READERS WRITE

Teachers’ retirement

Perdue should keep hands off fund

Gov. Sonny Perdue claims to be Republican but apparently he is a Democrat. He wants to spread the wealth around by taking money from the Teachers’ Retirement System and get his hands on it. This is money that all teachers, working and retired, have paid into the retirement system. It does not belong to the state of Georgia or to Perdue.

Perdue needs to find ways to cut the state’s budget fat. In no way is he entitled to seize our retirement fund.

WILLIAM DYSON

Fairburn

Here’s a lesson for legislative acolytes

I have a good idea for an exercise for Gov. Perdue and his acolytes in the Legislature and state government as they attempt to raise taxes on retired teachers by cutting their cost-of-living allowances.

Our leaders should go to a nearby high school, preferably not an elite school like the ones many of their children attend, and be forced to walk the halls during class changes.

Then they must teach classes for one day. After this they would be forced to contemplate following this routine for 30 years for a minimal salary. Perhaps then, if they had any consciences whatsoever, they would find a better method of covering up their poor financial management of the state.

CHARLES WEEKS

Marietta

Government should try ‘tax and spend’

Regarding the article “Fed may lower rates again” (Page One, Oct. 27): This will do more harm than good. It’s like pushing on a string. A rate of 1.5 percent should be low enough for any serious borrower. Making the rates lower would further hurt seniors’ interest income.

What the government should be doing is “tax and spend.” Tax high incomes to provide money for worthy projects that create jobs. We should restore tariffs on manufactured imports to reindustrialize America. Does anyone still believe that the 1930 Smoot-Hawley tariff was worse than our current factory closings?

How did we get out of the Great Depression and win World War II? Mostly by spending for job programs during the 1930s and for military supplies during World War II. Smoot-Hawley helped keep our factories open. Unfortunately, our present national debt, in real-per-capita dollars, is much higher than in 1929.

JACK GREGG

Sandy Springs

Halloween should be a night of fun

Every year we read article after article of why our kids should not have candy on Halloween. To add insult to injury, these so-called experts want to substitute pencils or a toy. Come on, people! We are talking about one night out of a whole year. The kids trick or treat for candy. It’s fun when the whole family gets involved.

We’ve always loved traditional Halloween at our house, and my kids still have all their teeth and are not unhealthy or overweight.

Please, stop overreacting to a simple night of fun when children (and parents) can dress up, play make-believe, and yes, share some candy. There’s enough stress in the world today that affects our children. Don’t let Halloween be one, too.

MEG MARSTON

Snellville