Mortgage bailout rewards the irresponsible

To the editor:

Any attempt by Harry Reid to transfer the responsibility for the bad debts associated with ill-conceived mortgages from the finances sector to the taxpaying public would be nothing less then criminal (“Reid, industry announce push to quell foreclosures,” Thursday Review-Journal).

My wife and I worked hard, saved and — when we qualified — got a mortgage and a home. Good credit reflects on a person’s character and personal integrity — you give me a car and I make the payments as agreed; you give me a house and I make the payments as agreed. If I do make the payments, then I am rewarded with good credit and lower interest rates.

Those people who did not qualify for a legitimate loan two years ago most likely will not qualify today with their adjustable-rate mortgages rates going up.

I have been rewarded with good credit because I paid my bills. Now Harry Reid wants to reward those who did not pay their bills with my tax dollars. Excuse me, but I don’t think so.

BOB BUCKLEY

HENDERSON

Unfair tax

To the editor:

Well, President Bush vetoed the health care bill for children, which was to be paid for entirely by cigarette smokers. I’d give him a high five, if it were not for his reasoning.

He vetoed the bill primarily because it would cover illegal immigrants and wealthy people who can already afford health care for their children. But the fact is, this bill targets a minority, and this minority consists of cigarette smokers.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said, “I’m very happy that we’re paying for this.” I’d like to know when Harry started smoking.

It comes down to taxation without representation — and the cigarette smokers are certainly not represented. Non-smokers constitute the majority of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The majority of registered voters are non-smokers, so any taxation upon smokers is a potential cash cow, and almost guaranteed to be passed into law.

If you want to unfairly target smokers for taxes, then put the money into research for emphysema, heart disease, lung cancer, and other smoking-related illnesses.

I’m pretty sure there will never be another Boston Tea Party, but discriminatory legislation like this certainly reflects the actions that led to this event.

Thomas Michael

LAS VEGAS

Tourism trade

To the editor:

In response to your editorial on proposed federal legislation to establish a national marketing campaign to attract international visitors to the United States:

The proposed legislation is vital to the long-term health of the tourism industry and the national economy. Overseas travel to the United States has declined by 17 percent over the past six years, costing America nearly $100 billion in lost visitor spending and nearly 200,000 jobs.

Las Vegas has felt the impact as well. Our international market share has declined from 18 percent to 13 percent over the past decade. Reasons for the decline are twofold.

In an effort to make our country more secure, a perception has emerged abroad that we do not welcome international visitors. An international survey of travel professionals showed that 77 percent believed the United States is more difficult to visit than other countries. Now more than ever, we must communicate our travel policies to international visitors.

Compounding the problem is the absence of a national marketing campaign that invites international travelers to the United States. Our country is being outspent by our competition.

For example, Greece spends $151 million annually to market to the international traveler, Mexico $149.2 million, and Australia $113 million.

The Travel Industry Association of America has worked diligently with its members and Congress to develop legislation that would create a national marketing campaign for the United States at no cost to the U.S. taxpayer, and also communicate U.S. visitor entry and security policies. These messages can be accomplished only by a national campaign. It will be funded by private-sector contributions and a modest fee on travelers from “visa waiver” countries, similar to fees that Americans pay when traveling abroad.

The importance of this proposed legislation is underscored by the bipartisan support it has received. Many members of Congress realize not only the economic impact the tourism industry generates, but also the inherent diplomacy it provides. According to research from the travel association’s Discover America Partnership, 63 percent of past international travelers to the United States feel more favorable toward our nation as a result of their visit, and more than 60 percent of these individuals become friendlier toward our country and its policies.

We commend the Nevada congressional delegation for its work on this issue — Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign, and Reps. Shelley Berkley, Jon Porter and Dean Heller. We appreciate their support of the tourism industry and their understanding of the economic value it has for our country, Nevada and Las Vegas.

Rossi Ralenkotter

LAS VEGAS

THE WRITER IS PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE LAS VEGAS CONVENTION AND VISITORS AUTHORITY.

Comic relief

To the editor:

According to Jon Hamel, (Oct. 7 letter) criticism of those who deny human-caused global warming is equivalent to the persecution of Galileo.

Galileo was repeatedly threatened with torture, imprisoned, forced to recant on his knees, and then put under virtual house arrest for the rest of his life, cut off from family and friends.

Mr. Hamel’s primary contribution to the discussion of global warming appears to be comic relief.

GRANT COUCH

NORTH LAS VEGAS