COMMON CORE
National standards can
improve kids’ education
Regarding “Partisan zealots threaten national school standards” (Opinion, May 1), very seldom do I agree with your liberal writers, but Jay Bookman’s column was right on.
Until we set a universal, tough — but fair — curriculum that promotes those students who pass while holding back those who fail, we will never regain our position of leadership in education.
CLAUDE HORTON, MARIETTA
HEALTH CARE
Government owes vets
equal coverage access
As reported in the May 1 edition of the AJC ( “Ga. Medicaid stance won’t help some vets,” News), “poor, uninsured military veterans and their spouses in Georgia won’t gain the same access to critical health coverage that hundreds of thousands of their peers will receive in states that plan to expand Medicaid.”
What is outrageous about this is that the federal government is not fully taking care of the health care of our courageous veterans who honorably served their country.
If President Obama saying that “Obamacare” means that “he cares” is really true, then our veterans should receive “federal funds,” not “state funds” for their health care needs.
JEROME JERNIGAN, ATLANTA
FULTON COUNTY
Tax official’s attitude
reflects no oversight
Once again, I am sickened by the lack of oversight in Fulton County and the “in your face” attitude of Arthur Ferdinand (“Tax chief’s car at issue,” News, May 3).
Giving the highest-paid government employee in the state a new Ford Explorer smacks of bloated government. It is high time that Ferdinand gets taken out of office, and Fulton County cleans up its act!
JODI SELVEY, ATLANTA
CONGRESS
Conservatives should
support statesmanship
I read the AJC’s recent coverage regarding criticism of Johnny Isakson for stances on certain issues, and for his being a Southern gentleman (“Isakson’s reach will get key tests,” News, April 28).
It would be well for arch-conservatives in Georgia to remember that a no-compromise approach embraced by congressional Republicans and Democrats is why Washington is in its current mess. As a black man who votes conservative, I have never failed to support Johnny Isakson. Groups like Heritage Action and Georgia’s Tea Party must realize a senator from Georgia represents the entire interest of his state, regardless of people’s background, and not just the shallow ideology of one group.
These groups should be careful they do not get what they ask for: a person like a Navy Seal representing them with the purpose of destroying and not creating — rather than a dedicated statesman who is both healer and thinker.
VINCENT KELLY, LITHONIA
