Readers Write 8/28

IMMIGRATION

Local, state policies
fail, create confusion

I read with great interest about the implementation of an immigration check for business licenses in Gwinnett County (“Immigration check tied to business licenses,” Metro, Aug. 20). I wonder how that will be implemented? How does a company prove its legal status? Or does the licensing check apply to the person filing the paperwork? Sounds like there is a big loophole here, and that Gwinnett will likely create a bureaucracy that will drive away business.

Anti-immigrant laws end up hurting rather than solving a broken immigration policy. That is why we need our Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform, and eliminate the patchwork of failed local and state policies which create confusion within local communities and accomplish nothing.

Jerry Gonzalez, Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials

ENERGY

Desalinization, nuclear power plants needed

Our state and country are suffering from a potential shortage of affordable electric power and potable water. We see talk of negotiations with neighboring states, and of costly wind farms and solar energy. We hear of studies of other potential energy sources. These efforts do more harm than good. We need leadership from the governor to make, fund and finish a plan.

We should embark on construction of very large nuclear power plants on the coast, which will double as a desalinization plant. The technology is safe, and it is already there.

I have worked directly with both the Saudi government in their desalinization plants, and with the Chinese Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant. The problems in Georgia mimic those of the nation: a lack of leadership and courage. It seems politicians care only for problems which can be solved during one’s term of office. As citizens, we have the right — even the duty — to say get moving, or we will fire you.

Bruce I. Maynes, Alpharetta

POLITICS

Special interests keep us from enjoying better life

I am fed up with Big Business special-interest groups spreading lies, half-truths and made-up stories to defeat legislation that would help the majority of American citizens have a better life. Follow the money trail to find out the truth behind the lies.

Carl Thomas, Atlanta

GOVERNMENT

Key question: How
will it affect my taxes?

While D.L. Bennett’s story on privatization was comprehensive, it lacked the most fundamental piece that your readers want to know — how will privatization affect my taxes year after year (“Pitfalls ground push to privatize,” News, Aug. 20)? The story failed to mention the millage rate of Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs and other cities around Atlanta have all engaged in successful outsourcing, saving taxpayers thousands of dollars.

I also found it amusing that David Edwards stated, “Cities don’t have good management skills. They don’t write up good contracts and they don’t have good people to manage them.” He just described Atlanta perfectly.

Privatization can work if elected officials and city employees have an interest in saving taxpayers money.

Barbara Payne, Fulton County
Taxpayers Foundation