Letters to the Editor: Friday, November 6, 2009
Comments 
19
Published: November 6, 2009
Disclosure urged
Regarding "Gamblers begin to question Oklahoma casinos’ lack of payback rules” (McClatchy-Tribune Information Services news story, Oct. 27): It’s ridiculous that casinos don’t have to release their percentage payouts to the public. Having visited a majority of the casinos in this state, I’ve observed a lot of retirees who enjoy gambling. Some have lost their life savings. It’s only fair that they as well as everyone else should know what their chances of winning are. I’d estimate the figure to be near 13 percent and perhaps less.
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Perspective needed
In response to Toni Hulin (Your Views, Oct. 31): Yes, perspective is needed. Public school teachers have sacrificed to get educated and licensed. A first-year teacher’s salary is $31,600; the scale for a 10th-year teacher with a master’s degree is $37,575. This hardly puts them in an "elite” class. Most educators could earn more in similarly educated positions in private industry. Remember these examples and, yes, put them in perspective.
Marcus Stanfill, Choctaw
Luckier than most
Regarding "State historical society to cut 30 jobs” (news story, Oct. 29): Numerous news stories recently have reported on budget cutbacks within our local and state governments. In most of these articles, those interviewed painted a grim picture of what Oklahoma’s future holds as a result of these cuts. Although unfortunate, it’s difficult to comprehend that a reduction of 30 employees at the State Historical Society will have much of an impact on Oklahoma’s overall well-being, or that closing some historical sites such as the Peter Conser Home in Heavener will cause any noticeable public outcry.
Perhaps unintentionally, Oklahoma has been luckier than many states; historically, we’ve kept government spending in check. Because our state government has been fiscally conservative, we don’t have to make drastic and damaging cutbacks today. On several occasions, Gov. Henry cut budgets and resisted the temptation to dip into the Rainy Day Fund — which is why it’s still available for the real emergency yet to come. The private sector has had to make dramatic cuts in budgets and personnel to stay in business.
It’s time that our elected officials and state employees realize that they’re not insulated from the economic realities that affect us all.
Gregg Tunison, Edmond
Do your homework
Regarding "Activists target smoking loopholes” (news story, Oct. 30): Oklahoma bar and restaurant owners act as if our state would be the first and only one to go smoke-free in public venues. Far from it. If Jim Hopper, president of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, wants to eliminate his members’ concerns about losing business if a smoking ban is enacted, he should contact any other restaurant association president in a state with a similar ban. He’d learn that profits at a majority of restaurants have actually increased.
The New York Times archives include articles printed before New York City’s ban was enacted. Get the names of all the interviewed restaurant owners who were worried about their restaurant’s potential profit losses. Call those same owners today and ask them how their profits are doing since the ban. Do your homework. And when your post-ban profits increase, remember to thank the groups that pushed for the ban.
Jim Hester, Midwest City
Hester is associate dean for the Business & Information Technology Division at Rose State College.
Envy is evil
Most adults know the definition and effects of envy. According to one economist, two-thirds of the nation’s total income gains from 2002 to 2007 flowed to the top 1 percent of U.S. households. Good for them! If that’s what you want, get up and go for it while you still have a chance. Only envious people will try to make a big deal from this. Envy is evil and wastes the mind. No good can come from envy.
Ronald Young, Moore
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Most teachers' contracts run from around August 1 - May 31 or so and are a ten month contract. That would mean a teacher making $35K on a ten month contract would equate to one making $42,000 on a twelve month contract. Still way low for a degreed, certified professional with several years of experience.
Tell me - why is it that our legilslatures think "Let's do this as cheap as possible" and then are surprised when they don't get the results they want? And I'm not talking just about education.