MEDICAID
Keeping people healthy saves money in the end
Misty Williams’ article, “Ga.’s Medicaid call affects thousands” (News, April 6), on Georgia’s failure to expand Medicaid, gives voice to the thousands of hard-working Georgians who don’t have access to affordable health care. But why didn’t you run it when our Legislature was intent on passing laws designed to block access? The article explains clearly why providing health care makes economic sense. So, Gov. Nathan Deal, when did health care become welfare? It’s well care. Treating high blood pressure not only helps people now by enabling them to work, but it also prevents the state from paying for nursing home costs later.
MARTHA KATZ AND MARSHALL KREUTER, DECATUR
AT-RISK YOUTH
Violent, misogynistic culture misleads teens
No issue in my lifetime, except Vietnam, is misrepresented more egregiously than why prospects for young black males are worsening (“A necessary investment,” Editorial, April 6). At the risk of stating the obvious: Black and white leaders are terrified to confront sports and entertainment icons who glorify (and hard-sell) misogynistic, violent behavior. Heroes like Jeffrey Canada and charter school initiatives have to fight unions everywhere to bring out-of-the-box education solutions to inner cities. Union self-interest and their political lackeys get away with this.
After a volunteer day at a local high school talking about employment, it stokes you why parents of nine boys I spoke would allow their sons to tattoo their necks and hands. Had they been present, would they have complained about their boys’ poor job prospects because of the tattoos? Our president and first lady could take so many more practical initiatives here. As forces for cultural change, they’d be unparalleled.
ED TESSARO, ALPHARETTA
HAMMERIN’ HANK
Aaron a true hero of the civil rights struggle
Opening Day is Henry Aaron’s Day. Not to take away from Jackie Robinson’s accomplishments, but Aaron should be honored as the truest hero of the struggle for racial integration of baseball. Aaron did not grow up and go to college in Southern California and then play minor league ball in Montreal, as did Robinson. He grew up in Mobile, didn’t attend college and played minor league baseball in the segregated South. Younger people, black and white, do not know and can hardly imagine how difficult this was in those times and places. I am a white Southerner the same age as Aaron. I know. Not only is Aaron one of the greatest ball players of all time, he is a man of uncommon courage and character. Congratulations again, Mr. Aaron!
GEORGE CAIN, MARIETTA
