MINIMUM WAGE
Government shouldn’t dictate one’s earnings
Mary Sanchez, in “To reduce poverty, it’s time America got a raise” (Opinion, Feb. 25), sees only two reasons anyone would oppose raising America’s minimum wage. There’s actually a third, more fundamental reason: Curtailed freedom. In a truly free country, a fair wage is whatever an employer and prospective employee freely agree to in exchange for work. If pay is deemed too little, s/he can either negotiate more or turn to other employment options. Freedom for both.
Ms. Sanchez defiantly announces, “We, the electorate, get to decide what a fair wage is.” Oh? No responsible person would advocate stealing. Instead, however, we resort to electing representatives who vote wages out of the pockets of one person or business for another. Her version of “we the electorate” amounts to theft and a foray on freedom. No business should be compelled by government to pay more than what they and workers willingly agree. Instead, there should simply be no compulsory minimum wage at all.
ALAN FOSTER, ACWORTH
SECOND AMENDMENT
Partisanship shapes priorities for Georgia
Georgia Republican legislators want to make it easier for folks to bring guns to bars, churches and college campuses. Democrats want to make it easier for folks to get health insurance, through the Affordable Care Act and expansion of Medicaid. Gun rights or health care? I will vote for health care every time.
REUBEN HALLER, ATLANTA
Do guns infringe on religious freedom?
The Sixth Commandment is, “Thou shall not kill.” If the Religious Freedom Bill becomes law, as a Christian, will I be allowed to refuse to serve or sell to people carrying guns? Can churches refuse to allow gun toters into their buildings? After all, a handgun is designed for one purpose, and that is to kill.
FRED DIKEMAN, MARIETTA
COMMENTARY
Stirring the race pot with personal opinions
Leonard Pitts has done it once more, stirring the pot of racial unrest with his obviously biased commentary about the unfortunate Michael Dunn/Jordan Davis incident (“Again, white fear trumps black life in Fla. shooting,” Opinion, Feb. 20). To quote a portion of his article, “The justice system has betrayed us often, smashed our hopes often, denied the value of our lives often.” I’m unsure how the justice system has done these things to Mr. Pitts as he claims. It seems to me that he has led a relatively uneventful life and achieved a highly respected level of reporting. Unfortunately, he is quick to unleash his unwarranted opinions whenever he has the opportunity to add fuel to the fire. In my opinion, the AJC would be a better newspaper without Leonard Pitts’ personal opinions.
BOB GRAYSON, CUMMING
