Las Vegas Sun

November 11, 2009

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Letter to the editor:

Reasons aplenty to reject McCain candidacy

Friday, Oct. 31, 2008 | 2:04 a.m.

As we head into the homestretch of this election year, the right wing becomes more desperate, going on endlessly about the unfairness of taxation of those making more than a quarter-million dollars a year and Bill Ayers’ association with Sen. Barack Obama.

But let’s not forget that it was none other than Sen. John McCain who was right there supporting the “Keating Five” on behalf of Charles Keating, who swindled thousands of people out of their hard-earned retirement.

Plus, let’s not forget that it was McCain who has supported nuclear waste being transported to and stored at Yucca Mountain as well as the construction of more nuclear energy plants with more waste and zero proposals for recycling the deadly waste.

And if that isn’t enough to help you decide, think of Sarah Palin as potential president of the United States.

Discussion: 26 comments so far…

  1. I would much rather have a man who wants to take my earnings and send them to his supporters in inner cities like Chicago so they feel better.

  2. John Esperian speaks gleefully and positively about the unfairness of taxation of those making more than a quarter-million dollars.

    There are two reasons to tax rich people

    - to get taxes to run the country

    - to punish rich people

    Obama has chosen to punish the rich and "give" welfare checks of a less than $2 per day to the poor.

    Since this is zero sum game. Obama's bottom up economics theory is that you take money that could be invested directly in jobs and give that same money to poor people to buy happy meals.

    This bottom up economics has never been shown to work.

    Last summer we got welfare checks from $500-$1000 and you can see how that work out.

    We now are moving toward 50% of the people not providing any contribution toward running the country.

    Next Obama will be trying to say that poor and middle class people should not have to pay for their own retirement social Security (payroll taxes).

    This is a nation where half the the people have no responsiblity to support the running of the government. Is that a good thing?

  3. The government is corrupt - plain and simple and it really doesn't matter which of these two idiots get into the White House - the american working class are screwed.

  4. neiman - You actually reinforced John's point "...the right wing becomes more desperate, going on endlessly about the unfairness of taxation..." by doing exactly what he was talking about. Thanks for the entertainment.

    I'm sorry things are going so badly for McCain. But it's not because he's white. It's mostly that he's not a good candidate and that Sarah is not a candidate at all.

  5. I'm not supporting John McCain because because is has been known to be friendly with a former Ku Klux Klan cyclops (Robert Byrd).

    The only reason Obama and the media haven't made this news is because Robert Byrd is a democrat. Lol

  6. "I'm not supporting John McCain because because is has been known to be friendly with a former Ku Klux Klan cyclops (Robert Byrd).

    The only reason Obama and the media haven't made this news is because Robert Byrd is a democrat. Lol"

    The reason Obama hasn't brought up half of the things about McCain and Mooseburger, is because they haven't needed to do so. We all see through the bull**** that the GOP has resorted to. Now they are retreading the same old junk from months ago that was already debunked-the old and worn "throw everything against the wall, and hopefully something will stick." Too bad, so sad... The gop has my pity.

  7. The reasons the GOP "goes on endlessly" about higher taxes is because higher taxes will destroy the country. It will cause millions of people to lose their jobs. It will put thousands of small companies out of business. And it will expand government and create a new underclass completely dependent upon Democrats... Oh wait... Now I see why the Democrats want to destroy the country! How stupid of me!

  8. yes dems are all evil and want to destroy the country. That's why Jesus gave us the republican party. LOL.
    All I can say about the above remark is stupid and shameless.
    No wonder the country gets divided, there's republicans trying to say dems will destroy America, maybe the world, and they are all evil. Sweet sweeping generalizations Batman!

  9. How long do you think jobs will last in Las Vegas when "the rich" quit coming. Visitors are down 10% now and layoffs are everywhere. What happens when they are down 30%? Your job?

  10. Good point neiman.....Obama tax increases on the rich will have a negative effect on Las Vegas tourist market.

    I know that Obama tax increases on job creation capital increase will hurt businesses trying raise funds for Las Vegas businesses.

    Now add on a drop or reducation in big spenders coming to town or a drop in what they spend.

    But Obama will be giving out $1.95 a day additional middle class tax cuts. Woohooooo.....penny slots here I come.

  11. neiman, all the more reason to diversify the NV economy, with a focus on Las Vegas. Time to get more and diverse industries here.

    It's obvious that gaming, lawyers, car dealers and furniture stores can't sustain all this fabulous growth!

  12. "neiman, all the more reason to diversify the NV economy, with a focus on Las Vegas. Time to get more and diverse industries here"

    In the next Nevada assembly session, Dems are talking about "stabilizing state revenue" which is a code for raising taxes on non-Casino businesses.

    I think raising taxes on non-casino businesses would go against any attempt to diversify NV's economy. It would be a factor that would discourage new businesses from expanding or starting up in Nevada.

  13. "How long do you think jobs will last in Las Vegas when "the rich" quit coming."

    Forever. The rich own this place. They live here neiman, and the ones that don't own some of it anyway.

    "Visitors are down 10% now and layoffs are everywhere. What happens when they are down 30%?"

    After 8 years of a horrible republican president it amazes me that you and nance even speak about such things. Let alone in such a polarized and self-superior way. Did you "smart people" vote for Bush? Somebody ought to smack you both for it. Thanks for nothing!

  14. Patricia,

    What is your plan to diversify Nevada's economy?

