VP choices

Respect many voters, and pick Clinton

Regarding Hillary Clinton as a potential vice presidential nominee, I read that President Carter said he thinks it would be the worst mistake that could be made. I have always respected Carter, but was disappointed to hear him suggest Obama should snub Clinton and the millions of voters who stand with her. On the verge of this historic opportunity, there's no reason to intentionally alienate half the Democratic Party and damage its relationship with many American women who see Clinton as representing their interests and aspirations. Democratic voters deserve better than to be split with a wedge driven between party traditionalists and those who support the unpredictable concept of change. We can choose both and have a party that draws the best from both worlds.

BRUCE VANDIVER

Lula

Nunn's character makes him most fit

Should Barack Obama select Hillary Clinton as his running mate? Sure —-but only if John McCain selects Laura Bush to be his running mate. What an interesting election that would be! Bush vs. Clinton.

Obama's perfect running mate is Sam Nunn. Nunn was not a Washington insider during the Bush administration. Nunn is three years younger than McCain. Nunn has more military and foreign policy experience and expertise than McCain. Nunn had the courage and character to defy Lester Maddox and the Democratic Party on a matter of principle, at great cost to himself.

McCain would not oppose Bush on major political issues. Nunn is more qualified to be president than John McCain.

BILL FOKES

Braselton

Too little revenue under FairTax

In addition to the many problems with the FairTax outlined by Jay Bookman, the numbers simply don't add up ("Farcical FairTax anything but fair," @issue, June 2). If the FairTax were enacted today, the $3.1 trillion federal budget would immediately soar to $3.7 trillion (to account for the cost of the $600 billion in "prebate" checks to be sent out by the government each year). If the FairTax rate was 23 percent (which the proponents claim it would be), each of the 110 million or so families in America would need to spend, on average, approximately $146,000 per year on taxable goods and services to generate enough tax revenue to fund the government. That would be quite a feat —- particularly since the mean family income in this country is only $66,000 per year.

HAYDEN KEPNER

Marietta

Advice from a Vietnam vet

As a Vietnam infantry combat veteran, my heart goes out to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans of any branch regarding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Every generation of veterans has its own issues. Like World War II and Korean War veterans, our generation had no communications with home except letters, which took 10 days or even longer if you were in the field. Up in the DMZ we were under rocket, mortar or artillery fire almost daily and we had zero counseling before and after being sent home.

Believe me, even after 40 years, every time I go to a fireworks display I still hear those North Vietnamese 82mm mortars coming out of those tubes. My advice is that time is the great healer and our generation wishes you well.

JAMES COOL

Johns Creek

Mayor, council should take pay cut

I have been a great admirer of Mayor Shirley Franklin of Atlanta. However, I was alarmed at the dismissal of hundreds of city employees because the mayor and City Council allowed a dreadful budget shortfall.

Those former employees, who at this draining time in the U.S. economy are possibly losing homes, cannot buy groceries and/or needed prescription medications, much less see a physician. I keep waiting to hear how much of the mayor's and council members' salaries have been trimmed to help with the shortfall. Please advise the citizens of Atlanta of those amounts.

THELMA HEYWOOD

Duluth

Building families could reduce welfare rolls

On the topic "Should government be in the business of promoting marriage?" (Woman to Woman, @issue, June 1), Andrea Cornell Sarvady queries: "Where is the proof that any form of government intervention builds better relationships?"

There isn't —- yet. But there is stunning proof that the intervention of government (i.e., nanny-state welfare programs) has bilked taxpayers of massive amounts of dollars for these same unresponsible people. So it would be fair to at least try some type of "family-building" intervention in an effort to promote responsibility for unconscionable behavior.

ROBERTA CROMLISH

Stone Mountain