A VEGAS VOICE EDITORIAL - Help Us Help You (and Your Loved Ones)

Will you sign our guardianship petition?

By: Dan Roberts - Publisher
 
“What makes you think I still want to do this?” It was one of the few times I was in full battle-mode with the political editor of The Vegas Voice.
 
Regular readers are well aware that the political editor is also my “partner in life & love.” You can, therefore understand why my Rana had no concerns about being fired…and responding in full force to my question.
 
Our “discussion” was very simple: Does The Vegas Voice continue its “obsession” for guardianship reform?

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Rana testifying before the Nevada Senate.

To be candid, I have become increasingly disgusted by our various government and public officials over this cesspool. As Rana and I waded into this mess, we’ve seen first-hand what horrific things have been done to seniors.
 
Families financially and emotionally destroyed by the guardianship system - all under the fiction of “assistance.” The greed and lack of any conscience by this evil empire of lawyers, judges, doctors, bureaucrats, and private guardianship industry goes far beyond anything that can be expressed in this editorial.
 
Even worse, when The Vegas Voice exposed this utterly corrupt system, rather than be embarrassed or shamed by their actions, this gulag merely went underground and stayed quiet. They have now worked behind the scenes to make sure that nothing changes. At best, only window-dressing to fool the public.
 
They have found the perfect scapegoat for those “alleged” abuses – former private guardian April Parks. Since she is no longer a problem, there are no longer any guardianship problems, they maintain.
 
So with a few “minor” suggestions, the cabal now claims it’s “Time to move on. The witch is dead” the co-conspirators proclaim.
 
What troubles me is that such “logic” and position can be so readily accepted by the public.

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Guardianship seminar at Siena.

Let me be very clear: If this collection of liars, whores and thieves are not stopped now and forever, there will be another corrupt guardian, another Jared Shafer, another Patience Bristol, another April Parks. The opportunity, and more importantly, the money is just too great.
 
My disagreement with Rana is her Don(na) Quixote belief that if we keep fighting and with the senior community’s clear and loud support, lasting reforms can be implemented. I have my concerns that this time, the guardianship industry is now ready, well-funded, and unconditionally prepared to do battle.
 
The last thing these guys want is an independent, non-biased senior volunteer organization looking over and reviewing their activities. Instead they offer these “solutions”:
 
1.The creation of the “Office of the Specialist for the Rights of Elderly Persons” within the Nevada Aging & Disability Services; or,
 
2. New confidentiality regulations to “protect” the privacy rights of the wards (and a prohibition by the media to obtain such accounting records); or,
 
3. Increased funding to state agencies (including the courts) so they can continue “the fight for reform.”
 
Our Vegas Voice question to seniors: Do YOU believe that the government (be it our Attorney General, District Attorney, state agencies - beginning with Aging & Disability Services, the Nevada Bar Association, Nevada Medical Society or the Judicial system) will come to your rescue if YOU become a guardianship victim?
 
If you answer “yes” there’s no need to read this any further.
 
But if you believe that there was and continues to be a “rigged system” and these entities care only about “protecting their own” or increasing their annual budget, this is our urgent plea.
Once again, we are asking the public to sign and return the attached petition.
 
The Vegas Voice guardianship reforms are so simple - yet so revolutionary, that if we can make this mandatory, we can guarantee that it will finally erase “guardianship” as an issue. 
 
OUR VEGAS VOICE REFORM SOLUTION:
1. A mandatory independent, certified volunteer senior court appointed (CASA) advocate to protect the interests of the “ward.”
 
2. The CASA have “interested person” (NRS.157.078) status so they can appear in court.
 
3. That all guardians submit quarterly accounting statements (NRS 159.177) reviewed by independent, certified volunteer auditors.
 
4. That all training & certification for private for-profit guardians (NRS 159.0595) be provided by a Nevada entity.
WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU - As in the past, our suggestion is quick, easy and proven to be very effective. We know it will have an incredible impact on the Nevada Legislature.
 
The best part - it will only take you (less than) one minute. Just fill out the attached petition and email it to The Vegas Voice.
 
The Vegas Voice will do the rest. Notwithstanding my hesitancy, Rana has “gently advised” yours truly that we will indeed be traveling to Carson City and hand deliver the petitions - as well as testify before the Nevada legislature.
 
Can you imagine if (like the previous legislative session) we bring stacks and thousands of petitions to the hearings?
 
Additionally, as outlined, Rana and the entire Vegas Voice/guardianship reform team will be making the rounds across the valley to alert seniors to this problem. The seminars are ALWAYS FREE and the bigger the crowd, the better our chances.
 
Is my Rana correct or do we let the bad guys win? The choice is yours.