TAX CREDITS
Too much given away
to lure low-paying jobs
Chris Clark’s guest column in support of tax credits as a primary economic development tool for the state of Georgia is a prime example of the flawed thinking that has kept Georgia at the bottom rung of economic success (“Tax credits are a key to state’s success,” Opinion, March 6). What Mr. Clark is peddling is “fool’s gold” for the citizens of Georgia.
Tax credits for companies that create low-paying manufacturing jobs in Georgia are great only for the owners of these companies, the politicians they support and “flacks” like Mr. Clark. Without sufficient tax revenue, states like Georgia have no hope of ever truly competing for high-wage jobs of the future. Giving away Georgia’s already-limited tax revenues prevents us from being able to address our two major infrastructure crises: a second-rate primary education system and a vastly underdeveloped transportation system.
Georgia’s failure to address these issues will doom it to the economic status it will have earned.
FRED PAPRIN, SANDY SPRINGS
LEGISLATION
Legalized fireworks
pose numerous risks
With all of the issues that our state legislators could consider, it is somewhat puzzling why the legalization of fireworks is being considered.
There are ordinances or laws in many places regarding the allowable noise level of music. Those who ignite fireworks rarely consider their neighbors who may wish to sleep or have a quiet evening.
Given the extended drought in Georgia, fireworks certainly increase the risk of fires. Roman candles, for example, can fall to the ground with sparks or fire still in place and cause fires. Even if the drought conditions improve, that does not mean the ground is not dry at the time.
Lastly, there are injuries caused every year by fireworks that ignite prematurely — or because of individuals simply taking too much risk in handling fireworks. Blinded eyes, injured fingers, damaged hearing, etc. happen every year. Some of these injuries would likely happen to individuals without health insurance. Who would pay for the treatment?
Hopefully, our legislators will continue to consider the well-being of those who do not wish to be kept awake by noise, and consider as well concerns about fires caused by fireworks. Some types of revenue are not worth the results.
MIKE DEAL, ALPHARETTA
SUPERBUGS
Humans endangered
by livestock antibiotics
In response to the recent article “Health officials report threat from superbugs” (News, March 6), blame is often placed on the over-prescribing of antibiotics by doctors. However, another, and perhaps bigger, factor is the overuse of antibiotics given to animals raised for food in factory farms.
Because these operations promote unhealthy animals to increase production for more profit, they are fed antibiotics to compensate for unnatural conditions. This antibiotic use accounts for about 70 percent of antibiotics administered and is encouraging the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. As we consume these resistant bacteria and antibiotics through the food chain, we are increasing our inability to fight off bacteria.
Because it appears agriculture corporations are not willing to reduce antibiotic use in the foreseeable future, we must control our own intake by eating more plant-based foods.
JEANNE ROBINSON, SMYRNA
