LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

State budget in need of fresh ideas

Nancy Heiser, Mesquite

Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008 | 2:02 a.m.

Regarding the Las Vegas Sun’s Friday story headlined “Cuts would hurt neediest most”:

It appears Nevada’s government, with Gov. Jim Gibbons “leading” the way, may do well to get a few pointers from Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

Perhaps Obama could bring Nevada his budget “scalpel” and find a new home for the “ax” that could be used to hack apart the state’s budget. As usual during a stale and stagnant term, the governor is considering cutting services for those who will be hard pressed to stand up and be heard. Too bad our governor is obviously clueless when it comes to inventive budgeting.

I would like to know what other ideas were discussed before proposals to take services away from those who need them most. Was a pay cut for our governor and legislators considered? What about ideas for increasing revenue? In the long term, could we make a lottery work in Nevada along with gaming? New Jersey has both.

In the short and long term, what about using volunteers? Couldn’t we use our seniors, with their years of experience, to teach our children, assist our teachers, care for our young or help those trying to get their lives on track?

I’m just an average citizen. I mention some simple and perhaps far-reaching solutions only to illustrate the need for investing in a future not bogged down by doing things the same way. We must bring innovative ideas and industries into the state. And we desperately need that scalpel to better define what should go or stay in our state budget.

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By Tokoloshe

Oct. 19, 2008

8:57 a.m.

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Obama will spend more money than any president in american history, his proposals include one trillion in new spending.
His "innovative" ideas will be very expensive.
example;
Obama has this idea that he can take tax breaks away from "big oil". do that, and you and i will be paying a lot more at the pump.
Go after corporate leaders?, they will not play that way, more jobs will be sent overseas.
In the end, all of this new spending will be paid by middle class america, this will be the longest deepest recession in history, it will feel like the 1970's and 1980's, las vegas malls will look like swiss cheese, and look for your home values to, yes, drop further.
I predict that by end of 2009 unemployment will be in the double digits if obama takes office.
By Tokoloshe

Oct. 19, 2008

9:05 a.m.

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Another example;
The energy it takes to produce one gallon of ethanol is three quarters of a gallon. It is not a cleaner burning fuel. you and i have paid for this disaster of an energy idea, it is one of the reasons we are paying more at the pump. they continue to build more ethanol plants, it is costing us a fortune, it is not a short term solution or long term solution, it is a plan that McCain wants to put a stop to.
We need to put an end to ethanol, it is a government give away and you and i are paying a fortune for it.