Penny Press Nevada, USA

Volume 8 Number 37 JUNE 2, 2011

THE PENNY PRESS,JUNE 2, 2011 PAGE 2

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Credits:

Publisher and Editor: Fred Weinberg

The Penny Press is published weekly by Ely Radio LLC All Contents © Penny Press 2011

Contributing Editors: Floyd Brown Al Thomas Doug French Chuck Muth John Getter Pat Choate

Letters to the Editor are encouraged. They should be sent to our offices at 335 W. 4th Street Winnemucca, NV 891445 They can also be emailed to: pennypresslv@ gmail.com No unsigned or unverifiable letters will be printed. 702-418-0433 Fax: 702-920-8215

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16 PAGES

VOLUME 8 NUMBER 37

JUNE 2, 2011

‘Revised’ Democrat Maps Show More Gerrymandering By KYLE GILLIS

Special To The Penny Press

Lawmakers spent 89 session days drawing their first redistricting maps, but Assembly Democrats managed to produce “revised” maps only three days after Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval vetoed the first

Commentary set.

Assembly Democrats introduced their new maps — in AB566 — Tuesday, May 17 during an Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections committee meeting. They then passed them in the Senate and Assembly committees by partyline votes.

The maps included revised voting-age populations for 28 Assembly districts, all 21 Senate districts, and the four congressional districts. “Based on floor statements, based on talks of deviations, [and] based on the governor’s veto, we made changes,” said Assembly Speaker John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas, during the meeting. Despite the population revisions, most of the Hispanic-influenced districts remain unchanged, meaning the revised Democrat maps still contain fewer Hispanic-influenced districts than do the Republican maps. Each party has accused the other of potentially violating the federal Voting Rights Act. The Democrats’ original maps contained two Hispanic-majority Assembly districts and one state Senate district. The original maps

reduced the number of Hispanicmajority Senate districts from the current number but kept the same number of Hispanic-majority Assembly districts. In their revised plan, the Democrats retain two Hispanicmajority Assembly seats from their original plan (Assembly Districts 11 and 28), and add a second Hispanicmajority Senate seat (Senate District 10). The new plan increases from 12 to 13 the number of Assembly districts with a Hispanic voting-age population greater than 25 percent. The number of such Senate districts remains unchanged at six. Some of the biggest changes in the new plan were in the new congressional districts, with the current district of Rep. Shelley Berkley, a Democrat, now stretching into Esmeralda, Lincoln and Lyon coun-

ties, and Republican Rep. Joe Heck’s district remaining wholly in Clark County. While the district shapes changed, the Hispanic voting-age numbers in each district remained nearly identical to the original plan. The Hispanic voting-age population in CD-3, now represented by Heck, increased from 24.69 percent in the first plan to 31.33 percent in the revised one, while the comparable percentage in CD-1 (Berkley) dropped from 28.71 to 22.29. The Hispanic votingage populations in Congressional Districts 2 and 4 changed by less than 0.3 percentage points. “It’s hard to see any major changes or envision a different end result,” said Assemblyman Pat Hickey, RReno, during the May 17 meeting. By “end result,” he indicated, he was referring to a Sandoval veto. Continued on page4

The Conservative Weekly Voice Of Las Vegas Inside: Killing The Goose Stealing The Eggs See Editorial Page 6

Penny Wisdom No man's life, liberty or property are safe while the legislature is in session. —Judge Gideon J. Tucker

