Why has Obama waited until now?
Yes, President Obama gave a very impassioned speech on gun deaths. My question is: If he has been that passionate and has always had the authority, why did he not take such action over the past seven years while the 210,000 gun deaths, that he referenced, were occurring on his watch? For two years, he even had a filibuster-proof Congress. I think, however, that the law is clear. If I am wrong, the courts will clarify it, not President Obama. All he can do is to direct his federal employees to make a possibly illegal arrest.
PAUL RICE, COVINGTON
Executive order was the right move
The President was right to issue an executive order. I was at the hearings in 2014 for the Guns Everywhere bill HB60. Every hearing was standing room-only. I listened and supported the survivors of gun violence, the parents of children killed by guns, the testimony of law enforcement from Georgia and clergy from all faiths in Georgia. They presented facts and figures on how universal background checks for all gun purchases would save lives and passage of HB60 would endanger all of us. We outnumbered the NRA and Georgiacarry gun people. Their (NRA) arguments were all “Second Amendment” talking points. The measure passed with an incredibly absurd sentence that prohibits the police from asking a person who is openly carrying an assault-type weapon if he has a permit for that. We managed to force them to prohibit Campus Carry, but I understand that may be challenged this year. I have a question for the whole Georgia General Assembly: Why do you value guns over the lives of my children and your children? I support the president and his executive order.
PATRICIA EVANS, MOUNTAIN PARK
ACA repeal not ‘a waste of time’
Rep Jim McGovern, D-Mass, is quoted as saying the House passing legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act is a “waste of time” (Congress sends health law repeal to Obama, Jan. 7). No, it’s not. The position that I take is not pro- nor anti-ACA, nor pro- or anti-Democrat or Republican. Having one’s congressman propose legislation and vote on legislation is what we the people expect of our elected officials. Regardless of party, our representatives are elected to represent the will of their constituents, not high-paid, narrow-focused lobbyists or the president’s wishes. They should not run and hide when controversial issues arise. If Rep. McGovern is so concerned about congressmen wasting time, then I suggest they begin working 40-hour weeks, 48 weeks a year like the average Joe does, instead of taking a $174,000 pay check for part-time work.
P.D. GOSSAGE, JOHNS CREEK
Fines not enough for VW crimes
VW could face fines of $18 billion over the fraud they perpetrated. By rigging their diesel vehicles to appear to be clean under testing conditions, but spewing as much as 40 times the legal limit of pollutants when driven, they actually caused premature deaths and illnesses. The added pollution worsened smog and climate change.
The penalties for these crimes should be severe. But it’s not enough for VW to only pay a fine and restore their cars to operate within EPA requirements. Those responsible for these crimes must stand before a judge. Car owners should be compensated. And, the company must address the added pollution for which they are responsible.
DON MCADAM, SANDY SPRINGS
Ethics board needs women
How is it that, in 2016, the newly reconstituted Board of Ethics in DeKalb County is comprised of all men? While I don’t for a minute doubt the integrity of those appointed to the board, an all-male board fails minimum standards for diversity, shutting the door to women’s voices and perspectives. After all the clamoring for a reformed Board of Ethics, we have been let down by those in power who have used an old yardstick for selecting appointees — men in prestigious positions.
LIBBY HOWZE, ATLANTA
