in gridlock. Rigid party polarization can be overcome. Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton demonstrated that it takes vision and skill to maximize common ground. Reagan worked with Speaker Tip O’Neill on the “grand bargain” extending Social Security solvency and with Dan Rostenkowski on tax reform, while Clinton worked with Newt Gingrich to reform welfare, cut taxes and restrain Medicare spending.

Both parties now agree on the need for tax reform and are close to a framework. There is common ground on the need to reform farm subsidies and “corporate welfare.” Missing is presidential leadership. Gov. Romney had experience as a chief executive reaching compromise with a Democratic legislature. President Obama has no similar experience and must learn to build coalitions where there is common ground.

The sign on Gov. Sandoval’s desk reads: “It CAN be done.” Nevada has shown the way.

Jim Hartman

Genoa