Letters to the editor for Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016

Election letters policy: Letters about the 2016 general election need to be turned into the Nevada Appeal by noon on Thursday, Oct. 20. Letters must include the writer’s name, address and phone number and be no more than 250 words. The Appeal reserves the right to edit them. Letters also may appear at nevadaappeal.com. • Only one letter can be submitted every 30 days. • Mail it to Letters to the Editor, Nevada Appeal, 580 Mallory Way, Carson City, NV 89701. • Send emails to editor@ nevadaappeal.com.

A time for change

I know why common citizens seek public office. What I don’t know is why they become politicians. I consider myself a member of the former group and never a member of the latter. I won’t rehash my resume but I will say I spent most of my life defending our nation’s principles all over the globe. I learned teamwork, to manage money in the millions, expect excellence as the only standard, and hold the trust of our leaders. I’m not defeated when I’m asked, “You’re not from here are you?” but it makes me wonder why that’s more important than doing the right thing.

If our elected representatives would do the right thing, I wouldn’t be running. The truth is, not all of them have and even they, in their campaign rhetoric, talk of fixing the problems they either neglected or helped create. We must change what you expect your elected representatives to do because there is no way we can afford another four years of the current approach to government.

It’s time to expect more from those we elect to represent us and it’s time for more than talk. Having seen generations of people deprived of democracy under brutal conditions in other countries, it breaks my heart when I hear our young people say they won’t vote because it doesn’t matter. It’s your time to make the change that matters in Carson City. I’m Chris Carver and I want to be your mayor.

Chris Carver

Candidate for Carson City Mayor

Just say no: Big marijuana’s Nevada gambit

Question 2, the recreational marijuana initiative, is not a partisan political issue. Both U.S. Senate candidates, Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto and Republican Dr. Joe Heck, are opposed to Question 2. Likewise, two respected former Nevada Governors, Republican Robert List and Democrat Richard Bryan, oppose it.

Question 2 financially benefits a small group of “potpreneur” insiders; it’s a marijuana industry drafted “wish list” of provisions. It offers Nevadans no protections from high-potency edible marijuana-infused products attractive to children. It places no limits on pot potency at all, or on advertising. It requires the state to regulate a drug through the Department of Taxation and set wholesale pricing, both new and deeply disturbing precedents.

Nevada’s two largest newspapers, the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Reno Gazette Journal, have both taken editorial positions against Question 2.

Nevada law enforcement — Sheriffs and Chiefs and District Attorneys — as well as the Nevada State Medical Association have also joined in urging Nevadans to vote “No on 2.”

Mark Blomstrom

Carson City