READERS WRITE

Responses to “A one-word explanation? Try ‘greed’,” @issue, Dec. 28

Greed is motivator and capitalism’s Achilles’ heel

I read Jay Bookman’s column on greed with interest. Greed is a great motivator but it is capitalism’s Achilles’ heel. The sad truth is that when it comes to money, I don’t trust the largest corporation down to the smallest businessman. All are capable of attempting and often do attempt to rip you off. I can only imagine what the world would be like if everyone was absent a greed motive.

GEORGE MILLER, Stone Mountain

Definition: Desire to profit without putting forth an effort

Jay Bookman’s piece on “greed” points out just how hard it is to talk about. I had to laugh, not at anything in particular, but that he even tried to tackle such a topic.

Like everyone else, I hear it all the time: “greedy this,” “greedy that,” “nothing but greed,” etc., ad nauseam. It’s difficult to define because so much of what is labeled as greed isn’t greed at all but rather a criminal enterprise. I’ve got my own definition of greed and I think it works well, at least in every situation I’ve encountered. To me, greed is defined as the desire to profit without investment or labor, to seek gain without putting forth an effort.

Now who fits the description? It makes me a little queasy but yes … welfare recipients. Not that I mind helping people, but greed comes in the form of years and years of continued withdrawals from the public trough without any investment or labor. Just thought Bookman would like to know that yet another person struggles with the concept of greed.

MIKE WOODLIFF, Smyrna

Message should be heeded by conservatives of all stripes

Jay Bookman’s column was one of his very best among many outstanding contributions he makes to intellectual, honest readers of the AJC.

I am not as politically liberal as Bookman and disagree with his conclusions from time to time. However, just as I do not admire knee-jerk liberalism, neither do I admire knee-jerk conservatism. I am inclined for many reasons to a belief in free enterprise and capitalism, but totally agree that unchecked greed is perhaps the biggest danger to the survival of a system that can be justified as “servant” but not as “master.”

Bookman’s was a message that should be heeded by conservatives of all stripes, while at the same time explaining the “game” to some with a liberal view of our economic system.

DICK HODGES, Marietta

A suggestion: Give every taxpayer $1 million once

Our next president and Congress are going about stimulating our economy in a way that will do nothing and cost a lot of money. I suggest that every taxpayer receive $1 million in a one-time, direct-deposit, tax-free payment. They will be responsible for paying their mortgage, health costs and retirement, or investing the money to grow and living off the interest. Those who don’t pay any income tax would receive a one-time $25,000 check.

The cost would be much, much lower than the billions or trillions of dollars being planned for a stimulus package now. Can you imagine what would happen overnight to our economy? Home and car sales will be countless and that will save and revive two industries. Banking will get back in the picture with loans, since people borrowing would have the assets to collateralize their loans. Retail will be back in business. And all the associated and allied industries would have to gear up to meet the demands. Now, that’s a stimulus package we can all appreciate!

DON MEMBERG, Atlanta

Georgia Democrats naturally whining about electoral votes

I love reading the whining from Democrats about the way electoral votes are awarded in Georgia. It’s great hearing about the proposed change now that at the end of the day.

After they all spent hours standing in line waiting to vote, after all the campaigning and after all the dancing in the streets on election night, their votes meant nothing and they did absolutely nothing toward the election of Barack Obama. They all now understand that all of Georgia’s votes went to John McCain. Somehow, I don’t think any of these Democratic lawmakers would be saying a word had Obama carried Georgia.

I would love to change to a proportional system for 2012. I would love for Obama to carry Georgia with 50-something percent of the vote. I would love for the Republican candidate to lift just enough votes out of Georgia for the Republican to win the Electoral College by one vote.

Then, on election night, all the news organizations will announce to the world: “You know, under the old system, Obama would have taken all of Georgia’s electoral votes and the presidency, but in the new system brought in by the state’s Democrats, enough electoral votes were pulled off to cost Obama the election.”

That would be great.

CLAY WATERFILL, Duluth