FLOYD BROWN FRED WEINBERG DOUG FRENCH AL THOMAS DAVID BOZEMAN CHUCK MUTH PETS OF THE WEEK

PAGE 5 PAGE 6 PAGE 7 PAGE 10 PAGE 11 PAGE 14 PAGE 15

THE PENNY PRESS,JUNE 2, 2011 PAGE 4

Continued from page 3

Dems Playing With Reality

Hickey also criticized the lack of quality debate concerning the Democrat and Republican map alternatives. “Our [Republican] map wasn’t really heard in this committee,” Hickey said. “I disagree [with Assembly Speaker Oceguera] and don’t think we’ve had any real conversations at this point.” Democrats countered they wouldn’t give the Republican map a hearing because Republican map data hadn’t been released on public mapping systems. On May 20, the Republicans released their data and a statement indicating their willingness to compromise. “Democrats have put forth two plans with info but no Republican [info],” said Assemblyman and committee Chair Tick Segerblom, D-Clark, during the meeting. “If we don’t see any data or changes, we’re going to go back and forth with party-line votes.” Despite “changes” mentioned by Oceguera, the new plan’s lack of Hispanic influence suggests little Democrat attention to the wording in Sandoval’s veto statement. “Of the four Congressional seats it establishes, not one contains a Hispanic majority — though such a district can clearly and simply be drawn, consistent with traditional redistricting principles,” Sandoval had written. “The representation of the Hispanic population would be no more fair in the State Senate and Assembly plans, where most Hispanics are crowded into as few districts as possible and where those that are not constitute overwhelming minorities in the districts they are in.” Sandoval also charged political gerrymandering, writing: “This plan ensures partisan opportunity rather than the fair representation of all Nevadans. Partisan gerrymandering is not legal, equitable, or acceptable.” Assembly Democrats’ revised maps do enhance their partisan advantages. Originally, the maps offered by the Democrats gave their party three Democrat-leaning districts (CDs 1, 3 and 4), while CD-2 retained a Republican advantage. In their revised maps, the Democrats padded or maintained their advantages in CDs 1, 3 and 4 while decreasing the Republican advantage in CD-2. Registered Democrats remained at 47 percent in CD-1, increased from 35 to 36 percent in CD-2 and increased from

44 to 47 percent in CD-3. In CD-4, registered Democrats decreased from 43 to 42 percent, but registered Republicans remained at 35 percent, thus maintaining a Democrat advantage. The configuration of the proposed new Democrat congressional districts would benefit several of their rumored congressional candidates, including Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Clark, Sen. Mo Denis, D-Clark, and Oceguera. The newly proposed CD-1, with a 47 percent-to-31 percent registered-Democrat advantage, encompasses Horsford’s current state Senate district. Oceguera’s current district straddles CDs 3 and 4, which are both Democrat-leaning districts. Additionally, the current state Senate district represented by Denis is within CD-3, which also contains the largest Hispanic voting-age population (31 percent). Denis, Horsford and Oceguera are each members of their respective chamber’s Legislative and Operations committee. If approved, CD-3 would become the most heavily Democrat district in the state (17-percentage-point Democrat advantage). Currently held by Rep. Heck, it would likely make his re-election campaign extremely difficult. “The congressman expects the state legislators to do their job, but he’d hope in the [redistricting] process they’d put Nevadans above politics,” said a spokesman from Heck’s office. Hickey challenged the Democrats’ political motives and questioned whether the Democrats’ call for “public input” was simply a charade. “Can you [Legislative Counsel Bureau and Assembly Democrats] show where public plans were incorporated into the amendments?” Hickey asked. “It’s not a public process if we aren’t incorporating public suggestions.” If Sandoval vetoes the revised maps, it’s uncertain whether the Democrats will pursue a third bill in the remaining two weeks of the session. Segerblom told the Nevada News Bureau last week, “There is no Plan C.” Sandoval’s office has not indicated whether the governor would make redistricting the topic of a special session, as was the case in 2001, or if he’ll allow the issue to be resolved judicially. Both parties, expecting a stalemate over the maps, have filed placeholder lawsuits. Kyle Gillis is an investigative reporter on Nevada Journal, a publication of the Nevada Policy Research Institute. For more information visit http://npri. org/.

THE PENNY PRESS,JUNE 2, 2011 PAGE 5

Commentary: Floyd Brown Obama Economy Worse Than 1970s The worst economic conditions in recent memory were during the Jimmy Carter era of stagflation. Stagflation was a term coined in the 1970s to describe high unemployment with high inflation. Stagflation is back. Translation: America’s middle class is getting poorer; a record number of middle class workers are out of work. If you are lucky enough to have a job, your wages aren’t going up, but you are facing higher prices for everything.

