Government should not
subsidize with tax dollars
Nice piece Tom Sabulis, a very interesting and timely debate on “The economics of new stadiums” (Opinion May 23). In my view, Victor Matheson makes the best socially accurate, economic argument, while Bruce Seaman seems to be emoting attitudinally of “the way things should be.” Government should not subsidize/enrich certain stakeholders at the expense of others. Baseball, football stadiums, aquariums are not public goods measured by cost/benefit analysis. The Gwinnett Braves deal does not and will not cash-flow for the citizens of Gwinnett County. One can look at the numbers and quickly/clearly see that government was duped. Mr. Seaman, groupthink is not conducive for efficiency or equity.
JOE VANN, STATHAM
Social programs added
to America’s greatness
It was quite disheartening to read that LBJ’s Great Society “led America to the brink of self-destruction” “Columnist right about Great Society,” (Opinion, May 23). In fact, the opposite is true. To say that the Voting Rights Act, the Child Safety Act, Medicare, Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Civil Rights Act, college loans and the first Environmental Protection measures were destructive is blatantly false. It is the responsibility of a government to see that its children are safe and educated, that its elderly are able to see their doctors and that no citizen need go to bed hungry. That is what makes a nation strong as we have witnessed over the decades since the 1960s. It strengthens the “principles of liberty”—-not reverses them. The 1965 to 1967 Congress was the most productive in the history of the country while today’s Congress is the least productive. Let us support the government that takes care of its people. That is what all civilized nations do.
JANE FOSTER, GRAYSON
Self-righteous hater
should mind own business
This is to the woman who encountered my grandson’s mother at the Publix on East Piedmont in Cobb County last Thursday. For some unfathomable reason, you felt compelled to hurt and humiliate another human being whose life and circumstances you know absolutely nothing about. Congratulations, you succeeded. Yes, she is on WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children). Yes, she bought a small container of ice cream and some soft drinks, both of which were on sale. For this heinous crime, you berated her in public by telling her that she has no right to buy those items if she is on government assistance. How dare you! How dare you project your smug, self-righteous hate on someone who has done nothing wrong and struggles every day to keep her dignity and sense of worth intact.
By the way, the ice cream and soft drinks were a rare treat for the children to celebrate the end of the school year and their excellent grades.
GAIL HANSEN, KENNESAW
