It’s time to heal the country
It’s time for the crying Clintonites to dry their eyes and join the effort to heal this great country. There has been a chasm-like disconnect between the executive branch of the government and the people, which was one of the reasons for the Nov. 8 upset. Americans believed there would be real hope and change and were sadly disappointed. We now have a country more deeply divided than ever.
Those of us who were disgruntled when Obama won his second term have a question. Why were there no demonstrations or riots then? It’s not supposed to happen in this country because we are a nation of laws and respecting citizens know individual grievances can not be corrected in the streets.
Now we all need to re-enter the real world and make unity our goal. Have faith in our system and our Constitution. Yes, the press is powerful, but it has no place as an arm of a political party or government.
Because I think we all care, I think it is time for all of us to take part in restoring our republic.
BARBARA KRASNOFF, ROSWELL
Insurance necessary for health of nation
It is no wonder Trump’s first priority is the cancellation of Obamacare; after all Republicans have already voted more than 60 times to repeal it without offering any alternative to cover all citizens,especially those with preexisting conditions.
Congress in 1792 mandated that all eligible men had to purchase guns and ammunition. One can safely assume that the legislators/judges knew then what the Constitution allowed. If that was for the defense of country, then mandatory health insurance is necessary for the health of the nation.
Even today we require a driver to purchase insurance if he/she wants to drive. Exemption can be obtained in many states if the driver proves his/her financial ability to cover the costs in case of accidents. Similarly, we can exempt the wealthy from purchasing health insurance.
No living person can guarantee that he/she will never fall sick and require medical care. What happens if this person lacks financial means?
PAVITTAR SAFIR, ROSWELL
Reed’s self-importance evident in story
Regarding the controversy of Mayor Kasim Reed’s abuse of police escorts to shave time from travel, I’d like to point out that it’s common to see police, firetrucks and EMS vehicles do this, not just in Atlanta but nationwide.
The lights and sirens go on, then off when the vehicle’s cleared an intersection.
That doesn’t lessen the basic wrongness, nor the annoyance it inspires for the rest of us. I suspect it’s one reason so many trail other vehicles through red lights — “Hey, I’m too important to wait !”
Reading the justifications offered by the mayor only furthers the sense of Reed’s self-importance. This is done “to keep the mayor and the citizens safe”; the need to “keep a national figure and his family safe in an unstable, unpredictable atmosphere;” reporting these abuses is “reckless and irresponsible” — all quotes from Leon Stafford’s story from Nov. 12.
I’ve generally thought of Reed as semi-progressive, if business-oriented, but those attempted excuses create questions not just about his attitudes but about his mentality, something he might consider as he continues to try establishing himself as “a national figure.”
DARRYL WEAVER, ATLANTA
Maybe protesters should get swats
Seems that we have a large group of very petulant children out there that did not get their way. And throwing “temper tantrums” in the form of rioting and blocking streets is very childish. When my children threw a tantrum, they got a swat on the rear end.
Does anyone remember riots after Obama was elected? I don’t. He was not my choice, but he was elected just as Trump was.
Grow up, people. Your candidate lost — and down the road you may be very glad she did.
MARY LOU BROOKS, ATLANTA
Wildfires a real threat to Georgians
Gov. Nathan Deal and our government agencies don’t seem to be any more adept at handling this year’s wildfires than they were at handling all the snow and ice during the snowstorm several years ago. Are North Georgians just expected to put up with suffocating smoke choking our lungs and even smoking up our homes? How many more of us will be developing lung diseases and respiratory problems before these wildfires get under control?
WILL LANCE, ATLANTA
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