LETTERS: Madoff tried this, and it didn’t work

To the editor:

As the discussion of how to fund and ultimately preserve the pensions of state and local government employees continues, Richard Long of Las Vegas offered an interesting perspective in his letter (“Changes to PERS would doom plan,” March 12 Review-Journal). Mr. Long states, “The system works by replenishing the plan through current workers’ contributions. If you stop the money that should be coming in by diverting it to a 401(k) plan, it will eventually cause the plan to become insolvent.”

Let’s see, take money from people now, and then give that money to other people who already previously paid their money into the “system” or “plan.” Wait a minute. Haven’t we already seen that concept before? Wasn’t that the same “system” and “plan” used by a guy named Bernie Madoff?

JOHN THOMPSON

HENDERSON

Less growth, more water

To the editor:

We saw the Las Vegas Valley Water District’s admonitions that we mind the watering schedule, conserve in-home water usage and even go so far as to save cooking water in pots to use on outdoor plants. Meanwhile, we read of one major subdivision after another in the planning or building stage, either up here in the northwest end of Las Vegas or in Henderson.

It makes us wonder what is going on, who is in charge and why the double talk? Are the current residents being asked to conserve water so that we can add more people to the property tax rolls? Are our county leaders so deaf, dumb and blind that they don’t see the big picture — a reservoir that is gradually diminishing? Do they not see that Lake Mead will be able to support fewer and fewer people until one day, in the not too distant future, we will all be required to drastically curtail our water use just for the county to survive?

Yet there are new houses, new apartments and more people, all needing more and more of a disappearing resource. We don’t get it. We’ll cast our votes for any candidate who promises to oppose growth and save our water.

JIM FOLEY

MELODY FOLEY

LAS VEGAS

Hsieh for mayor?

To the editor:

So now Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, in ads on TV, wants to take credit for The Smith Center, the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the resurgence of downtown. The voters should be aware that The Smith Center and the Lou Ruvo Center were conceived and essentially completed before her tenure began. And if the voters want to reward the person responsible for the resurgence of downtown, then vote for Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh as your next mayor.

RICHARD WELTI

HENDERSON

Government outsourcing

To the editor:

Michael Anthony’s letter was spot on (“CCSD should outsource, consolidate,” March 15 Review-Journal). Why is the Clark County School District not outsourcing more nonteacher positions?

I recently saw an expensive tree trimming truck belonging to CCSD. Why can’t tree trimming be outsourced? CCSD could easily save money by using open competition to get the most for the taxpayer’s dollar.

In the private sector, outsourcing has become the norm for companies that want to stay competitive. CCSD and local governments should use more outsourcing to help the taxpayers.

NATALIE ADAMS

LAS VEGAS

Public schools and unions

To the editor:

I wholeheartedly agree with William Troeger’s letter (“Public school calendar,” March 11 Review-Journal). Unfortunately, the answer to all of his “why” questions is so painfully obvious: unions.

DON SEXTON

LAS VEGAS