“Recent data suggests that the current economic recovery is both sluggish and slowing with unemployment stubbornly high,” this from a page one story in Investor’s Business Daily. The Obama/ Bernanke partnership has been a bust. The Fed is winding down Ben Bernanke’s experiment in money printing called “QE2”. He trumpets his success saying that QE2 has pointed the U.S. economy “in the right direction.” But did it really? It turns out that QE2 has created maybe 700,000 full-time jobs, but at a cost of about $850,000 for each job. All QE2 did was create a boom in the stock market. Wall Street

The Penny Press Tips Its Cap To: The Governor and the Legislature for at least trying to act like adults and passing some compromise legislation which mandates education reform in return for lifting the sunset on some taxes which will fund the education budget. The teachers' union may hate it, but they need to understand reality. Even their Democratic majority can no longer stomach the union approach.

bankers reaped millions while the average investors barely made back some small amount of the money that they lost during the 2008 crash. We believe this boom is an easy money mirage, as MarketWatch.com reports, “But even the stock market boom hasn’t been what it appears. An analysis shows that most of the rise in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index under QE2 has simply been a result of the decline in the dollar in which shares are measured. Measured in hard currencies, the stock market boom has been much less impressive. In Swiss francs, the S&P has risen by just 8.4% since Aug. 27. In currencies like the Swedish kroner and Australian dollars it’s even less. Measured in gold, the S&P 500 is up just 4.5%.” QE2 has had little visible effect on the real economy. Over the same period, the number of part-time workers has gone down by 600,000. In other words, we’ve basically shifted 600,000 or 700,000 workers from part-time jobs to full-time jobs. Marketwatch.com continues: “The percentage of the population in work is actually lower today - 58.4%, compared to 58.5% last August. The percentage of the work force in actual work, the so-called ‘participation rate,’ has fallen by half a percentage point.” Housing is no better because of QE2, April housing starts fell 11%. Marketwatch.com says, “Housing is double-dipping. According to the

National Association of Realtors, the average price of an ‘existing’ home was $177,300 in August, just before QE2. Now it’s $163,700 - or 8% less. Economic growth has slowed. It was 2.6% last summer. It’s a miserable 1.8% now. Meanwhile inflation has risen, from 1.2% before QE2 to 3.1% now.” We all wish for better news, but Obama’s policies are pointing us in the wrong direction. Regulation of business is growing. One CEO of a mining firm we talked with said he is looking for new projects abroad. “I have been fighting for nearly a decade to open a new mine in Montana, and at every turn the government places roadblocks in my way. How am I to create any jobs?” If Obama’s tax policies are enacted then we could see marginal income tax rates of 60% in some states. Obama clings to socialism and his new programs in healthcare and welfare. They all retard growth. Unemployment taxes are at record highs in most states and this further depresses hiring. The Fed has invested nearly $2 trillion in Treasury debt since 2008. The investment hasn’t paid off, but when the relentless buying of US Treasury debt ends, we have no similar experience to guide us. One result could be even further collapse and a full blown depression. FLOYD and MARY BETH BROWN

District Judge Jackie Glass who trades in the bench for a Hollywood soundstage to star in the syndicated CBS legal reality show "Swift Justice," . Frankly, she'll be better as a fake judge because at least we get rid of a horrible jurist in Nevada.

The Penny Press Sends A Bronx Cheer And A Bouquet of Weeds To: The Nevada Assembly, which on Monday voted 24-17 for a bill already approved by the Senate that would outlaw the use of hand-held cellphones and texting by all drivers starting Jan. 1. What a bunch of morons. There is already a law against distracted driving and as much as we hate drivers who have a phone in their ear, this is a classic example of the nanny state run amok.

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OPINION

THE PENNY PRESS,JUNE 2, 2011 PAGE 6

From The Publisher...

Going After Mining Is A Recipe For Wrecking Nevada

Nevada’s mining industry has been under attack for when it comes to collecting taxes, some of which pay the past three years not because of any failures but their salaries. because of its success. There are two answers here. The Nevada State Education Association—the teachers’ union—has been behind a campaign which, First is that mining companies pay huge sales and roughly translated, says that since mining is now use taxes on the equipment they buy. The taxes on making big money, it should pay more to offset the earthmoving equipment alone could pay for the operdecline of the state’s income. ations of several rural county school districts. It’s always interesting to hear the view of those who Second, of course, is the fact that there is absolutely depend on tax dollars for their livelihood. no evidence that more money buys more education. You cannot explain to them that companies like Newmont and Barrick were making huge investments in Nevada when gold was $300 an ounce and that the current price of gold and silver might last another 15 minutes, 15 days or 15 years, depending on a myriad of factors, but that those investments would not change.

