Letters to the Editor 7/23

Ability to own firearms incredibly important right

I actually feel my safety slipping through the hands of the criminals. As for myself I have always been on the right side of the law. I can only see danger for all of us including the criminals when our right to own firearms (and the ammunition that our guns fire) are taken away.

I can't express how strongly I believe the necessity to protect ourselves from the unlawful groups of people whom I assure you will find sources everywhere to keep themselves armed. They will then have as much control as they desire over the rest of our country. I can only imagine how impossible it will become for our police forces to protect us all.

Teressa Alger

Reno

Sen. John Ensign urged to respect constituents

We often forgive those who break the law, especially if they are white-collar criminals, but we won't forgive breaking our trust and being a hypocrite.

Sen. Ensign, please put yourself out of your misery and resign. Please do not drag Nevada through another mud pit, since we are already mired down with Gibbons, etc. Respect your constituents enough to realize that you must step down.

Dianne Williams

Carson City

Misery loves company

Kudos to Dean Heller for telling his colleagues that members of Congress should be required to join any federal public health benefits plan they create. Thanks to the Nevada Appeal for printing his article in the July 17 edition.

We could all swallow the very bitter pills of Obama's so-called health care reform if members of Congress had to swallow them also. You know, misery loves company. And, by the way, Obama and his administration and all his cronies should be required to have the same health(less) care they are pushing on the rest of us. It just isn't what it is cracked up to be.

Kerry Partridge

Minden

Staff changes deemed outrageous behavior

I am angry about the Nevada Appeal's recent front page story about the staff walkout on Gov. Gibbons. This behavior is outrageous.

The United States is a republic, "one nation under God ... with liberty ... for all." Yet we are set up like a football game - either you are a red or a blue fan. So are we one nation or a football team?

The Nevada Legislature is not a football team. Are we? Yet? Nevadans and the American public, prompted by the media by what now should be history, continue this two-party war.

In last year's Nevada Appeal Nov. 11 issue the front page story headline read - "Gov. Gibbons suggests state salary cuts."

I was impressed. How great! Help Nevada's budget shortfall by reducing state salaries including his own. Nevada, in true western spirit, could become a model for real change away from the same old, same old, worn, wrinkled, speech-ridden, double-talking U.S. Congress who never squabble over giving themselves pay raises.

Our country is in survival mode. Even baby steps to nibble down the massive trillion dollar debt show intent, respect, intelligence, true leadership, hope and inspiration.

I am an American. I am also now a Nevadan. This morning I wonder what kind of people are elected or appointed who would choose such drastic stupid action. I would not want them on my team.

Barbara Griffiths

Gardnerville

Liberal dreaming resulted in many accomplishments

It amazes me how the political right wing continues their fear mongering to justify their warped view of reality.

They still use the worn-out terms such as "Marxist Ideologues," "Socialists," etc. In one of the recent letters to the editor a very misinformed right-winger compared the Democrats to Hitler and Mussolini. The fact is that the closest we came in many decades in this country to "fascism" was between 2000 and 2008.

Right-wing politicos have a very difficult time facing the fact that in our democracy, "all men (and women) are created equal" and this is a country "of the people, by the people and for the people." Guess what? The people spoke loud and clear on Nov. 4, 2008.

Yes, political liberals tend to dream, but look what many of our dreams have accomplished just during the 20th century.

A liberal administration brought this country from the "Great Depression." A liberal administration implemented "Social Security" and "Medicare" for the elderly and indigent. A liberal administration developed "unemployment insurance." A liberal administration led the United States and the world to victory over fascism in World War II. A liberal administration reversed the ravages of racism and championed civil rights and integration of public schools. A liberal administration established minimum wage laws. The liberals have championed the end of sexism.

A pretty impressive resume, don't you think? I trust that President Obama will add to that resume and continue to move this country forward.

Bill Thomas

Minden