READERS WRITE

Amendment good for cities

The editorial board’s recent endorsement urging voters to vote yes on constitutional amendment No. 2 is right on target (“Guide to voting on state ballot questions,” @issue, Oct. 2). It is completely in context with the economic situation we find ourselves in today and is to be applauded.

Looking beyond the rhetoric, you clearly surmise that the approval of amendment No. 2 gives communities throughout Georgia a proven development incentive as well as local control to help spur their growth in a strong or soft market.

Creating new jobs and future tax revenues is a tall order for communities, especially today. Having the development tools to help control their financial destinies can be bolstered by a yes vote on amendment No. 2.

A.J. ROBINSON

Robinson is president of Central Atlanta Progress.

Too many attacks on GOP

I see that your Democratic National Committee editors were at it again Wednesday morning.

Cynthia Tucker attacking Sarah Palin (“Palin either too green or a genius actress,” @issue, Oct. 1), Mike Luckovich’s cartoon attacking the Republican governor, Leonard Pitts attacking George Bush (“Bush cried wolf, lost his credibility,” @issue, Oct. 1), and overall attacks on anything Republican.

You never seem to be able to come up with editorial content or a cartoon attacking Barack Obama, Joe Biden and the Democrats.

Shame! And you are supposed to be educated people. I think otherwise, or you would be fair and balanced. Too bad!

FRED HAHN

Roswell

‘Anything goes’ at the polls

Cynthia Tucker’s column “Voter ID laws a GOP tactic of cynicism” underscores her belief that anyone can vote, no questions asked (@issue, Oct. 5). No ID? Not necessary. Registered? Why bother. Illegal alien? No problem. Already voted today? Vote early and often!

It should not come as a surprise that Barack Obama has even taken it a step further: he co-sponsored a bill that would allow convicted felons to vote. Currently it is up to the states, and various states have differing rules. But Obama is more than willing to take all murderers, rapists and armed robbers as voters, and of course correctly assume that he will get their votes.

What does that say for the candidate and his party? Certainly not the leadership that this country and her citizens deserve.

CLAY PARNELL

Sandy Springs

TAD not all that it seems

Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) that freeze taxes for 30 years don’t reserve only the increased taxes on the value of property in the TAD to the TAD because inflation constantly erodes the value of the frozen taxes (“Voters hold key to redevelopment plans,” @issue, Sept. 27).

At 3 percent inflation, their frozen taxes have only half their value after 23 years. At 5 percent inflation they have less than half their value after only 15 years.

TAD “baseline” taxes indexed to the overall local government property tax digest would truly allocate only the value of the increased taxes to the TAD.

DAVE BEARSE

Atlanta