Only in Carson City and in Washington D.C. is a reduction in growth of a budget considered a cut.

And you cannot explain to them that in America, we don’t single out industries which are having some success as tax targets. Because, if we did that, there would be no incentive to invest. Where would Microsoft be if there were software taxes? Where would Apple be if there were iPhone taxes? Where would Boeing be if there was an airplane tax?

Leave the tax structure alone and encourage more investment in the state. The more investment, the more sales and use taxes and the more jobs. The more jobs, the more sales and use taxes…well, you get the picture.

Nobody in any industry in this state has taken the position that we should kill off our schools, despite what the teachers’ union says.

But discouraging an industry from further investYou cannot explain to them that those huge invest- ments in the state is a) a job killer and b) a tax revments have had a ripple effect in the economy which enue killer in the long run. has increased tax revenue just as surely as if there were an income tax on the value of gold in the The answer where the mining industry is concerned ground. is simple.

It’s funny. The very people charged with explaining how America works to our kids get a severe case of tunnel vision

Mining s a golden goose, literally laying golden eggs. Don’t kill it off. FRED WEINBERG

THE PENNY PRESS,JUNE 2, 2011 PAGE 7

Commentary: Doug French The Fed Obliterates The Savings Ethic Depression babies learned early that “saving for a rainy day” was not something one hopes to do but a requirement. The saying originated when most people worked on the farm. And when it rained, the fields were too wet to plow, and the farmer — not to mention the hired hands — made no money. Of course, my grandfather was the diligent sort who would use rainy days to do required maintenance on his implements, noting with derision other farmers who spent rainy days at the bar in town. He believed they would surely end up with broken equipment when the sun would reappear, keeping them from making hay. So the idea of savings is not necessarily the return one receives on the money that’s socked away, but the piece of mind that, when the weather doesn’t cooperate, the saver has a little stash to tide him over. Of course, the vast majority of us don’t have to worry about the weather. But an economic storm hit a couple years ago and plenty of people have not had work, rain or shine. Those who took heed of that old saw have no doubt weathered the storm better than those who didn’t. Most financial advisors recommend that a person have three month’s worth of living expenses saved — and some say six months worth, just in case. But how many people heed that advice? There is no caveat to the counsel that says, “Keep six months of savings around if the money is earning at least six percent.” Even if the money sits there all shiny, not earning a thing, it’s the liquidity and insurance against the unknown that’s the issue. Unfortunately, a central bank’s debauchery of the currency serves to raise people’s time preferences and impair their judgment. In a blog post recently, I highlighted the advice of life coach and author John P. Strelecky, who advises people to spend their tax refunds on an experience they will remember forever, rather than saving the few hundred or thousand dollars that the IRS may be giving back. Live your life for today, says the life coach — a couple thousand bucks isn’t going to matter anyway. I posted to the Mises Blog to point out how ludicrous this advice is. But most who commented sided with Strelecky: “I think his advice is spot-on, at least given the constraints of the times in which we live. What’s the point in saving if inflation will ravage whatever you manage to accumulate?” “You play by the rules of the game. Your savings growth will be puny due to pathetic interest rates, erased by inflation, and confiscated by a rapacious state. So go ahead, enjoy the “money” now, while it still has some value.” “Most people don’t really have a better place to put the money than into a pleasurable experience, which is all you will want in the end.” “Gotta agree with the comments. Maybe not trips or other “experiences.” But I feel safer with stuff than I do with Federal Reserve notes going forward.” That’s just what central bankers like to hear. They are worried about deflation. A few months ago, the Chicago Fed’s Charles Evans said, “It seems to me if we could somehow get lower real interest rates so that the amount of excess savings that is taking place relative to investment is lowered, that would be one channel for stimulating the economy.” Lord Keynes was constantly worried that people were saving too much and consuming too little — thus the need for more and cheaper money to stimulate the economy. Mr. Bernanke is nothing if not a good Keynesian, and his low rates make even the savviest question whether to forgo consumption.

