HURRICANE SANDY
More storm victims
say ‘Thanks, Georgia’
I would like to take a moment to thank all of the utility companies that your great state of Georgia sent to work and restore power at the shore in New Jersey.
I realize that these workers left behind their families to head up here and help after Hurricane Sandy slammed into our beautiful beach towns and left us in ruins, and powerless. From the bottom of my heart, I wish to thank them all.
I can approach the utility workers and say,” Thank you,” but I wanted to let the good people of Georgia (especially the utility workers’ families) know how grateful I am that they came when we needed them most. We will rebuild our shore, but we could not have started the long process without the help of these fantastic men and women.
LAUREN DRAVIS-GROGAN, BRIELLE. N.J.
POLITICS
Campaign fundraising
did citizens little good
An enormous amount of money was raised and spent by the Democratic and Republican parties campaigning for the office of president.
People are homeless and jobless; the elderly and children are starving, and many have no medical insurance. Military veterans are not receiving the benefits our government promised.
The Republicans and the Democrats wasted a lot of precious time and money that could have been used to reduce our national debt, or help save Social Security and benefits programs. What did the Democrats and Republicans do to help out our economy? Nothing.
They sure can raise money for their needs — but not for the people.
RITA A. KELLER, MACON
HIGHER EDUCATION
Emory online credits
come at a steep price
This reader is struck by the obvious and rather glaring omission from the story on Emory University’s offering of online full-credit courses (“Emory takes big step with online courses,” News, Nov. 16). The obvious omission: Emory’s high tuition fee for its new online courses.
Emory’s motives, admirable as they are, miss the essential value of what Internet and mobile computing technologies offer. As with many other industries today, the Internet now offers all businesses and institutions more cost-effective means of delivering services to their customer. Today’s residential college experience has far out-paced most middle- and even traditionally upper-middle-class families’ abilities to pay for their children’s higher education needs.
At $4,200 to $5,600 per online course, Emory fails to address today’s existential challenge to all universities and colleges. It’s time for a 21st Century solution to meet today’s educational needs.
FRED PAPRIN, SANDY SPRINGS
HEALTH CARE
Opting out hurt state
in attracting employers
Hooray! By opting out of the health care exchanges, Governor Deal has made Georgia a top competitor for worst in the nation when it comes to economic development and quality of life.
What company in its right mind could expect to attract and retain high-quality employees in a state that refuses to make rational investments in education, health care and transportation?
JANET RECHTMAN, DECATUR
