READERS WRITE

Washington invests in public transport

Washington put its money where its mouth was last week when President Bush signed into law the Railroad Enforcement Act of 2008, a bill providing Amtrak with approximately $14 billion over the next five years, nearly doubling the current budget.

Many Washington officials recognize the current transportation system is ill-equipped to handle rising gas prices and congested highways. However, this is one of the first federal bills that shifts funding to meet new demands for public transportation. The Silver Star, servicing Georgia en route from New York to Miami, increased ridership 11.5 percent over the last year. Currently, Georgia has several transit projects on the planning board that will depend on strong federal funding.

Although tightened federal spending may limit the amount of money available for transit, policymakers now understand that transportation spending must go beyond highways if we are to achieve a purposeful and competitive transportation network.

ADRIENNE TECZA

Tecza is the transportation associate with the Georgia Public Interest Research Group.

Superintendent deserves praise

It really bothers me when I read about CEOs of large corporations getting millions of dollars in separation bonuses. In many cases, the company is failing, the shareholders are losing money and hundreds of employees are being laid off. In spite of this, the head man or woman makes out like a bandit.

So when I read about Superintendent of Decatur City Schools Phyllis Edwards turning down her deserved bonus of $14,640 because of the worsening economy and state cuts, it was like a breath of fresh air.

True leadership is when the person at the top is willing to put the organization’s best interest ahead of his or her own.

I’m not surprised that an educator did it. Business can learn a lot about commitment, loyalty and leadership from educators such as Phyllis Edwards.

JERRY SCHWARTZ, Alpharetta

Media picking on wrong person

The media pick and choose which candidate to follow and ultimately throw their support to. Case in point: Joe the Plumber. After last week’s debate, they find Joe the Plumber so intriguing/threatening that they do some investigation into his background. The results: He is an unlicensed assistant who owes $1,200 in back taxes.

Evidently the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Bill Ayers don’t warrant any investigative journalism despite their radical, un-American views and violent histories between them.

Did Joe the Plumber bomb the Pentagon and other American institutions? I don’t think so. Does Joe the Plumber think AIDS was “created” in America as a way to kill off black people? No. All Joe the Plumber wants to know is which candidate’s tax plan will affect his business the most. That’s all. Joe has no conspiracy theories, ties to terrorists or Chicago politics; just a wrench and a dream. And he’s a threat to whom?

JERRY ERICKSON, Marietta

Local elections require voters’ attention

With so much focus on the presidential election, many of us have forgotten or overlooked our local elections. In my district alone there are 23 seats where the incumbent has no opposition. These are important positions of state judges, court of appeals, sheriff, congressional representatives, etc. Until we citizens make a commitment to get involved in our government, we will continue to have a lot of the same problems we have now.

One way to encourage new faces to get involved is to put a term limit on officials. That includes judges, U.S. representatives and senators. A limit encourages new ideas and would prevent the current re-election attitude of many officials. Instead of doing what is right and best for our country, many are making choices that will guarantee their re-election.

SUZANNAH HEIMEL, Decatur

Who will cartoonist make fun of next?

I have a question for Mike Luckovich: If Barack Obama gets elected to the presidency, who or what will you have to create cartoons about? After eight years of a Republican in the White House and one running for president, you might be at a complete loss.

DAVID GOULD, Alpharetta