SEC filing: Sue Lowden cut jobs, got bonus
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010 | 4:44 p.m.
Sun Coverage
Republican Sue Lowden’s company gave her husband a $200,000 bonus last year — bringing the couple’s combined paycheck to nearly $1 million — even as it slashed more than 100 jobs and eliminated the employee savings match, according to an annual report.
Lowden, the Republican Senate hopeful, and her husband, Paul Lowden, own Archon Corp., which runs the Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall in Laughlin.
As many have in this economy, the business struggled last year, according to its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company cut its workforce by 25 percent in 2009, eliminating 106 jobs and doing away with the company match for employees’ 401(k) savings plans. The savings plan was costing the company $67,000 a year.
The Lowdens’ salaries combined totaled $929,000 — including a $200,000 bonus to be paid in biweekly installments to Paul Lowden through fiscal 2010. The couple were also compensated for their cars and household services.
Lowden is seeking to unseat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid this fall, and the Reid campaign seized on her business dealings to dismiss her campaign’s tagline that “fighting for your job is my job.”
“So much for all the talk about being a ‘job creator,’” Reid’s campaign said.
“After claiming that job creation is her top priority, Lowden owes her former employees an explanation why their jobs were worth less than her husband’s massive bonus,” said Reid campaign manager Brandon Hall.
Lowden has used her credentials as a businesswoman as a cornerstone of her campaign in what is shaping up as a tough Republican primary for the chance to run against Reid. Lowden and former UNLV basketball star Danny Tarkanian are leading a field of Republican contenders heading into the June primary.
At a forum earlier this month, Lowden said, “I am a businesswoman and for a couple of decades now I’ve made payroll every day and that separates me from the folks up here on the dais.”
Lowden’s campaign said Reid was launching another attack on her front-runner status and questioned how many pay raises he has received on the taxpayers’ dime.
“Harry Reid has been living off the Nevada taxpayer his entire adult life,” Lowden said. “My husband and I are proud to have created thousands of private sector jobs in Nevada’s leading economic industry.”
While her husband received the $200,000 bonus for two years in a row, Lowden said he had not received a salary increase since 1996 and had turned down additional stock options. Her pay has steadily increased. She said both she and her husband are philanthropists who give to Nevada charities.
Discussion: comments so far…
Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Comments that are off-topic, vulgar, profane or include personal attacks will be removed. Full comments policy. Additionally, we now display comments from trusted commenters by default. Those wishing to become a trusted commenter need to verify their identity or sign in with Facebook Connect to tie their Facebook account to their Las Vegas Sun account. For more on this change, read our story about how it works and why we did it.
Only trusted comments are displayed on this page. Untrusted comments have expired from this story.
No trusted comments have been posted.
Post a comment
Most Popular
- Viewed
- Discussed
- E-mailed
- Superstar Whitney Houston dies at 48
- Two dead after accident in downtown Las Vegas
- Instant Analysis: Debating whether UNLV should continue series with San Diego State
- Dining Guide: 2012 Valentine’s Day options in Las Vegas
- Color from the scene at Thomas & Mack Center: We have a wire job! Rebels win, and Louie Armstrong sings!
- UNLV can move forward without the burden of losing streak to San Diego State
- Four people injured in car accident
- Blog: Justin Hawkins’ steal seals UNLV’s thrilling 65-63 victory against San Diego State
- UNLV makes key plays down stretch to hold off San Diego State 65-63
- A wife’s wisdom shows birth control issue needn’t be divisive
Blogs
The Kats Report
Color from scene at Thomas & Mack: We have a wire job! Rebels win, and Louie Armstrong sings!
South Point owner Michael Gaughan's take on 'Vegas Stripped': 'I'll give it an 8' (4 Comments)
Author relishes writing the life story of ‘larger-than-life’ Oscar Goodman (3 Comments)
Elsewhere
Landowner: All roads could lead to Uxbridge casino
Revel reveals smoke-free casino opening
Cirque du Soleil show in Sands China casino to close this month
Meet the woman behind Sheldon Adelson
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.



Go Lowden! You fit right into Nevada politics! Nevadans need not vote for name recognition or money players like her. In my day all politicians had were there war record and their word. Today its nothing but the rich running on someone else's dime. Vote independent/nonpartisan for every office on the ballot this November 2 Nevadans. Get the foxes out of the hen house once and for all!
Throw them all out
Since Harry doesn't have a real job, he isn't obligated to file with the SEC. The great thing about being a senator is that everything can be done on the QT.
