Average Georgian loses to developers
In 2004, when the Jekyll Island Authority announced plans to redevelop Jekyll Island due to its large number of gloomy, deteriorating hotels (“Hotels, stores rise on Jekyll Island,” News, June 8), board members had an open palette to create a tourist destination unparalleled along the Atlantic Coast: a beach resort within the budget of average-income families. Launching such an architectural plan would have sent a significant message throughout our profit-driven society: “Here in Georgia, the affluent no longer have a monopoly on scenic beauty. We invite all citizens to enjoy our natural resources.”
Instead, by contracting to build only high-end hotels, shops and restaurants, the JIA has slammed the gates on ordinary Americans, who will no longer be able to afford a family vacation on the island. Instead of leading the way in embracing people of all income levels, the JIA has shown once again that wealth, greed and excessive consumerism trump a commitment to the ordinary majority who inhabit our country.
BRENDA CONSTAN, ATLANTA
Blame Bush, not Obama, for mess
In response to the letter, “Obama policies are unparalleled disaster” (Opinion, June 8), I ask the following: Under which administration did the economy collapse? Who bailed out Wall Street with $700 billion in taxpayer dollars? Who was president when job losses were 800,000 monthly? Who started two wars that has cost a trillion dollars and thousands of lives? Who gave the huge tax cuts for the rich, causing an increase in the “wealth gap”? George W. Bush.
Now, who is in the White House as the stock market soars? Who is winding down the two wars? Who is adding jobs rather than losing them? Who is fighting for the citizens over the corporations (which does not a socialist make)? President Obama.
Look at the facts and statistics. Who is the president with the “twisted philosophy”? Who or caused the “upheaval” with his wars and economic disaster?
JANE FOSTER, GRAYSON
Political hatred clouds judgment
The Sunday Michael Ramirez cartoon (Opinion, June 8) shows “Obamacare” and “Obamanomics” as a giant Godzilla monster that destroys the U.S. economy. This cartoon shows graphically (and I use that term literally) how political hatred distorts reality. No matter what your political persuasion may be, it is clearly false that the U.S. economy is in ruins. By almost every traditional or objective measure, today’s U.S. economy is described as greatly improved and very healthy. President Obama gets blamed for any bad news, because he is the person in charge. To be fair, he deserves at least some credit for the good news. Political hatred is the true destructive monster in America.
BILL FOKES, BRASELTON
