Heller needs to be bigger clean energy booster

Nevada Sen. Dean Heller, as a member of the House of Representatives, voted frequently to safeguard $4 billion in taxpayer-funded subsidies for the oil giants (ExxonMobil, BP and Shell), while voting to eliminate funding for loan guarantee programs funded through the Department of Energy, which have created or sustained thousands of jobs for Nevadans.

Now, more than ever before, Nevadans need a strong advocate who will be committed to investing in Nevada’s future — that is, in a clean energy economy. Sen. Heller’s stance on this issue shows a complete disregard for the substantial monetary investments — more than $1.6 billion since 2009 — that have been funded under the loan guarantee program.

The funded projects include solar projects near Tonopah and North Las Vegas and geothermal projects in Elko, Pershing and Lander counties. This shouldn’t be classified as a politically charged issue. Rather, both progressives and conservatives should be fighting for what is in the best interest of all Nevadans.

In order to diversify Nevada’s economy, we need a champion who will safeguard Nevada’s clean energy potential over the interest of big business.

Luis Beltran

Las Vegas

No tax hikes

To the editor:

It is abundantly clear what the Obama-Reid-Pelosi strategy is in debt-ceiling negotiations. This triumvirate wants massive tax increases — now. In return, they will promise spending cuts in the future.

If you believe that even a modest amount of spending reduction will occur as long as these people have any political power left, then I have some stock in Hoover Dam that I will sell you very cheap.

I say no tax increases, not one penny. And we need spending cuts now. There must be no compromise. If the ruling class fails, then I say that it is time for a march on Washington and a revolution of the people. It is our money that they are squandering.

Socialism has destroyed or crippled every economy where it has been embraced by the political class. It fails every time that it is sold with promises of utopia.

We must restore capitalism and embrace the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that has made this nation great. Socialism must be destroyed by the next conservative presidential candidate. If the Republican Party fails its responsibility this time, we are indeed going to be a nation in decline.

Burton J. Simpson

Las Vegas

Great guys

To the editor:

I have been following the news articles and columns about Assembly Speaker John Oceguera, who works as assistant fire chief in North Las Vegas. I now feel compelled to defend North Las Vegas Fire Chief Al Gillespie and Mr. Oceguera. The Sunday letter by Victor Joecks of the Nevada Policy Research Institute was very misleading.

The mission statement on NPRI’s website is, “Finding private answers for public problems.” I do not see a problem, nor do I see a solution offered by Mr. Joecks. Why is it a problem if Assistant Fire Chief Oceguera not only wants to serve his community but also wants to serve his state in the Legislature?

I am a retired federal civil service fire department battalion chief. I have had many fire chiefs during my duty in Montana, Hawaii and California. I had the privilege and honor to work for Mr. Gillespie and Mr. Oceguera as a North Las Vegas Fire Department fire prevention inspector for four years. I voluntarily resigned in 2009 for family reasons. Mr. Gillespie is the best fire chief I’ve ever worked for, and Mr. Oceguera always treated me with respect and compassion.

Both Mr. Gillespie and Mr. Oceguera are professional, trustworthy and have the dying quality of integrity. If Mr. Gillespie said everything about Mr. Oceguera’s service in Carson City was done “by the book,” it was by the book.

Please stop disparaging our fire departments and their members and officers. Remember, the life they save may be yours.

Gerald A. Brase

North Las Vegas

Cautionary tale

To the editor:

Patrick Buchanan’s Sunday column, “Establishment in a panic,” argues that a majority of Republicans who embrace the anti-tax principle are heroic in their desire to hold to the promises which gained them office in the first place. Unfortunately, this is a poor framing of the issue. It seeks to pit the Democrat position of increasing tax revenue versus cutting the budget.

The problem is that the issue is one of functional government. Mr. Buchanan seems to imply that the president and Democratic caucus have been unwilling to compromise. In reality, they have agreed to substantial cuts of social services.

Government doesn’t work when one side is unwilling to compromise and is more interested in keeping a pledge to get re-elected than actually ensuring that the country is functioning. The government shutdown in Minnesota is a cautionary tale for those who choose pure principle as their agenda.

Shutdowns prove nothing — they cost money and don’t create jobs.

Paul Sacksteder

Las Vegas