How did Harry Reid become a millionaire in public service all his life?
Like all lawyers he stole it.
Reid has never had a job outside of the public sector or he has not for a very long time.
His net worth is over a million dollars.
Curious is it not.
His family earns millions as lobbyists for their firms each year.
I hope the Sue knows what she is in for.
It will be a black flag war.
Yes, yes, Reid stole it! Wacko rightwingers know it but can't prove it! It's a conspiracy! What's his net worth? CNN says 1.5 million. He writes books, gives speeches, etc. Didn't little Mikey Steele just say that a million dollars isn't alotta dough?
Lowden should be ashamed of herself. She's contributed to the unemployment problem!
Even more disturbing, the reward for canning employees was money she's using to run for office!
That's disgusting.
Regardless of what anyone, anyone says, it's about ME, ME, ME, ME. So we shouldn't be surprised she looks out for her husband while laying others off. Is it moral? No, not really. Is it life? Yes.
When people vote Republican they are voting for the wealthy and corporations and against average workers.
There's just something wrong about this woman.
ksand99:
How many people do you employ? Please don't tell my zero, because if you do, then you are contributing more to the unemployment line than Lowden.
I'm self-employed, there, mrx149. Sorry, Sue's still financing her campaign with the proceeds from increasing our state's unemployment.
That is why I have no sorrow for those who thought Reagan and other republicans were good presidents. Their intent from the very beginning was to break the middle class worker and give everything away to the corporations. Deregulation and soft laws for those who have the money is always the republican way. Look at the states that have republican senators, govenors etc they have the highest population of poor, the worst in public education, the highest rates for health insurance (run by 1 or 2 companys)highest rates of heart desease and obesity. Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Tenn, Kentucky, SC, Arizona and others. Look at the numbers they dont lie.
We deserve another 8 years like we experienced between 2000 and 2008 or between 1981 and 1992 we deserve what we get because we havent learned out lesson.
I will also add this also goes for many of the democrats that we have placed in office.
p
It takes a smart or rich person to have the ability to employ. For those of you who don't understand that, maybe that is the reason you work for someone else and are not that smart and are not rich.
Peasants dont get it, and that is why they are peasants.
She works in the private sector and creates jobs. The numbers of jobs may go up or down depending on the needs of the company. Thats how private enterprise works, something that Harry the Reid wouldnt know about. All he knows is under-the-table deals. How did he get rich working for the government? The same way LBJ did-he is corrupt.
ksand99
The point of owning a business is to make money. Her husband can pay himself a $200,000 bonus, because he trimmed maybe....$3 million? If 100 workers weren't laid off (which is terrible for those employees), the casino would have failed and there would be 500 people in the unemployment line. We should be thanking him for the jobs he saved. He made money, good for him.
HER HUSBAND KNEW EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS DOING
AND HOW MUCH HE WOULD MAKE OFF OF IT.
SUSIE LOWDOWN KNOWS THIS.
A SHINING EXAMPLE OF THE REPUBLICAN PERVS WHO RUN BUSINESSES
THAT'S WHY OUR JOBS ENDED UP IN JAPAN, CHINA, INDIA, KOREA, INDONESIA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, IRELAND, MEXICO.
PATHETIC. JUST PATHETIC....
mrx149, you're assuming too many facts there. You don't know the payroll, how many employees, how profitable the casino has been, etc.
The fact is that Lowden cut more jobs than necessary. Why not turn down that two-hundred grand and keep some employees? Wouldn't have affected the profitability of the business at all, and as the article states, combined the Lowden's bring in almost a million a year without the big bonus.
The Lowdens prized their bonus above helping real families and workers.
Reid is only worth $1.5 million? I don't buy it. Check the accounts of his Bishop.
Right off the bat in her advertising campaign, she espouses the theories of Reaganomics; cutting taxes for the rich and ass-uming it will "trickle down" to the "little People". These are very curious times to be calling for tax breaks for the wealthy, don't you think?
I also agree with the earlier comment that something with her just doesn't pass the smell test, so to speak. It would appear, in my opinion, that she's only in it to help the wealthy stay that way. I don't get the impression she's overly concerned about you or me.
Comment removed by moderator. Contained vulgar language.
ksand99
I assumed 100 employees costing the company and average of $30,000, more than realistic.
"Why not turn down that two-hundred grand and keep some employees?" Answer: Because they took the risk of business ownership and that is their reward. Why don't you hire someone for your business? Answer: Because you and everyone else don't go into business for themselves so they can make $10 an hour. Don't hate/fault them because they make $1 million a year. You should congratulate them because they are successful. Why do people hate the rich, because they are jealous. I hope next year he takes a $500,000 bonus.
