Letters to the editor Dec. 26

Postal carrier came to rescue in time of need

Last Friday Mother Nature laid down a layer of black ice and a heavy covering of snow. When I went out to get the mail, I slipped on our sloping driveway and found it impossible to get back up. At that moment, our regular letter carrier pulled up to our mailbox, saw my predicament, and rushed over to help.

Without his assistance, I don't know how long I would have had to lie there on the black ice and snow. Several cars drove by, but no one else stopped to help. His action definitely helped to prevent a worsening physical condition.

There are many unsung heroes in our community, and especially during this busy holiday season, I wonder if the postal workers receive their due respect. So, Mr. Gregg Swift, I thank you. I salute the uniform you wear. I salute the federal organization you represent. I appreciate your consistent professional service, and as you recently demonstrated, when the situation calls for it, real care and crucial assistance. Thank you.

Jerry Freyholtz

Carson City

Look to the Lord for guidance in dark times

I hear of heroin and drug abuse more these days than I have in my entire life. I'm not really sure why someone would choose to be under the control of a narcotic, and why someone would waste their life and money on something that will only put you in jail, destroy your life and the lives of others.

What good comes out of doing any drug? Nothing, those few minutes of high can cause months of pain, for you and for your family, your pocketbook and your livelihood. The more you take the more you need - the harder and more violent the withdrawal is. This world is hard enough without drugs, why add to it?

I pray for you and our young people. Do not do drugs, they are bad. You will lose everything and hurt other people - your mom, dad, sister, friends and people you don't even know, because you have one purpose and that is to get a fix. Lies become truth, but remember, lies always surface.

This world is not about us, it's about something bigger, and we are to be a light in a dark place for the one who created us and the one who sent his son for us. This week marks that purpose. There is a light and if you can't find it, pray.

Roxanne Starbuck

Dayton

Learn the facts about Social Security trust fund

For our seniors and those like myself who did not know this, would you please print this information from the December American Association of Retired Persons bulletin?

The question was, "How much money does the U.S. government owe to the Social Security Trust Fund and will it be repaid?"

To prepare for the boomers' retirement, Social Security has collected more in taxes than it pays in benefits. Surplus funds go into a trust fund and are invested in U.S.-guaranteed Treasury bonds. In 2009, the trust fund held $2.5 trillion in bonds and earned 4.9 percent in interest. These bonds are just as real as U.S. Treasury bonds held by mutual funds or foreign banks. Ultimately, it will be up to the American people to ensure the government keeps its promise to retirees, just as it would be to other investors.

We need to know these things when we are told Social Security is broke, and our benefits need to be cut.

Velda Kennedy

Carson City

Where was wooden nickel for Titus' appointment?

The Appeal awarded the wooden nickel to Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons because he appointed Republican Sue Lowden to the State Board of Medical Examiners. The Appeal said that this one feels nothing like cronyism.

Democrat Dina Titus lost her bid for another term in Congress. Sen. Harry Reid appointed Titus to the Civil Rights Commission. Doesn't this feel nothing like cronyism and shouldn't Reid be given the wooden nickel award?

Of course not, Reid and Titus are Democrats and the Appeal doesn't criticize Democrats.

Frank D. Millslagle

Carson City

Does government have any grasp of economics?

Does anyone in the U.S. Congress have a calculator? The media recently reported that GM's stock offering was expected to return about $13.6 billion to the U.S. government for their 400 million shares of GM stock - about half of the buyout number of shares.

Let's see, if the government receives the same for the rest of the shares, it will have received about $27 billion for their $50 billion buyout amount.

That's $23 billion of our money wasted. If I invested in the stock market like that, I would be on welfare today.

Also, the Federal Reserve intends to invest another $600 billion or more as QE2, the second stimulus package. The first stimulus package didn't work. I think it was Einstein that said, "Repeating the same mistake and expecting a different outcome is the definition of insanity."

On the local front, did anyone notice that after all the media and local political hype about the Garden Habitat project, the school district is now looking for volunteers for gardening, weeding, cleaning and pruning?

Did the backers of this project think that the garden would take care of itself? At least this decision didn't cost us much, I think.

Don Gurney

Carson City