By: Chuck Muth
Nevada News and Views

MERRY CHRISTMAS – GOIN’ FISHIN’

Nevada News & Views: The e-Newsletter will be taking a much-needed holiday hiatus until Monday; however, I’ll still post major stories, breaking news and commentary on the newsblog at www.NevadaNewsandViews.com over the weekend. Merry Christmas – and do keep a warm thought for our troops overseas!

TODAY’S NN&V HEADLINES

  • Ten Things That Will Make You Sick about Harry Reid’s Health Care Bill (Rep. John Shadegg) – Everywhere I go people tell me that Democrats say Republicans are misrepresenting the health care bills and claiming they are worse than they really are. Well, here’s a starting list and you can decide if Republicans are crying wolf.
  • A Conservative Alternative to ObamaCare (Sue Lowden) – Rather than crippling our nation with higher debt and higher taxes to fund government-run health care, I have called for solutions that can begin to drive down the cost of health insurance, thus making it more accessible to those who do not have coverage today.
  • Reid Should Read His Own Bill Before Crushing Nevada Families (Office of the Nevada Governor) – Senator Harry Reid suggested Governor Gibbons misunderstands the health care bill and should read it. Governor Gibbons replied, “We have read the bill and THAT’S exactly what troubles us.”
  • Governor Will Ask AG to Weigh in on Constitutionality of Reid Health Care Bill (Sean Whaley/Nevada News Bureau) – Gov. Jim Gibbons said today he will ask the state attorney general to review the health care legislation scheduled for a vote tomorrow in the U.S. Senate to determine if it violates the U.S. Constitution by forcing everyone to have health insurance.
  • How Did Harry Reid Become Rich? (Mark Noonan) – According to Open Secrets, Senator Harry Reid has a minimum net worth of $2,827,056.00, a maximum worth of $6,307,999.00 and an average net worth of $4,567,527.00. Why all the discrepancies?
  • Nevada’s Population Growth Slows, Fourth Congressional Seat Still Likely (Sean Whaley/Nevada News Bureau) – Nevada’s once red-hot population growth slowed significantly this year compared to 2008, expanding by just over 27,000 residents to 2.64 million, according to an estimate released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.
  • October Taxable Sales Continue Year-Long Double-Digit Slump (Sean Whaley/Nevada News Bureau) – Nevada’s statewide taxable sales continued to generate dismal numbers in October, plunging 17.8 percent compared to the same month in 2008, a report released today by the Department of Taxation shows.

Click here to read these stories at the Nevada News & Views site!

SURVEY SAYS!

If Jesus was born in a vacant house in Washington, DC this weekend, would you be able to find three wise men to come visit him?

  • Yes
  • No

To cast your vote in today’s online survey, click here!

MUTHS TRUTHS

I swear, if whining was an Olympic sport, some of Nevada’s government employees would be gold medal finalists. Get a load of this email message sent to state legislators yesterday by Susan Summers, a non-essential taxpayer-paid “budget technician” (a what?) at UNLV:

“Hi All. Just wanting to plead with you to vote NO on any additional Furlough days for state employees should the opportunity arise. I have given the state almost $3,000 of my hard earned salary this year which has caused me great financial concern. I can no longer save which means I can no longer count on an “emergency fund.” IF my car breaks down, or any of my household appliances malfunction, I will be out of luck. I have already given up health care due to the increased deductible and increased cost of my prescriptions.

“If the state adds another Furlough day to its employees, I will also have to give up my home. It seems to me that deliberately causing someone to be on the street is the way to work against a balanced budget. What good can I do if I am destitute. I’m sorry, but this time, please take the necessary funding from the top executives and from some of the basic welfare programs we have going in Nevada. You may also consider letting mining pay their fare share!”

Witches in Salem did less whining on the stake.

What is with these people? Thousands upon thousands of Nevadans have NO JOB whatsoever. And this little whiner is bitching about the possibility that her toaster might break?

Hey, Susie, if things are so bad working for the government why not quit your lousy taxpayer-funded job? I’m SURE there’s tremendous demand for “budget technicians” in the private sector. Otherwise, be grateful you’re still employed, shut up and have a Merry Christmas.

FAMOUS LAST WORDS

  • “This is Nevada. Those who don’t like gaming, drinking, smoking and a host of other adult activities long tolerated here have 49 other states to choose from.” – Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial
  • “Yesterday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell caved in on health care, rushing the bill through to an earlier vote so he and his buddies can make their vacations on time. Merry Christmas, from the spineless Republican leadership.” – John Tate of Campaign for Liberty
  • “Is it really constitutional for this body to tell all Americans that they MUST buy health insurance coverage? . . . I don’t believe Congress has the legal or moral authority to force this mandate on its citizens. . . . This mandate is unconstitutional and I will do everything in my power to ensure Congress does not legislate beyond what our Constitution allows.” – Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.)
  • “During record unemployment, home foreclosures and bankruptcies in Nevada, Harry Reid…voted to increase the debt limit to a new, record level.” – Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sue Lowden