Hey, come on, people! Just because she cans dozens of employees in order to pay for her husband's hard-earned bonuses doesn't make her a bad person. Note that she gives to charities!
Disgusting: Cutting jobs and retirement plans, profiting off causing other's hardships, as if being a "philanthropist" makes up for this. And if her husband hasn't received a raise in over 10 years and is somehow unhappy about that, he can work elsewhere, right? They might have to move to another state for him to find a job, but....
Take everything they own and spread their wealth amongst all the little people that should be given more. GIVE THEM THE WEALTH. Be a real American and transform this country. Take from anyone that has more and give it to someone, just elect me and my son wo we can live off the votes of the masses.
Do you really thionk that this GOP hag is any different than the DEM Reid. The only diffrence is who gets the shaft!Dems Tax and Spend on the backs of taxpayers, GOP Spend and Give tax breaks to their corporate friends via the workers and laborers!
The LV SUN also cut jobs. Did they give a nice contribution to Harry???
How many jobs has the Sun and its affiliated companies cut??????????
How many bonus checks has Brian Greenspun cashed?
For anyone to defend Sue Lowden and her husband on this is asanine. Are you that petty to not be able to differentiate between what's right and wrong because you so blindly follow your party's line? The same goes for any Democrat who would do the same if Lowden was a Democrat.
Pathetic. Shame on anyone that has the audacity to defend these actions. Real people are losing their jobs who have families to feed and with one fell swoop at the same employer people are being paid bonuses?? And you defend this with a straight face? Shame.
I'm not saying how a business should run itself, but on a human level it's wrong for this practice of paying fat bonuses to suits while laying off employees left and right is wrong.
LarryVegas just hit one of the park.
The Greenspuns are exactly like Sue and her husband.
They cut cost and laid-off staff.
I am sure that the "reporter" Lisa did not get this story fed to by Reid staff. LOL...I got a bridge to sell you if you believe that.
You will not hear any whining libs talk about that.
Reid has been feeding off the public tit for decades. He has been a very long time since he held a regular job.
His net worth is over $1 million and he did that as a public servant?????
His family who works as lobbyists and they makes millions for lobbying firms.
Hey, Sue be ready to go to war for it is going to be one of the black flag type.
Another example of republicans being for the rich and not giving a tinkus cuss about the working stiff.
I wonder what the $12 an hour republicans are thinking? Working for starvation wages, yet voting republican like they think the GOP is in their corner.
Stupid is as stupid does I guess
"The Greenspuns are exactly like Sue and her husband."
So let me get this straight:
Sgt James F Nance Jr Rock is declaring that the Greenspuns cut staff and then gave themselves a $200,000 bonus?
I'd love to see your proof of the bonus.
Because without the bonus, it's not "exactly" alike, Sgtjfnance32Rock.
How soon people forget. 100 people laid off is nothing compared to what the Lowdens did to the 900 people that lost there jobs because of them in 1991, after selling the Sante Fe Hotel. These people destroyed alot of peoples lives, even when things were good in Vegas. I'll never forget the way they chose to distribute our final checks, making us stand in the hot parking lot across the street from the Hotel. We were all told beforehand that not to worry about losing our jobs. What did they do, closed the Hotel for 2 days, and nobody was rehired. So don't forget these people are LIARS, and could care less about anybody but themselves. Does anybody else remember when this happened? Almost 20 years ago, and they still SUCK.
Axiom,
1. I don't follow party lines. I think that is irresponsible.
2. If you were given $200,000, would you keep it or hire 5 unemployed workers and pay them $40,000 a year. That's what I thought.
3. $200,000 is not a fat bonus. If it were a $35 million bonus to buy a Picaso, you may have a case.
4. It is called business and being at the top of the food chain. Don't like...too bad, that is life. The unemployed could have started their own business so layoff was not a concern. They opted to work for someone else.
5.Business' payrolls flucuate year after year, depending on demand. Right now is not a good time. How can you fault someone for making money?
6. I have been impacted by layoffs twice and I feel for each family. But I can not fault somone for taking care of themselves, I would do the same.
Yeah, I forgot about the Santa Fe debacle. So many people out of work so that Sue could pocket some more cash.
When given the chance to put Nevadans to work or pocket a huge bonus, she chose the bonus, mrx.
It's no different than when Wall Street gave billions in bonuses to the very men who brought our economy to its knees.
