San Francisco-based Mortgage Resolution Partners (MRP) has been pitching a scheme to get distressed cities to use their right of eminent domain to seize underwater homes and pay MRP to help restructure the mortgages. They tried and failed in several cities before finding a receptive audience in North Las Vegas. Naturally, city officials want to help their constituents, who have … [Read more...] about North Las Vegas’ Eminent Domain Scheme: Well-Meaning, but Dangerous
Independence Day 2013: Freedom Fighters Wanted
As Americans celebrate Independence Day this month, it’s fitting to ask how much freedom U.S. citizens really have in 2013, and how much we have handed over to the federal government. I won’t say the feds have taken our freedom away from us, because they’ve done so with our permission. Ever since the FDR administration, citizens have stopped insisting that the government adhere … [Read more...] about Independence Day 2013: Freedom Fighters Wanted
Gun Control or People Control? What Are the Real Issues?
After the shootings in Aurora, Colorado and Sandy Hook, Americans are searching for ways to prevent future tragedies, and politicians are taking advantage of the public outcry to advance their own political agendas. For example, when Harry Reid used to represent the citizens of Nevada, he voted to support our Second Amendment rights. Now that he only represents the Progressive … [Read more...] about Gun Control or People Control? What Are the Real Issues?
Teacher’s Health Trust: Putting Teachers at Risk
The Clark County Education Association (a.k.a. teachers union) has once again proved that its leaders care more about their own power than about their members or the community. The latest controversy arose when it was revealed that the health trust created by the union is in dire financial straits. At a closed union meeting on January 29, John Vellardita, executive director of … [Read more...] about Teacher’s Health Trust: Putting Teachers at Risk
Fair and Balanced: The Role of Conservative Media
The White House has been trying since Obama’s first term to silence dissent, targeting conservative media outlets and conservative commentators. Why? Because they seem to be the only ones asking the hard questions. Who else is asking what really happened at Benghazi and why four of our citizens were left there to die? Who else is asking why the drone program is killing U.S. … [Read more...] about Fair and Balanced: The Role of Conservative Media
Property Tax Rebellion: Fighting for Justice
The tax revolt at Lake Tahoe has reached the 10-year mark, with no end in sight. The Village League to Save Incline Assets was formed in December 2002 by a small group of Incline Village and Crystal Bay property owners to protest outrageously high property tax increases. This small group of determined taxpayers has been fighting Washoe County and the State Board of Equalization … [Read more...] about Property Tax Rebellion: Fighting for Justice
We Are Blessed to Live in America Today
During the 2012 presidential campaign, both major parties competed to see who could paint the most negative picture of this country’s economy, society and future. This gave them a chance to blame their political enemies for the sorry state of affairs and show how their candidate was the only one who could pull us back from the brink of disaster. After months and months of … [Read more...] about We Are Blessed to Live in America Today
Playing Politics with Education: Teachers Union Throws Students under the Bus
Nevadans will find out this month whether the Clark County School District (CCSD) qualifies for a $40 million grant from the federal government’s “Race to the Top” program. The money would provide high-tech tools and programs at 63 schools to help 41,000 students with limited English skills. It would fund 46 new jobs for teachers and support staff, as well as expanded teacher … [Read more...] about Playing Politics with Education: Teachers Union Throws Students under the Bus
Feds Prepare to Pluck Nevada: If Sage Grouse is “Endangered”
You may never have heard of a sage grouse, but this chicken-like wild bird will cost Nevada millions of dollars if federal agencies put it on the Endangered Species list. Conservationists, industry stakeholders and government representatives in Nevada have been discussing the sage grouse since 2000, and the governor even appointed a blue-ribbon commission to study it. Why has … [Read more...] about Feds Prepare to Pluck Nevada: If Sage Grouse is “Endangered”
Why Vote Against Obama? Eight Compelling Reasons
Barack Obama was elected in 2008 with a message of hope and change. Unfortunately, the change we got was for the worse. There is little hope left that the country can pull itself out of the recession anytime soon, and we’re left hoping that the Middle East won’t erupt into flames that will consume us all. There are hundreds of reasons to vote for a change of administration in … [Read more...] about Why Vote Against Obama? Eight Compelling Reasons
Nevada Money Should Stay in Nevada: Time to Reform the Contracting Process
In Governor Brian Sandoval’s State of the State speech, he encouraged everyone to “shop Nevada first” and said Nevada should make “supporting private sector job creation a way of life for all government agencies.” I heartily endorse both these ideas, but the state has a long way to go to prove its support for homegrown businesses. For example, did you know that when Nevada … [Read more...] about Nevada Money Should Stay in Nevada: Time to Reform the Contracting Process
Save our Country in November: It’s Up to You
As we are bombarded this summer by political ads and robo-calls, it’s tempting to tune it all out and ignore politics altogether. After all, we have more important things to do, don’t we? The answer to that question is “No!” There is nothing more important than finding out which candidates support conservative causes and convincing everyone you know to vote for them on November … [Read more...] about Save our Country in November: It’s Up to You
North Las Vegas Refuses to Bow Down to Union Pressure
The North Las Vegas City Council made a courageous move on June 1 by standing up to the powerful public employee unions and giving the city manager the authority to discard portions of collective bargaining agreements in order to prevent devastating layoffs. The firefighters and police unions had negotiated generous contracts with the city when property taxes were high and … [Read more...] about North Las Vegas Refuses to Bow Down to Union Pressure
Prevailing Wage Laws: Time to End This Corrupt System
Nevada’s so-called “prevailing wage” laws cost taxpayers millions of dollars each year – many of these dollars go into union coffers instead of to workers. Once you know the facts about it, you’ll be as outraged as I am that this politically motivated system has been allowed to continue. Prevailing wage laws require contractors who bid on public works projects to pay all … [Read more...] about Prevailing Wage Laws: Time to End This Corrupt System
Harry Reid and the DOE: Sending Nevada Dollars Overseas
Harry Reid likes to brag about all the money and jobs he’s bringing to Nevada by “earmarking” alternative energy projects. However, a little research shows that many of the companies receiving government loan guarantees and grants aren’t even based in the United States. One recent example involves the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project being constructed near Tonopah. In … [Read more...] about Harry Reid and the DOE: Sending Nevada Dollars Overseas