Toll roads and bridges are a bad idea

To the editor:

The Associated Press article “Lawmakers unite to fix highways” on the front page of the Thursday Review-Journal was, at best, laughable. It noted a rare bipartisan effort of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, led by Democrat Barbara Boxer of California. Further, despite the Senate’s defeat of President Obama’s $50 billion infrastructure jobs bill, momentum is building for a plan to “repair crumbling roads and bridges, move people and freight more efficiently and boost employment.”

Sounds good, but it’s not a new political tune.

Here comes the kicker: Lower interest rates to the states and “guaranteed revenue” through tolls or some other user fee. And guess who pays those?

Yes, you.

The interstate system was supposed to be a series of national highways on which a person could go from coast to coast without stopping. The article concludes that there are questions if the federal trust fund rules prevent relying on revenue that is not directly raised from use of roads and bridges. Again, you and me.

So what is the big problem with all of this? It is the same old story. Recall that President Reagan authorized an increased federal tax of 5 cents per gallon — to be in place for only five years. This was in response to our “crumbling infrastructure.” Guess what? The 5-cent tax never lapsed and the infrastructure is still crumbling.

Fuel taxes in the United States vary by state. The U.S. federal excise tax on gasoline, as of February, is 18.4 cents per gallon and 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel fuel. In January, gasoline taxes averaged 48.1 cents per gallon and diesel fuel taxes averaged 53.1 cents per gallon. For the first quarter of 2009, the mean state gasoline tax is 27.2 cents per gallon, plus 18.4 cents per U.S. gallon federal tax, making the total 45.6 cents per U.S. gallon.

For diesel, the mean state tax is 26.6 cents per gallon plus an additional 24.4 cents per gallon federal tax making the total 50.8 cents per gallon. There are also a few states and municipalities that charge sales tax on top of the excise taxes and the retail price.

My point: We do not want new toll roads and bridges to pay for the “crumbling infrastructure.” They won’t. And you will waste time stopping to pay tolls (another tax) for the rest of your life!

Albert Capanna

Las Vegas

PSU scandal

To the editor:

Joe Paterno was so obsessed with the fraternity within which he lived and worked, it became his entire world.

Even now, this sad old man waves his fist in the air for “Penn State,” unable to comprehend that his inaction, to a great degree, allowed the continued abuse of children and led to the ultimate shame of the university.

When Mr. Paterno became aware of possible child abuse by a member of university staff, his decision process, as I interpret from reports, was:

1) Is he still a member of the football coaching staff? No.

2) Report to “administration management.”

I have now done my duty and can bury my head in the sand of the football program.

Mr. Paterno must be held accountable for the fact that he had knowledge of possible child abuse, yet failed to report it to appropriate authorities beyond the university.

In addition to punishing Mr. Paterno for his failure to protect children, it may serve as a reminder to those in like situations that their responsibility extends beyond their precious school.

Graham H. Tye

North Las Vegas

Good riddance

To the editor:

In the recent GOP debate, Gov. Rick Perry forgot to mention the Energy Department among the federal agencies he would like to eliminate, along with the Departments of Education and Commerce.

He forgot many other departments and agencies that should be eliminated as well, such as Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Interior, OSHA, the EEOC, NLRB, FCC … and at least 150 blood-sucking boards, commissions and panels.

Marc Jeric

Las Vegas

Pipe dreams

To the editor:

President Barack Obama’s decision to make no decision on the Keystone XL pipeline project until after the Nov. 2012 election follows a pattern exhibited throughout his political career.

While in the Illinois state Senate he voted “present” almost 130 times. In other words, he would not take a stand on politically sensitive issues.

While in the U.S. Senate, he abstained from voting 30.5 percent of the time. In other words, he would not take a stand on politically sensitive issues.

Now, as president, he is acting in the same fashion. Everything is about the next election and is not about what is good for the United States.

The XL pipeline is supported by the unions and opposed by the environmentalists. Both groups are powerful voting blocs, so Mr. Obama will not make a decision until after the next presidential election.

Is this the type of leader we want as president of the United States?

Walter F. Wegst

Las Vegas