The Decision Maker's Magazine
Most of you remember the fable that tells of a leader who showed up naked, yet was so powerful that no one said a word. Our Governor has shown strong leadership during our state’s worst economic crisis and enjoys high ratings among Nevadans. However, his plan for imposing the highest tax in Nevada’s history leads me to believe he is either anti-business or simply doesn’t … [Read more...]
When we think we’ve seen it all, we get delivered another whammy! Do you remember all the commercials and reasons to defeat the ballot question seeking Nevadan’s approval for a Margin Tax? How can we so soon forget the barrage of commercials and editorials aimed at defeating that measure? Heck, I wrote some of them myself. Fortunately, the measure was overwhelmingly defeated… … [Read more...]
For many people, the New Year is a time to make resolutions to improve themselves, their families and their careers. It’s a time to set goals and it’s a time of the best of intentions. This year, I’d like to take a moment to share my wish list for 2015. Stop the government-sector from being controlled by union leaders. Doing so would save Nevadans millions annually while … [Read more...]
The November elections may be over, but many people still have a bad taste in their mouths when remembering how some politicians conducted themselves. The unrelenting barrage of negative campaign ads was bad enough, but we actually had two Democrats running for Assembly who didn’t even live in the districts in which they were running. Meghan Smith, running for Assembly District … [Read more...]
Would you like your child or grandchild to be taught about vaginal intercourse, masturbation and homosexuality in kindergarten? How about a junior high student being instructed about orgasms and anal intercourse? If you think this couldn’t happen in Clark County schools, you’re mistaken. These very topics were discussed at closed-door meetings held by the Clark County School … [Read more...]
One of the dangers of the Margin Tax is that so many business owners think it’s such bad policy that it will never pass. However, a recent poll suggests otherwise. In fact the poll, which was conducted before the Coalition to Defeat the Margin Tax Initiative launched their mass-media campaign, showed a passage by nine percentage points. Coined the Education Initiative, the plan … [Read more...]
Americans didn't pay much attention to the rising power of radical Islam until the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks inside our borders, so it may seem like a relatively new phenomenon. But Muslim terrorists have actually been killing Christians, Jews and other non-Muslims since before the U.S. was founded, and we fought two wars against them in the earliest days of the republic. Muslim … [Read more...]
If you or a family member belong to a union, you might not know that the dues deducted from your hard-earned paycheck are funding causes you oppose or supporting groups with views exactly opposite of yours. Even if you do know it, is there anything you can do to stop it? Two recent Supreme Court decisions show that there might be some hope in controlling unions’ out-of-control … [Read more...]
Am I the only one sick of this BS? Two stories have come to light recently that show how taxpayers’ money is being wasted by the Clark County School District. These examples not only point out the quality of the district’s decision-making, but also make me wonder what other questionable expenses haven’t yet been discovered. Did you know that the school district has a budget … [Read more...]
Work is almost completed on the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project, located near Tonopah. The developers had received a $737 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy, so if the project fails like Solyndra did, taxpayers will be on the hook for all that money. Even if we don’t have to ultimately make good on the loan, we’ll still be paying for it in lots of … [Read more...]
There are so many things wrong with last month’s BLM “roundup” it’s difficult to even know where to start. As anyone in businesses will tell you, to effectively negotiate a deal, both parties must begin with the same premise. Clive Bundy was operating under the premise that the government works for him. The government, however, was working under the assumption that Clive, … [Read more...]
Americans no longer expect quality, much less excellence, from our public education system, and U.S. students now lag behind those from other developed countries. What’s happening in Nevada is a prime example of the dumbing-down of our public schools. Nevada’s high school juniors have trouble passing the math proficiency exam that’s required for graduation. In fact, 70 … [Read more...]
American businesses are finally emerging from the recession – some of us survived bruised and battered, others didn’t make it and some companies managed to succeed by a combination of business smarts, ruthless cost-cutting and just plain luck. If the value of going through a crisis lies in the lessons we learn from it, maybe it’s time to ask what our experiences during the … [Read more...]
November may seem far away now, but plans for the next elections are already well underway. Now is the time to start researching the field of candidates to decide who you want to represent your interests when the Legislature convenes in February 2015, and who you want to represent Nevada in Washington, DC. This year, more than ever, it’s vital to elect people who will … [Read more...]
As a Nevada business owner or executive, you’re probably hoping that 2014 will be the year our state finally climbs out of the depths of the recession, but the so-called “Education Initiative,” which will come before the voters on the November 2014 ballot, could spell the end of any hopes for economic recovery. It has the potential to kill business in our state. Here’s a … [Read more...]
The November 2014 ballot will contain a proposal to amend the Nevada Constitution and create a court of appeals (appellate court). Those of you who have been reading my columns awhile know that 99 percent of the time I’m a passionate supporter of smaller government. However, this is one case where adding a layer of government actually makes sense. Currently, any case that’s … [Read more...]
Cliven Bundy is a man on a mission. He’s been battling the federal government -- specifically, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) -- for more than 20 years, and he’s determined to win this David-and-Goliath battle. Bundy’s family has raised cattle on the land around Mesquite since the 1870s, and he now owns about 500 cattle roaming through the desert rangeland. He tends … [Read more...]
Although more than 79 percent of people in the United States identify themselves as Christians, there’s a growing body of evidence that the media and the government, including the military, are doing their best to turn Americans against Christianity. TV comedians and shows like The Simpsons regularly mock Christians, and Saturday Night Live even aired a “comedy” skit … [Read more...]
Since Nevada’s legislature chose to take no action on the Free Margin Tax initiative by the March 15th deadline, this important state issue has been automatically passed on to the 2014 ballot. This means Nevada voters will decide whether or not we need a Free Margin Tax. If you’re not familiar with the initiative, you should be. If passed, a 2 percent margins tax would be … [Read more...]
San Francisco-based Mortgage Resolution Partners (MRP) has been pitching a scheme to get distressed cities to use their right of eminent domain to seize underwater homes and pay MRP to help restructure the mortgages. They tried and failed in several cities before finding a receptive audience in North Las Vegas. Naturally, city officials want to help their constituents, who have … [Read more...]