Narrowing of the Republican party
The Republican presidential nominating process has become a joke. It is a prime-time reality contest populated by billionaire egocentrics and their avatars seeking approval of the lowest common denominator. The party of Lincoln, which stood on principle for fairness, equality, and the strength of the union is a disheveled caricature of itself. Republicanism, which once stood for all Americans, now represents the club of the super rich. It is breaking apart under its own weight of anti-tax, anti-Obama, no-compromise, social disregard. With the re-emergence of Donald Trump as a front runner, the real face of republican ideology is on display. It’s truly disheartening to see how the GOP has fallen to this level of ignorance and false bravado.
TOM MCMANUS, ROSWELL
Iran deal sets back peace process
Regarding the Iran nuclear deal: 24 days to inspect a site make this a dangerous joke. Assuming Iran won’t get caught in its inevitable cheating, it will be allowed massive conventional weapons after 5 years. These go to Assad, Hamas, and Hezbollah — all fierce and barbaric opponents of any peace process between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. And after 10-plus years, Iran will have a green light to make nuclear weapons, all according to this tragically flawed nuclear deal. It is opposed by our allies in the immediate region — including the left, right and center in Israel — for good reason.
ROBERT GERN, ALPHARETTA
Pact beats going to war again
The U.S., our allies, and Iran recently reached a deal to stop Iran from building nuclear weapons. This historic agreement is an opportunity to resolve one of America’s biggest security concerns through diplomacy, not war. I hope my representatives in Congress will publicly defend and support this deal. If Congress kills this good deal, Iran could unfreeze its nuclear program, which means either Iran gets a nuclear bomb or we have to fight another war in the Middle East. After over a decade of war in Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Syria, Americans like me are tired of war. Congress should seize this opportunity to vote for a deal — not war — with Iran.
TONY LENTINI, SNELLVILLE
Property tax revolt is needed
Thanks to AJC columnist writer Kyle Wingfield, “Why your property tax is wrong,” (Opinion, July 9) and for the July 17 letter writer for bringing about the inadequacies and inequalities of the county property tax system. What taxpaying citizens need is a property-tax revolt such as happened in California during the 1970’s with the passage of Proposition 13 that protected homeowners from irresponsible property tax appraisals by freezing the appraisal at the sale price. Most people believe that the sale price is the only viable appraisal that is fair for the homeowner and that it eliminates numerous 50 percent to 100 percent assessment increases. Even with this freeze, the county still has the ability to raise taxes through millage rate increases, but eliminates what should be unlawful assessment and millage increases at the same time, which amounts to double taxation and is un-American and an affront to most taxpayers.
J. A. JERNIGAN, ATLANTA
