Public works projects the best stimulus

I agree with Jim Brown’s Wednesday letter that tax rebates are unlikely to stimulate our economy. History suggests that the fiscal stimulus is greater when government spends the money.

That means construction projects ready to go, bridges, airport expansions, energy-producing windmills or whatever will put laid-off construction workers to work. Timeliness and size are all-important. And the building materials must come from American manufacturers, thus in two ways enhancing the multiplier effect.

At the same time, we must recognize that our standard of living has been declining since the early ’70s. First, other countries have developed products such as oil and food products, increasing demand and thus raising the price. Second, higher labor costs here have sent jobs abroad. Third, even higher wages have not enhanced the ability of the average person to buy the products of industry with cash or its equivalence.

We are a people who individually and as a nation have been living on a credit card with ever greater debt. While this has been aggravated by spending on Iraq, it is a long term problem.

Taking B-12 shots won’t help. We must try to develop a more permanent solution, and do so quickly.

Stuart Weiss

LAS VEGAS

Still a dream

To the editor:

Your Monday editorial “Martin Luther King Jr. Day” notes that “the nation has made great progress in expanding opportunity for all and fulfilling the Rev. King’s dream.” That is true in some respects, and sadly lacking in others.

The Rev. King’s dream included hope for a nation that rejects violence and war. He said, “The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate … returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Love is the most durable power in the world. Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.”

And he warned that, “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.”

We have yet to heed that part of Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream.

PETER EDIGER

LAS VEGAS

Obama ad

To the editor:

I would like to suggest a television commercial for Barack Obama’s campaign.

It should open with footage of former President Bill Clinton saying, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” Then show him saying, “It all depends on what your definition of is, is.” Then show him accusing Sen. Obama’s campaign of being a “fairy tale.”

End with the comment, “Does this spin doctor ever speak the truth?”

Then show a picture of Hillary Clinton and say, “She thinks so. So much for experience, I guess!”

ALLEN DOHRA

HENDERSON

Ball game

To the editor:

Let me see if I understand what Congress is doing.

We have a $9 trillion national debt; an invasion that is costing us hundreds of billions of dollars; and Social Security and Medicare are in the toilet.

What is Congress doing (the few who are actually there and not out running for president)? Concentrating on drug use in Major League Baseball.

For their information, this is not their problem, and I really don’t care what some guy who earns $20 million a year to play a kid’s game does. It doesn’t affect our lives.

Our country is in dire straits and this is the best use of their time? Give me a break.

Roger Anderson

LAS VEGAS

Parking woes

To the editor:

Who is responsible for the fiasco at the new IRS building? There is no parking except at the nearby garage that charges $3 a half-hour. How did they get that sweetheart deal?

Getting to the building is a nightmare, then you park at that garage or nowhere. I saw many employees of the IRS but only two people waiting for IRS service. None of the employees could tell me when this unbelievable situation began nor if anything is even being done to correct it.

GERALDINE HICKS

NORTH LAS VEGAS