  15. "How long do you think jobs will last in Las Vegas when "the rich" quit coming."

    Forever. The rich own this place. They live here neiman, and the ones that don't own some of it anyway.

    Well said. The rich will always find ways to come out here. I don't know much about the tourism business, but the spending power of the middle class and lower middle class have been the bread and butter for many businesses.
    I find it amazing that Vegas is still catering to the rich "wish tickets" and building lavish resorts while the older mainstays are closing down to be demolished for yet more higher end resorts.

    Hopefully these casino executives will be able to realize that they need to be able to find ways to attract the middle / lower middle class clientele. This is what this town was created on.
    The good thing about Vegas is that we are the last ones to feel the bad times and the first to feel the better times. I think that creating ways to attract others who can't afford to come out here, whether it be once or many times a year, would be a step in the right direction.

  16. "Patricia,

    What is your plan to diversify Nevada's economy?"

    If Patricia would be kind enough, I'd like a crack at this one:

    1. invest in the one commodity we have in abundance: Solar power. We have no problem handing over land to housing developers-lets give it to companies willing to open up factories which build solar panels (Jobs). Let's give tax breaks for companies to build solar farms in the barren desert, providing power to the valley (more jobs).

    2. Invest in new infrastructure, including commuter and high speed rail (jobs).

    3. Give incentives for the creation of factories and distribution centers for American made, high tech products (lots of jobs).

    4. Invest in educational opportunities by increasing the amount of high tech research at the state universities, recruit top American students to our institutions and give them the opportunity to invent new technologies, which will benefit Nevadans(better education=high wage jobs).

    5. Bring the tax rate for Nevada casinos to HALF the national average, in order to finance education, law enforcement and other public services, bringing wages to a competitive level with other states. Allow teachers and other public servants to purchase foreclosed homes at a substantial discount, adding them back to the tax rolls.

    so, without too much trouble, I came up with five ways to get the Nevada economy up and rolling, enabling us to withstand the rise and fall of tourism. Of course these take some big brain thinking, and I'm sure Nance and other small minded individuals will call this socialist or worse (since they won't offer any concrete arguments against suggestions-I'm guessing either that obama is a communist, or some other non-sequitor ad hominum attack).

  17. cmon...is right....it is about time that we punish those pesky casinos and all those pesky private jobs that they bring.

    God dam those evil casinos. Lets put our foot on their necks while they are just barely making the loan requirement payments to stay out of bankruptcy.

    Lets give tons of taxpayers cash to solar farms, like the Solar One southeast of Vegas which gets tons of federal tax breaks and generates power at 2.45x the current market price of energy. I am happy that one day my power bill will at least double.

    One foreign country calculated that for each $700,000 in tax money that goes to supporting Solar and Wind projects one job gets created.

    Whoooooohoooooo.....lets start making the solar farm jobs and put some casinos out of business!!!!!

  18. Thank you Nance for being so predictable.

  19. "One foreign country calculated that for each $700,000 in tax money that goes to supporting Solar and Wind projects one job gets created."

    Umm...Which one nance? I love how predictable you are with your responses. Again, no sources, just the ominous "one foreign country" line.

    I'm guessing sarcasm or out and out vitriol this time... Don't disappoint.

  20. dave202 "It will cause millions of people to lose their jobs."

    Oh brother! As if jobs are not already being destroyed under Bush's geniusness. Bush is your legacy and why you will lose this election. We'll talk about Obama after he's had a damn chance. I wish him well. He's going to inherit a mess!

  21. Well, that was pretty close to what I would have suggested though I doubt I would have been so thorough and specific.

    I think it's fairly brilliant, cmon. Las Vegas is perfect for many industries: IT, distribution, manufacturing. But I've yet to see anything done to attract any of it.

    And each of these would attract at least some of the best and brightest.

    Or if not Las Vegas, why not central state? It has a somewhat "friendlier" climate for certain types of distribution and manufacturing that you simply cannot economically sustain in (e.g.) a Las Vegas summer.

    This isn't rocket science, KDR81; and considering how pro-business you are, I'd be frankly surprised if you weren't on board with this.

  22. I really wish I had access to that crystal ball neiman, Jim, dave et al have.

    I'd really like to hit MegaBucks. I'd even PLAY MegaBucks. LOL.

  23. Las Vegas already is dying and the process will soon be accelerated. There is no place for gambling in Obama's paradise. Obama is the only one who will be allowed to gamble with other people's money. Afterall, he is the Candy Man, and the Candy Man can because he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good. As imperfect as McCain is (he was a sailor for god's sake!), Obama is an empty suit and a fraud. Obamites: please illuminate one, just one, original thought. Or, is he a great manager? Please show me something, anything, he has managed successfully.

    Red, Juanita: I'm waiting.

  24. Senator Obama has managed a successful campaign.

  25. Just who are these people who earn 150, 200, 250 th a year, when the minimum wages in the USA are as low as $2.65 an hour in Kansas and upwards.

    The USA has tens of millions living in poverty, why is nothing ever mention about these people.

  26. mikegino - "Or, is he a great manager? Please show me something, anything, he has managed successfully."

    How about the Obama 08' campaign? Record setting donations? Penetrating Red states? Support from across party lines? Any of that work for ya?

    Speaking of bad managers, tell us all about Mr. Bush. Please!!!! I want to hear you say he was a good one. Please please please!!!

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