Subsidized auto insurance, amnesty on way

To the editor:

In Glenn Cook’s June 2 column (“And the session’s winners are …”), Gov. Brian Sandoval’s signing of the new law gives illegal immigrants the right to legally drive. Mr. Cook was spot-on in commenting that we’re kidding ourselves if we think the immigrants can afford auto insurance. His comment on affordability was the first that I’ve seen in the press.

Maybe the idea is to pass the law, then when it comes out that illegal immigrants cannot afford the cost of auto insurance, legislators will amend the law (on the grounds of safety) to subsidize insurance payments, just as they do with housing, food, etc. In other words, the hard-working citizen taxpayers will pay for the insurance of people who illegally entered the country. This would benefit three groups of people: illegal immigrants, employers who benefit from cheap labor, and politicians who pander to the Hispanic community for their votes. The citizen taxpayers would be saddled with the additional costs. My property taxes are a burden as is, without raising them to pay for handouts to these groups.

On the national front, there is a similar condition in the new immigration bill that a bipartisan group is presently working on. The law will require illegal immigrants to come forward and register, and pay a $2,000 fine. I listened to Sen. Marco Rubio’s description of the provisions of this bill on Fox News as he addressed a room full of experts, and no one addressed the scenario of what happens if these people can’t afford the $2,000 fine. I wouldn’t be surprised if lawmakers later will propose some sort of assistance from taxpayers. In this case, I think it would be more fair to all concerned if lawmakers put a provision in the bill that all employers of these immigrants deduct $10 per week from each paycheck and send it the IRS as payment toward this fine. It would be paid in four years. Congress could also use the IRS to enforce payment, just as it plans to do with the new Affordable Care Act.

Every politician who I’ve heard comment on the immigration bill has mouthed these words: “We can’t round up and deport 11 million people who are in the country illegally.” My question is: What do they plan to do if a large portion of them default on the $2,000 fine and don’t come forward? Again, I didn’t hear any of these so-called “experts” ask this question.

Lately in the letters to the editor in the R-J, I’ve noticed the anger, frustration and outrage at conditions I’ve mentioned above. Unless our elected leaders man up and face the truth about the dilemma we face, we’re in for unpleasant changes to our lifestyle.

ANTHONY MARINELLI

LAS VEGAS

Driver’s privilege

To the editor:

It now looks like illegal persons will be able to obtain a driver’s license, which is great, I guess. I’m just curious as to how the Department of Motor Vehicles is going to determine if these people are who they say they are when they apply for the driver’s authorization cards. How will we know if they have purchased insurance or have coverage for the vehicles they are driving? Will there be a way to check to see if a person has outstanding warrants? And will the DMV be honest as to how much revenue is generated?

I don’t have the time or the inclination to research this, so I’m just throwing this out hoping someone can explain it.

JOHN GIESLER

LAS VEGAS

Sales tax

To the editor:

I recently read how unfair a sales tax is, especially to certain groups (“Sales tax,” Wednesday letter). However, I feel that the opposite is true. To me, a sales tax is the most fair tax, as everyone has to pay it. There are too many people who do pay their fair share, and others who have the wherewithal to keep from paying their taxes.

Obviously, a person with less funds spends less, thereby paying less sales tax. The opposite is usually true, too. Going further, I would prefer that federal income tax be eliminated and replaced with a national sales tax. Enough of people hiring expensive accountants to keep their fair share from the needs of the government.

JACK OLIVER

LAS VEGAS