Let’s all pull together, for a better Nevada

Sam King, Las Vegas

Sunday, June 8, 2008 | 2:06 a.m.

In Brian Greenspun’s column last Sunday, in which he offered a challenge to all of us, he wrote, “So why is it so hard for our elected leaders and those we expect to show us the way — while most of us are working our tails off trying to grab a small piece of the American dream — to step up and out, beyond the safety net of ideological nonsense and poll-driven cowardice, and lead us toward that better life?”

He ended his column by writing, “All we need is some leadership and willingness to just say ‘no more.’ Jim Rogers stood up to be counted. Are the rest of us content to let him stand alone?”

Mr. Greenspun, thanks for the wake-up call. I would like to say that the League of Women Voters of Nevada stands with you and Chancellor Jim Rogers. Our league has a standing legislative committee focused on four “E’s” — elections, education, environment and economy. We are nonpartisan; however, we are political and support positions that will improve the quality of life in our community.

I understand the Interim Finance Committee cannot develop tax policy, but there is an opportunity to begin the discussion, and we sent an e-mail May 30 to state lawmakers who serve on the committee.

The e-mail read, in part: “Unfortunately the budget created in 2007 is not healthy enough to meet state obligations in 2008. Cutting programs is not a long-term solution and will ultimately exacerbate problems and unravel the quality of life for all citizens in Nevada. The economic policy of any government must be based upon a fair stable revenue source, which presently is the missing link in our Nevada tax structure.”

As Mr. Greenspun reminded us all, together we can do better.

The writer is president of the League of Women Voters of Nevada.