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Another viewpoint

As a faithful reader of the letters to the editor and editorial pages of the available papers in Pahrump, I find a total lack of understanding of the electoral process.

The caucus system forced on everyone by our power-mad senior U.S. senator, Harry Reid, was a shameful disgrace and disenfranchised many, many people.

Was either party's caucus valid, free from external forces and effective? No.

When people have to leave because of work commitments, others being denied their rights because of disabilities, the military because they couldn't be present, and others because they couldn't stand for hours in extremely cold weather, the process is fatally flawed.

The current election cycle has shown how badly the process has degraded. The caucus was held only because one heavyweight politician wanted to throw his weight around.

Since Nevada became a state, the people voted on the schedule as defined in the state constitution. It was good enough for over 100 years but not good enough for the late first decade of the 21st Century.

As the current cycle progresses, we find in Pahrump, a district attorney that wants to become a district judge. How can this man, who wrecked two cars in 24 hours (one being a Nye County vehicle and failing a Breathalyzer test in his second wreck) even consider himself a viable candidate?

But there he is on the ballot.

Then there are the actions of a group of Republicans backing Ron Paul, which made the state convention a wasted effort for everyone.

While I do not lay the blame for this ficaso at the feet of Paul, I do question the motives of those who claim to speak for him and why he hasn't done something to correct the situation.

My wife, who came here from the People's Republic of California, reads the paper and listens to the evening newscasts and asks: "Is there an honest politician in the state of Nevada?" There doesn't appear to be many. Most of the Clark County commission went to jail for being greedy. The Parump Town Board has one under incitement.

Nearly every day there is another report of this congress person or that senator caught with his fingers in the financial cookie jar. I wouldn't really care but this is our money they are misappropriating.

They all seem to think that the money they steal is the government's, but the sad truth is that it is ours. Ripped from our pockets by a government agency that is our of control and is handed to other government agencies that are also out of control.

Within Nevada, we have a couple of unions that dominate the political scene. If you are not playing ball with them, voting for their ever-greedy schemes to rob the people of the state, they will muster considerable forces and finances to oust a naysayer from office.

Those finances are being stripped from union members' wages without the members being given a choice in the matter. Is this an equitable arrangement? Not by a long shot. However, don't disagree with the union or you might get hurt (by accident, of course).

The saddest part of the whole mess is that people have reached such a mindset of distrust that they won't even bother to vote. Neither early voting, absentee voting or actually showing up to vote in their precinct will appeal to them.

They sit on their hands and then grouse and gripe about how elected officials have done them wrong.

They have forgotten that being able to vote for their (alleged) leaders is a privilege (not a right) that many have fought and died for.

By sitting back and ignoring election days, they insult those brave men and women who gave their lives so we could remain free.

The electoral process depends on you and me. We, the people of these United States, are the ones who need to stand for the freedoms and privileges we have. The "Let Joe Do It" attitude isn't going to keep freedom ringing -- doing your duty will.

CARL WEIKEL

Slope getting more slippery

In a world where black is white, up is down and rights are more important than the people who have been wronged, Pahrump has not been excluded.

Last Friday, July 25, I experienced a "jaw dropping" decision by visiting Judge Joe Bonaventure.

I'm the person who challenged the residency requirements of Harley Kulkin, who is running for Commissioner District 3 but resides in District 1.

It appears that Mr. Kulkin, who has a fairly large home in the far north end of Pahrump in District 1, was able to convince a judge that he really lives in a motor home at the Tough Boy Road RV park.

Since I own property across the street, I conducted my own surveillance to verify his fondness for camping. Needless to say, he doesn't "live" there.

I have nothing against Mr. Kulkin as a person, but my primary concern for getting involved was that if a person can find a crack in the system, or a gray area rule, just to run for an office, then what will happen when he sits in the chair?

As a witness, I spent most of my time outside the courtroom. All the people involved in this case truly felt this was a "slam dunk," especially with the assessor's office testimony of residency.

During the closing arguments, I was present and was referred to by the judge as "a terrible witness." I guess answering the questions with "yes" and "no" makes a poor presentation.

At the conclusion of the summary, Judge Bonaventure ruled that Mr. Kulkin presented "adequate intent" for living in District 3.

What the heck is "adequate intent"? Why do we have districts in the first place ? Why do we have boundaries? Rules? Commissioners that create boundaries, rules, regulations? For what?

What the heck has happened to the judicial system? Why is this even debatable ? I'm single. My intent is to be married, but can't say I have a spouse today. My intent is to visit Australia, but haven't experienced it yet.

