A lack of tact and diplomacy
Donald Trump’s poll popularity is surely nothing other than a reflection of so many Americans’ disdain for Congress’ lack of responsible leadership, our president’s brash attempts at filling that vacuum and our Supreme Court’s decisions which go against principles held dear by many citizens. We have so much rammed down our throats that we regurgitate with an unseemly attempt to rid ourselves of bile festering deeply in our guts. What else could possibly explain early polls reflecting a preference of so many for such a fool as Donald Trump? Sadly, tact and diplomacy are not necessary to succeed in corporate America as has he.
PAT PATRICK, DECATUR
An interesting Republican debate
According to candidates in the first Republican debate, 65 consecutive months of job growth and a reduction in unemployment are signs of a bad economy. Having more than 16 million more people with health insurance is a disaster. A war with Iran is a better option than a good, albeit imperfect, diplomatic deal. It is the role of government to decide women’s reproductive health issues. Building a wall on our southern border will solve all immigration problems. Turning back the clock on equality is preferable to forming a more perfect union. I find it difficult to believe that very many people would consider voting for any of these candidates.
MIKE HAREMSKI, TUCKER
Make health a No. 1 priority
I appreciate the AJC’s coverage of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan and the environmental impacts from climate change on our state. While this coverage is important, you’ve left out a significant, compelling argument. The CPP will save lives and protect the health of Georgians. Carbon pollution drives warmer temperatures and climate change, enhancing conditions for dangerous ground-level ozone formation and particle pollution. Ozone and particle pollution can cause asthma attacks, breathing problems and premature deaths. Particle pollution also causes heart attacks, strokes and cancer. The third National Climate Assessment demonstrates that climate change threatens public health not only through worsened air pollution, but also more frequent and intense wildfires, increased extreme weather events and the spread of certain diseases. The CPP and other policies that drive a cleaner energy sector will reduce premature deaths from power plant emissions by nearly 90 percent in 2030 compared to 2005 and decrease pollutants that can lead to more asthma attacks in kids by more than 70 percent. Under the Clean Air Act, deadly pollution has been cut, the economy has grown. The EPA has done its job to protect public health. Now it’s time for Georgia’s leaders to step up, stop making excuses and make health its No. 1 priority.
SUSAN BERRYMAN RODRIGUEZ, project director, Mothers & Others for Clean Air: American Lung Association of the Southeast.