If your best defense of Lowden is that she's a heartless, cut-throat businesswoman blind to public perception, maybe you should rethink your case.
Rethink my case? I am not here to support her for election. I am just saying they did what you, me, or anyone else would have done if we were in their position.
Option A - Go $3 million in the red (guessing on the amount)
Option B - Layoff 100 workers so we can continue to operate and pocket $200,000.
Pretty easy decision for me. I cannot fault anyone for making money (I guess that is my case). Again, it is unfornuate it had to come to that, but that's the way business works.
Wall Steet is different because they were bailed out. That was our money, not their profit. I did not agree with those bonuses.
Again, your argument is that she's a cut-throat, heartless businesswoman who would rather cash a check than employ a few more hard-working Nevadans.
The article goes to great length to paint Lowden as never receiving stock options, etc.
This was simply cashing a check on the backs of the people who worked to keep Lowden in the lap of luxury.
I certainly wouldn't have pocketed 200 grand right after canning more than a hundred employees. I guess only the little people have to suffer.
Lowden is Nevada's own Leona Helmsley.
I guess I'm heartless too. Call me crazy.
ksand99
I am going to take a guess about you from what I know, just for fun. Here's what I know
1. Democrat
2. You write well and probably have a college degree.
3. You like the media.
4. You are savy with your internet searches.
5. You are self-employed.
I am going to guess you worked for an ad agency at some point and you now do freelance PR. How did I do?
Guess #2 would be you work for the democratic party somehow, but I'm sticking to my first guess.
It's hard to imagine, but Sue Lowden is apparently dumber than Sara Palin, in terms of having the common sense to match her political rhetoric with reality.
mrx149--- You probably haven't been in Vegas long. The Lowdens have ruined more properties, hotels, casinos, and peoples lives than all the other hotel owners put together. Turned the Hacienda into a toilet, turned the once classy Sahara into a complete dump, ruined Wet n Wild, and now own the Pioneer, a garbage can in Laughlin. They together have done for the hotel casino industry what panty hose has done for sex. Just ask anybody that has ever worked for them, or have lived in Vegas for the last 40 years.
Comment removed by moderator. Contained name calling.
Fixinron,
Thank you for the insight. Moved here in August and I have never heard of the Lowdens. I am not much of a polical guy (watch NFL Network over CNN) but I can't help but notice my new governor seems to be a bit difficult and arrogant. Is that accurate? I can understand running on a ballot of "no new taxes", but at some point you have to do the right thing.
Your first guess is much closer. Freelance analyst/programmer/project manager/jack of many trades in MIS.
Mrx, I understand your argument, but in this economy, especially for someone running for office who will be representing people, it was a brainless move on the Lowdens' part.
They have every right as owner/operators to make a profit and keep themselves afloat, but from personal experience, I prefer owners who aren't so myopic. A great owner fights for their workers. I don't see that quality within Sue Lowden.
Ksand99
Very good point...it was brainless and good ammo for her opponents. She is probably reading our comments and kicking herself in her rear. Getting late, going to bed. We can debate on a new topic tomorrow.
ghostcommander commented that sue lowden is a sarah palin equivalent.
That's exactly right and why i am voting for sue lowden, because just like sarah, she is hot !
Harry created his wealth from sweetheart real estate deals due to zoning changes that only he could get. He never has created a job which wasn't heavily subsidized by the taxpayer. Typical.
Would someone drive up to D.C. and perform an abdominoperineal resection to remove Harry Reid from politics? Hurry please, he is about to nuclear opt Obama health care thru.
Harry has made more money as a politician than L/ has as a private business person. What does that say: One makes a million giving out favors in D.C. and the other makes money providing a service.
just what nevada needs...
another snot nosed spoiled rich punk off to washington to fight for other snot nosed spoiled rich punks...
isn't johnny boy i slept with my best friend's wife then ran to mommy and daddy to fix my boo boo ensign enough of that kind...
keep looking harry...
keep looking in that closet...
did you ever hear the ron paul convention story...
hee hee hee...
The "reporter" Lisa has proven again the Sun is not newspaper but a watering hold for lib koolaid drinkers and is the mouth piece for the Democrat party.
What is left out of the peice is who gave her the information.
Reid's staff spoon fed her the information.
Let's give Lisa a round of applause for failing misery in trying to fullfill her duties as a legit reporter.
Lisa......do you have ANY self-respect????????
Here is the number of jobs that Reid has created in the private sector by running a business.
