If problems are so obvious, then why aren’t solutions?

Richard Rychtarik, Las Vegas

Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010 | 2:02 a.m.

If saving water and energy are so important, why do we still allow top-loading washing machine sales?

If improving air quality is so important, why do we still favor coal rather than natural gas or nuclear power for the generation of electricity?

If saving energy is so important, why is Energy Star compliance still an option?

If after nine years of war, our all-volunteer military is stretched to the limit, why isn’t there a draft?

If the federal government is consistently bleeding red ink, but lowers income taxes while still fighting two wars, then who pays for these wars?

If our public school children are doing so poorly, why aren’t we significantly lowering class sizes during their crucial early developmental years and balancing that cost by increasing class sizes in the later years?

If influence peddling is such a concern, then why do we allow our elected representatives to vote on issues when they have accepted significant campaign contributions from those who would be affected?

If our state or federal government were to mandate that everyone must have health insurance, would we still need a public hospital?

If public employee health and benefit costs in Nevada are unsustainable because they have been based upon cost of living and longevity, then why should future contracts include longevity?

If we elect our president for no more than two four-year terms, then why should senators be re-elected for six-year terms indefinitely?

If an elected official is still serving at the age of 85 or 90, what is it they contribute other than pork?

I wonder.