Nanny-staters would silence opposition

To the editor:

Thursday’s letter to the editor by Bob Sullivan, “Silence the minority,” expresses such lefty stereotypes that if I didn’t know better, I’d suspect the Review-Journal’s staff of editing or faking it entirely to discredit Obama supporters.

First of all, there is the argument that the side that assumes power can do anything it wants, especially to the losing side. How and when did this country get to the point that someone could seriously make such a claim? There are supposed to be legal, moral, traditional and common-sense restraints on those who wield political power. Otherwise we have a form of tyranny.

Then there is the idea, hardly original, that all we need to do is eliminate any expression of opposition and everything will work out fine.

History shows us that these ideas have been practiced before and the results were not pleasant. Unfortunately, more and more of our fellow citizens appear to support them. Is it becoming clear why we are a very divided nation? One side wants to impose its will on everybody in every facet of life and, above all, punish the opposition, while the other side wants freedom and liberty for all. One side has an enemies list, and the other side just wants to be left alone. These positions cannot be reconciled, and we should all be prepared for further unpleasantness.

JAMES MOLDENHAUER

NORTH LAS VEGAS

No right to dissent?

To the editor:

In his Thursday letter, Bob Sullivan writes that “We could do without …” and then proceeds to name 22 people, mostly conservatives, some in the press, along with politicians and TV personalities, calling them “hate mongers.”

Calling people hate mongers simply because they differ with your political viewpoints is a little extreme, don’t you think, Mr. Sullivan?

There are 300 million people in the United States. Only 120 million of them voted last year. President Barack Obama received 51 percent of that vote. So in reality, he was elected by less than 25 percent of the total population. That means, Mr. Sullivan, the president didn’t get a “mandate” for anything.

In any event, the president and his administration are still accountable to all the people in America, no matter what his plurality.

A wise man once said that some people are mistaken for fools, and others open their mouths and remove all doubt.

RON MOERS

HENDERSON

Another 18 dollars!

To the editor:

Recently I received notification from the Social Security Administration that in 2013 my Social Security benefit check would be increased by $18.50 a month. Whoopee!

I really should be thrilled to get this so-called cost-of-living increase. However, this amount will pay for only one package of “adult” underwear and one can of coffee (no longer 16 ounces, but 12 ounces) each month. It’s common knowledge that the cost of living has increased far more than 1.7 percent over the past year. This pittance should not be considered an increase in benefits commensurate with the economic trend. Rather, it’s merely another meaningless handout from our benevolent government. Now I understand that COLAs soon could to be discontinued altogether.

So what’s the next bomb to drop on us ordinary folk?

SARAH H. GUARINO

LAS VEGAS

Stadium questions

To the editor:

I’ve been reading stories about the proposed UNLV Stadium almost every day, and everything sounds rosy and ginger peachy. Never a negative word. All pros and no cons.

Therefore, I am writing about some negative issues that no one seems to be asking or talking about.

The stadium will seat 60,000 people for a good event, so this means approximately 25,000 to 30,000 cars will be traveling across the Las Vegas Strip going east and west, which can cause large traffic jams. This will also affect the Las Vegas Strip itself. What about the traffic flow on Tropicana Avenue for people trying to catch a fight at McCarran international Airport?

How are we going to provide parking for these 25,000 to 30,000 cars? How much maintenance will the stadium cost a year?

EDWARD PUCCI

NORTH LAS VEGAS