LETTERS: Democratic leadership fails in election
To the editor:
We all know what happened to the Democratic candidates in Nevada’s midterm elections, but the question is: Why? Democratic leadership did not unite the party, did not publicize the issues and did not present a good case about why voters should go to the polls.
There was no effort by leadership to promote the total ticket, from the governor’s race on down. Campaigns for individual candidates were emphasized, instead of uniting all the candidates in a team effort. Specific candidates were supported by the leadership, including U.S. Sen. Harry Reid; other candidates were left to seek their own resources.
Nevada is rated among the worst states in the nation for jobs, health care, education, violent crimes and homeless population. With statistics such as these, leadership should have exploited these areas. Are you satisfied as a citizen to be living in a state rated so low nationally in all these significant categories? That message was not brought to the people.
It is time for the Democratic Party to analyze its strategies and enlist the assistance of people who will lead and restore the values for which this party stands. The Democratic Party has always been known as the people’s party. So why didn’t the people go to the polls?
JUDI JOHNSON
LAS VEGAS
Nevada needs Uber
To the editor:
The Nevada Taxicab Authority is at it again, threatening cabbies who attempt to sign up to drive for Uber. In addition, taxis are raising their fares. Las Vegas is one of the largest tourist attractions in the country, and yet taxi services want to gouge the tourists and locals again.
Cabs in Las Vegas have some of the highest fares in the United States. The taxi companies couldn’t care less about the passengers; instead, they want to satisfy their greed. Now, to keep their monopoly and to hold passengers hostage, the taxi authority and the Nevada Transportation Authority are in cahoots to scuttle Uber.
In states across the country where Uber is operating smoothly, it has been shown that Uber is only a company that matches up people who drive with people who need a ride. It’s certainly not a transportation company. Their service is no different than me asking my neighbor for a ride to the doctor’s office or bank and giving that neighbor money for their gas and time. But the taxi and transportation authorities don’t want competition.
Las Vegas needs all available transportation options. If you’re a local resident, you can wait for hours for a cab to arrive at your door, because taxis cater to the tourists. Uber is a way to satisfy the needs of locals, especially senior citizens.
I appeal to Gov. Brian Sandoval and sensible lawmakers to see the advantage of providing more transportation options in Las Vegas. I say competition is good for everyone.
BRADLEY KUHNS
LAS VEGAS
Ebola vs. gun deaths
To the editor:
Oh my goodness! One death from Ebola in the United States, and it’s horrible, outrageous, unbelievable. There must be more adjectives to describe this terrible illness. One death is one too many, so of course, we must stop this deadly outbreak.
But how many deaths a day do we know about from guns? How about it, National Rifle Association? Do you have a record? Are the statistics measured in years, months, days, hours or even minutes?
Where is the outrage over the gun death statistics?
FAYE KITRAL
HENDERSON
Obamacare math
To the editor:
It has been a year since major provisions of the Affordable Care Act — Obamacare — took effect. The law supposedly was designed to provide affordable insurance to more than 40 million U.S. citizens. Let’s see how it’s done.
Over the past 10 weeks, the Obama administration has touted 7.3 million people who have signed up. But more than 6 million people lost their insurance because of Obamacare. That leaves a net gain of 1.3 million out — nowhere near 40 million. That’s not a good sign.
Seeing what Wal-Mart, UPS, Home Depot and other companies are doing to combat Obamacare’s regulations, I make the following prediction: More than 1.3 million people will lose their insurance coverage this year. Then the net gain will be zero — or less.
That’s fantastic planning and implementation by Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. Nancy Pelosi. There are still 40 million plus without insurance. What a waste of three years and billions of taxpayer dollars.
RICHARD DAVIS
PAHRUMP
Good deed for dog
To the editor:
I was very touched by Norm Clarke’s column about Terry Fator and his wife, Taylor Makakoa, rescuing the precious Yorkshire terrier puppy (“Fator’s list of rescued dogs grows to seven,” Oct. 22 Review-Journal). God bless them for saving the puppy’s life and adding her to their family with the other rescued dogs. With more people like them, the world would be a better place to live.
BARBARA STONE
HENDERSON
