We need to help workers, not hurt them

Ken Hamm, Las Vegas

Saturday, March 12, 2011 | 2:03 a.m.

If you watch the news, you would think there is a battle going on between Republicans and Democrats. But what has just happened in Wisconsin and elsewhere shows something else.

There is a battle going on between the elected Republicans and the workers of this nation. It is ridiculous to assume that all union workers are Democrats, or that all government workers are Democrats. The workforce of this nation is made up of all political parties. So this is an assault on the American worker. When an employer treats workers badly, the company is not as profitable as it could be. In many states, including Nevada, the employer (state) is treating its employees with disrespect.

If we are to regain control of this situation, we need to do it together — Republicans, Democrats, independents, Libertarians, etc. We all have a lot to lose.

A state is not a traditional business. It does not sell anything. The state raises revenue to cover its needed expenses. The people of this state or any state should decide what kind of services they would like the state to provide. Once this decision has been made, it then has to decide how it is going to raise the needed revenue.

This should be done with a fair revenue-raising program where everyone participates. When a governor decides to give a revenue break to one group, and then charge another group for that difference, this should be called reverse taxation. Be honest and tell it like it is. A rose by any other name is still a rose.