Americans no longer expect quality, much less excellence, from our public education system, and U.S. students now lag behind those from other developed countries. What’s happening in Nevada is a prime example of the dumbing-down of our public schools. Nevada’s high school juniors have trouble passing the math proficiency exam that’s required for graduation. In fact, 70 … [Read more...] about Lowering the Education Bar: Nevada and the U.S. shortchange students or are we becoming a Third World country?
Commentary
Lessons Learned: Integrity Matters
American businesses are finally emerging from the recession – some of us survived bruised and battered, others didn’t make it and some companies managed to succeed by a combination of business smarts, ruthless cost-cutting and just plain luck. If the value of going through a crisis lies in the lessons we learn from it, maybe it’s time to ask what our experiences during the … [Read more...] about Lessons Learned: Integrity Matters
November 2014 Elections: Support Pro-Business Candidates Now
November may seem far away now, but plans for the next elections are already well underway. Now is the time to start researching the field of candidates to decide who you want to represent your interests when the Legislature convenes in February 2015, and who you want to represent Nevada in Washington, DC. This year, more than ever, it’s vital to elect people who will … [Read more...] about November 2014 Elections: Support Pro-Business Candidates Now
The Margin Tax Proposal: Initiative will Kill Business in Nevada
As a Nevada business owner or executive, you’re probably hoping that 2014 will be the year our state finally climbs out of the depths of the recession, but the so-called “Education Initiative,” which will come before the voters on the November 2014 ballot, could spell the end of any hopes for economic recovery. It has the potential to kill business in our state. Here’s a … [Read more...] about The Margin Tax Proposal: Initiative will Kill Business in Nevada
Nevada Needs a Court of Appeals: Businesses Should Support 2014 Ballot Question
The November 2014 ballot will contain a proposal to amend the Nevada Constitution and create a court of appeals (appellate court). Those of you who have been reading my columns awhile know that 99 percent of the time I’m a passionate supporter of smaller government. However, this is one case where adding a layer of government actually makes sense. Currently, any case that’s … [Read more...] about Nevada Needs a Court of Appeals: Businesses Should Support 2014 Ballot Question
Home, Home on the Range: Where the Desert Tortoises Roam?
Cliven Bundy is a man on a mission. He’s been battling the federal government -- specifically, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) -- for more than 20 years, and he’s determined to win this David-and-Goliath battle. Bundy’s family has raised cattle on the land around Mesquite since the 1870s, and he now owns about 500 cattle roaming through the desert rangeland. He tends … [Read more...] about Home, Home on the Range: Where the Desert Tortoises Roam?
Religious Persecution in the U.S.? Christians are Fair Game
Although more than 79 percent of people in the United States identify themselves as Christians, there’s a growing body of evidence that the media and the government, including the military, are doing their best to turn Americans against Christianity. TV comedians and shows like The Simpsons regularly mock Christians, and Saturday Night Live even aired a “comedy” skit … [Read more...] about Religious Persecution in the U.S.? Christians are Fair Game
Killing Jobs to Pay for Education: Nevada’s Free Margin Tax Initiative… Won’t be Free
Since Nevada’s legislature chose to take no action on the Free Margin Tax initiative by the March 15th deadline, this important state issue has been automatically passed on to the 2014 ballot. This means Nevada voters will decide whether or not we need a Free Margin Tax. If you’re not familiar with the initiative, you should be. If passed, a 2 percent margins tax would be … [Read more...] about Killing Jobs to Pay for Education: Nevada’s Free Margin Tax Initiative… Won’t be Free
North Las Vegas’ Eminent Domain Scheme: Well-Meaning, but Dangerous
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
Protecting Babies in America: They Have the Right to Life
Two items in the news lately have reminded people that killing babies is a crime and a tragedy that affects us all. In one case, a Philadelphia doctor, Kermit Gosnell, was convicted of murder for running a clinic that specialized in aborting babies as late as 30 weeks of gestation; that’s more than 7 months! Many of these babies were born alive - moving, breathing and even … [Read more...] about Protecting Babies in America: They Have the Right to Life
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
Hold On to Your Wallet: Legislature Once Again Has Taxpayers Bracing for Another Hit
No man’s life, liberty or property is safe while the legislature is in session,” Mark Twain famously said while covering the biennial mess in Carson City. Despite Twain’s warnings, Nevada lawmakers are meeting once again, for the 77th regular legislative session, and Nevada taxpayers are realizing, once again, that their property is not safe. That’s because politicians … [Read more...] about Hold On to Your Wallet: Legislature Once Again Has Taxpayers Bracing for Another Hit