READERS WRITE: The ‘08 campaign

Real culprit behind disappearing signs?

I laughed out loud when a recent letter writer complained that his “Obama for President” yard signs keep disappearing (“Every one stolen means $8 for Obama,” @issue, Aug. 26). I have to conclude that his thinking must be either “George Bush did it” or it’s part of the “vast right-wing conspiracy.”

Maybe, just maybe, with a candidate who endorses redistribution of wealth and womb-to-tomb government handouts, another Obama supporter felt entitled to his yard signs without working for the money to purchase them.

THOMAS NAULT, Powder Springs

‘Partisan hackery’ is not what we need

Why is Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel wasting tax dollars in a partisan attempt to prevent Jim Powell from running for Public Service Commission (“Handel appeals Powell PSC bid,” Metro, Aug. 26)? To use Powell’s failure to file a homestead exemption for his new home as the basis for keeping him off the ballot reeks of desperation.

I would remind Handel that she works for all Georgians of any political party. It’s no wonder that a growing number of Americans are fed up with our politicians engaging in partisan hackery when there are more important issues they could be dealing with.

LARRY PECK, Dunwoody

National debt must force hard choices

Inspired by Jay Bookman’s column (“See ‘I.O.U.S.A.’ and weep for our kids,” @issue, Aug. 21), I went to see the movie, which was followed by a discussion. I was pleasantly impressed by the audience, as the theater was almost full, but having seen this informative, thought-provoking movie, I am sad it is not available for viewing by the entire nation (e.g., screening on national TV).

The national debt has reached a historic level and will in coming years swell to a magnitude that threatens the very existence of the nation.

The laissez faire of the Republican Party bears a heavy responsibility, but so do politicians of both parties who do not dare to present to the American people the dire consequences and painful measures to correct the problem. A temporary scaling down of the living standard (excessive consumption) of half the population seems to be necessary, but since that truth does not buy many votes, nothing is being done.

Perhaps a good place to start is realizing that this country is not perfect. We are justifiably the envy of many people of the world in much worse shape, and Americans can and should be proud of centuries of help and generosity to other nations. But past and present accomplishments do not mean that the U.S. is necessarily the greatest country in all respects, and it must never lull us into believing that nothing needs to be done to improve conditions for ourselves and fellow citizens.

JENS HOUKEN, Loganville

Hardscape uses much less water

I’m surprised that Jay Bookman found a report from Auburn professor and water expert James Hairston startling (“What would happen if Atlanta simply vanished?,” @issue, Aug. 25). It sounded like common sense to me that an acre of undeveloped rural land consumes more water than an acre of developed land.

Concrete and rooftops soak up no water, much of which will run off and find its way back to streams, rivers and lakes. The water humans consume cannot compare to the water used by trees and plants, and much of what we do use is treated and returned to aquifers.

Now that the areas south of us have been deluged, surely those mussels and oysters in the Gulf are burping up water by now, and we Cobb County residents should feel free to wash our cars and water our flowers.

MARGARET CURTIS, Atlanta