WORKING FAMILIES
Paid leave would help parents of sick kids
Summer vacation is in full swing for Georgia’s students.
Unfortunately, for many Georgia parents, summer vacation still means choosing between earning a paycheck, or taking time off work to care for a sick child. There are employers who will allow parents to use accrued leave if they are sick, but not if their child is sick.
Georgia has about 901,000 children living in single-parent families, and 962,000 below the poverty line. These families — due to low wages and/or no stable supports — cannot afford to lose a single day’s pay.
Parents should not have to choose between a paycheck and leaving a sick child home alone. Georgia House Bill 290 would allow employees to use earned sick days to take care of sick family members. Support Georgia’s working families. Support HB 290.
NICOLE CORLEY, DECATUR
CIVIL FORFEITURE
Seized money should go into general fund
I’ve followed the AJC’s recent news coverage about metro district attorneys’ alleged misuse of drug seizure/forfeiture funds.
I’m reminded of an old adage about governing: Dedicated revenue always leads to problems. In my view, with limited exceptions like the Georgia Lottery and the University of Georgia Athletic Association, state money collected from taxes, fees, fines and seizures should go into the general fund.
ALLEN B. GOODWIN, ROSWELL
OFFENSIVE WORDS
Please refrain from misusing God’s name
Now that we are getting the ugly “n” word under control and forbidden in our vocabularies — and rightfully so — may we address another issue?
As a Christian, I am terribly offended by the everyday usage on TV and by the public of the phrases “OMG,” “For God’s sake” and “For Christ’s sake.” The Third Commandment states we shall not take the name of the Lord in vain. Why are we not compelled to obey God’s word?
Even the comics use these phrases. That’s not humorous to a Christian.
M.M. FOWLER, SNELLVILLE
ANIMAL WELFARE
Heat alert systems can save police dogs’ lives
According to “Police dog found dead in handler’s car,” Metro, June 20, a Woodstock police dog died of heat stroke after being left in a patrol car. Unfortunately, police dog heat stroke deaths happen dozens of times throughout the year. Many more civilian pets, when left unattended, also suffer this fate.
In this age of technology, there is no excuse for these animal injuries and deaths. There are plenty of inexpensive heat alert systems available to protect these animals. An alert system is a small investment to make to help keep these animals alive, which the taxpayer has spent many thousands of dollars to train.
In some civilian animal cruelty cases, individuals can be sentenced to fines and even months in jail. Perhaps it is time to hold police officials to that same accountability.
J.A. JERNIGAN, ATLANTA