And likely no retiree, when contemplating leaving the workforce, figured 1 percent interest rates (or less) into their retirement cash-flow planning. In a front-page article, the Wall Street Journal took a look at “retirees who find themselves on the wrong end of the Federal Reserve’s epic attempt to rescue the economy with cheap money.” The WSJ rightly points out that the Fed’s low rates have been a windfall for banks and borrowers, but a problem for those needing income from their savings to live on. People who thought they played the game right, worked hard, saved money, and now want to take it easy, are panicked that money-market funds are throwing off but 24 basis points. “That’s one-tenth the level of late 2007 and the lowest on records dating back to 1959,” the Journal reports. As bad as the Fed-engineered low rates are for those trying to live off past savings, reporter Mark Whitehouse makes the point that the low rates keep young people from building up funds for the future — whether it’s for emergencies or retirement. Working Americans put less money into financial assets last year than at anytime on record — except 2009, when people pulled money out. And while the Department of Commerce says the personal savings rate has risen to 5.8 percent, Whitehouse explains, “That’s in large part because it counts reductions in personal debt, such as mortgages and credit-card balances, as savings.” But most debt reduction, Whitehouse writes, has been driven by defaults, rather than saving. The Fed’s interest-rate policy also leads people into taking more risk with their savings than they should. “That’s why most of us are in the stock market, because there’s no place else to go,” says 70-year-old John Lehman, who would rather have his money in bank certificates of deposit but must resort to speculating. “I hope my assets don’t run out before I die.” Many retire with next to nothing as it is. According to AARP, 16 percent of Americans have not saved a dime for retirement, and nearly half have saved less than $50,000. Those with no savings are more dependent on government and others when the unexpected occurs, whether it’s job loss or the washing machine quits. Professor Paul Cantor reminds us in his article, “Hyperinflation and Hyperreality: Mann’s ‘Disorder and Early Sorrow,’” that “money is a central source of stability, continuity, and coherence in any community. Hence to tamper with the basic money supply is to tamper with a community’s sense of value.” When the Fed makes saving seem futile and immediate pleasure seem rational, the world has been diabolically turned upside down. Just one step away from hyperinflation, the central banks’ actions are threatening “to undermine and dissolve all sense of value in a society.” “Thus inflation serves to heighten the already frantic pace of modern life, further disorienting people and undermining whatever sense of stability they may still have,” Cantor explains. The social order is upended in Mann’s story as wealth is transferred from those who diligently saved all of their lives to speculators. As it was in the Weimar Germany that Mann describes, so it is today, as people believe it futile to sock away a little money here and there, and instead feel compelled to either speculate or just blow what they have on good times. And while the retirees mentioned in the WSJ article are being crippled financially, Cantor points out that Mann’s portrayal of hyperinflation uncovers “something psychologically more debilitating happening to the older generation.” Impetuous, high-time-preference behavior displayed by the young appears rational in an inflationary period, while prudence and conservatism appear to be not even quaint but downright silly. As Mann described so long ago, the world of inflation is the illusion of wealth, created by the government’s printing press, distorting everything we see and perverting our judgment. Meanwhile the cry for stimulus continues, while our culture and values are buried under a pile of paper. DOUG FRENCH

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Commentary: Albert Thomas

Choosing Least Wrong Today’s Best Right That’s the tout. If you have been reading any of the ‘money’ magazines, reading your junk mail, watching CNBC-TV or any other investment tout source you know they are all trying to get you to buy something. It is not that easy in today’s stock market and don’t fall for the one that mutual funds are “safe”. They aren’t. Mutual fund managers tell you how well they did in relation to the SP500 index, but don’t mention that in 2000 the S&P dropped 33% and in 2008 went down 40%. YUK! They say to buy something that won’t go down as much for a little while and hold on to it. That is about as lousy a bit of stock advice as you will ever get. The current bear market (hate to tell you that, but that is where we are) is nowhere near the bottom. They are touting something that they think might be a little wrong, but for how long and how little? Mutual funds by definition are a mixed bag of stocks, bonds and a little cash. Their price per share is the NAV, Net Asset Value of the total amount of money in the mutual fund divided by the number of shares. They seek to be fully invested at all times. Being fully invested while the market crashes is financial suicide. If you look at the track record of mutual funds for the past 10 years you will see what a poor investment job the fund managers have done. Would

