Congress makes the budget
Jim Hartman’s commentary on the “shrinking U.S. Navy” conveniently ignores basic budgetary facts in order to criticize the Biden administration’s proposed budget.
Fact: the actual appropriated military budget is determined by Congress, not any administration — not Biden’s, not Trump’s. Any aspect of appropriated military funding that does not meet policies “mandated by law” is the responsibility of Congress.
Fact: for the last 50 years the annual U.S. appropriations for Defense spending have exceeded the combined total of the next 10 countries, including China and Russia. So, does the fat Defense budget need to be further increased to build (and maintain) more ships to compete with China and Russia?
Fact: The Trump administration proposed a long-term “Battle Force 2045 plan” that, like too many of Trump’s proposals, totally ignored any way to fund it.
So, if anyone wants to increase funding to build (and maintain) more Navy ships, they need to lobby Congress in competition with all the other interests wanting to increase their own portion of the bloated Defense budget. They would need the courage to realistically propose what other slices of the Defense budget pie should be cut.
But, in our current ultra-polarized politics, it is easier to criticize than deal with facts, let alone to do the work of proposing viable solutions to real problems.
Jon Nowlin
Carson City
What's wrong with this picture?
If you are college educated and are looking for part-time employment you have choices. Currently fast food chains are offering up to $20 an hour, with benefits. High school diploma recommended. College degrees are not necessary.
Want to teach in the Carson Valley schools? Substitutes are paid a staggering $14.70 an hour.
Four-year college degree required; master’s preferred and no benefits. If you commit to being a long-term substitute you can reach $20 an hour, which is about the starting wage at a fast food restaurant.
So for the $100,000-plus you paid to be educated you can make a lot less being a substitute teacher than you can working at a fast food location.
No wonder the quality of education has slipped drastically over the last 20 years. Incentives that a decent salary would be a motivating factor to seek higher education and in turn help educate the youth of tomorrow. Well something went sideways! Is it surprising there is a drastic teacher shortage in Nevada, and Nevada is ranked at the bottom among the 50 states in education.
In Nevada flipping burgers seems to be more financially appealing than working as a substitute teacher.
Frank Wright
Retired Teacher
Crystal Bay
Abortion laws should go back to state
I found myself thinking how incredulous Carol Edmunds opinion was. When it comes to the emotionally-charged abortion issue, no one thinks backroom abortions are a good idea. Her proposition that men should get vasectomies is ridiculous. That is a permanent solution. Abortion is not sterilization. If Roe vs. Wade is overturned, the abortion rights debate reverts to the states. It does not outlaw abortions. I believe in pro-choice. However, I do not believe late term abortions should be performed. I have some suggestions for those of reproductive age.
Sex, in most cases, is consensual and takes two. If you are going to engage in sex, take some responsibility. There are many forms of birth control today, and you can even get birth control pills without parental consent if you are under 18. In addition, there is Plan B, available at drug stores, condoms, and of course, abstinence. If you do find yourself pregnant, adoption is another possibility. These are the responsible things to do.
Like it or not, abortion is the taking of a human life. The earlier the pregnancy is terminated the better. It makes some feel better that if it cannot be recognized as a life form, they can pretend it is not a baby.
Should Roe vs. Wade be overturned, the people will determine our state’s abortion laws. Just as it should be. So, stop pretending that the Supreme Court will outlaw abortions. They don’t make laws. They interpret the laws our legislators pass.
Diane Phillips
Carson City