Thanks to Bonaventure, the precedent has been set that anybody with a Winnebago can park it in someone's yard, call it home and run for an office.

Look at the ramifications of this case. This now allows people, who have no intention of serving in office, could actually run just to screw up a race for an opposing party, sort of a "sacrificial lamb" just to skew the election results.

The slope just got more slippery.

R. MARK REASBECK

Deceased pets get respect

First of all I want to say that was one of the cruelest letters I've ever read. The family obviously loved their dog, Kayla, and did not take her to be buried alive. The body becomes a container from which the wonderful spirit has left. They were trying to express appreciation to people for showing respect and kindness to them in their time of sorrow and how much that meant to them. I was moved by their letter. My mom said that funerals and all the processions are for the living that if you show love and respect while the people or animals are alive that's what counts.

What if they didn't have a yard to bury their dog in or what if they were physically unable to dig a hole that large. Maybe they couldn't afford to take their pet to be cremated. Not being able to afford disposing of remains is certainly not a measure of how much they loved their pet while she was alive and needed their love. Personally we don't gauge how much we love our animals by how much we're willing to spend on them.

If it's bad to take the remains to the dump what's so respectful and compassionate about having your dog set on fire to keep the ashes. Why do you have to keep ashes to cherish memories? I have lots of wonderful memories of my pets and lots of pictures to cherish.

We've buried pets in the yard and then have moved away. That doesn't mean we didn't love them and respect them. While they were alive they were adored and spoiled. I'm sure Kayla will live forever in their hearts like all our pets still live in mine.

I am sure they are able to sleep just fine at night because they did nothing wrong and have nothing to be ashamed of nor do any of the other people who helped them. Kayla wasn't dumped like "garbage" she was loved and respected when it mattered.

SANDY WAYLAND-JACKSON

Where is the missing state

The last time I checked I thought there were 50 states in the good old USA. It seems we may have lost one.

When I heard the FOX report today, I thought this must be one of the following countries such as Venezuela, Cuba, China or some two-bit dictator Third World country. On the contrary, it's the state of California.

This is the state the rest of our country always says, "the way it goes, so goes the rest of the country."

I lived there over 40 years and still have two sons living there, pity their souls.

When I retired I could not leave fast enough as it was already becoming kinky and weird.

The latest from the liberal socialist Democrats is Los Angeles has now passed an ordinance banning the construction of any more McDonald's or Burger King fast food restaurants.

It seems Captain Calorie caught fat people in the act of eating those great big juicy calorie-laden hamburgers and golden fries cooked in luscious, good-tasting lard.

Of course, after devouring this rib-sticking meal, many of us like to top it off with two or three apple fritters.

Try eating this in front of Captain Calorie and the food police and this will drive the LSDs totally nuts.

I did not believe I would live long enough to see America destroyed by lunatics such as our new Democrats, you know the ones I mean. "We are the change we have waited for."

What happened to the free country that every one of us fought and many died for?

This is just about the final straw for America. There is not a dictator-run country in the world that would have the guts to pull this on their people.

These prune brains have been in the sun too long. To tell people who have pride in the fact we are a free nation -- where we can eat what we can eat and how much we can eat.

I'm sure glad I retired to Nevada where we still have a semblance of freedom. The biggest problem we have here is we are stuck with one of yours, Sen. Harry Reid, who believes and thinks just like you do in California.

If you get tired of losing your freedom to the LSDs, all it takes is your vote.

Vote Republican and I guarantee you will not have to live in a socialist country.

Republican members and Republican leadership take our freedom seriously and treat it as freedom divinely given from God.

The above story is a prime example of chipping away by the LSDs of each American's rights as given to us by the Constitution.

FOYE CROOKS

Not tired or corrupt

In my opinion, Marla Zlotek, besides being extremely well qualified, is the only candidate for judge in District Court 5, Dept. 1, who isn't "used up and tired" or corrupt.

Also, by virtue of his legal education and his length of experience, Michael Neu is (in my opinion) the best qualified candidate for justice of the peace.

STAN DAVIS

Thanks Pahrump

We will have 250 stockings finished in a week or so for our seniors.

This is thanks to a few very dedicated volunteers, not a club or a guild -- a few people with caring, helping hands.

We are still working on the gifts to go with these stockings for our home-bound seniors and the nutritious lunch-box treats to fill the stockings.

We know there are companies, groups, clubs and people willing to help.

There are photos and more information at community.weshots.com/user/barbquilts4cancer.

Thanks to everyone,

BARB JOHNSTON