Letters to the editor

Thank you from disabled American veterans

Pahrump Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 15 and Unit 15 of the DAV Auxiliary want to thank all of you who helped make our recent Forget-Me-Not Campaign one of the most successful ever.

We would also like to thank the Managers and Employees of Albertson’s Grocery, CVS Pharmacy, Smith’s Grocery, Walgreen’s Pharmacy, and Walmart Super Store for their enormous support. We would also like to thank the Town of Pahrump for the Proclamation that makes it all possible.

Once again Pahrump has demonstrated it is truly a veteran-friendly community.

Terry Janke, DAV Chapter 15

Our leaders need to know what makes America great

“Eating crow” is not an easy thing for most of us to do. But now as I watch and listen to the candidates vying for the office of president, I find myself forcing down that awful bird.

Having been a registered Republican for many years, it is exceedingly difficult to admit that the party, which in my grasp of things, has historically stood for the smallest government we can possibly have, and limiting intrusion into the lives of citizens, now teeters on the brink of disaster. The “Grand Old Party” isn’t merely showing signs of disrepair, it has become all but dysfunctional with a presumptive nominee for president, whose ability to manage the duties of commander-in-chief is in serious doubt.

I never thought matters would reach the point when I could visualize Hillary Clinton as the best choice to become chief executive of the legislative branch in our federal system. However, various revelations have persuaded me to this view. Among them was a recent comment Mrs. Clinton made regarding Donald Trump’s qualifications, or lack thereof, when she referred to Trump’s foreign policy intentions as “dangerously incoherent.” I couldn’t agree more.

Media sound bites don’t provide the fullest understanding of any candidate’s positions. But piece by piece one can gain an impression of their values and what they consider important. Frankly, all I can gather from Donald Trump’s cryptic messages is contradiction, an abysmal lack of statesmanship, apparent disregard for effective political process and how sensible foreign policy will help to keep this dangerous world of ours from blowing itself to bits.

It has been said and bears repeating: “A people get the government they deserve.”

In the struggle to demonstrate that a representative democracy is the best kind of government, America has led the world. The ideals that have flowered in these United States, are proven and worthy of perpetuating. Thus it is vital that we elect leaders who have a clear understanding of the why and how that makes America great. We’ve earned it. We deserve it. Let’s keep it going.

Ralph Bazan