ZERO
Here is the number of dollars that Reid's family make as lobbyists for their lobbying firms.
MILLIONS
Here is the number of dollars that Reid is worth and all he held for the last decades are taxpayer supported jobs.
Over a MILLION
I can see this is the year of "Don't confuse me with the facts!". Term limit would eliminate half the bums that claim they're better than the next guy....only to deliver nothing. Run on your record...tell me what you've done to help the situation. The fact is none of them can do it which only proves you shouldn't buy the line of bull for the next 8 months.
mrx149 How many jobs have you saved? What is your point? If you knew the truth about her and how she really treated employees at Santa Fe and the Pioneer you may not post such ignorance, but then again on closer inspection.
I want this gold digging lounge lizard looking out for the working people of Nevada. I find it ironic she attacks Harry for being a paid elected official and yet is fighting with everything she has to take his job and be one herself. Hypocrite. This is one disgusting human being.
sgtrock has a girlfriend!
WHEW he's "high" on her, isn't he?
I have a question for you, "rock"...
Do you know how many lawmakers in D.C. ARE NOT
Millionaires?
NOW. How many will they have if Sue Lowden replaces Harry Reid?
EXACTLY!!!
I guess it's cool if the person that's a millionaire stole it off the backs of hard working Nevadans, eh?
Yes, money made from running casino operations, and then running them into the ground is CLEAN DOUGH!
"What is left out of the peice is who gave her the information."
It's a publicly accessible tax document published the SEC's website.
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/8...
SgtRock attacks the author of the piece rather than the substance.
Always a conspiracy with the loons on the right!
Hmmmmm...let's review the evidence.
Yesterday, Reid's staff went around to media pushing this crap and it was just a big concidence that Lisa was researching this on her own and come up with story on the same day.
Now, can everybody see how weak the brain of koolaid thinkers are?
I got a bridge to sell you if you believe she did not get spoon fed by Reid's staff.
Anyone who reads this article a few times can see that it's just another Mascaro one sided piece of garbage.
Gotta love that opening paragraph.
For the record, I'll take a politician who has run a private business over someone who's been feeding along side the pigs for decades.
Okay, we get it: You hate Lisa Mascaro because she reports facts about the candidates.
So SgtRock, do you support Lowden firing over a hundred employees while banking $200,000 in bonuses?
Harry Reid and Sue Lowden are both very wealthy and I want neither one of them as my United States Senator
Seems we are going to have a race with two bad options. Kinda like the presidential election of 2008. Neither candidate was worth squat.
SgtRock are you high. It is one thing to not like Harry Reid or his son. It is completely another to say this was a smart move by Lowden. Im a Republican and even I can get that much. At a time you are extolling your credentials as a businesswoman that cares about the economy and nevada workers, it is rather stupid to take that kind of money. You can call the reporter names all you want. It doesnt change the fact that the move to take a fat bonus was stupid at best.
People might actually listen if you would temper your lunatic fringe comments with some obvious agreement with the stupidity displayed by Loweden.
Not exactly a news flash that the purveyors of the "gamming industry" are motivated by greed and care not about the fate of their society. It comes down to their purpose for being on the planet. Let us hope Nevada will, against all odds, discover candidates for public service whose demonstrated life purpose is to serve the public good and improve society. Probably, in the current climate of mass ignorance and hatred toward anything good in Nevada, such a candidate for public service would have little chance against the forces of childlike greed so adept at dismissing education, the environment, or sustainable growth as factors in the future of Nevada.
I can't believe the number of taxicab drivers and plumbers making slights on bigtime executives, on this log.
Folks who believe Reid has been in public service his whole life also, must believe the moon is made of green cheese. History shows Reid, after his stint as Lt. Gov, practiced law here in Clark County until he was elected to Congress. I'm sure he earned money in that job when Vegas went through boom years.
Harry Reid can't control other Demo's big problem!
Just give and take, and days change. Next year they will take more employees. Or next five years.
I don't want to ask this, but is her husband unemployed?
California had the business person, who was going to save the state, Swartzenhegger. Business people can't use the same methods in politics.
Since when is it a crime or sin in THIS country to make money?!? If you can't succeed then do the human race a favor and get out of the gene pool instead of insisting that those who do well for themselves support your inability. There is nothing sacred about human life.
550k + bonus + cars + household expenses for an itty bitty casino is absolutely outrageous!!! That would be high even for a good sized property, much less Laughlin!
Boftx, it is no sin to make money. It is not even a sin to make money while others don't. As for making money in part because you get rid of others who are making money, I would say that knocks off a commandment or two.
