Letters to the Editor: July 5, 2009

The Nevada Appeal story on the decline of north Carson City missed some important points.

Some of our elected officials have direct economic links to south Carson commercial holdings. Hence the favoritism, hence the neglect.

The $2 million of surplus tax revenue unilaterally directed by Supervisor Aldean to Southgate Center should have been used for the proper siting of Wal-Mart within the existing Kmart center. The current Wal-Mart location has only alienated taxpayers.

With the onslaught of Wal-Mart, Carson Crossing, Boys and Girls Club and the dubious and unneeded recreation center all slated for the location within the Northridge residential corridor, the city's haphazardly expedient departments will have converted Northridge into the city's hub. Alienated Northridge taxpayers can hardly order earplugs fast enough.

Apart from the golf courses, the only redeeming quality left for alienated taxpayers in north Carson is its ready access to Reno for our taxable shopping.

Gene Robinson

Carson City

If there are 43 million people without health insurance, and there are 306 million people living in the United States, doesn't that mean that 263 million people have insurance? Why are 86 percent of us going to be forced to sacrifice our insurance for 14 percent of the population?

How many of that 14 percent are permanently unemployed, not just affected by the current recession, and will never work, pay taxes, or contribute to our society or economy? How many are drug addicts, alcoholics, or mentally incapable of holding a job?

These people will most likely overutilize their benefits, out of proportion with the majority of normally healthy Americans, thus reducing the amount of care good, hard-working Americans receive when they need medical care. Drug addicts get ongoing care and elderly Americans get sent home ... they're old and will die anyway.

I donate to charity and I believe in extending a helping hand to those who are trying to help themselves, but the ideas floating around Washington, D.C., don't have any filters, and will end up harming people who deserve help and helping a bunch of people who are just looking for more of a free ride.

Linda McDonald

Genoa

On June 28, the Nevada Appeal published a Cagle cartoon depicting a Democrat donkey wearing a T-shirt with the statement, "I'm With Holier-than-thou Hypocrite Christian Adulterer" inside an arrow pointing to a grimacing Republican elephant with his pants down.

How dare you put this obscene and sinful behavior on Christians! You should be ashamed and apologize for your defamation of Jesus Christ and all that He stands for. This cartoon was offensive and tasteless, and your decision to proliferate its distribution was an irresponsible and crass act. Would you similarly defame Muhammad or Buddha?

Only Jesus Christ was without sin. Bill Clinton, John Edwards and every other politician or individual who fails to practice morality is just as guilty of sin as Sen. Mark Sanford. And yes, Ms. Santoro, you sin and I sin. It is the sinful nature of man, having little to do with hypocrisy or our Christian faith. This is why we must confess our sins while always endeavoring to avoid sin.

Although you did not conceive nor draft this tasteless and offensive cartoon, your publication of it was simple blasphemy and irreverence for God, and crosses the line of good judgment. Once again, you and Daryl Cagle should apologize for your roles in defaming Jesus and all of Christianity.

If you wanted to shame Mark Sanford, then the cartoon should have identified the culprit and left Christianity out of it.

Dick Powers

Genoa

Thank you Nevada Appeal for the reports from Sgt. Gary Underhill. Any news coming from Iraq when we have family serving there is so appreciated.

My grandson, Staff Sgt. Jake Roberts, is serving with Sgt. Underhill with the 1864th Trans. Co. Jake was born and raised in Carson City and is a hometown boy who has come a long way in his personal growth with the Army National Guard.

Blessings to all who serve our great country.

Donna Roberts

Minden