Shelley Berkley: “Things are very tough in Las Vegas right now. We have the second highest unemployment rate and the very highest mortgage…”

“Things are very tough in Las Vegas right now. We have the second highest unemployment rate and the very highest mortgage foreclosure rate in the country. People are hurting. We rely on tourism to fuel our economy. It's our major industry. So when the President singled out Las Vegas again by saying, ``When times are tough, you tighten your belts. You don't blow a bunch of cash in Vegas,'' he is hurting the people I represent badly. What he should have said is that Las Vegas is the most amazing place to vacation. It's a bargain right now, and everyone should go and enjoy our wholesome family entertainment, our great hotels, our fabulous shows, great restaurants, shopping, convention space, gaming, our great weather. We're near the Grand Canyon and Red Rock Canyon and Hoover Dam. Las Vegas has it all. That's what the President should have said. Mr. President, words matter, and you need to watch what you say. Your words are hurting the businesses and the families that call Las Vegas home, and they're hurting me.”