The big issues this year

By Matt Hufman

Saturday, June 30, 2012 | 2:03 a.m.

Dear reader,

Here it is the end of June, the time many of us scratch our heads and wonder where the first half of the year went. It has been a blur, and the coming months show no sign of slowing down.

Before anyone gets lost in summer, the Olympics or the fall presidential campaign, I’d like your thoughts about America, the election and growing up in Las Vegas, all subjects covered in previous letters to the reader. We have had a good response to those letters and thought we should ask one more time because the conversation in letters and comments on the website has been rich.

• America: Noting that Independence Day is upon us, a letter to the readers last week asked: “To you, what does it mean to be an American? Who are some of the great Americans in your book? What do you do to celebrate the Fourth of July?” I mentioned that I will be discussing our country with my children and sharing stories of some of the great Americans I have known. In the responses we have received, some people have shared a bit of their stories and what it means to them personally. What’s your story? Here is the original letter to the readers on the subject.

• Elections: The campaign is consuming much of the nation’s attention, and a letter to the readers this month asked: “What issues are important to you? Are you satisfied with the way things are going? If not, what should or shouldn’t the elected officials be doing? However, if you don’t care about the election or if politics has turned you off, let us know that as well.” We’ll use your thoughts and comments as we talk to the candidates in the coming months. (Bonus points if you can avoid using liberal or conservative as pejoratives.) Here is the original letter to the readers on the subject.

• Las Vegas: A comment on the Sun’s website earlier this year spurred a letter to the readers about raising children in Las Vegas, which included this: “Tell us your story and any advice you’d have for parents raising children here. Did you grow up in Southern Nevada? Would you raise your children here? Have you raised children here? Would you do it again?” The native Nevadans in my family are sitting on the floor around me as I write this, so I’m curious to hear your thoughts and stories. Here is the original letter to the readers on the subject.

As always, we appreciate your thoughts and opinions. We’ll publish a selection of your responses in future editions of the Sun. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best,

Matt

Matt Hufman is editor of the editorial and opinion pages. Twitter: @MattattheSun.