Patriots, not politicians

Somewhere in Pahrump, a business has shut down. Somewhere in Pahrump, a senior citizen is choosing between food and medications. Somewhere in Pahrump, a child's parents cannot afford medical care. Somewhere in Pahrump, a bored teenager is considering a crime because there is "nothing to do." Somewhere in Pahrump, a parent chose to buy illegal drugs instead of milk and bread. Somewhere in Pahrump, a repeat criminal walks free again.

And more often than not in Pahrump, a politician will win an election based on unachievable promises.

Pahrump is suffering. We need leaders, not politicians. We need patriot leaders.

If George Washington, Abraham Lincoln or John Adams were to run for office today, would you vote for them? America's Founding Fathers were heroes willing to sacrifice all for the sake of a young and fragile country. They were real patriots.

What do modern-day politicians sacrifice? What do modern-day politicians personally gain?

Many experts now believe we, as a country, are at the edge of financial collapse. Domestic terrorism, rampant corporate corruption, racial division and moral decay are the norm. America's heroes are now movie stars, musicians and athletes.

Our goals are centered upon possessions. Our relationships are usury and disposable, and our politicians are facilitators of special interests.

The experts may be too correct in their assessments.

The Founding Fathers never intended for government to be complicated. The more complex government becomes, the less efficient it is -- requiring more of a personal and financial investment from each of us.

When government reaches the point that none of us can support or trust it. Collapse is unavoidable. Check your history books.

We, as voters, allow our government to squander money and opportunities, to assume the role of an international charity and to spend billions on special interests throughout the world -- even as we struggle to afford fuel for basic transportation and health care for our families or watch while a record number are losing their homes for unjust reasons.

We, as citizens, first have to reevaluate and again understand that in a democracy, the strength and success of our nation is the responsibility of each and every one of us, and it is a direct result of our choices in leaders.

We must be mature and intelligent enough to promote solutions to issues regardless of political affiliation, race, gender or appearance.

If we are unable to put national, state and local security and stability above the promotion of both individual and special interests, we will continue to see more devastating and dangerous failures at all levels of government.

As children, we had a simple view of what this country should be: safe strong, secure, honest, equal, fair and the land of opportunity.

It is time for all of us to stop using our labels -- Democrats, Republicans, Independents, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, rich, poor, men, women -- and start being citizens dedicated to electing patriots and not professional or amateur politicians.

We must elect leaders who are sincerely interested in the advancement of our future, rather than popularity with and rewards from special interests.

Leaders that understand that government is to serve the community at large and protect our resources and economy while maintaining compassion for the needy, disabled and elderly.

It is not too late. We can turn this town, county, state and nation around and show that our generation is worthy of the personal sacrifices of the Founding Fathers and so many soldiers.

I pray that we, Pahrump citizens, will vote for a patriot and not a self-serving politician.

JACK MARTINCAVAGE

Who is going to pay?

We had a friend die a few weeks ago.

I'm sure some of you are saying why are you telling me this, I didn't know her.

Her name was Judith and what you should know about is why she died.

She died because she had no insurance.

She had heart problems but couldn't afford the test strips to make sure everything was in balance, so she had a stroke last year. She didn't call an ambulance right away because she couldn't afford it.

When a friend finally talked to her and called the ambulance for her, they took her to the hospital where she almost died. She was in the hospital for weeks.

While she was there, on the brink, instead of getting the rest she needed to get well, she got calls from a "social worker" wanting to figure out how she was going to pay for her stay.

She finally was well enough to be released into a care facility. The first part of May, she had surgery to repair the damage to her heart and died from complications May 23.

The irony in all of this is on May 26, she would have been 65 and old enough to get the medical coverage she so desperately needed.

We are always told how this is the greatest country in the world. What is wrong with this picture when people die because of their lack of money?

If she had been a citizen of many other countries, this would not have happened because she would have had medical care.

I'm telling you this because it could happen to any of us. How sad.

I'm sure the people who lived through Katrina and lived in government trailers, whose children now will have problems for the rest of their lives, are also asking "Is this really the greatest country in the world and who's going to pay for their care?"

If this doesn't make you sad or mad, it should at least make you think.

JEANNE LOVAS