READERS WRITE

HOPE scholarship

Responses to “Need-based HOPE may better benefit state,” @issue, Dec. 1.

Is it time for a legal challenge?

I would like to add to the excellent reasons cited by Maureen Downey for making the HOPE scholarship need-based. I have always been horrified that state funds for education could discriminate against students with passing grades below 3.0. Whatever happened to what used to be called a “solid C” student? Grade “inflation” is an issue on many levels, but it falsely validates misuse of public money when applied as a qualifier for scholarships. Surely the student who might otherwise be dropping out or failing, but is instead working hard just to pass, has equal rights to a state-funded scholarship. That student’s GPA may limit acceptance to only the state schools with less rigorous requirements, but it should not limit access to public funds. (And if all state schools now pride themselves on accepting only B+ students, I also object to that!)

I’m amazed that there has been no legal challenge to HOPE being merit-based all these years. Maybe it’s time?

JUDY SEAMAN, Sandy Springs

Reward those who put forth effort

There are many resources available for need-based college aid beginning with federal grants and grants from individual colleges and universities. College isn’t necessarily for everyone; however, every child in a Georgia school has an equal opportunity to receive HOPE funding provided they work hard enough to maintain a measly B average.

With the current state of education in Georgia, we need to dangle this incentive carrot to give a tangible reward to those who put forth the effort.

ANNIE DAY, Woodstock

Downey has forgotten HOPE’s goals

Just say “no” to need-based HOPE scholarships! Another attack on middle-class families trying to put their children through college without, as Maureen Downey so eloquently described it, having to sell a kidney, assume loans or borrow from retirement to fund.

It seems Downey has forgotten the goals of the HOPE program. It was established to not only offer academically superior students who would not otherwise be able to afford college the opportunity to receive a higher education, but to offer these same students and those who can afford college to remain in Georgia.

Georgia was experiencing a “brain drain” prior to the program, when many talented students were attending universities in other states. There are many programs in place today to help needy individuals reach their academic goals without tampering with the legacy of the HOPE scholarships.

LYNDA ALFORD, Acworth

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Simple answer to liberals, conservatives

In response to the letter “Bookman reminds us left radio unprofitable” (@issue, Nov. 28), liberal left-wing radio is unprofitable because liberals do not need to be told what to think and do. Right-wing radio is profitable because conservatives do.

NANCY CLARK, Lilburn

HOT lane is latest blunder from GOP

The HOT lane is hopefully the last toxic idea to come out of this Republican administration. It is an ideologically driven solution to a transportation problem. George Bush and Sonny Perdue could have looked at Atlanta Regional Commission research, and the facts would have led them to a different answer. But facts are the enemy of ideology.

Economic ideology got us into recession. Foreign policy ideology got us into a war with someone who did not attack us. Energy ideology got us $4 gas. Education ideology got us “No Child Left Behind” and vouchers.

Until moderate Republicans take back control of their party in Georgia from the political and religious ideologues, we’ll continue our decline. Another option is for moderate Republicans to join moderate Democrats in a pursuit of facts, better transportation solutions and quality public education.

MIKE HOLZKNECHT, Atlanta

To see a hypocrite, look in the mirror

We are the ultimate hypocrites. We complain about banks and financial institutions not enforcing the rules and regulations in the mortgage mess and then complain about banks and financial institutions enforcing the rules and regulations on credit cards.

PATRICK MALONE, Snellville

Leaders must avoid last stimulus error

As lawmakers continue to debate another economic-stimulus package, they need to avoid a repeat of the last stimulus plan, which most taxpayers used to pay down debt. While perhaps not as popular as a check in the mail, a massive investment in America’s infrastructure would spur growth in the troubled construction industry.

Spending on public works projects provides jobs and paychecks while accomplishing the necessary task of repairing America’s decaying infrastructure. The $152 billion mailed to taxpayers this spring could have fixed a lot of roads, bridges and dams.

THOMAS MacDONALD, Atlanta