If you want to claim you are going to run the government like a business, good luck. I teach classes. If the customer is always right, then by that logic, I can stop grading the 150 papers awaiting me because, hey, all students are customers and they're always right! Praise be to Sue Lowden and the Republican party! Of course, so much for the educational system they claim to know how to fix. Thanks, but I'll stick with Harry Reid.
I find it depressing when I read that someone is voting for a woman because she is hot. For years I ran a small business and when things got tough I was the one that didn't get a paycheck so my employees got theirs. When business was not doing well and I thought about closing up shop, I couldn't do it because I had employees who needed that job and paycheck. I have been here for 17 years and never got the impression that Lowden was concerned about anyone but herself.
ksand99, er, kevin sandoval, er whatever,
nice to see you're double standards and hypocrisy have been outed again! this time by mrx 149!
maybe you should try to open your own business using your MIS skills. then, after you realize your liberal business theories have bankrupted you and your family, you might understand a thing or two about the real world.
until then, save us all your advice about how others who have worked harder and accomplished more in life than you should spend THEIR money.
#1 It is their money
#2 You don't go into business to be a non profit
organization.
#3 No one bails out a business owners when they
start to go broke, well unless you are too
big to fail. LOL What a crock that is.
#4 A poor person has never given me a job nor
donated any of their wealth to charity.
#5 Don't talk like you know from experience
what it was like to loose your job at the
Santa Fe in 1991, it was in 2000, stupid.
#6 The Lowdens have done nothing different in
Laughlin than any other Laughlin Casino, in
fact others were already cutting jobs here
before the Lowdens.
#7 The only people that are viscously critical
of the wealthy are usually too ignorant or
lazy to make it in business, and no I am not
wealthy, I am one of those making $40,000. a
year.
#8 It is like they say, those that can do,
those that can't teach and the rest that
can't become community activists. LOL
#9 As for bonuses, again, it is their business,
their money. They owe no one anything except
a check for the work done.
#10 No I am not a relative nor a friend, they
would not know me if they passed me on the
street.
Sue and hubby run a large dollar volume corporation. All of the detractors here are pikers compared to those 2 major league players.
Just look around, average id-thinking with engineering diploma in pocket. Stuck in limits, and risk of infection is ready.
I know when "baby is crying, take care in deep", time to raise talking between adults.
Messy comment, no bad feelings. Wrong audience.
rhpobbar...
Get some fresh air!
fixiron is right on--my comment was removed due to one soft curse word, but had similar sentiment---I think most people in town havn't been around long enough to know all the old retreads. Just go into the pioneer for 10 seconds and you will see what great "business" people they are. They havn't spent a penny on that property---a complete dump that has the money sucked out of it, worse than the sahara and hacienda.
Having most of your kids on the lobbying payrolls that lobby yourself should kick back pretty good towards Dirty Harry's family fortune, don't ya think?
Reid is a loser.
He had 60 Democrats votes in his pocket and he wasted a good summer and totally f-up getting ObamaCare passed at the end of summer.
He has to the one of the worst Senate majorities leaders in a long time.
On the other hand....I am glad that Democrats has this loser as majority leader.
A lot of big business are worried that he will lose and then the Democrats will appoint a smart and effective leader.
Tough choice....do I want a good Senator for Nevada or do I want a loser to lead the Democrats in the Senate.
I wonder how many people the Sun could have not laid off if Greenspun didn't get bonuses or donated money to the Democratic party.
Also, the headline is completely false...Sue Lowden didn't cut jobs or get a bonus, that was her husband.
But I do not expect much more from Harry Reid's campaign machine the Sun.
Lisa: I was just wondering...did Harry Reid hand-deliver this story to you or did he call you on the phone?
"maybe you should try to open your own business using your MIS skills. then, after you realize your liberal business theories have bankrupted you and your family, you might understand a thing or two about the real world."
Try taking a remedial reading comprehension class, below-average Joe. I'm self-employed, hence the keyword "freelance" and my family's doing just fine, thank you very much. I was even able to dump a few extra grand in my youngest's college fund last month... all the while schooling illiterate republicans with low self-esteem... some might call them "below-average."
Still haven't conquered that problem yet, I see.
And SgtRock wants a cutthroat backbencher rather than the majority leader? I guess that's why no one has ever elected jfNance32. He has no clue about politics. He'll never learn.
I would vote for mikegino's dog before I would vote for Reid.
