More red tape for state’s small businesses

The recently enacted state commerce tax is an excellent example of bureaucratic ineptitude. It applies to businesses earning more than $4 million per year — a small percentage of Nevada businesses. Yet all business operators are now required to file (more) paperwork to be in compliance.

I phoned the Nevada Department of Taxation to seek exemption for my very small business. I was 27th in line at 9 a.m. and 56th in line at 11 a.m. Ridiculous.

They know which businesses are in the $4 million bracket already. A blanket exemption for the small guys is a no-brainer. But they obviously have no concern for the hours to be wasted on their forms by businesses seeking an honest exemption.

Fred Dexter

Boulder City

American dream

Catherine Rampell’s recent column in the Review-Journal on immigrants supporting Donald Trump hit the nail right on the head. First of all, I’m an immigrant who came here 45 years ago. Furthermore, I’m Hispanic.

We as immigrants came to this country because we wanted the American dream and what the United States stands for. It is for this reason that I’m amazed when I hear Hispanic people demanding that Spanish-speaking people be available anywhere they call or go. If these immigrants want Spanish speakers, they should have stayed in Mexico or Spain.

If you go to Russia, China and even Mexico, do you see English signs? Do they provide English interpreters when you call a company or store? The answer is “no.” If you want to maintain your birth language or traditions, practice them at home. Outside of home? English, please.

We, as immigrants also want a safe environment for our family. Therefore we must prevent untrustworthy immigrants from entering our country. Just a few weeks ago, the U.S. Border Patrol arrested 18 Syrian refugees at the Mexican-U.S. border.

Many other immigrants are using that border to enter our country. This is why there is no good reason not to want the walls Mr. Trump is suggesting.

Aren’t the tranquility, the safe environment and the freedom to move around a few of the reasons we came to this country? So I say to my fellow Hispanics, let’s secure our border. Let’s not take this personally, and in this way we can enjoy the American dream we all came here for.

Miguel Reyes-Cuerva

Henderson

History lesson

Steve Sebelius describes Philadelphia as “the birthplace of democracy” (“Party can’t disregard electorate’s emotions,” Sunday column). I believe Philadelphia was founded around 1682, so my sense is Mr. Sebelius has a little problem with history. (Europe has a history, America has a memory). Let’s forget about Athens (circa 1400 BC), and look for the modern birthplace of democracy.

Runnymede in England is the location of the signing of the Magna Carta by King John on 15 June, 1215. Here, a group of barons disgruntled with King John’s heavy taxes demanded that he sign the Great Charter — the Magna Carta — which placed a limit on royal authority. Though the king had no intention of adhering to its provisions, it was the birth of an idea that would not die. Increasingly it became a symbol of civil liberty and the universal rule of law. It was part of the legal foundation of the laws and constitutions of many countries, beginning with the United States.

On this site stands the John F. Kennedy Memorial:

‘This acre of English ground was given to the United States of America by the people of Britain in memory of John F. Kennedy, born 19th May, 1917: President of the United States 1961-63: died by an assassin’s hand 22nd November, 1963.”

The memorial includes an inscription from President Kennedy’s January 1961 inaugural address: “Let every Nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend or oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty.”

Philadelphia? Whatever you’re smoking, Mr. Sebelius, stop.

Graham H. Tye

North Las Vegas