TAXATION
Obama policies look
to bigger government
Why do our elected officials in Washington think they can spend their way out of a recession?
It’s obvious they have no intention of cutting spending and taxes — practices that have proven to be successful, especially during the Reagan and Clinton presidencies.
President Obama’s beliefs and left-wing ideology don’t allow him think in those terms. His main motivations concern a bigger and more controlling bureaucracy.
Nothing in history has shown us that President Obama’s form of socialist control has ever yielded anything but a reduction of a nation’s industrial output and more hardship for its people. Why do we have a mainstream press that continues to support such destructive policies? They must know more government doesn’t create a better life for people.
TOM GAMBESKI, JASPER
Why is there a pledge
to Grover Norquist?
So, who is Grover Norquist? The last time I checked, we did not elect him to any office — and as far as I understand, he does not hold any significant office in the Republican Party. Yet this guy has somehow persuaded many Republicans who were elected to sign a pledge not to raise taxes for any reason, even when it might be in the best interests of the country. Where is the democracy in that?
IAN SHAW, CUMMING
GUN OWNERSHIP
Time for boundaries
to Second Amendment
In the national conversation on rights to firearms under the Second Amendment, it is time to discuss boundaries on those rights. The First Amendment allows free speech, even odious speech, but it does not recommend a person falsely shouting “fire” in a crowded theater. Free speech is thereby relative, not absolute.
Second Amendment boundaries could bar future sale of 10-round ammunition clips or higher; end sale of assault weapons, and close the gun show loopholes. These measures would respect the rights of legal gun owners and ensure the right to life of all citizens.
Increasing the availability of mental health services is also needed, even though paying for it is tough in the current economic environment. Enacting the boundaries merely requires legislative action and signatures. If not now, when?
RICH LAPIN, DUNWOODY
POPULAR CULTURE
Addicted to violence,
we’re still surprised
We are heartbroken over the violent events of late — but why should we be surprised?
Our children play violent video games for hours daily.
Our country is considered to be an extreme bully by the rest of the world. Our foreign policy supports violent dictators in many countries. We can’t go a decade without jumping into another war.
Our politicians are incompetent, yet we keep re-electing them. They are incapable of passing meaningful legislation.
We do nothing to combat the violence at home. We have street gangs that could rival our own military, yet we do nothing. We just sit back and wait for the next slaughter of innocent people — and then protest vehemently.
As a society, we are addicted to violence.
When extreme violence invades our homes, schools and communities, we should not be surprised.
DONALD VARN, CONYERS