you believe that those in 2000 have a 98% losing record? Whatever fund or stock investors might hold now or buy at this time they must set a loss limit. I guarantee a mutual fund manager won’t. The investor must know how much he is willing to lose should the equity go down instead of up. All successful stock traders think this way. Not how much will I make when this baby goes up, but at what price will I sell it if it goes down? That might be 10% of the price paid or any number the investor will be comfortable with. If the stock or fund has increased in price then it could be 10% of the highest closing price. If the investor’s little hummer has dropped more than that it is time to exit NOW. Today there are thousands of mutual funds that have not been able to come back even to 50% of the price of the highs during 2008. When a chart is scanned it can be seen they are in trouble again. Time for new stop loss orders. The principle of the stock market is to keep what you have made and not give it back. This is not a time to heed the “experts” telling investors to buy as it won’t go down very much even if the bear market continues. YOU can be more RIGHT that their Wrong. AL THOMAS Al Thomas’ book, “If It Doesn’t Go Up, Don’t Buy It!” has helped thousand make and keep their stock market profits. A limited subscription to his advisory letter is available on the web site www.mutualfundmagic.com

THE PENNY PRESS,JUNE 2, 2011 PAGE 11

Let Republican Voters Pick Their Nominee By DAVID BOZEMAN Special To The Penny Press

winner of the recent South Carolina debate by the Frank Luntz focus group and won an American Policy Summit straw poll (22 percent of 1600 votes cast) and an Iowa straw poll (42 votes to 16 for Newt Gingrich). That is not to imply that GOP voters are incapable of independent thought, but the top-heavy nomination process leaves too many citizens without a voice. By the time North Carolina held its 2008 primary in early May, John McCain had already secured the nomination in March, leaving our votes not even worthy of a footnote, which means we must speak even louder, both verbally and with our contribution dollars. We’re always hearing that Democrats are yearning for an Obama-Palin showdown because he would supposedly mop the floor with her in a debate, or that they long to see Gingrich nominated because he could be nailed for racism and hypocrisy. Other liberals (and even some on the right) are advising that social conservatives should not compete for the nomination if the GOP is to stand a chance. Honestly, too much air time is wasted with whom liberals (be they commentators or ‘objective’ journalists) opine that the Republicans should nominate. Speaking as a lowly foot soldier in the conservative movement, just give me the facts. Give me the voting records. Give me the candidates themselves. I want political commentary to enhance my judgment, not to speak for me. Whatever benefits one can derive from open primaries, the left still largely molds our nation’s political culture. “My party, my choice” makes a great rallying cry for Primary Season 2012. So, to liberals, keep your near hegemonic control of news dissemination and political thought, we’ll keep our ideological purity, thank you, and see who really connects with the American people.

While nothing here is intended as a diatribe against open primaries (where voters of any or no affiliation are allowed to vote in the party’s primary of their choice), I do submit that in 2012 Republican voters alone should pick their own nominee for president. Supporters of Ron Paul are counting, in part, on anti-war Democrats to secure the GOP nomination. At least seventeen contests, including the delegate-rich states of Michigan and Texas, and the all-important South Carolina, provide some sort of open-primary option for voters (Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts and Tennessee are among the others). While crossing over to stir chaos and help nominate the weakest candidate on the other side has been employed by both major parties, as well as third parties, the fact remains that any Democrat who wants to vote in my party’s primary does not have our best interests at heart. In 2000, Democrats and independents elevated John McCain over the perceived more conservative George W. Bush, arguably costing resources that could have been banked for the general election. Sadly, also, name recognition factors too highly in any party’s nominating process, though Democrats seem more likely to choose an up-and-comer (Carter, Clinton, Obama). Republicans, notoriously, pick the ‘next in line’ (namely Bob Dole and John McCain). Professional prognosticators and bloviators color public perception, thus voters believe that Michele Bachmann is unelectable before the first votes have even been cast. It must be true because George Will and Charles Krauthammer say so. Bill O’Reilly, furthermore, has publicly declared Herman Cain not worthy of consideration in his near-nightly analyses, David Bozeman, former Libertarian Party Chairman, is a Liberty Features despite the fact that the former Godfather’s Pizza CEO was declared the Syndicated writer.