So you have no principles? What else is new?
ksand, there is a big difference between running a business with employees and being freelance with none. As a freelance, you don't have anywhere near the laws and regs to deal with that a business with employees does. You're trying to compare a hobbyist who takes his car to the dragstrip on weekends to a Nascar racing team. They might both win races, but they are running on vastly different tracks.
SgtRock(head)
Anytime that you want to tell me about all of the jobs that Orrin Hatch created in his 34 years as a US Senator, please fill me in. Because the answer is ZERO!!!!!!
Also, somehow his net worth is between $2.5 and $4.5 MILLION dollars, not counting homes and cars. And, that happened through HIS taxpayer supported job!!!
But, I guess that doesn't count, because he's a good CONSERVATARD!!!
Keep drinking the kool-aid.........
bf1lv..
sgt(hidingundera)rock thinks Harry Reid is WILDLY RICH and should have taken a vow of poverty. By comparison to the rest of his "cohorts" in the senate, Harry is no fat cat.
This brings to mind this whole issue of PUBLIC VERSUS PRIVATE employment, and the relative benefits of both; Harry Reid's net worth, for a man of his obvious intelligence, age & education
is not exactly "huge dough" when compared to his cohorts in the private sector. What matters, of course, is how he earned it. Speaking engagements, book deals, investments, and a senator's salary have left the old geezer very comfortable, but not nearly as comfortable as he might have been had he opted for the private sector.
One certainly has to wonder where the vile hatred of sgt(hidingundera)rock towards Senator Reid emanates from...it seems VERY PERSONAL.
Harry earned his money the old fashion way. Bought land, changed zoning (dontcha wish we could do that) and sold it with the new zoning in place for big $$$. Probably said he created a job or two. War on the private sector continues...
For more information on the background of Sue Lowden, see the following link:
www.fairnevadaelections.com
"Harry Reid has been living off the Nevada taxpayer his entire adult life," Lowden said. "And now, since business is way off at the Pioneer Gamblin' Hall in Laughlin, I figure it's my turn to do the same."
ksand, er kevin sandoval,
I was about to point out the obvious which had apparently escaped you, but boftx beat me to the punch with a well delivered indictment of your total lack of understanding of how a real business works.
Maybe if it came down to "sacrificing" so that your employees could keep their jobs and make more, even if it meant your family would have to forego the basics and possibly lose everything, you would understand. But, not having undertaken the huge risk to open and operate your own business, I don't think you will ever get it.
Holding political office is pursuit by the Lowdens and Reids of the world done in hopes of enriching their own lives, not the lives of their constituents. While occasionally this does happen, it's purely happenstance.
No matter their party affiliation, people want these jobs not for the chance to fight for you or better society, but to amass money, power and respect for themselves. Next time you're watching one of them get interviewed, look at how they light up when called Sir or Madame or Senator or whatever - kids at Christmas time.
Sadly, there's nothing you can do about this, other than waste time trying to prove the intellectual or moral superiority of your views to others that nod along in approval or shake a defiant finger at you. Rather than do this, take the time you'd spend arguing with others to improve your own lot in life as best you can. No elected official is going to do this for you, unless you work for Goldman Sachs.
When you take a company and salvage it from going under their are always casualties and it is very unfortunante that 106 people lost their jobs.
Sue Lowden did not lay off those individuals herself.When you have a company and investors that you answer to you have to show just cause in the amount of employees you have to the amount of income comming in.
If it is true that Mr.Lowden has not taken a raise since 1996 and turned down stock options he probably helped serveral people to maintain their jobs even longer.A 200,000 dollar bonus is very nice and probably well deserved but if you have an employee that makes 30,000.00 a year it actually can cost the company 60 to 65,000.00 to have that employee to work for you.
So Mr Lowden helped save the company 3,000,000.00
but at the sametime saved another 300 to 500 jobs hmmmm what is the Reid cronies tryong to say
Harry Reid has mess up getting federal money to Nevada because he is cocerned over a healthcare bill
Money that could have created a couple of thousand jobs and Mrs Lowden's husband had to lay off 106 Hmmmmm who is the biggest joke in that picture Reid or Lowden I fair to say reid he is useless to Nevada and has actually hurt Nevada I read the LV Sun alot and I understand The LV Suns owners are Big Dem supporters but for the sun to publish such a meaningless article to try and sway the votes back towards Reid shows the incopetence of th LV Sun and are total lost to reality as The Dems are in Washinton and I am a dem supporter and can read right through this garbage
The RepubliBan war on America's middle class is in full force and Sue Lowden is their General in that fight in Nevada.
