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Monday, Dec. 31, 2012 | 2 a.m.
A year ago, many experts forecast that the recession would loosen its grip on Las Vegas and Nevada in 2012. Looking back, it seems it did a bit, but the year left us mostly disappointed. Housing values began inching up, yet the foreclosure rate remained among the steepest of any state in the U.S. Gaming revenues were up slightly and the tourist count was nearing a record level, yet the unemployment rate remained in double digits. Clearly, Las Vegas and the state did not come roaring back with the vigor many had hoped. So what to make of 2013? Will ...
I forecast more police shooting of unarmed people.
Las Vegas is in for more pain before the healing can begin.
In the 1990s Bill Clinton often spoke about 'building a bridge to the 21st century'. And Clinton did his part to build that bridge, reversing years of deficits and leaving a nice budget surplus behind for the next president.
But with the 2000 elections Bill Clinton's positive vision for a prosperous middle-class in the new millennium was turned into a GOP wet dream of: unnecessary tax cuts for the super-rich that created no jobs; the eight-year, trillion dollar invasion/occupation of a nation that had no role in 9/11 -- moving our military focus from Afghanistan and the search for bin Laden to a search for imaginary WMD in Iraq; and, in Bush's final act of national misery, the Great Recession -- arriving just in time for Bush's departure and Obama's first term.
Republicans broke it, Obama has been working to fix it, despite nonstop GOP gridlock and obstructionism.
The GOPs power today is based on snaking, gerrymandered congressional districts where extremist can eke out a win. In November, Democratic House candidates won a million more votes than their GOP counterparts but still remain the minority party in the chamber. Blood-sucking republican ticks are burrowed deep into our nation's skin and will be very difficult to remove.
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One of the few remaining sane republicans, John Huntsman, said his party has 'no soul' and 'doesn't believe in math'. This begs the question: Why do so many republicans fail to see what Huntsman and most Americans do -- a GOP that's little more than a collection of radicals doing everything in their power to destroy our nation from within?
Motor sports is right. As long as the yokels keep voting in GOP, the state is hopeless.
Comment removed by moderator. Off Topic
<<Not a single everyday person in this....most in this news article ( if you call it that )are so out of touch with reality....>>
Yeah, really. Ask the average Las Vegan how they think next year will be. Go into the neighborhoods - to grocery stores, gas stations, even Walmart (wait - don't ask anyone in Walmart; they will look at you as if you have two heads and not understand anything you ask). But ask the regular people who are the ones who DO know how the future looks. No one interviewed for this article has a clue.
And Americans wonder why their country is in peril, racism is at an all time high since the 70's, gas prices horrific, no jobs, unemployment worsening...etc. the more you complain about, you bring about. What you think about, you also bring about. If your life has been a debacle the past five years, switch up your mindset on life! Simple. But yet, Americans don't understand. Co tinge living in your demise...me, I'll be laughing and pointing overseas:)
GLAD you asked....
If the bickering and political gridlock in Washington, D.C., is an indicator, not only will 2013 be more of the same, but it will continue until the next Presidential election, if the Republican party has its way, sadly. And how the Democrats behave is not much better.
In education, with the new Nevada State legislated administrator and teacher evaluations, lawsuits will ensue as districts search for functional, tested, and effective models. More distrust and animousity will result, while millions of taxpayer dollars are spent in litigation instead of directly going to schools and in the classrooms for the students they serve. Flight from the educational profession will increase as a result. Hope I am wrong, but this appears to be on the horizon and happening, even as I write. Teachers who serve predominately Special Education students and ELL students are at a real disadvantage compared to the regular education classroom teachers. The new evaluation instrument needs to be fair to everyone to work. Homeland Security may become involved with "protecting" our schools since schools receive a great deal of Federal funding. That would put many who are seeking "law enforcement" careers and those returning in the military, into a job which will also help our economy grow and lessen the growing fears of the populace.
The Casino/Resort/Gaming, Mining, and Construction industries will continue to enjoy their FREE PASS in Nevada government. There isn't a Nevada Lawmaker around that isn't somehow beowning to at least one of these industries, and because of that, these industries will continue to enjoy record profits, expansion to other states and countries, while using/exploiting Nevada's infrastructure and resources until it all runs out and into the ground.
Nevada will continue to be a haven for illegal aliens. Most of the illegal aliens are doing better than US Citizens here in Las Vegas, just ask an American Citizen who now is paying increased co-pays for medical services. Their political power will grow proportionately as well.
The Chinese will continue to grow and support green energy in Nevada. Wished they would encourage career education in that field for Americans, it hasn't happened yet. We need to put Americans to work, not importing workers and displacing Americans here. Come on Senator Reid, what's with that?
Until the big players release money into American industries on American soil, we will continue to see small business starve into extinction. Nothing can grow when folks are hanging onto their money for dear life.
May 2013 be much better than what we imagine, and may all have a safe and prosperous New Year!
Blessings and Peace,
Star
I expect the moderate republicans to leave the party in droves this coming year.
For 2013, it would go a looooong way if the hotels and casinos in this town would restore full time employment and benefits so that their employees could get off food stamps, unemployment supplemental pay, etc. They are more than willing to pay 50% and more in taxes in other states and countries, but can't agree to pay something like 10% to the state where they became so great. It's just not right.
In regards to Nevada Senator Michael Roberson's support of what amounts to CORPORATE INVOLVEMENT of education (The Parent Empowerment Law-sponsored by those involved with "Parent Trigger" school reform laws and Michelle Rhea's Students First plus others) and the obscure Every Child Learns, it would benefit any Las Vegas Sun Readers to go to the following link and read for clarification within the Comments:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/sep...
The "Parent Trigger" laws launch throughout the USA have mixed reviews, for whatever it is worth. It appears that Senator Roberson was contacted by the organization to carry their corporate agenda into Nevada Law. WHO does he represent? By profession, Senator Roberson is a, you guessed it, a LAWYER, specializing in, you guessed it, businesses and corporations.
It is said that you cannot serve 2 masters....
Blessings and Peace,
Star