READERS WRITE

Georgia tax equity

Responses to “Tax equity: It’s wrong to base spending on dirt,” @issue, March 15

Wooten’s rural roots are showing

Jim Wooten abandons the conservative philosophy of minimizing the redistribution of wealth, in this case state tax revenue. He’s all for giving rural Georgia a disproportionately larger share of the revenue at the expense of the Atlanta metro area. If anything, Atlanta should get a larger share, given that Atlanta is Georgia’s economic engine. A healthier Atlanta means a healthier Georgia. It appears that Wooten’s rural roots trumped principle and logic.

JIM SCHISLER

Atlanta

Conservative calls for redistribution

It was interesting to read Jay Bookman’s and Jim Wooten’s assessments of the recent study released by Georgia State University’s Peter Bluestone on tax distribution equity in the state. Most interesting is Wooten’s newfound appreciation for spreading the wealth. With his claim that just because “Atlanta generates a greater share of the state’s revenues does not mean that the state has any greater obligation to Atlanta,” Wooten is basically making a case for wealth redistribution by governmental means.

I’ll be looking forward to his upcoming column advising the residents of Milton to back off their campaign to secede from Fulton County. Why should they expect a more equitable distribution of their taxes? By Wooten’s logic, Milton residents aren’t “entitled by virtue of the dirt they occupy.”

DEAN THAMES

Atlanta

Parents or poverty?

Responses to “Put the onus on poverty, not parentage,” @issue, March 15

Proper guidance makes the difference

I worked at the Fulton County Juvenile Court for 15 years and taught elementary school (special education) for about 20 years. Having worked in the trenches with disadvantaged and problem-plagued children, I have firsthand knowledge of how important parental involvement is to young people. It is simply everything. While negative culture plays a devastating —- and almost unconquerable role —- failure of parent(s) to provide guidance for their children is the greatest deficit of all.

Cynthia Tucker seems to take glee in pointing out that the Cleaver family stereotype is disappearing, even though it seems she came from just such a family. We should hang our heads in sadness if the Cleaver family continues to disappear. I grew up in a “Cleaver” family and we raised our daughter in a “Cleaver” family. In my Cobb County neighborhood, that is the norm. The demographics of my neighborhood are 50 percent white, 30 percent black and 20 percent Asian or Middle-Eastern.

Almost without exception, there are two parents in the home who are hard-working and involved in their children’s lives. My neighborhood is repeated countless times all over metro Atlanta. Again, it is because of strong parenting. And yes, a mother and a father are both important, but a parent acting alone can still do the right job with his or her children.

CHARLES LEE

Marietta

Let’s throw out ‘illegitimate’ label

That was an excellent column on the topic of poverty and the misdirection that so often blames unplanned parenting. One comment, though. When I read the phrase “the phenomenon of illegitimate pregnancy,” I cringed. Can we please bury the morality-laced term “illegitimate” in the early 21st century? It has always been the children who wear this brand all their lives, not the parents. Words like “unplanned” or “unmarried” are more accurate, focusing on the conduct of the parents rather than the consequences to be borne by the child. In truth, no child is ever illegitimate, just unfortunate, in so many cases.

CHIP ROSE

Soquel, Calif.

Taxpayer just wouldn’t fit it

I was born in Michigan many years ago and have lived in Georgia almost as long. Ostensibly I am eligible to run for any office in this land. However, I don’t feel that I should because I obey the laws and pay my taxes.

BETTIE RECHTMAN

Decatur

Corporate tyranny cannot be allowed

Americans are getting very tired of corporate socialism: the privatization of profit and the socialization of risk and misconduct. The citizens are wide awake and very aware of what is going on with our money and our rights. This tyranny will not stand!

NICHOLAS MITCHELL

Atlanta

State could use a true conservative

Wanted: One true conservative to run for the U.S. Senate in 2010 in Georgia. No prior experience in government required. Experience in running a small business a plus. Must be able to pass a test on the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights and sign a loyalty oath to the will of the people who elect you. Lawyers and/or moderates need not apply. Contact your local Republican Party for support.

ANNA PESHERA

McDonough

Atlanta pays more, should get more

The truth regarding transportation reform lies somewhere between the viewpoints of state Sen. Tommie Williams and DOT board member Brandon Beach (“Should the Legislature revamp DOT oversight? @issue, March 16).

Beach is correct in that the biggest barrier to an effective DOT is inadequate funding. Williams is correct in describing the agency as dysfunctional, but that can be overcome with stronger board oversight and a reorganization to create transparency and accountability.

Beach errs in saying that a downside to the proposed changes means transportation spending will shift to Atlanta from rural areas. That is exactly what Atlanta needs, as Atlantans generate 37 percent of gas tax revenue but drive on only 17 percent of the state’s roads.

Neither gentleman addresses the elephant in the room —- and a big way to relieve gridlock and reduce pollution: MARTA. When will state leaders help take MARTA to the regional system it needs to be?

It can’t be done without state funding. Atlanta’s growth has fueled much of rural Georgia’s growth, and it’s time for some payback. As Atlanta chokes in traffic, so does Georgia’s economic engine. We cannot afford for that to happen.

BRUCE PEOPLES

Roswell