Thursday, October 23, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

Letters

There is no individual more relevant than yourself when you are pursuing a dream. American liberalism as constructed and practiced by President Lyndon Johnson and the Democratic Party for over 40 years has been the most destructive, divisive and racist piece of social engineering in the history of America with one exception. That exception is slavery itself. Democratic Party liberalism uses socioeconomic class warfare and race as fodder to attract attention, and rather than addressing the issues with anything constructive, it offers generations of enslavement to a social welfare state to maintain control over those who fall prey to the seduction of the free ride. Democratic liberalism denies to all that embrace it the opportunity of a self-reliant pursuit of the American dream. A self-reliant pursuit of the American dream through hard work can bring you so much more than waiting for the check or a handout from a government program. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bob Hope and Sidney Poitier would be examples of the success that can be achieved when that path is taken instead of the free ride--and they weren't even born in America.

It is true that President Johnson signed into law civil rights legislation, but the law had no teeth. It wasn't a criminal act to simply ignore the law. The only mechanism for enforcement was the civil courts. President Johnson knew that would take 50 years to bear fruit and bring about any real change. That is why we are still seeing the issues being litigated today. It did create a photo opportunity for a president with Dr. King and managed to take the steam out of the civil rights movement. At the same time, from behind the curtain, (the wizard) President Johnson created the welfare state as we know it today. The Democratic Party surrogates then invaded poor and minority communities across America to get everyone signed up to a program in what was touted as a War on Poverty but in reality was nothing more than enslavement and appeasement. That is the real reason we have seen a larger and larger gap between the rich and poor, and worsening race relations in America for the past 40 years.

--David Baker

Basement Files was disgusting

The staff at the Ronald McDonald House here in Las Vegas gave me a copy of the disgusting article submitted by your writer of the Basement Files ["Goofus," Sept. 18]. It is an outrage to write such a despicable fabricated story pertaining to such a worthwhile and caring charity.

My husband and I had never heard of the Mercury newspaper and were highly offended by this article. My husband is a dedicated volunteer for the Ronald McDonald House and was awarded "Volunteer of the Year" for 2002. He has given many hours and is very happy to do so to assist the dedicated staff at the Ronald McDonald House.

In addition to cooking a wonderful Italian meal for the residents and some of the children from the Desert Willow state facility each month, he assists with the raising of funds through "lock-ups," 5K races, etc. If he is needed he will drive a family of a sick or injured child to the hospital. I have seen the concern and dedication all the volunteers and staff members have for the families that stay at the Ronald McDonald House. My husband also has visited some of the children at the hospitals to cheer them up.

Perhaps "Mr. Goofus" should volunteer himself to experience and see the tears that are shed by the volunteers and staff. The families cannot thank the dedicated workers enough for their concern. If "Mr. Goofus" is interested in writing "porn," perhaps he should write articles for a porn magazine. It is sad that anyone should write about trying to "score" with distressed mothers at Ronald McDonald House and make light of it.

Ronald McDonald House deserves an immediate apology from you and "Mr. Goofus."

--A. Liguori

Californians said no to Davis, taxes, fees

Any Democrat who still hasn't figured out why Arnold Schwarzenegger managed to beat Gray Davis in the California governor's recall needs to admit there really IS such a thing as too much taxation. In his last year in office, Davis raised all manner of fees, including a tripling of the state driver's license fee. It got to where on the campaign trail, Arnold could credibly state, "every time you go to the toilet in this state, you pay a tax."

Thing is, it's been like that in Nevada for quite some time. In order to pay for all the government services we (well, most of "we") want, we have to pay ever higher fees and taxes. And contrary to propaganda, it's not just "The Rich" who pay.

Case in point: I am currently what's called "underemployed." (Translation: My company is too cheap to give me a regular schedule, but they don't want to fire me and make me eligible for unemployment.) So after applying to various companies, I finally got hired as a taxi driver. Except that as a new hire, I had to pass a physical from the Nevada Department of Transportation. That cost $45, cash, exact change. The following Monday, I had to go to the Taxicab Authority, and not only pay $40 cash, but find a money order for a $45 fingerprinting fee, made out to the Highway Patrol. I had to walk to the nearest store for this money order, as I can't afford CAR REPAIRS this week. Not to mention that I'd already paid a money order for fingerprinting the last time I renewed my sheriff's card, but apparently that doesn't count.

I was informed that the fingerprinting fee took effect in November 2002 (when it was $39) due to a budget crisis. Doubtless when the governor needs to increase spending on "education"--or some other pretext for government expansion--the fees will go up even more. Something like, "$60 plus left testicle, $100 with anesthesia."

Point is, in an economy where anyone can stand on the right street corner and hire himself out for day labor, why should I jump through all these hoops before I can even start earning my first paycheck? Has it occurred to these bureaucratic geniuses that if I could afford all their goddamn fees upfront, I wouldn't need a new job?

--James Gillen