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Commentary: Chuck Muth Time’s Up: Pass The Budget And Go Home! In their infinite wisdom, Nevada voters approved a constitutional amendment which strictly limits the duration of our legislative sessions to 120 days.  For the 2011 session, that means Monday, June 6. Every legislator has known about this deadline since well before the start of the session.  This was not a secret.  It is not a surprise.  If legislators can’t get their work done on time, they have no one to blame but themselves. Make no mistake: There is no reason whatsoever for legislators not to finish up their work by June 6 and go home.  And there is no excuse whatsoever for forcing Gov. Sandoval to call a special session to pass a balanced budget and keep the government open.  None...what...so...ever. But if we do go into overtime, it’ll be no one’s fault but the two legislative Democrat leaders - Majority Leader Steven Horsford and Assembly Speaker John Oceguera - who have combined to completely mismanage the 2011 Legislature. Both have known since the start of the session that the governor was not going to approve a budget that increased taxes.  And both have known they didn’t have the votes in the state Senate to pass a tax hike, including an extension of the tax hikes from 2009 which are scheduled to sunset at the end of June. But instead of accepting that reality, Democrats have engineered a series

of legislative dog-and-pony shows featuring “human budgetary shields,” often children, in an effort to shame legislative Republicans into abandoning fiscal responsibility, and Gov. Sandoval into abandoning his campaign promise not to raise taxes. It didn’t work.  Sure, some Republican “surrender monkeys” in the Assembly might vote with the Democrats to extend the sunsets, but the Senate remains rock solid in opposition.  Which means no tax hike will even make it to the governor’s desk, let alone past it.  And it’s time for Democrats to accept that reality. Look, they gave growing-the-government-and-spending-money-itdoesn’t-have-in-the-middle-of-a-recession their best shot...and lost.  Get over it, pass the governor’s balanced budget and go home.  There’s no need for a special session. There’s no need to close the government down.  Pass the budget and go home.  Then... In 2012, hit the campaign trail and tell the voters, loudly and proudly, that if they elect or re-elect you, that you promise to raise their taxes $1.2 billion. And if the voters, knowing that you will raise their taxes $1.2 billion, elect you...well, then you’ll have a mandate to raise taxes by $1.2 billion. But for now...you don’t.  The voters didn’t elect you to raise taxes. They elected Brian Sandoval to not raise taxes.  Accept it.  Pass the budget.  And go home. CHUCK MUTH Chuck Muth is president of Citizen Outreach and publisher of NevadaNewsandViews.com.  He may be reached at chuck@citizenoutreach. com.

THE PENNY PRESS,JUNE 2, 2011 PAGE 15

Pet Of The Week Adopt This Pet !

SAGE Call 702-672-7204

Sage was found wandering in the desert. This sweet, abandoned Doberman deserves a better life! She is a mature red and tan lady about 8 years old, but active, playful, full of life and wanting desperately to have a family. She is very social and gets along well with other dogs. She is spayed, up to date on all of her shots and microchipped. If you are interested in giving Sage a forever home, fill out an application.

BILLY Call 702-672-7204

Billy is a sweet blue Doberman about 3 years old. His expressiveness is punctuated by a striking wrinkle in the middle of his forehead. Just watch the dreamy look on his face when you rub his ears. This active youngster weighs 70 pounds and will need obedience training that his previous owners neglected to provide. He is eager to learn and once his high energy is properly managed, Billy will be a loving addition to any family. Billy gets along well with female dogs and could easily share his home with one.

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THE PENNY PRESS,JUNE 2, 2011 PAGE 16

Northern Nevada

June 2011

Real Estate Guide

NOW AVAILABLE FREE ON NEWSSTANDS Winnemucca • Battle Mountain • Lovelock • Surrounding Areas