CONGRESS
Word best describes
lawmakers’ attitudes
The AJC has reported that Congress has voted to ban the word “lunatic” from the legislative argot (“Term erased from law,” News, Dec. 6).
Let’s hope this sentiment doesn’t carry over into the private sector. If it does, we might be deprived of an excellent word to describe those members of Congress who seem quite willing to allow our country to become the world’s next Greece — while spending their time on such trivialities as bowdlerizing the language of anything that might offend someone.
RICHARD DOWIS, WALESKA
FISCAL CLIFF
Easy deficit target:
corporate tax breaks
Lately, we’ve heard all about the “fiscal cliff”; about tax rates for individuals, entitlement reform, deficit reduction, and broad cuts to defense spending.
What we haven’t heard much about is what should be the easiest first step for Congress in any negotiation: closing corporate tax loopholes.
Conducting business here provides corporations with a huge market, an educated workforce, infrastructure and national security. Programs that support all of these are being cut as we lose billions in revenue because of tax haven abuse. As Congress scrambles to address yet another budget crisis, we urge them to recognize closing corporate tax loopholes as an obvious, and powerful first step.
LAURA MURRAY, PROGRAM ASSOCIATE, GEORGIA PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP
Despite ballot losses,
GOP still doesn’t get it
It seems that we will not not be able to avoid a “fiscal cliff” come 2013. It is a shame, but apparently, the GOP does not get it.
We need to remember that, while the GOP has control of the House of Representatives, they did lose the election for president — meaning that their constituents may have elected them, but this is a nationwide issue. The GOP seems not to realize that for them, the 2016 election campaign should have already started. Following in John Boehner’s footsteps only ensures yet another defeat the next time time around.
Did the GOP not learn anything this time around? Get to work, fellows.
PABLO J. MERCADO, ALPHARETTA
HELPING OTHERS
Examples of caring
should start at the top
President Obama is fixated on the rich sharing their wealth, but he wants to force people to do this. He and his family could start the ball rolling by foregoing some of their lavish vacations and shopping trips. They could instead share that money with people who are hurting, especially those in the storm-tossed areas in the Northeast.
If he and his family would set the example, I believe many other wealthy people would follow suit. Giving out of caring and concern is far more effective than taking people’s money by law.
SUE SHEALY, LOGANVILLE
