‘Essential services’ in eye of the beholder

Richard Rychtarik, Las Vegas

Sunday, April 5, 2009 | 2:04 a.m.

The drumbeat within the mass media for reality legislation continues as decision time approaches for the anointed ones in Carson City. What will they do? How can they cope with the pressure of multi-billion-dollar deficits and potential tax increases in the face of having to run for another elected office?

So far, after two months of deliberation, they have determined they must fund “essential” services. Essential to whom, I ask? For me it is law enforcement — including police and judicial — fire protection, education, transportation, health care and, of course, senior discounts.

Everyone will have his own opinion. So, to simplify matters, maybe lawmakers should proclaim which services are not essential. I dare say they won’t because raising this issue would probably make them nonessential after the next election cycle.