I don't get where her support comes from at all. Even on her own side she's known as the one who shut down the RepubliBan convention when it was clear that the chosen one wasn't going to win.
Hopefully, her campaign will implode soon.
She married into money and privelege. She was lousy on TV.
What about "associations?' We heard all about Obama and Rev Wright, Bill Ayers, and Bernadine Dohrn, ET AL. What about the polyester leisure suit boys that the Duke and Duchess of Lowden hung with in the 80's?
When was the last time anybody got a job from a poor person or the middle class? And second of all if it comes down to paying my bills or giving someone a job sorry pal but my bills have to be paid.
Also I heard Lowden go on the Heidi Harris show to "explain" the situation. She did not. She said that it was "her husband's business." Of course in her ads she claims that "she ran a business and created jobs."
Some of the attacks on the Teaparty Party are becoming very vile. Personal attacks are being made of the Secretary of record...not a surprise...these kook groups often turn on each other.
Gee, surprise, a Republican did that. John Ensign loves us, too -- bwhahahahahahaha
Business owners deserve to make more money. Why because they work harder and have a more stressful job than the person that comes in from 9 to 5. If it wasnt for the business owner you wouldnt even have a job. So like I said all you demorons answer this one question when was the last time you got a job from a poor person or the middle class? Thank you case closed.
the toddster says;
"If it wasnt for the business owner you wouldnt even have a job"
Jeez, I'd love to work for Todd.
notacon says;
She married into money and privelege. She was lousy on TV.
BINGO!
gmag you probably have no job so you probably wouldnt like to work for me nor anybody else. I wonder who employees people if business owners dont other than the over paid politicians who have never worked a job in their lives. So please let me know where I can get a job and not have to worry about a boss. Where did Barack Obama work prior to being president? What qualified this moron to be our president? Cmon gfag get your sht together man. I feel bad for you.
Hey Sue maybe you and Sen. Enzyme could take your tour bus around the state and spread the word about how greeaaat you are. Oh man what hoot. First I will never vote rethuglican in this state which is tatamount to employment sucide. Second if your husband ever let you in same building alone with sen. enzyme he has got to be one sick puppy and that goes for the our extreme govenor. Oh man bieng the good looking woman that you are puts you in danger with enzyme and gibbions. oh ps dont let the gov walk you the bus alone or with rural metro as a escort.
Jeez, todd, you had me at hello!
I've been in the workforce for 40 years.
Thanks for your concern, it's rather touching.
"Cmon gfag get your sht together man. I feel bad for you."
This is what your Neo-Nut rhetoric has been reduced to.
Waaait a minute...
Does all of today's negativity have anything to do with NASCAR being in town?
Her name will never hit the ballot. She will be giving up soon. She's to cheap, and a known quitter.
All this negativity coming from our demonizing Liberal elitists...
I like her, she look way better then Bishop Reid ! I always vote blonde ! I tink she will keep me and my family in handouts for a long time.
Are you people really so dumb? So lemme get this straight, Sue Lowden makes almost $1 million in ONE YEAR, but is awesome because she's lays people off, but Harry Reid is terrible because he has over $1 million in NET WORTH? Uh, you ever think a large portion of his net worth may be his home and retirement account? $1 million in net worth ain't that much if you're including equity in a home he probably bought decades ago you idiots.
By the way, the layoffs may or may not have saved the company more money than laying off Lowden's husband would've, but eliminating the 401(K) match, which cost the company $67,000 and then paying the guy $200,000 clearly results in a net loss of $133,000 for the company. Not exactly great for shareholders, let alone employees.
And the other thing is, its hilarious that people keep saying "if it was between feeding my family or employing someone else" or "between paying my bills and keeping jobs". Jesus people, I dunno, but I'm fairly certain that two jerks making $1 million a year can feed their families and pay their bills without firing a bunch of people making less than $50K. Don't be obtuse. And by the way, I make over $160,000 a year and my family runs a business that makes over $2mm a year, and yet somehow, we haven't screwed anyone over for our bonuses.... amazing....
Sue Lowden has emerged as a clear leader among Republicans fighting for the chance to run against Sen. Harry Reid this fall, according to a new poll that also shows the incumbent Democrat continues to trail against his major challengers.
Lowden, bests Reid by a 52-39 percent margin if the vote were held today, according to the poll. Her lead in polling from Jan. 5-7 was 50-40.
Lowden loses is the Tea Party candidate is in the race, Larry.