AIRPORT SECURITY
Dumping TSA alone
won’t improve agents
Finally, an almost-sane voice regarding the operation of TSA (“Airport should ditch agency,” Opinion, Dec. 11).
Airport screening is a necessary evil. But going private will not improve matters.
Allow me to make some observations and suggestions, based on our family’s extensive domestic and international travel experience.
Our airports have too many agents who are completely out of shape. There are too many sloppily dressed agents who are chewing gum, chit-chatting, sipping beverages, and eating. Yelling is not rare. Such unprofessional behavior must stop.
In most European airports, the agents wear smart uniforms, look sharp, act professionally and are polite. They efficiently clear 350 passengers and their hand luggage in less than 20 minutes. They do a thorough body check, too.
A strict dress code is a must. Men should wear sharp suits, and women should wear matching slacks and jackets with official logo.This creates an air of authority and professionalism and will automatically get public respect.
Let us also implement a fitness test for all TSA agents. Those who fail must be furloughed. In their place, employ returning military personnel.
VENKATESWARA RAO VELURI, DULUTH
GOVERNMENT SPENDING
Many steps necessary
to reduce nation’s debt
Our national debt was created over time by many acts of Congress that approved spending more money than the U.S. government could collect or print. Regardless of how much was well-spent or wasted, the debt belongs to all of us. It is our obligation and in our common interest to reduce it to a manageable level.
Congress and the president must act on advice from respected economists, and not from party bosses or political think tanks. No reasonable idea should be rejected because it alone does not substantially reduce the debt right away. No single step will. The solutions will take time and include reduced spending, increased revenues, tax reform and limits on buying friends (both foreign and domestic).
We don’t need to hear about principles. We want to see results. So get together, make a plan, and get to work.
TONY GARDNER, CUMMING
NEW STADIUM
Quality of life takes
back seat to football
Regarding “Next stadium step: $300M in funding” (News, Dec. 11), Atlanta will no longer be an attractive city for families looking for quality of life. Instead of funding for education, transportation and infrastructure, Atlanta has shown it will waste money on a stadium.
Taxpayers will only have themselves to blame for letting this happen.
GUADALUPE A. REYES, DUNWOODY
POLITICS
Both parties act like
spoiled preschoolers
Can someone please tell me how we ended up with such a dysfunctional bunch of petulant 4-year-olds running our government? From the White House on down, Democrat or Republican, these people all act like preschoolers who have never been told “no.”
I’m not sure which is worse: the fools who were elected, or the fools who elected this sorry bunch.
SARA FOSTER, TUCKER
