Letters to the editor should be no longer than 150 words and must include a daytime phone number for verification. They may be edited for length and clarity, and may be published in print or other formats. Email submissions are preferred.
Email: letters@ajc.com.
How to submit an Opinion column: Submissions should be 600 words or less. Email columns to Opinion Editor Tom Sabulis at tsabulis@ajc.com. Columns submitted to the AJC may be published, republished and made available in the AJC or other databases and electronic formats.
FLAG DAY
Do your part to honor veterans’ contributions
On Friday, Flag Day, we commemorate the adoption of the American flag and celebrate the birthday of the United States Army.
Flag Day is also a time to honor our nation’s veterans who have served to protect the flag and the ideals it represents. With each ceremonial fold of the flag, we recognize the principles on which our country was founded, such as liberty, unity, justice and sacrifice. We also stand with Georgia veterans as they honor fellow service men and women, and reflect on their own service to the country.
Whether you are a fellow veteran, a loved one of a service member or a patriotic volunteer, there are many ways to honor local heroes — such as visiting with patients in their homes or nursing homes; assisting with recognition ceremonies, or collecting personal memories and photos from veterans to create keepsake journals.
Showing your gratitude for veterans does not have to be limited to Flag Day, Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. Throughout the year, join your community to thank veterans.
JENNIFER ANDERSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CROSSROADS HOSPICE
EDUCATION
Use tax breaks to spur technology enrollments
The history of world hegemonies — Rome, Napoleon’s France and the British Empire — is they declined because of a mixture of complacency and a failure to recognize significant changes in the rest of the world.
One way for the U.S. to avoid this pitfall is to make sure that we lead the world, particularly in innovation, technology and science. We should incentivize students to major in the critical subjects — science, technology, engineering and, of course, math — by giving their parents tax breaks. We need more U.S. graduates in these subjects if we are to lead the global economy.
IAN SHAW, CUMMING
ETHICS
Show if donated funds steer politicians’ votes
It seems a day doesn’t go by without a news story outlining the tale of a politician accused of a conflict of interest. The vast majority of these stories involve a payoff or favor from those trying to influence willing politicians. An alternative born of desperation may be the only hope for changing the status quo.
This alternative would be for media institutions like the AJC to periodically publish the votes politicians make, fairly explain both sides of the subject of the vote and, most importantly, if the politician casting the vote has taken any money from interested parties.
The logistics of such an ongoing accounting could be challenging. This difficulty does not negate the need for this public accountability. Providing this information to readers would be a service worthy of the cherished ideals espoused by Edward R. Murrow.
ERIC SANDBERG, ATLANTA
